Save Yosemite Valley Campgrounds
Target:
Brian Ouzounian, Co-Founder, Yosemite Valley Campers Coalition
Sponsored by:
Help Save Yosemite Valley's North Pines Campground from closure, and restore the other Yosemite Valley campgrounds closed by the 2000 Yosemite Valley Plan
Before the 1997 flood, there were more than 800 family friendly auto-based campsites in Yosemite Valley. The Park's 2000 Yosemite Valley Plan permanently eliminated Upper River Campground, Lower River Campground, the Yosemite Valley Group Campground and a large portion of Lower Pines Campground.
The Plan also targets North Pines Campground for removal, which we feel must not go forward.
Final count: 500 campsites will remain resulting in a loss of more than 40% of camping opportunities in Yosemite Valley. Of the 500 sites, only 330 will be auto-based sites creating even fewer opportunities for young families, the disabled, and the elderly.
As part of the emergency flood appropriation, Congress gave the National Park Service funding to repair these campgrounds in Yosemite Valley--not to eliminate them. We oppose this arbitrary action by the National Park Service. We believe the NPS breached any public process in condemning the river damaged campsites and that none took place in their condemnation.
We request that Lower River, Upper River, and a portion of Lower Pines Campgrounds be reinstated with family friendly auto-based sites, as was the case pre-flood; we further request that North Pines Campground remain as currently used. This request complies with the vision of the Park's original General Management Plan.
After you sign, please go to our website below, where if you are interested you can sign up to get the newsletter at the link that says "Mailing List".
www.yosemitevalleycampers.org/
Before the 1997 flood, there were more than 800 family friendly auto-based campsites in Yosemite Valley. The Park's 2000 Yosemite Valley Plan permanently eliminated Upper River Campground, Lower River Campground, the Yosemite Valley Group Campground and a large portion of Lower Pines Campground.
The Plan also targets North Pines Campground for removal, which we feel must not go forward.
Final count: 500 campsites will remain resulting in a loss of more than 40% of camping opportunities in Yosemite Valley. Of the 500 sites, only 330 will be auto-based sites creating even fewer opportunities for young families, the disabled, and the elderly.
As part of the emergency flood appropriation, Congress gave the National Park Service funding to repair these campgrounds in Yosemite Valley--not to eliminate them. We oppose this arbitrary action by the National Park Service. We believe the NPS breached any public process in condemning the river damaged campsites and that none took place in their condemnation.
We request that Lower River, Upper River, and a portion of Lower Pines Campgrounds be reinstated with family friendly auto-based sites, as was the case pre-flood; we further request that North Pines Campground remain as currently used. This request complies with the vision of the Park's original General Management Plan.
After you sign, please go to our website below, where if you are interested you can sign up to get the newsletter at the link that says "Mailing List".
www.yosemitevalleycampers.org/
Help Save Yosemite Valley's North Pines Campground from closure, and restore the other Yosemite Valley campgrounds closed by the 2000 Yosemite Valley Plan
Before the 1997 flood, there were more than 800 family friendly auto-based campsites in Yosemite Valley. The Park's 2000 Yosemite Valley Plan permanently eliminated Upper River Campground, Lower River Campground, the Yosemite Valley Group Campground and a large portion of Lower Pines Campground.
The Plan also targets North Pines Campground for removal, which we feel must not go forward.
Final count: 500 campsites will remain resulting in a loss of more than 40% of camping opportunities in Yosemite Valley. Of the 500 sites, only 330 will be auto-based sites creating even fewer opportunities for young families, the disabled, and the elderly.
As part of the emergency flood appropriation, Congress gave the National Park Service funding to repair these campgrounds in Yosemite Valley--not to eliminate them. We oppose this arbitrary action by the National Park Service. We believe the NPS breached any public process in condemning the river damaged campsites and that none took place in their condemnation.
We request that Lower River, Upper River, and a portion of Lower Pines Campgrounds be reinstated with family friendly auto-based sites, as was the case pre-flood; we further request that North Pines Campground remain as currently used. This request complies with the vision of the Park's original General Management Plan.
After you sign, please go to our website below, where if you are interested you can sign up to get the newsletter at the link that says "Mailing List".
www.yosemitevalleycampers.org/
Before the 1997 flood, there were more than 800 family friendly auto-based campsites in Yosemite Valley. The Park's 2000 Yosemite Valley Plan permanently eliminated Upper River Campground, Lower River Campground, the Yosemite Valley Group Campground and a large portion of Lower Pines Campground.
The Plan also targets North Pines Campground for removal, which we feel must not go forward.
Final count: 500 campsites will remain resulting in a loss of more than 40% of camping opportunities in Yosemite Valley. Of the 500 sites, only 330 will be auto-based sites creating even fewer opportunities for young families, the disabled, and the elderly.
As part of the emergency flood appropriation, Congress gave the National Park Service funding to repair these campgrounds in Yosemite Valley--not to eliminate them. We oppose this arbitrary action by the National Park Service. We believe the NPS breached any public process in condemning the river damaged campsites and that none took place in their condemnation.
We request that Lower River, Upper River, and a portion of Lower Pines Campgrounds be reinstated with family friendly auto-based sites, as was the case pre-flood; we further request that North Pines Campground remain as currently used. This request complies with the vision of the Park's original General Management Plan.
After you sign, please go to our website below, where if you are interested you can sign up to get the newsletter at the link that says "Mailing List".
www.yosemitevalleycampers.org/
"Every rock in its walls seems to glow with life. Some lean back in majestic repose; others, absolutely sheer or nearly so for thousands of feet, advance beyond their companions in thoughtful attitudes."
John Muir (From his book "The Yosemite")
To truly appreciate Yosemite Valley, there is no better way than to camp. By eliminating two and a half entire campgrounds in recent years, Yosemite Park managers endear themselves to other, more profitable tourist markets.
The Yosemite National Park Service makes campers feel like intruders in a theme park, where the park's more desired tourist arrives on a tour bus from a hotel in San Francisco. They prefer visitors to reserve rooms in their soon to be remodeled "Lodge at Yosemite Falls", or their upscale Ahwahnee Hotel, where guests frequent the park's fashionable restaurants and other commercial services.
Camping in Yosemite Valley nurtures family relationships. The campfire has been equated to the proverbial psychologist's couch, for the repair and enrichment of family relationships. For generations Yosemite has been a place where families form symbiotic lifetime bonds. Many Yosemite campers have camped in Yosemite Valley for several generations and feel that this tradition should be continued for future generations of Americans.
Please put your signature on this petition and let the park managers know why you approve of the preservation of this low impact form of experiencing Yosemite Valley, and to ask them to bring back the campgrounds that they have removed (the lower half of Lower Pines Campground, Upper and Lower River Campgrounds) and to stop removing others; specifically the North Pines campground.
We signed the "Save Yosemite Valley Campgrounds" petition!
# 1,385:
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3:57 pm PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, California
FOR THE SQUIRRELS |
# 1,384:
11:49 pm PDT, Oct 25,
Name not displayed, California
It's so expensive to lodge in yosemite valley, the only way I can afford it is by camping. Please don't make it even harder,by limiting even more campsite.
It's so expensive to lodge in yosemite valley, the only way I can afford it is by camping. Please don't make it even harder,by limiting even more campsite.
# 1,383:
8:42 am PDT, Oct 16,
Don Norton, California
Closing campgrounds is not the answer -- but expanding them is not either. Please maintain the status quo by keeping the facilities that are already established open and in good repair for all to enjoy!
Closing campgrounds is not the answer -- but expanding them is not either. Please maintain the status quo by keeping the facilities that are already established open and in good repair for all to enjoy!
# 1,382:
10:25 pm PDT, Oct 14,
Henry j. Ortega, California
i have camped many times in both upper and lower river campgrounds, and i find it truely heartbreaking that they are no longer there. i am signing this petition in hopes that the national park service will restore these campgrounds so that all can enjoy the true beauty of camping in yosemite valley.
i have camped many times in both upper and lower river campgrounds, and i find it truely heartbreaking that they are no longer there. i am signing this petition in hopes that the national park service will restore these campgrounds so that all can enjoy the true beauty of camping in yosemite valley.
# 1,381:
11:43 pm PDT, Oct 12,
Eric Lanyon, California
# 1,380:
1:33 pm PDT, Oct 12,
Martha Campos, California
My husband introduced me to Yosemite which was a tradition for his family. I was blessed to see this beauty and began our family tradition. We started taking are children to Yosemite when they were only a few months old every year until the flood. We have not be able to get reservation to camp in the valley since the flood because of the limitation of campsites. We have camped at Housekeeping a couple of times but it is not the same as having your own campsite. We miss being able to get a camping spot in the valley! Our children love Yosemite because they were exposed to the beauty of real camping, hiking and enjoying the river. I pray that they restore the lost campsites! Martha E. Campos October 12, 2009
My husband introduced me to Yosemite which was a tradition for his family. I was blessed to see this beauty and began our family tradition. We started taking are children to Yosemite when they were only a few months old every year until the flood. We have not be able to get reservation to camp in the valley since the flood because of the limitation of campsites. We have camped at Housekeeping a couple of times but it is not the same as having your own campsite. We miss being able to get a camping spot in the valley! Our children love Yosemite because they were exposed to the beauty of real camping, hiking and enjoying the river. I pray that they restore the lost campsites! Martha E. Campos October 12, 2009
# 1,379:
10:56 pm PDT, Oct 1,
Adam Hamburg, Nevada
The national park system should be available to all Americans regardless of social class. Campgrounds are not only the most fun way to enjoy our parks but also the most economical. Please keep access to Yosemite park open to all by keeping the already limited camping space in the park.
The national park system should be available to all Americans regardless of social class. Campgrounds are not only the most fun way to enjoy our parks but also the most economical. Please keep access to Yosemite park open to all by keeping the already limited camping space in the park.
# 1,378:
10:19 pm PDT, Oct 1,
Heather Richardson, California
I've enjoyed camping in Yosemite for the past 20yrs with my family. To think of not being able to share my memorable experiences in Yosemite with my children just breaks my heart. Please don't take away my future memories in this most majestic place :(.
I've enjoyed camping in Yosemite for the past 20yrs with my family. To think of not being able to share my memorable experiences in Yosemite with my children just breaks my heart. Please don't take away my future memories in this most majestic place :(.
# 1,377:
3:26 pm PDT, Oct 1,
Debera A. Fairchild, California
we have camped in yosemite since 1990 my daughter met her future husband in upper river campground i now have 3 grandchildren ages 9,7,and 3 and we are making more memories for them. my nieces and nephews come out from back east to go all because we made memories for them please dont take this away from them and future generations,these are our heritage the parks belong to the people
we have camped in yosemite since 1990 my daughter met her future husband in upper river campground i now have 3 grandchildren ages 9,7,and 3 and we are making more memories for them. my nieces and nephews come out from back east to go all because we made memories for them please dont take this away from them and future generations,these are our heritage the parks belong to the people
# 1,376:
11:56 am PDT, Oct 1,
Paul Phelps, Arizona
Yosemite NP and all other National Parks are supposed to provide a wilderness experience. This is not supported by the increase in focus on hotels, cafeterias, restaurants, and the general motorized way of experiencing the parks. Camping and hiking are the best way, and most affordable, to truly experience the wilderness. Camping in Yosemite Valley is already a nightmare with the limited amount of sites, and the horrendous lines to access walk in camping at Camp 4. If anything, the number of camp sites should be increased, not reduced. Please don't turn the valley into a resort catering to the rich; let us common folk, families, and youth have a chance to experience the great wilderness too! -Paul
Yosemite NP and all other National Parks are supposed to provide a wilderness experience. This is not supported by the increase in focus on hotels, cafeterias, restaurants, and the general motorized way of experiencing the parks. Camping and hiking are the best way, and most affordable, to truly experience the wilderness. Camping in Yosemite Valley is already a nightmare with the limited amount of sites, and the horrendous lines to access walk in camping at Camp 4. If anything, the number of camp sites should be increased, not reduced. Please don't turn the valley into a resort catering to the rich; let us common folk, families, and youth have a chance to experience the great wilderness too! -Paul
# 1,375:
7:37 pm PDT, Sep 25,
BARBARA STONE, Nevada
SPENT VERY MANY HAPPY SUMMERS CAMPING IN THOSE CAMPGROUNDS WHILE GROWING UP. I WOULD HOPE THAT OTHER KIDS GROWING UP CAN EXPERIENCE CAMPING THERE
SPENT VERY MANY HAPPY SUMMERS CAMPING IN THOSE CAMPGROUNDS WHILE GROWING UP. I WOULD HOPE THAT OTHER KIDS GROWING UP CAN EXPERIENCE CAMPING THERE
# 1,374:
1:27 pm PDT, Sep 21,
Alice Gibilterra, California
amily camping w/cars is an old tradition in Yosemite, & in many families, generation to generation - in my own family for four generations. Please place no more limits on campsites & restore those not now in use. Do not deprive the families to come of this sacred, & even joyfully ritualistic, plus economic & very American practice in the most beautiful park in the United States.
amily camping w/cars is an old tradition in Yosemite, & in many families, generation to generation - in my own family for four generations. Please place no more limits on campsites & restore those not now in use. Do not deprive the families to come of this sacred, & even joyfully ritualistic, plus economic & very American practice in the most beautiful park in the United States.
# 1,373:
11:22 am PDT, Sep 17,
Greg Mushial, California
Camping is the only real way to experience Yosemite Valley - the loss of so many campsites adversely affects that. Staying in a room and eating at restuarants turns YV into another Disneyland. If the question is reduced air quality from all the campfires of the past - fine: ban the fires. If too many people is the problem, then open the closed campgrounds but respace the campsites so there's a little buffer space btwn them, but with a net increase in the total number of available sites. Likewise, if the problem is too many people: close the lodge. Either way: the only people that'll really respect and defend Yosemite, are those that camp there, not the tourons.
Camping is the only real way to experience Yosemite Valley - the loss of so many campsites adversely affects that. Staying in a room and eating at restuarants turns YV into another Disneyland. If the question is reduced air quality from all the campfires of the past - fine: ban the fires. If too many people is the problem, then open the closed campgrounds but respace the campsites so there's a little buffer space btwn them, but with a net increase in the total number of available sites. Likewise, if the problem is too many people: close the lodge. Either way: the only people that'll really respect and defend Yosemite, are those that camp there, not the tourons.
# 1,372:
9:51 am PDT, Sep 16,
Jon Sherman, California
Yosemite is at the heart of California and camping is the best way to experience it - simple, intimate and with low impact. Please keep it accessible for all us common folk!
Yosemite is at the heart of California and camping is the best way to experience it - simple, intimate and with low impact. Please keep it accessible for all us common folk!
# 1,371:
9:37 am PDT, Sep 15,
Richard T. Hall Seattle, WA., Washington
I can't say for sure if I have ever been to Yosemite National Park or camped there. However, I do enjoy summer camping in Washington state. I have just returned this morning from a very enjoyable trip to the Okanogan National Forest. So I respect and appreciate camping, and I recognize the importance of campgrounds to the public at-large. And Yosemite Vally is one of the 'crown jewels' of America's national park system. Improved campground management and improved crowd-controls are probably needed, but the campgrounds are needed, too! Save the Yosemite Valley campgrounds!
I can't say for sure if I have ever been to Yosemite National Park or camped there. However, I do enjoy summer camping in Washington state. I have just returned this morning from a very enjoyable trip to the Okanogan National Forest. So I respect and appreciate camping, and I recognize the importance of campgrounds to the public at-large. And Yosemite Vally is one of the 'crown jewels' of America's national park system. Improved campground management and improved crowd-controls are probably needed, but the campgrounds are needed, too! Save the Yosemite Valley campgrounds!
# 1,370:
12:23 pm PDT, Sep 14,
Debbie Murphy, California
# 1,369:
6:36 am PDT, Sep 12,
Edward Thomson, California
My wife and I have camped in Yosemite every year of our 43-year marriage. We loved upper river, and would like them restored. Edward Thomson, Ph.D.
My wife and I have camped in Yosemite every year of our 43-year marriage. We loved upper river, and would like them restored. Edward Thomson, Ph.D.
# 1,368:
9:49 am PDT, Sep 11,
Sarah Thomson, California
My family and I have been camping at Yosemite for over 60 years. Upper River campground holds treasured memories for all of us. We would like to have our grandchildren experience and build similar memories. Please do not eliminate campgrounds. Please restore the River campgrounds. It is imperative that we provide as many families as possible the opportunity to build memories and learn about respect for our environment through experiences such as those available in camping at Yosemite. I am highly involved in saving Mother Earth through various venues and I feel that improving managment of the park and educating the public is far more effective than restricting use of our parks. The 30 members in my family extend similar requests through this email and we thank you for your time in exploring our views.
My family and I have been camping at Yosemite for over 60 years. Upper River campground holds treasured memories for all of us. We would like to have our grandchildren experience and build similar memories. Please do not eliminate campgrounds. Please restore the River campgrounds. It is imperative that we provide as many families as possible the opportunity to build memories and learn about respect for our environment through experiences such as those available in camping at Yosemite. I am highly involved in saving Mother Earth through various venues and I feel that improving managment of the park and educating the public is far more effective than restricting use of our parks. The 30 members in my family extend similar requests through this email and we thank you for your time in exploring our views.
# 1,367:
9:44 am PDT, Sep 10,
Lori Roybal, California
# 1,366:
7:23 am PDT, Sep 5,
Ashley Crossland, Nevada
# 1,365:
8:38 pm PDT, Sep 3,
Joey Kraut, California
# 1,364:
11:49 am PDT, Sep 3,
Emily Magnotta, Texas
# 1,363:
9:14 am PDT, Sep 3,
Lynne Kito, New Mexico
The national parks were built by public tax dollars for public use! The forest services and US Government are becoming too self serving and forgetting what the original purpose was for the public lands. Stop over reacting on all this environmental crap!
The national parks were built by public tax dollars for public use! The forest services and US Government are becoming too self serving and forgetting what the original purpose was for the public lands. Stop over reacting on all this environmental crap!
# 1,362:
7:32 am PDT, Sep 3,
Diane Stewart, Colorado
As great place to be with nature.
As great place to be with nature.
# 1,361:
6:46 am PDT, Sep 3,
Patti Janise, Nevada
# 1,360:
10:40 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Name not displayed, California
As a 2nd generation Yosemite lover and having introduced it to my chldren and now my six grandchildren, I say save North Pines Camp Ground! Enough is enough, keep it a family park! We miss the other campgrounds, it would make all of us sad to see it go. I'm all for protecting Yosemite,but we need to be able to bring our families and stay in a camp ground! WE love, and want to keep North Pines as it is! Thank you!
As a 2nd generation Yosemite lover and having introduced it to my chldren and now my six grandchildren, I say save North Pines Camp Ground! Enough is enough, keep it a family park! We miss the other campgrounds, it would make all of us sad to see it go. I'm all for protecting Yosemite,but we need to be able to bring our families and stay in a camp ground! WE love, and want to keep North Pines as it is! Thank you!
# 1,359:
4:39 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Michael Keene, California
It will be a very sad day if more camp sites are taken away,we need the old camp sites back. Pretty soon the camp sites will go to the highest bidder. SAVE YOSEMITE SAVE THE SITES
It will be a very sad day if more camp sites are taken away,we need the old camp sites back. Pretty soon the camp sites will go to the highest bidder. SAVE YOSEMITE SAVE THE SITES
# 1,358:
2:55 pm PDT, Sep 2,
Name not displayed, California
Dont take away the fun of the yosemite camping experience!
Dont take away the fun of the yosemite camping experience!
# 1,357:
12:12 am PDT, Sep 2,
Janolin Keene, California
Please, please, please... dont get rid of any campsites! I have been coming to Yosemite my entire life with my family. It is a big tradition for us and many many other families. Without these campsites, many people will not be able to partake the beauty during all seasons that Yosemite has brought to us.
Please, please, please... dont get rid of any campsites! I have been coming to Yosemite my entire life with my family. It is a big tradition for us and many many other families. Without these campsites, many people will not be able to partake the beauty during all seasons that Yosemite has brought to us.
# 1,356:
7:26 pm PDT, Sep 1,
Renae Kasnick, California
I have camped in Yosemite Valley for 50 years. It is harder and harder to get a site. I believe that the removed sites should be restored for public use. Yosemite is a beautiful place to camp and should not be limited and exclusive.
I have camped in Yosemite Valley for 50 years. It is harder and harder to get a site. I believe that the removed sites should be restored for public use. Yosemite is a beautiful place to camp and should not be limited and exclusive.
# 1,355:
1:16 pm PDT, Aug 28,
James White, California
I believe it was wholly inappropriate to set the baseline year for the number of campsites in the Yosemite Valley plan after the 1997 flood. Housekeeping Camp and Yosemite Lodge received higher levels of damage per dwelling unit than the campgrounds yet they were repaired. Loss of the campsites increases day-use traffic to the valley and limits those of lower economic means access to overnight stays in Yosemite Valley. A recent search for lodging in Yosemite Valley found no campsites at $20 per night but availability in the Ahwahnee Hotel for $525.
I believe it was wholly inappropriate to set the baseline year for the number of campsites in the Yosemite Valley plan after the 1997 flood. Housekeeping Camp and Yosemite Lodge received higher levels of damage per dwelling unit than the campgrounds yet they were repaired. Loss of the campsites increases day-use traffic to the valley and limits those of lower economic means access to overnight stays in Yosemite Valley. A recent search for lodging in Yosemite Valley found no campsites at $20 per night but availability in the Ahwahnee Hotel for $525.
# 1,354:
3:06 pm PDT, Aug 27,
August Camacho, California
# 1,353:
3:58 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Katie Beckheyer, California
# 1,352:
3:53 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Willma Sparano, California
# 1,351:
3:10 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Lezlie Stapp, California
Raising our children to respect nature has been a huge impact on who they are becoming and the pride they have for their Country. We need to protect our land and have spaces where future generations can also learn about nature.
Raising our children to respect nature has been a huge impact on who they are becoming and the pride they have for their Country. We need to protect our land and have spaces where future generations can also learn about nature.
