[bledsoe3]

We did RR last Thursday. $7 to get in. We saw a lot of cars, but when we hit the trail we didn't see one person in more that 2 hours.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by owelles

Do a little research. You can get into Red Rock Canyon for $30 a year if you buy an annual pass, $7 for a one-day use. I think the annual pass is the best value in town.

And I've hiked trails many times at Mount Charleston without ever having paid a penny.

Commercialized? You couldn't be farther from the truth.

Yeah, none of these great places are commercialized at all.

In my case ...almost approaching middle age ...you can get the Golden Eagle Pass that is good for a lifetime. I think I paid $50.00 and it has more than paid for itself many times over. Of course it's only good at National areas like Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, Zion NP, Jellystone Nat'l Park, etc. I also have an annual pass for Floyd Lamb (city) Park. I used to have one for State Parks, but it expired.

[FALLOUT-NEW-VEGAS-HAHAHA]

Depends on where youre going. if you're parking on the side of the road outside the fee area and decide to hike it from there, then hey you just saved yourself the fee hassle, but probobly are risking your car getting jacked or towed. Most these places have fees now and theyve gone substantially up....For whatever reason - too many people, too much cleanup, too many official Park merchandise. THATS why I dont go. Everybody goes there now. Thats what Im talking about.

Hey as soon as a National Park gets its own soundtrack, you know its gone commercial...I'm just sayin'.

[delgadobb]

Originally Posted by bledsoe3

We did RR last Thursday. $7 to get in. We saw a lot of cars, but when we hit the trail we didn't see one person in more that 2 hours.

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Yeah, none of these great places are commercialized at all.

In my case ...almost approaching middle age ...you can get the Golden Eagle Pass that is good for a lifetime. I think I paid $50.00 and it has more than paid for itself many times over. Of course it's only good at National areas like Lake Mead, Red Rock Canyon, Zion NP, Jellystone Nat'l Park, etc. I also have an annual pass for Floyd Lamb (city) Park. I used to have one for State Parks, but it expired.

Originally Posted by FALLOUT-NEW-VEGAS-HAHAHA

Depends on where youre going. if you're parking on the side of the road outside the fee area and decide to hike it from there, then hey you just saved yourself the fee hassle, but probobly are risking your car getting jacked or towed. Most these places have fees now and theyve gone substantially up....For whatever reason - too many people, too much cleanup, too many official Park merchandise. THATS why I dont go. Everybody goes there now. Thats what Im talking about.

Hey as soon as a National Park gets its own soundtrack, you know its gone commercial...I'm just sayin'.

To quote Yogi Berra "That place is so crowded NOBODY goes there anymore."

Gonna go with Buzz & Bledsoe on this one. Buzz has been around a good while & Bledsoe was just there last week. How crowded can it be when Bledsoe didn't see one person in more than two hours? Even if activity has picked up, wouldn't we WANT people to enjoy & appreciate the beauty to keep 'em coming back?

Buzz, what's the Golden Eagle pass? Is it still available & does it cover multiple parks?

[kimba01]

I was at Red Rock on Friday. Just beautiful. Not that many people at all on the loop. There were some, but certainly not crowded. Lots of people climbing the rock though. But, believe me, they were not in my way!!! LOL!

Went to Mt. Charleston last night. Went up about 4pm. Not crowded in the least. Few people here and there, but not even close to crowded. I know weekends are busier, but, yes, there does need to be visitors. I could have stopped anywhere and walked and I guarantee I would not have seen anyone other than who I was with.

Still have not gone to VofF. Maybe Thursday. I am really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, I leave Friday evening...back to coldsville, USA.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by delgadobb

Buzz, what's the Golden Eagle pass? Is it still available & does it cover multiple parks?

In looking up a website on the passes, I see that they no longer sell the Golden Eagle Pass, but it is an even better deal now for Spanish guys (Señor Citizens). First the old pass: America the Beautiful FAQs - US-Parks.com

and the new passes: America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

I wuz robbed. I think the new passes are cheaper, but my Golden Eagle is good for life unless I lose it.

[FALLOUT-NEW-VEGAS-HAHAHA]

Red Rock used to be $5 to get in....day use...now it's $7. Its the most accessible because its in the Vegas Valley, like Mt Charleston.

Valley of Fire used to be $5 to get in (day use) now it's $10. Camping is $20 (if you can actually find a space during its peak seasons - spring and fall). Its a little out the way from the other parks - 50+ miles away.

An annual park pass is a good thing to spend money on if you frequently travel the area, otherwise you just gave them money for nothing. If I was a religious hiker I could see reaping benefits from a 50 dollar pass, but if I only go during the more temperate months and I only go a few times out of the year? Doesnt seem worth it to me...

Mt Charleston I cant say what their rates are now because everytime I go there - peak season or no - there's cars up the yin yang at most the main areas. Most folks I know always go there 1: because its cooler during the summer and 2: because you can play in the snow when its colder out. This spells out constant visitation....

All depends on your taste, of course...But its definitely commercial. If it wasnt it'd be free of charge. Why anyone would wanna make you pay 10 bucks to see a pile of rocks I have no idea, but this is Vegas and we capitalize on everything here, so meh.

Best deal - Lake Mead - pay 5 bucks and its good for 5 days and you can drive all over or stop your car anywhere and take a hike and look at as many rocks as you want and there would truly be nobody around for miles because your car is the only thing parked out there.

I can go all day without seeing anybody out there...

[kimba01]

But, you have to understand that if all things were free, the crowds would be worse and the destruction of the natural beauty would be over the top. There has to be some control and for that we must pay. It is like that everywhere, not just Vegas. Gotta pay to see the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, any of the state parks in MI and the county parks. Gotta pay to camp and to ride the horses. Just the way it is. Not all bad.

[FALLOUT-NEW-VEGAS-HAHAHA]

I know at least 4 locations in around my home that have the same qualities of Red Rock and Valley of Fire and not only do people not go there, but its free...Ill take that any day of the week. To each his own.

[Buzz123]

I resent paying twice for Parks. First with taxes, then with entrance fees. They don't charge to keep the number of visitors down. The more visitors the more they make, so they actually want everyone to come.