Latest News

The latest news from around the National Park System.

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Rangers On Mission To Keep Plants From Going Extinct

As lush and overgrown as the landscape at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park might appear, there are some plants that are at risk of going extinct. To prevent that from happening, park rangers have been working to collect seeds of four extremely rare plants.

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By NPT Staff - July 7th, 2013 3:03am

Sand Island At Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Closed To All Visitors Due To Bears

Continued aggressiveness by one or more black bears at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin have forced park officials to close Sand Island to all visitors until further notice.

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By NPT Staff - July 7th, 2013 3:03am

Inexperience, Poor Planning Tied To Canyoneering Accidents Outside Zion National Park

Inexperience and errors of judgment, two factors often cited in accidents and injuries in the National Park System, played a role in two recent canyoneering accidents just outside Zion National Park.

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By NPT Staff - July 7th, 2013 3:03am

The British Are Coming, The British Are Coming....To Salem Maritime National Historic Site

The calendar will be turned back a few centuries later this month when re-enactors stage a British encampment at Salem Maritime National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

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By NPT Staff - July 7th, 2013 2:03am

Fluke Fire Burning Atop Sequoia Tree Leads To Small Closure Of Congress Trail At Sequoia National Park

A fluke fire burning in the crown of a giant sequoia has prompted the partial closure of the Congress Trail at Sequoia National Park.

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By NPT Staff - July 7th, 2013 5:36pm

33rd Annual Cultural Festival Coming To Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

For the 33rd time, on July 13 Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park will host the Annual Cultural Festival. The festival is free, and park entrance fees are waived all day.

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By NPT Staff - July 6th, 2013 3:03am

Smokejumpers Called In To Protect Historic Structures From Wildfires In Denali National Park

A team of smokejumpers has been working in the backcountry of Denali National Park to protect some historic structures from wildfires that are burning nearby them.

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By NPT Staff - July 5th, 2013 3:03am

Trails I've Hiked: A Trio Of Watery Jewels At Rocky Mountain National Park

While Bear Lake is a potent draw at Rocky Mountain National Park, and justifiably so, there lies a trio of watery delights beyond this attraction that are more than worthy of your attention...before visiting Bear Lake.

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By Kurt Repanshek - July 9th, 2013 9:55am

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National Park Foundation Grants Designed To Help Parks Improve Visitor Transportation

While some national parks struggle with moving tourists around during the peak season due to traffic jams and road systems designed for fewer vehicles, the National Park Foundation is working to provide the National Park Service with the expertise to help improve the situation.

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By NPT Staff - July 5th, 2013 8:43am

"Flightseers " Spend Fourth Of July Stranded On Denali National Park Glacier

A group of visitors enjoying Denali National Park from the air spent the Fourth of July grounded on a glacier on Mount McKinley and were awaiting help from rangers bringing tents, food, and warm clothing on foot.

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By NPT Staff - July 4th, 2013 5:29pm

Yosemite Nature Notes: Neon Red Psychedelic Asparagus

One of the most unusual plants in the far West is the snow plant, a brilliant red stalk of vegetation that some refer to as a "neon red psychedelic asparagus."

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By NPT Staff - July 4th, 2013 4:03am

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Some Acadia National Park Peregrines Fail In Nesting Attempts, Trails Reopen

Well, it appears that nesting attempts by Peregrine falcons in some areas of Acadia National Park have failed this year. As a result, areas that had been closed during the nesting season have been reopened.

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By NPT Staff - July 4th, 2013 3:03am

Chimney Tops Trail Reopens In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Just in time for the extended Fourth of July weekend, the Chimney Tops Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been reopened after extensive trail work. However, more work to the trail will require temporary closures in the weeks to come.

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By NPT Staff - July 3rd, 2013 4:57pm

U.S. House Subcommittee To Take Testimony On Yosemite National Park's Merced River Plan Impacts

California politicians, who jumped quickly to prevent horse pack trips at Sequoia National Park from being derailed last year, are moving to take a close look at Yosemite National Park plans that could lead to some concessions closings in the Yosemite Valley.

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By NPT Staff - July 3rd, 2013 4:03am

4 comments

Light Station Maintenance Under Way At Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Means Temporary Closures

It takes a lot of maintain lighthouses, particularly old ones. So, not surprisingly, work on some of the historic light stations at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin mean there will be some temporary closures this year.

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By NPT Staff - July 3rd, 2013 4:03am

Reader Participation Day: Where's The Best View From A Dining Room In A National Park?

There are restaurants in and near national parks that serve up some mighty fine food, but not all of them offer an outstanding view to go with your meal. What are your choices for the restaurant with the best view in or near a national park?

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By Jim Burnett - July 3rd, 2013 4:03am

15 comments

Wildflower Festival Coming To Cedar Breaks National Monument

At 10,000 feet and above, wildflowers bloom a wee bit later than, for instance, at sea level. That's why Cedar Breaks National Monument's 8th Annual Wildflower Festival is just beginning this Saturday.

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By NPT Staff - July 3rd, 2013 3:03am

Heat Possibly Played Role In Death Of Grand Canyon National Park Hiker

With an extended heat wave baking the West, generating temperatures above 100 degrees in many national parks, Grand Canyon National Park officials are investigating whether the heat played a role in the death of a hiker on trhe South Kaibab Trail.

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By NPT Staff - July 2nd, 2013 9:11am

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Swimming Holes Once Again Open At Chickasaw National Recreation Area In Oklahoma

The swimming holes are once again open at Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Okalahoma.

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By NPT Staff - July 2nd, 2013 4:03am

Overnight Use Of Sand Island At Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Closed Due To Bears

An acquired taste of human food by a black bear has forced the overnight closure of Sand Island at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin.

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By NPT Staff - July 2nd, 2013 3:03am

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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.

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