48o 



Sierra Club Bulletin 



There are many private holdings in the national parks, and manj^ of 

 these seriously hamper the administration of these reservations. All of 

 them should be eliminated as far as it is practicable to accomplish this 

 purpose in the course of time, either through Congressional appropria- 

 tion or by acceptance of donations of these lands. Isolated tracts in 

 important scenic areas should be given first consideration, of course, in 

 the purchase of private property. 



Every opportunity should be afforded the public, wherever possible, to 

 enjoy the national parks in the manner that best satisfies the individual 

 taste. Automobiles and motorcycles will be permitted in all of the 

 national parks; in fact, the parks will be kept accessible by any means 

 practicable. 



All outdoor sports which may be maintained consistently with the ob- 

 servation of the safeguards thrown around the national parks by law 

 will be heartily indorsed and aided wherever possible. Mountain climb- 

 ing, horseback riding, walking, motoring, swimming, boating, and fishing 

 will ever be the favorite sports. Winter sports will be developed in the 

 parks that are accessible throughout the year. Hunting will not be per- 

 mitted in any national park. 



The educational, as well as the recreational, use of the national parks 

 should be encouraged in every practicable way. University and high- 

 school classes in science will find special facilities for their vacation- 

 period studies. Museums containing specimens of wild flowers, shrubs, 

 and trees, and mounted animals, birds, and fish native to the parks, and 

 other exhibits of this character will be established as authorized. 



Low-priced camps operated by concessioners should be maintained, as 

 well as comfortable and even luxurious hotels wherever the volume of 

 travel warrants the establishment of these classes of accommodations. 

 In each reservation, as funds are available, a system of free camp sites 

 will be cleared, and these grounds will be equipped with adequate water 

 and sanitation facilities. 



As concessions in the national parks represent in most instances a 

 large investment, and as the obligation to render service satisfactory to 

 the department at carefully regulated rates is imposed, these enterprises 

 must be given a large measure of protection, and, generally speaking, 

 competitive business should not be authorized where a concession is 

 meeting our requirements, which, of course, will as nearly as possible 

 coincide with the needs of the traveling public. 



All concessions should yield revenue to the Federal Government, but 

 the development of the revenues of the parks should not impose a bur- 

 den upon the visitor. 



Automobile fees in the parks should be reduced as the volume of 

 motor travel increases. 



For assistance in the solution of administrative problems in the parks 

 relating both to their protection and use the scientific bureaus of the 

 Government offer facilities of the highest worth and authority. In the 



