Commentary, news, and life in America's Parks

Featured Article


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, as indicated by the number of "reads" a post receives.

Caveat: You need to keep in mind that the longer a post is up on the Traveler, the more reads it's likely to garner. Still, there are some posts that run contrary to that reality. For instance, the post about the marina fire at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area quickly climbed past 2,000 reads. At last glance, it had surpassed 2,700 reads. That's not good enough to vault it into the top 15 posts in terms of reads, but give it some time.

Far and away the most-read Traveler story of 2008 popped up on August 8 when word spread that one of Arches National Park's iconic arches -- Wall Arch -- had collapsed. Through December 29, nearly 26,000 folks had taken the time to click on that story. If we had more of those, Traveler readership would no doubt be approaching 250,000 a month, rather than 42,000.

So, what other stories stand in the top 15? Take a look:

2. Bush Administration Plan to Remove Wolf Protection Draws Criticism. Posted February 21. 9,440 reads.
3. Exploring the "Other Half" of Our National Parks: Stargazing Under Protected Dark Skies. Posted June 14. 6,957 reads.
4. Another Snake Story from Everglades National Park. Posted January 25. 6,648 reds.
5. Traveler's View: Concealed Weapons Have No Place in NPS. Posted May 26. 5,796 reads.
6. Flying Squirrels, Scenic Vistas, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Posted April 22. 5,519 reads.
7. Super Volcano, the Ticking Time Bomb Beneath Yellowstone National Park. Posted January 18. 4,852 reads.
8. U.S. Senator To Make Bid to Allow National Park Visitors to Carry Guns. Posted February 2. 3,733 reads.
9. Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West. Posted March 31. 3,693 reads.
10. Violent Deaths in the National Parks. Posted March 4. 3,639 reads.
11. NPS Retirees Oppose Carrying Guns in National Parks. Posted January 11. 3,619 reads.
12. Dinosaur National Monument Cutting Paleontology Staff. Posted February 12. 3,601 reads.
13. Studies Show Bear Spray More Effective than Guns Against Grizzlies. Posted March 18. 3,549 reads.
14. Valley Forge: Once Again a Battleground, This Time Pitting History Against Development. Posted March 23. 3,500 reads.
15. Interior Officials Want to Allow Concealed Carry in the National Parks. Posted April 29. 3,371 reads.

Thanks to Dr. Bob Janiskee for crunching the numbers for this post.

The Latest News & Views

Monday, January 5th, 2009

The other day I read a story about efforts at Cape Lookout National Seashore to install an ADA accessible ramp. And that got me to wondering about how accessible the National Park System is.
Yes, yes, I know that you always consult the Superintendent’s Compendium of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions as required under Title 36 Code of Federal Regulation § 1.7(b) before visiting a national park. But do you really know all you need to know to be a responsible park visitor?

Sunday, January 4th, 2009

Coral reefs and desert islands, legends of pirates and sunken gold, an old military fort that housed a famous prisoner, and world-class bird watching—you'll find them all at this park.
The trooper who pulled us over said he’d clocked us at 91 miles an hour. Our tour bus driver later told us that it was probably closer to 95, and we believed him.

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

It’s sometimes said that national parks “tell America’s story.” Of course, lots of sites outside the National Park System also tell America’s story. From the geographical perspective, none of these “other sites” is more interesting than Chicago Portage National Historic Site, an Affiliated Area that celebrates its 56th anniversary today.
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.
Winter is one of the easiest seasons to follow the movements of wildlife in the national parks. Not only can their every move be captured in the snow, but on rare occasions you can follow the interplay between animals.

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

What do Hoover Dam, cold water and a rattlesnake have in common? They're all elements in a story that confirms the wisdom of a good rule for any outdoor trip: Let sleeping snakes lie.

Thursday, January 1st, 2009

Would it be blasphemy to suggest that Yosemite National Park get out of the ski business?
In the past, my national park visiting has been too intermittent and unfocused for comfort. But this year my New Year’s Resolutions are going to provide a sense of purpose and direction. Five parks is a very doable agenda. My list includes three Sure Things, a True Confession, and one Unfinished Business.
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.

Wednesday, December 31st, 2008

We at the Traveler would like to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year! May 2009 bring you many adventures in our National Park System.
Wanted: Expert on Lassen Volcanic National Park. Topic: Snowshoeing.
This 1,000-foot-high cinder cone was formed after earthquakes and fireworks-like explosions hurled molten rock thousands of feet into the air. Nope, it's not in Hawaii, and this mount is not named for a saint.
The New Year is only hours away, so let’s orient this week’s quiz to new-ness (loosely defined). Answers are at the end. If we catch you peeking, we’ll put you in charge of Traveler’s new Complaint Department.

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

It took a coupla days, but the power is back on at Lodgepole in Sequoia National Park.
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.
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.
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.
Harsh criticism forced the Presidio Trust to rethink its plans for the new Contemporary Art Museum at the Presidio. A new "chop and drop" proposal emphasizes smaller, better located structures built largely underground.

Monday, December 29th, 2008

The National Visitor Center was a bad idea that came to a bad end. When it was abolished on December 29, 1981, the NPS breathed a huge sigh of relief. Wouldn’t it be nice to have that $100 million back?

Sunday, December 28th, 2008

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.
The current occupant of the Oval Office has ties to the Lone Star State, but the term "Texas White House" is normally associated with a former president. Public tours of the Texas White House became available for the first time this year, along with other changes at the park that commemorates the 36th president from his ancestral roots to his final resting place.
A snowplay area and guided snowshoe walks are now available at the Paradise area in Mount Rainer National Park. Here's your chance to slide and 'shoe in the world's snowiest place.

Saturday, December 27th, 2008

Winter, it seems, is everywhere these days. Even poor Las Vegas has been hammered (relatively speaking, of course) by a snowstorm. And Death Valley National Park has seen snowflakes this winter. So shouldn't you be planning a national park ski trip?
Established on December 27, 1894, Shiloh National Military Park was transferred to the NPS in 1933. Some Civil War buffs have a very special way of visiting this park and honoring those who fought there.

Friday, December 26th, 2008

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.