Parks in the News

Sale of Plastic Water Bottles Banned At Grand Canyon National Park

​ Grand Canyon National Park will eliminate the in-park sale of water packaged in individual disposable containers within 30 days under a plan approved today by National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels.

Court Rules That Sequoia National Park Officials Violated Wilderness Act By Allowing Horse Trips

More than 40 years after deciding that they would ban the use of stock animals in the high country of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, park officials have both failed to do so and have been found in violation of The Wilderness Act for failing to assess the environmental impact of the animals.

Digital "Tracks" Help Rangers Solve Vandalism Case at Capitol Reef National Park

Tracking down bad guys in the Old West usually required skill in following some literal footprints in the sand, but a case at Capitol Reef National Park with connections to some famous outlaws was recently solved by rangers adept at following a different kind of tracks—those left in cyberspace.

National Park Foundation Program Addresses Transportation Issues In National Parks

National parks often are the setting for some incredible traffic issues, be they related to "bison jams," lack of parking, or simply high visitation. To help parks find solutions to some of these problems, the National Park Foundation has offered a program that places transportation experts in the parks to brainstorm solutions.

Yellowstone National Park Officials Crafting Framework For Lake Area's Future Development

Yellowstone National Park officials, in looking down the road at how the Lake area of the park might evolve, are leaning towards a plan that could allow the reconfiguration of the RV park at Fishing Bridge and which would permit 121,000 square feet of buildings to be built over roughly 3 acres.

National Park Service's Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program Helps Water Trail Materialize in Washington State

Paddlers anxious to dip their blades in water have a new trail to explore in northeastern Washington along the Pend Oreille River thanks in part to the National Park Service.

Grant Helps Grand Teton National Park Re-sod Historic Dude Ranch Cabins

Old ways of using sod roofing on log cabins hold up only so long, but Grand Teton National Park officials have received a grant to use new techniques to re-sod a number of historic cabins in the park.

Reward Fund Established In Connection With Poaching Incident at Wind Cave National Park

A reward fund has been established for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the poaching of two bull elk at Wind Cave National Park.

Transit System Designed to Reduce Pollution, Congestion at Gettysburg National Military Park

A computerized system is being turned to with hopes it can reduce both pollution and congestion at Gettysburg National Military Park by more smoothly directing visitors to parking areas.

National Park Foundation Funding School Field Trips to The National Parks

With hopes of connecting more kids to national parks, the National Park Foundation is underwriting a transportation program to enable classes to take field trips to the National Park System.

Wind Cave National Park Rangers Investigating Apparent Poaching Case, $1000 Reward Offered

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for shooting two elk in Wind Cave National Park.

Summit On The Parks: Where To Now?

It's been a week since the conclusion of America's Summit on National Parks, but in truth the work is just beginning.

$4 Million Helps Acquire 385 Acres For Richmond National Battlefield Park

Four million dollars from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund bought at least 385 acres for Richmond National Battlefield Park, a purchase that preserves hallowed ground and is seen as economic development for tourism.

Weighted Lottery Now Open for Private Float Trips Through Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon National Park is now accepting applications for private river trip permits to float the Colorado River through the park during calendar year 2013.

"Connect Trails To Parks" Awards Help Improve Trails To National Historic And Scenic Trails, Other Federal Lands

Not quite $1 million is being dispensed for 14 projects around the country that will improve trails and trailheads that tie national historic and scenic trails to national parks and other federal lands.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Gives Friends of The Smokies $2,000 For Bear Cables In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A $2,000 grant from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to Friends of Smokies is going a long way to help backpackers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park keep their food out of the reach of bears.

Study Says Pythons Behind Startling Declines In Common Mammals in Everglades National Park

Non-native Burmese pythons, which are exploding in number across Everglades National Park, are being blamed for "precipitous declines" in mammals that once were commonly seen in parts of the park, according to a study.

Survey of Western Attitudes Shows Strong Support for National Parks, Clean Environment

A survey of Westerners shows overwhelming support for conservation of the landscape, with strong pluralities agreeing that "national parks, forests, monuments and wildlife areas, are an essential part" of their state economies.

National Parks Conservation Association Launches Blog

The National Parks Conservation Association has entered the blogosphere to help you keep track of key issues confronting the National Park System.

Eastern National Recognizes National Park Service Staff For Their Support

Eastern National, a non-profit organization that works to enhance the interpretation of the National Park System, was started by a group of park rangers back in 1947. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that the organization is applauding current Park Service staff who have helped it with interpretation and supporting Eastern National in the parks.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Visitors Biggest Spenders In National Park System

Visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park leave quite a bit behind when they head home after visiting the park. In fact, a study shows that in 2010 the park's 9 million or so visitors spent more than $818 million in gateway communities surrounding the national park.

TRACK Trails Offer Nationwide Weapon Against “Nature Deficit Disorder”

A new grant appears likely to popularize outdoor education and exercise for families with national franchising of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation's TRACK Trails concept.

Yellowstone National Park Officials Look To Boost Lodging at Old Faithful Complex

Yellowstone National Park officials are proposing to boost lodging space at the Old Faithful Complex by turning 67 cabins that once were eyed for removal into nightly units during the summer season.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Partners Develop Program To Strengthen Connections With Surrounding Community

For many national parks, their best partners are their neighbors in surrounding communities. With that in mind, the folks at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are working with Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association to strengthen connections with leaders in surrounding communities.

Money Found To Finish Restoration of Bodie Island Light at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Not quite a year after restoration of the Bodie Island Lighthouse at Cape Hatteras National Seashore was halted due to unforeseen problems, nearly $2 million has been obtained to finish the project.

What's the Word at Chiricahua National Monument After Last Summer's Major Wildfire?

The news last summer from Chiricahua National Monument wasn't encouraging—a major wildfire was burning across much of the park known as the "Wonderland of Rocks." How did the park fare, and what's the situation for visitors today? Here's an update from a recent trip to the area.

Bus Bust at Petrified Forest National Park Nets Stolen Wood - and a Lot More

The theft of petrified wood is an ongoing problem at Petrified Forest National Park, so it was gratifying to learn that a tip from a visitor resulted in the apprehension of a group of thieves earlier this month. The bust of the group traveling in a converted school bus also netted some other items of considerable interest to authorities.

Zion National Park Adding New Restrooms In Watchman Campground

Can you ever have enough restrooms in a national campground? If your answer is "no," then you'll be happy to hear that three new "comfort stations" are being built at the Watchman Campground in Zion National Park.

Blue Ridge Parkway Digital History Now Online

A new Web site rounds up remarkable visual resources about the history of the most popular unit of America's National Park System.

Money Allocated To Plan Extension of "Red Canyon Trail" To Bryce Canyon National Park

A $5,000 "in-kind" grant from the federal Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program will allow for development of a plan to extend the "Red Canyon Trail" to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah.
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