Visiting the Parks

A Century of National Parks in Utah To be Celebrated Labor Day Weekend

A little more than century after President Theodore Roosevelt designated Natural Bridges National Monument, making it the first National Park System unit in Utah, the monument will serve as the backdrop for a celebration of 100 years of national parks in the state.

Paddling Dinosaur National Monument and Niobrara National Scenic River

When folks think about paddling trips in the National Park System, quite often floating the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park rises to the top of the mind. But there are other paddling treks out there, trips that are just as beautiful and inspiring and which just might offer a tad more solitude.

Visiting the Parks: Petroglyph National Monument

Too often a unit of the National Park System is overlooked because its name doesn't end in "National Park." Petroglyph National Monument is one such place.

Cedar Breaks National Monument About to Turn 75

In geologic time, something that's quite evident at Cedar Breaks National Monument, 75 years is pretty insignificant. But that doesn't mean the folks who operate the monument and those who take pride that it's in their backyard aren't going to throw a heck of a birthday party.

Summer Slump? Lodging Deals To Be Found At Shenandoah National Park

Could high gas prices be impacting national park visitation as the last gasp of summer sets in? That question comes up in the wake of a pretty impressive lodging deal being offered in Shenandoah National Park.

Traveler's Picks for Where to Get Wet in the National Park System

We definitely are in the dog days of summer. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park the temperature's been well into the 90s, and with the high humidity, well, you really do need to find a place to cool off. With that understood, here are Traveler's Top Picks for where to get wet in the National Park System.*

Visiting the Parks: Yellowstone National Park's Shoshone Lake

Bats, of all things. Deep in Yellowstone National Park's outback, where we had hoped to see wolves and grizzlies and elk and moose, we seemingly were under siege by a bevy of bats.

Odes to the National Park Rangers Who Wear the Grey and Green

What would a national park be without a national park ranger? Who would we ask for directions to the restroom, or question whether the bear we see is a black or a brown?

First Lady Visits Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

During her recent visit to Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, First Lady Laura Bush toured Sandburg’s Connemara residence, petted dairy goats, talked with children in the Junior Ranger program, and announced a $50,000 National Park Foundation grant to expand the park’s Junior Ranger and youth education programs.

Summertime: What National Parks Are On Your "Must Visit" List?

One-hundred-and-forty-five years had passed since Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was mortally wounded by "friendly fire" in the woods at Chancellorsville, and yet it might have been yesterday. Thick forest still hangs over the waning vestige of the Old Mountain Road where the general was riding, beyond the front lines, on the night of May 2, 1863, when members of the 18th North Carolina mistook him and his aides for a Union incursion.

There's A New Way To Come Up For Air At Mammoth Cave National Park

What do you get with 54 tons of concrete, 3,500 stainless steel bolts, and 35,000 pounds of structural steel? A new way to head toward the surface at Mammoth Cave National Park.

Cape Cod National Seashore: How Do You Define Historic?

Walter Gropius, founder of the influential German Bauhaus school of design, implored the managers of the brand new Cape Cod National Seashore to design facilities, such as visitor centers and bathhouses, with an innovative approach. Rustic cabin design found in Western national parks wouldn’t work here, but Modern design featuring modest scale and a light footprint on the land would.

Mount Rainier National Park Ready to Open Sunrise For Visitors

If you're not interested in heading to Paradise, you can always go to Sunrise at Mount Rainier National Park. Located on the volcano's eastern flanks, the Sunrise area opens for the summer on July 3.

Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road Open End to End

It took longer than usual, but the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park has been opened from end-to-end.

NPR on the National Parks

National Public Radio is on the road in the National Park System this week, visiting both iconic and obscure parks. But is there a chink in NPR's coverage?

Park History: Mammoth Cave National Park

Long before anyone thought of national parks, folks were heading down into Mammoth Cave to see the sights. And if you've ever visited this incredible underground labyrinth, you'd understand why.

What's In Your National Park Reading Room?

After tramping through national parks for upwards of four decades, I've understandably picked up a few books on the parks. Among my collection are the usual trail guides and park guides, natural history selections and park histories. While many folks no doubt have a few park-related texts on hand, such as hiking guides and park guides, how might the park aficionado round out their library?

Exploring the "Other Half" of Our National Parks: Stargazing Under Protected Dark Skies

The renowned amateur astronomer and telescope maker, John Lowery Dobson, 92, once said, "National Parks are special places where dark skies and curious minds collide." Dobson and the famed Sidewalk Astronomers have spent three decades taking their home-made telescopes to the national parks to meet park visitors willing to stay out after dark to help them explore the "other half" of their parks.

Mount Rainier National Park Shuttle System Stretching to Ashford

So many folks flock to Mount Rainier National Park, and Paradise, specifically, in summer that the park uses an electric sign at the Nisqually Entrance to alert incoming visitors to parking problems at Paradise. Well, on weekends a new shuttle line could make that sign inconsequential for the informed traveler.

Geotourism Map Shows You Around the Crown of the Continent

There's a new map you should toss in your bag if you're heading to Glacier National Park. It's not a traditional road map, but rather a map that helps you navigate the "Crown of the Continent" and all it has to offer.

Research Indicates Annual Precipitation Might Control Yellowstone National Park's Geysers

The eruptive fury of Yellowstone National Park's geysers, those wonderful spouters of steam and hot water, seems to be determined by annual precipitation in the park, according to a study published in the journal Geology.

Yosemite National Park Waterfalls Approaching Full Throttle

Thanks to this past winter's hefty snowpack, the now-melting snow is accelerating the intensity of Yosemite National Park's waterfalls. If you're fortunate enough to have the time to visit the park, a trip to the Yosemite Valley in the coming weeks should reward you with an incredible display of the park's waterworks.

National Park System Quiz 4: Beaches

Swimsuit season is nearly here. Are you ready for the beach? There are loads of beaches in the national parks -- even a few “clothing optional” ones for people who don’t like tan lines. This week's quiz will assess your knowledge of all kinds of beaches in the national parks. Answers are at the end. No peeking.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Beaches Among Country's Best

Perhaps you’ve noticed that Cape Hatteras National Seashore has made the top ten in Dr. Beach’s 2008 list of America’s Best Beaches. To put a finer point on it, Cape Hatteras Beach is ranked number eight.

Star Party Scheduled for June 21-28 at Grand Canyon National Park

Star gazers will have an opportunity to scan the heavens from Grand Canyon National Park later in June during a week-long star party that will feature activities on both North and South rims.

Most, But Not All, Of Olympic National Park Within Reach For Memorial Day Weekend

The aftermath of a tough winter can be seen throughout Olympic National Park, but officials say most of the park should be accessible for visitors during the coming Memorial Day Weekend.

Free Shuttle Buses Will Make It Easier To Visit The South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

Negotiating the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park during the busy summer season can be a nightmare if you're trying to find a parking spot or crossing the road. With hopes of making it a bit easier this year, the National Park Service is implementing a free shuttle service from Tusayan to the South Rim.

Facilities at Mount Rainier National Park Slow to Open Due to Heavy Snowpack

You can add Mount Rainier National Park to the growing list of Western parks where this past winter's heavy snowfall is pushing back the openings of campgrounds and even some roads.

Glacier National Park Slowly Opening For the Summer Season

As summer slowly approaches, more and more of Glacier National Park's landscape is becoming snow-free and accessible. Still, not all of the park's campgrounds will be open for the coming Memorial Day weekend.