I'm probably okay with the exorbitant prices at the most prestigious lodges if the NPS is taking a healthy cut in order to fund other operations. Do you guys know how these concessionaire deals work in this regard?
Side note: upon our recent retirement this fall my wife and I just completed a 50-day cross-country-and-back trip visiting 20 parks, camping in 10 and lodging in four (albeit not in any of the more "grand"-- and most expensive-- lodges). Fantastic experience. We tent and only expect the most basic of services from the campgrounds, but there are some where the facilities (okay, bathrooms!) could be better maintained. Hence my question around how financial resources are allocated. Anyway, NPS campsites are great deals even if the lodges are not!
Completely think the cost of NP lodging is ridiculous.. Also often times the customer service at these beautiful places by both contractors and government employees Im sorry to say is lacking, sub-par at best.
Thanks for your comment Sue! There's a long running joke amongst NPS employees that they're payed in views, not dollars. The sad reality is most folks working in the parks are woefully underpaid and this often leads to poor experiences at some of the park hotels where seasonal workers with no job security are particularly squeezed.
Many Glacier Hotel looks awesome. Question: what's the best way to get to that damn park? Seems like the easiest would be flying into Calgary and driving down. Thoughts and recommendations? I'm coming from Denver. Cheers!
Great question! I recommend flying into Kalispell or Missoula myself. When you take into account flights, gas, drive time, rental car prices, etc., you come out ahead over Calgary.
I have given your most recent topic much consideration and did some light research on the subject of why these magnificent hotels in our greatest National Parks are so exclusive and incredibly costly. Well, considering the weather for most of these parks the window of opportunity is relatively short. Most National Parks are closed during the off season when it is freezing cold and there is no demand for venturing there. So obviously going in the Spring and Summer are most desirable, and in highest demand and therefore cost more. The National Parks service concessions management improvement act of 1999 governs the rates of these National Parks. The rates of these hotels gets voted upon as well by the National Parks Service, and based on length of season, location, cost of labor, and materials required to maintain these facilities. Some of the more remote National Parks locales, have to house the labor force on premises and provide meals, this certainly adds to the expense of staying at these grand lodges and hotels. I do not think it unreasonable to pay for the pleasure and convenience staying at one these places, as the views, activities, location, and the sheer awe inspiring surroundings are certainly priceless, and convenient. Your videos have shown us all how spectacular and magnificent these National Parks truly are, and motivate every viewer to go out and explore them to the fullest. So whether you stay in a modest tent, RV, Camper, motel, hotel or lodge, your message has always been …...just get to these incredible places!!
Thanks for your comment Stacey! It's true that concessionaires in the national parks face operating challenges that few other hotels do. However, the soaring costs of national park lodges have been a more recent development, dating back to 2017 according to my research, when the NPS began allowing concessionaires to charge whatever the market will bear for lodge accommodations. I should also note that seasonal park lodge employees pay is docked to offset the cost of housing them in what are, by most accounts, very shabby housing accommodations. It's also important to point out that it is supposed to be the responsibility of the concessionaire to maintain the lodging facilities and make needed improvements, however this is rarely the case. In reality the taxpayers are often called upon to shoulder the maintenance of these historic properties while the concessionaires reap the profits. This is born out in the NPS budget requests over the past several years. In summary, while operating these lodges can be a challenging endeavor, it is also highly profitable for the concessionaires who win the contracts (after spending millions lobbying the government). I don't think it's unreasonable for at least a portion of the rooms at these historic properties to be made available to the ordinary Americans who own them and already pay for them every April.
Appreciate your more intense research about the subject, and feel enlightened by your due diligence about the concessionaires that operate these National Parks. I believe what you are wanting is for the National Parks in the way of accommodations, is to be more affordable for the ‘ordinary Americans’, so they too can enjoy the magnificent lodges/hotels. That is a lovely wish indeed. For the many people that watch your videos, it is abundantly clear how much you and your brother LOVE these precious lands, and are motivated to share them with the world. You have inspired many people to either return to these parks, or get up and go to them. That is itself is a noble endeavor. Keep on going, and I will keep on watching.
I'm planning on visiting the Bright Angel Lodge in the Grand Canyon next week!
Awesome! Another beautiful old railroad lodge. I'm sure you'll love it!
I'm probably okay with the exorbitant prices at the most prestigious lodges if the NPS is taking a healthy cut in order to fund other operations. Do you guys know how these concessionaire deals work in this regard?
Side note: upon our recent retirement this fall my wife and I just completed a 50-day cross-country-and-back trip visiting 20 parks, camping in 10 and lodging in four (albeit not in any of the more "grand"-- and most expensive-- lodges). Fantastic experience. We tent and only expect the most basic of services from the campgrounds, but there are some where the facilities (okay, bathrooms!) could be better maintained. Hence my question around how financial resources are allocated. Anyway, NPS campsites are great deals even if the lodges are not!
The NPS gets a small franchise fee, usually in the neighborhood of 5% of gross receipts.
Congrats on the epic road trip! Sounds like an amazing time! Agreed about the campsites, still a great deal!
Completely think the cost of NP lodging is ridiculous.. Also often times the customer service at these beautiful places by both contractors and government employees Im sorry to say is lacking, sub-par at best.
Thanks for your comment Sue! There's a long running joke amongst NPS employees that they're payed in views, not dollars. The sad reality is most folks working in the parks are woefully underpaid and this often leads to poor experiences at some of the park hotels where seasonal workers with no job security are particularly squeezed.
Many Glacier Hotel looks awesome. Question: what's the best way to get to that damn park? Seems like the easiest would be flying into Calgary and driving down. Thoughts and recommendations? I'm coming from Denver. Cheers!
Great question! I recommend flying into Kalispell or Missoula myself. When you take into account flights, gas, drive time, rental car prices, etc., you come out ahead over Calgary.
Awesome, thanks!
I have given your most recent topic much consideration and did some light research on the subject of why these magnificent hotels in our greatest National Parks are so exclusive and incredibly costly. Well, considering the weather for most of these parks the window of opportunity is relatively short. Most National Parks are closed during the off season when it is freezing cold and there is no demand for venturing there. So obviously going in the Spring and Summer are most desirable, and in highest demand and therefore cost more. The National Parks service concessions management improvement act of 1999 governs the rates of these National Parks. The rates of these hotels gets voted upon as well by the National Parks Service, and based on length of season, location, cost of labor, and materials required to maintain these facilities. Some of the more remote National Parks locales, have to house the labor force on premises and provide meals, this certainly adds to the expense of staying at these grand lodges and hotels. I do not think it unreasonable to pay for the pleasure and convenience staying at one these places, as the views, activities, location, and the sheer awe inspiring surroundings are certainly priceless, and convenient. Your videos have shown us all how spectacular and magnificent these National Parks truly are, and motivate every viewer to go out and explore them to the fullest. So whether you stay in a modest tent, RV, Camper, motel, hotel or lodge, your message has always been …...just get to these incredible places!!
Thanks for your comment Stacey! It's true that concessionaires in the national parks face operating challenges that few other hotels do. However, the soaring costs of national park lodges have been a more recent development, dating back to 2017 according to my research, when the NPS began allowing concessionaires to charge whatever the market will bear for lodge accommodations. I should also note that seasonal park lodge employees pay is docked to offset the cost of housing them in what are, by most accounts, very shabby housing accommodations. It's also important to point out that it is supposed to be the responsibility of the concessionaire to maintain the lodging facilities and make needed improvements, however this is rarely the case. In reality the taxpayers are often called upon to shoulder the maintenance of these historic properties while the concessionaires reap the profits. This is born out in the NPS budget requests over the past several years. In summary, while operating these lodges can be a challenging endeavor, it is also highly profitable for the concessionaires who win the contracts (after spending millions lobbying the government). I don't think it's unreasonable for at least a portion of the rooms at these historic properties to be made available to the ordinary Americans who own them and already pay for them every April.
Appreciate your more intense research about the subject, and feel enlightened by your due diligence about the concessionaires that operate these National Parks. I believe what you are wanting is for the National Parks in the way of accommodations, is to be more affordable for the ‘ordinary Americans’, so they too can enjoy the magnificent lodges/hotels. That is a lovely wish indeed. For the many people that watch your videos, it is abundantly clear how much you and your brother LOVE these precious lands, and are motivated to share them with the world. You have inspired many people to either return to these parks, or get up and go to them. That is itself is a noble endeavor. Keep on going, and I will keep on watching.