Parks in the News

Speak Out on Pending National Park Service Proposals

Now the Traveler is making it even easier for you to comment on pending National Park Service proposals, be they general management plans or the proposal to allow park visitors to carry concealed weapons in the parks.

Earthquakes Continuing to Rattle Yellowstone National Park

Call it an earth scientist's dream: Swarms of earthquakes are continuing to rattle Yellowstone National Park. What they're indicating is the question we're all waiting to hear an answer to.

Yosemite National Park Officials Looking For Suggestions on Preserving Badger Pass Ski Lodge

Would it be blasphemy to suggest that Yosemite National Park get out of the ski business?

Some Things We'd Like 2009 To Bring to the National Park System

Well, here it is, January 1. Out with 2008, in with 2009. And that means it's time to look ahead to the new year and dream about what we'd like to see happen across the National Park System in the coming 12 months.

Update From Sequoia National Park: Lodgepole Is Back In Business

It took a coupla days, but the power is back on at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park.

Brady Campaign Sues Interior Department over Concealed Carry in National Parks

The Brady Campaign has filed a lawsuit against the Interior Department over its plans to allow national park visitors to arm themselves. While the rule change is set to take effect January 9, the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia also seeks an injunction to prevent that from occurring.

What's Driving All The Shaking At Yellowstone National Park?

It's no secret that Yellowstone National Park is volcanic in nature. Still, scientists are raising their eyebrows over a recent swarm of earthquakes that have been shaking the park's underpinnings.

What Were YOUR Favorite National Park Stories of 2008?

Back on December 21 we told you what we thought were the top national park stories of 2008. Now, here's a look at which stories YOU thought were the most intriguing.

Power Outages Lead to Closures in Sequoia National Park

If you were planning a pre-New Year's Eve trip to Sequoia National Park, you might want to check with park officials before you head there. A power outage that hit Christmas Day has forced closure of facilities in the Lodgepole and Giant Forest area.

Video: Wal-Mart's Super Center Plans Draw Opposition From Generals Lee and Grant

Whether you oppose Wal-Mart's plans to develop a super center near Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park or could care less, you have to smile at the ingenuity of some of the opponents.

Who's Being Mentioned For Director of the National Park Service?

With Ken Salazar the pick for the Obama administration's Interior secretary, it's time to turn to the question of who will be the next director of the National Park Service.

Nevada Barr’s Latest Anna Pigeon Book is Set for April Release

There’s good news for Nevada Barr fans. The best selling author has sent another manuscript off to the printer. “Borderline,” the 15th novel starring super ranger Anna Pigeon, is due out in April. This one’s set in Big Bend National Park, and Nevada’s sister Molly says it’s a dandy.

Glen Canyon Marina Fire Damage Estimate: $3-$5 Million

Investigators looking into a fire that destroyed 15 boats at a remote marina in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area haven't identified a cause of the blaze that generated $3-$5 million in damage to boats and dock facilities.

"Pssst, Buddy…Got Some Photos to Show Us?"

If you're a serious photographer—or just an average one who got lucky—you might want to consider entering some of your shots of national parks in one or more photo contests that are currently accepting entries.

Elk Population Growing at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

If the elk herd at Great Smoky Mountains National Park keeps growing like this, perhaps a gray wolf recovery program will be needed to keep the ungulates from over-grazing the park.

Snow Falls in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park hasn't been immune from the cold, snowy weather of late, as this photo of the Furnace Creek Inn shows.

The Interior Building in Washington, D.C. Gets a "Green Roof"

The National Park Service's parent agency, the U. S. Department of the Interior, recently completed a project with both literal and symbolic "green" benefits. Earlier this week, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne helped unveil a "green roof" located on the 3rd wing of the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C.

Twenty Boats Destroyed by Fire in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Federal investigators were joining Utah authorities Friday to determine the cause of a fire in a remote area of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area that destroyed as many as 20 boats.

More Fishers Soon To Be On the Loose in Olympic National Park

Earlier this year a fisher recovery program got under way in Olympic National Park with the release of 18 of the furry mammals that are kin to weasels. This weekend another 15 or so will be set free to set up home in the park.

Bush Administration Publishes Proposed Rule For Mountain Biking in National Parks

In what's being described as another example of the Bush administration whittling away the conservation ethic of the National Park Service, the Interior Department today published a proposed rule to "streamline" the regulatory landscape regarding mountain bikes in national parks.

Gun Rules for The National Parks: Will They Really Make It Easier To Pack in the Parks?

The impending change of rules that would allow national park visitors to arm themselves stands a good chance of being placed in limbo, if not overturned, by legal challenges in the coming weeks and months. But if that doesn't happen, it'll be interesting to see how many gun owners actually follow the rules.

Everglades Land Bill Approved, But With a Caveat

A massive real estate deal with U.S. Sugar Corporation that is envisioned as being key to protecting the Everglades and Everglades National Park has been approved, but with a caveat that allows Florida officials an escape clause.

Updated: Salazar Pick For Interior Secretary Labeled a Failure

The pick of U.S. Senator Ken Salazar as the next Interior secretary is being labeled a failure by the Center for Biological Diversity. But the folks at The Wilderness Society say it's a great choice.

Will Delaware Finally Get Its "National Park"?

Delaware is the only state in the union without a unit of the National Park System. A recently completed study moves boosters for a "national park" in Delaware a bit closer to their goal. Is this an idea whose time has come—or one with more political than practical merit?

Sen. Salazar Seems to be the Interior Secretary Pick For the Obama Administration

What does the apparent pick of U.S. Senator Ken Salazar for Interior secretary in the Obama administration mean for public lands management? Well, surely it can't be worse than what's transpired the past eight years, can it?

Does Your National Park Offer a Book Club?

It really shouldn't come as a surprise that in places where winters are long, hard, cold, and snowy that your best recourse is to settle down before the fire with a good book. At Voyageurs National Park this winter you'll even be able to discuss that book with the park naturalist.

Is Florida's Blockbuster Sugar Deal to Help the Everlgades In Danger of Collapse?

With a critical vote looming Tuesday on whether the state of Florida will move forward with its buyout of U.S. Sugar properties to benefit the Everglades and Everglades National Park, the $1.34 billion deal no longer seems like a surety.

Everglades Coaltion's Annual Meeting In Early January

The annual meeting of the Everglades Coalition, which works for the health of the ecosystem that includes Everglades National Park, is set for early next month.

Glacier National Park's Centennial is Fast Approaching – Don't Miss These Upcoming Deadlines

One of the "crown jewels" of the national park system will celebrate its centennial in 2010, and when you're talking about planning a celebration of that magnitude, there's plenty of work to do. Glacier National Park is off to a great start in that regard, and you may want to know about upcoming deadlines for some activities that are already underway.