Commentary, news, and life in America's Parks

Photos of the Week

Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
05/14/2012 | Fireflies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Kevin Adams
05/06/2012 | Pointing The Way | Kurt Repanshek
Mount Rundle, Banff National Park
05/06/2012 | Mount Rundle, Banff National Park | Kurt Repanshek
Walking Wales Coast Path
04/22/2012 | Walking the Wales Coast Path | Courtesy Wales Tourism
Thunder Hole, Acadia National Park, copyright Michael Rickard
04/03/2012 | Thunder Rolls In The Morning At Acadia | Michael Rickard
Spring rain below the Blue Ridge Parkway.
03/26/2012 | Overspreading Spring Rain | Randy Johnson

Features

Evolution Of A Glasshouse: From Colonial Glassmaking To Decorative Arts

Glassworks are one of the tools of interpretation at historic Jamestown in Colonial National Historical Park. Today you can watch as artisans recreate glass vessels using time-honored practices.

Keeping Things Quiet In The National Parks

There are at times unintended consequences of good deeds in national parks. For instance, efforts to reduce traffic by using shuttle buses can actually create a noisier environment, according to studies at Rocky Mountain National Park and elsewhere in the park system.

Alternative Realities Discovered On Spring Break In Joshua Tree National Park

A week-long immersion into Joshua Tree National Park offers much more than a visit of a few days. For Oliwia Baney, a week in the park working alongside rangers and other Student Conservation Association volunteers revealed the disparities between life in, and beyond, a national park's boundaries.

View From The Overlook: Mountain-Biker-In-Chief

There has been considerable debate about the wisdom of allowing mountain biking in the National Parks in general and Big Bend National Park in particular; that park becoming the poster child and cause celebre of mountain biking.

Discriminating Explorer: Get on the Road to Damascus! Trail Days 2012 Hikes in May 18th-20th

Trail Days 2012 hikes in to Damascus, VA May 18-20th—and this nationally significant Appalachian Trail fest is a great time to discover "Trail Town USA." Don't miss Virginia's nearby highest peak, Mount Rogers, the explosively popular Virgina Creeper bike trail, and sophisticated Abingdon, just named an Appalachian Trail Community. All-in-all, a best-kept secret destination.

Puzzles, Mysteries, and Reviews

Friday, May 11th, 2012

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

Monday, May 7th, 2012

Friday, May 4th, 2012