Should We Designate National Parks as Cell Phone Free Zones?

6 Comments

  • Montanan - 15 years ago

    I carry a cell phone for emergencies, and was certainly grateful I had coverage at Slough Creek campground in Yellowstone when our rig broke down and required a 100-mile tow out for repair. As thinly staffed as the parks are now, cell coverage offers an additional safety net, not only for visitors but for park employees and emergency personnel. For instance, wildland fire fighters use cell phones as frequently as as they do radios these days (each offers different coverage and communication advantages.) But I'm not an advocate of cell towers on every knoll--it's ok to have dead zones in wilderness areas. On remote expeditions (and I don't think of Yellowstone as remote), carrying a satellite phone for emergencies has become pretty s.o.p.

  • ROYCE - 15 years ago

    Cell coverage could prove to be a powerful tool in locating lost in wilderness and that is why I too carry my phone. I have never used it while in the wild because I've never been lost. There should be a way you can call a number for emergency only but all other calls should be banned. That isn't hard to do. 911 ONLY!

  • Howie - 15 years ago

    Cell phones should be allowed in the developed areas and a complete ban should be in place in the wilderness areas. Is an attraction with parking for 26 buses and three hundred vehicles truly the wilderness? There is already plenty of distractions, rudeness and loud cahttering, whats a few more conversations? Will they be heard over the traffic and bus noise? The wilderness areas need a ban to ensure no further development including cell phone towers. Those of us who choose to travel the back country are well prepared for emergencies and file plans in advance. I still carry my cell phone for emergencies but I don't rely on that being my primary survival tool. But there are times I would love to have a cold beer and a pizza delivered to a remote campsite.

  • NICOLE - 15 years ago

    THEY SHOULD EXPAND IT COMES DOWN TO A SAFTEY ISSUE! HOW DO YOU ALERT SOMEONE IF YOU ARE IN DANGER OUT THERE WITH NO PHONE! WHAT IF YOU ARE TAKEN AGAINST YOUR WILL. I SAY YES. ONLY FOR SAFTEY REASONS

  • Theresa - 15 years ago

    What if you get lost in the forest? It happens a lot. I always try to remember my phone...just in case. I don't use it, but you never know. As a woman, a cell phone is a form of protection in a sense.

  • Yellowstoner - 15 years ago

    Cell Phones are already in Yellowstone in many areas. Many are concerned that without coverage there is no ability to contact necessary 911 emergency functions. I hope this coverage never occurs. It is not for want of this service in the backcountry where its need would not be doubted. It is instead the amount of development necessary to provide coverage to the nooks and cranny's of Yellowstone's geography. There should be views of our Park without cellphone towers, although I think the NPS should work toward disguising its present towers in the form of trees as some urban areas have succeeded in doing. Coverage in the Lake Yellowstone developed area is all that is lacking for a large part of the guest developed area to have coverage.
    Putting televisions into the guest lodging facilites would be fatal to the guest experience of Yellowstone. Many of the hotels are are turn of the century buildings whose construction did not include consideration for Jerry Springer in the next room. Cabins would be a greater Hell since many are converted canvas to wood walled units.
    Guests will occasionally ask what there is to do without TV available. I always recommend they talk to each other or go outside and see the Weather or Discovery Channel.

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