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Latest News

The latest news from around the National Park System.

Cold Snap Impacts About Half Of National Mall's Dazzling Cherry Trees

The National Park Service estimates that approximately half of the cherry blossoms on the Yoshino variety of trees have survived the recent cold snap, and will be emerging over the next week or so around the Tidal Basin, in East Potomac Park and on the grounds of the Washington Monument. The Yoshinos are the most abundant variety of cherry trees maintained by the National Park Service, making up approximately 70 percent of the total inventory.

How Will Interior Secretary Mold The National Park Service Budget In Light Of President's Cuts?

With his frequent pronouncements about the beauty and value of national parks, and his admiration for how Theodore Roosevelt approached conservation, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke in the coming weeks will have the opportunity to put actions to his words as details of the president's fiscal 2018 budget proposal materialize.

Cape Lookout National Seashore Introduces Educational Certificates For Off-Road Vehicle Use

The National Park Service this year will initiate an Off-Road Vehicle Educational Certificate program for ORV users who visit Cape Lookout National Seashore. The free ORV Educational Certificate identifies the top resource protection and safety measures that the park requires all ORV users adhere to while visiting North and South Core Banks.

Taiya River Fish Study To Begin In April At Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park

Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, in partnership with Skagway Traditional Council and Taiya Watershed Council, will begin a project to study eulachon fish in the Taiya River. Eulachon, or hooligan, have been important to area residents for generations. Oil rendered from the eulachon has long been used as an important medicine, food, and trade item.

Fort Laramie National Historic Site Completes Foundation Document

Staff at Fort Laramie National Historic Site in Wyoming has completed its Foundation Document, which provides a basic understanding of the park's resources, values, and history. National Park Service personnel use this information to effectively manage the park and plan for its future. The primary benefit of a foundation document is the opportunity to integrate and coordinate all kinds and levels of planning from a single, shared understanding of what is most important about the park.

National Park Infrastructure Hasn't Seen Major Infusion Of Funding In More Than 50 Years

Not since Mission 66, a concerted, decade-long effort to prepare the National Park System for the then-novel vacation traffic of Baby Boomers, has the system seen a significant infusion of funding for infrastructure, a House subcommittee was told Thursday.

President's Budget Proposal Viewed As Overly Harsh For National Parks

President Trump's proposed budget for Fiscal 2018 was roundly criticized Thursday by the nation's environmental and conservation community, which said not only that it would "undermine" and be a "disinvestment" in public lands, but could lead to operational reductions across the National Park System. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, however, said it represents a "savings" for taxpayers.

Cherry Blossoms Might Be Failing, But Yellowstone's Bears Are Right On Schedule

Though cold weather is threatening the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park are getting up and out to enjoy the spring season and pack on some pounds. Though bear tracks have been spotted in the park since late February, on Wednesday visual sightings of some of the bruins were made by park employees.

House Subcommittee To Consider "Innovative" Ideas For Tackling National Park Service Infrastructure Needs

A glimpse of how the House of Representatives might approach the infrastructure needs of the National Park System could be revealed Thursday, when a subcommittee looks at "innovative" ideas for tackling the problems.

Photography In The National Parks: Capturing Lava By Sea And Air

Do volcanoes fascinate you? Have you ever wanted to photograph lava from the air or by sea? Photographer Rebecca Latson recently returned from a trip to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, where she enjoyed wild rides both by boat and helicopter (doors off) to bring back some amazing photos and share exposure tips she learned during an organized photo tour. With these tips, you too can go out and capture your own incredible images of lava, molten as well as cooled.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.