The Latest News & Views

Sunday, April 28th, 2013

America’s Premier Hut System is 125 Years Old—A Classic Appalachian Trail Adventure

Submitted by Randy Johnson on April 28, 2013 - 4:07am

America’s premier hut system is 125 years old this year. Scattered for 56 miles along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in New Hampshire, the Appalachian Mountain Club’s system of 8 huts and two major lodges are all about a day’s hike apart. “This is an AT adventure of the first order,” says Rob Burbank, of the Appalachian Mountain Club. “Imagine an opportunity to hike one of the most rugged and spectacular sections of the Appalachian Trail with just a tooth brush in your pack!”

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By Randy Johnson
High-Tech Meets The Past Via Animated Fly-Through Tours Of Historic Locations

Submitted by Jim Burnett on April 28, 2013 - 2:03am

There are some historic features in the National Park System we just can't walk through in person, such as the remains of the Civil War gunboat USS Cairo at Vicksburg National Military Park. Now, thanks to some high-tech wizardry, anyone can take an animated "fly-through" and explore the interior of the ship—or five other historic locations around the country.

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By Jim Burnett
Sample Mountains-to-Sea Trail With May 4th Hike And Talk At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Submitted by Jim Burnett on April 28, 2013 - 1:33am

The North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a thousand-mile route for hikers across North Carolina, and you can get a short sample with a two-hour hike followed by a talk about the trail on Saturday, May 4 at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more qualified hike leader and speaker, because Danny Bernstein has walked the entire length of the trail,

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By Jim Burnett

Saturday, April 27th, 2013

Grand Teton, Grand Canyon National Parks Just About Ready For Spring

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 27, 2013 - 1:59am

More access is coming to Grand Teton and Grand Canyon national parks, proof that spring is on its way to the Rockies and Southwest.

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By NPT Staff

Friday, April 26th, 2013

Yellowstone, Land Of Wonders: Promenade In North America's National Park

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on April 26, 2013 - 2:00am

If you, too, have paused before an faded and worn map of Yellowstone and wondered the same, then Yellowstone, Land Of Wonders: Promenade in North America's National Park is for you. But not only does this travelogue carry you back to the Yellowstone of 1883, but it's cast through the eyes of a Belgian writer who spent 10 days in the park that summer.

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By Kurt Repanshek
Traveler's Gear Box: Alite Continues The Evolution Of The Backwoods Chair

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on April 26, 2013 - 1:22am

Even chairs are subject to evolution, as Alite Designs so ably demonstrates with its Mayfly chair, a chair so light you could backpack with it, though it's likely more at home in your canoe or kayak.

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By Kurt Repanshek
Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Provides $500,000 To Connect Kids To Parks

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 26, 2013 - 1:02am

Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has sent $500,000 to the National Park Foundation to connect kids to nature in the national parks.

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By NPT Staff

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Bills To Expand Yosemite National Park Finding Bipartisan Support

Submitted by Jim Burnett on April 25, 2013 - 2:03am

Over a century ago, John Muir's vision for Yosemite National Park included areas that were not included in the present park. Now there's bipartisan support for efforts to add about 1,500 acres adjoining the western side of Yosemite to protect the area from development.

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By Jim Burnett
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Needs Help Monitoring Elk And Visitors

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 25, 2013 - 1:44am

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking volunteers to assist rangers with managing traffic and providing visitor information on responsible elk viewing practices in the Cataloochee area of the park.

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By NPT Staff
Mark Your Calendars: New River Festival Coming In June

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 25, 2013 - 1:41am

Cheat Fest? Been there. Gauley Fest? Done that. Second Annual New River Festival? Got it on the calendar for June 7-9.

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By NPT Staff
National Parks: Going To The Dogs!

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 25, 2013 - 1:22am

If you plan to bring your dog with you on a visit to a national park, you should be prepared.

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By NPT Staff

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013

Plan To Attend 5th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration Of Art At Grand Canyon National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 24, 2013 - 1:55am

It's still months off, but now is the perfect time to plan to attend the 5th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art at Grand Canyon National Park this September.

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By NPT Staff
Some Campground Fees Proposed For Increases At Death Valley National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 24, 2013 - 1:41am

Having replaced the entire water and sewer system of the Furnace Creek Campground, added a new bathroom, and expanded electrical service for RVs, Death Valley National Park officials are now proposing an increase in camping fees to help cover the costs of providing electricity to the campground.

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By NPT Staff
TRACK Trails Program Expanding To Catoctin Mountain Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on April 24, 2013 - 1:40am

TRACK Trails, a kid-friendly trails program created by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to encourage youth to get outdoors, is expanding to Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland.

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By NPT Staff

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013

Birding In The National Parks: Petrels And Cats Don't Mix At Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Submitted by Kirby Adams on April 23, 2013 - 2:30am

Feral and outdoor cats are notorious for being efficient hunters, as shown by the well-known “kitty cam” study in Georgia. Now, the latest bad news about feral cats is from Hawai’i, home of some of the most endangered birds on the planet.

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By Kirby Adams