Browse Through the Traveler Content

The National Park to Park Highway

In the early 1900s, some national parks existed, but getting to them was problematic. Then was born the idea to develop a "National Park-to-Park Highway," one that would run through 11 states and connect 13 national parks.

Mount Rainier National Park's Cougar Rock Campground to Open This Weekend

Thanks to some help from ole Sol, two loops of the Cougar Rock Campground in Mount Rainier National Park will be open this weekend.

"The Right Stuff" - Valor Awards for Two Rescuers at Mount Rainier National Park

In a timely reminder that search and rescue activities are rarely routine and often dangerous, a ranger and a climbing guide from Mount Rainier National Park have received a Valor Award and a Citizen’s Award for Bravery from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Roads and Facilities Opening at Mount Rainier National Park

Road access to Mount Rainier National Park continues to improve following the long winter, with crews scheduled to open State Routes 123 and 410 over Cayuse Pass today. However, Route 410 over Chinook Pass remains closed by snow.

Traveler Tip: Staying On Top Of News From Mount Rainier National Park

Trying to individually sort through all of the data flowing across the Internet is impossible. Can't be done. There's just too much. So when you come upon a cool site, spread the word. Today the word is "VisitRainier."

Interior Secretary Salazar Sends $15.2 Million to USGS Volcano Observatories to Improve Monitoring

The five U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Observatories are receiving $15.2 million to help upgrade their monitoring of volcanics across the West, in Alaska, and in Hawaii, including within Yellowstone, Mount Rainier, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Lake Clark national parks.

Mount Rainier National Park: Reaching Out to Camping Newbies

How many of you would jump at the chance to join rangers at Mount Rainier National Park on a three-day camping trek? And keep in mind, this offer comes with equipment, food, and rangers tossed in for free.

Tracing The Postage Stamp-Sized History of the National Park System

You could call it a postage stamp-sized history of the National Park System, but the history of park scenes on U.S. postage is really quite colorful and carries a few stories with it.

Sections of Pacific Crest Trail Poached by Mountain Bikers; Could Problems Arise in National Parks?

The Pacific Crest Trail ranges from Canada to Mexico, running through Washington, Oregon, and California along the way, traversing not one but seven units of the National Park System in the process. While mountain bikers are not supposed to use the trail, recently some have been poaching sections in California.

Mount Rainier National Park: One of the Oldest in the System, But Appearances Can Deceive

It is one of the oldest parks in the National Park System, having been established on this date in 1899, and yet ... there's a decidedly new face to Mount Rainier National Park.

Mount Rainier National Park to Test Warning Siren This Weekend

Hopefully the folks at Mount Rainier National Park aren't tempting fate this Saturday when they test their Geohazard Warning Siren at the Nisqually Entrance.

Volcanics in the National Parks: They Ain't All Tied to "Redoubt"

Yellowstone National Park entered the new year shaking and rattling. Fortunately, there hasn’t been any real rolling just yet. But over at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, Redoubt Volcano has been going through its own gyrations, and volcanologists suspect it just might erupt any time now. Against that backdrop, if you want to see volcanics in action, or signs thereof, the National Park System has many opportunities for you.

National Park System Quiz 40: Mission 66

This week’s quiz will find out just how much you remember about one of the most influential programs in National Park Service history. Answers are at the end. If we catch you guessing we’ll make you explain how the visitor center design strategies employed by Los Angeles-based Neutra and Alexander differed from those of San Francisco-based Malone & Hooper.

Yellowstone Geologist Worries About What Goes "Bump" At Night

Who hasn't been jarred awake at night wondering what went "bump!"? Hank Heasler doesn't worry too much about it...unless his cellphone starts chirping.

Did Mount Rainier National Park Leave Contractor Holding The Bill?

There are few things as bad as doing some work for someone and then not getting paid what you believe you're owed. Such a scenario has developed around the renovated Paradise Inn at Mount Rainier National Park, and a roofing contractor says he might have to lay off 40 workers if he doesn't get paid soon.

Backpacker's Most Dangerous Hikes: The National Parks are Well-Represented

Today's younger generations want thrills? Well, the National Park System has plenty of them, from incredible white-water opportunities and climbs to some of what Backpacker magazine calls the most dangerous hikes in America.

End of a Curious Era at Mount Rainier National Park

Moving at a pace several months ahead of schedule, construction crews on Monday are scheduled to mark the end of a curious architectural era at Mount Rainier National Park.

Updated: Mount Rainier National Park Remains Closed Due to Flooding

Heavy rains and flooding that hit Mount Rainier National Park this week will keep much of the park closed to automobile traffic at least through November 21, park officials said Friday afternoon.

Flooding Forces Closure of Mount Rainier National Park

Two years after torrential rains unleashed flooding across Mount Rainier National Park heavy rains have returned and forced the park's closure.

Mount Rainier National Park Proposing to Reroute Section of Wonderland Trail

One of the must-do national park backcountry treks in the West is the circumnavigation of Mount Rainier via the Wonderland Trail. Storm damage in recent years has officials at Mount Rainier National Park proposing to reroute part of that trail, and are interested in your thoughts.

National Park History: “The Spirit of the Civilian Conservation Corps”

The year was 1932, and America was in the midst of the worst economic downturn in history. Unemployment stood at 25 percent; homelessness at two million people. When Americans went to the polls, they overwhelmingly elected Franklin D. Roosevelt president. FDR immediately sought 'relief, recovery, and reform' to rebuild America's tattered economy. FDR was not interested in merely handing out money to people. Instead, he wanted to put them to work.

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.

Mount Rainier National Park Officials Mulling Future of Carbon River Road

Heavy rains frequently wash out sections of the Carbon River Road in the northwestern corner of Mount Rainier National Park. In fact, the road has been closed since torrential rains destroyed sections in 2006. Now park officials are wondering whether they should even try to reopen the road to vehicles.

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.