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Traveler’s Delightful Dozen: Windshield Touring Trips in the National Park System

Submitted by Bob Janiskee on May 4, 2008 - 2:43am
We love our cars, we love our parks, and we love to drive our cars in the parks. Well, at least when the traffic isn’t too bad, and we really don’t mind just going along for the ride. The windshield touring season is nearly here, so it’s time to start thinking about park trips. All of the national parkways are recommended. Here are a dozen other traverses, loops, and shuttles that belong on your short list.

National Park Week Activities

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on April 15, 2008 - 3:27pm
National Park Week is being celebrated this year from April 20 through April 26. Across the system there are dozens, if not hundreds, of special events planned. Here's a look at some of them.

Creature Feature: Hellbenders

Submitted by Chance Finegan on April 14, 2008 - 2:30am
Despite their curious name, “hellbenders” are not demons of the night but rather amphibious environmental monitors of Southeastern creeks and streams. Known to some old-timers as “walking catfish,” these super-sized salamanders gained the “hellbender” moniker for their freakish size and dark, moody color.

Missing Cavers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ill-Prepared

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on March 22, 2008 - 9:39am
Four spelunkers who found themselves stranded in a cave in Great Smoky Mountains National Park were ill-prepared for their adventure.

Missing Cavers Found At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on March 21, 2008 - 8:51am
Four cavers, said to be inexperienced, were found wet and cold but uninjured Friday in a cave in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Ready For Spring Opening

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on March 7, 2008 - 3:01am
Add Great Smoky Mountains National Park to the growing list of parks that are getting ready for their spring opening. In fact, many of the park's facilities open today, March 7.

Violent Deaths in the National Parks

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on March 4, 2008 - 9:59am
During 2006, 11 homicides were investigated across the national park system. Two involved women who had been pushed off cliffs, one was a suicide, and one was the victim of a DUI accident.

Park Service OKs Monetary Settlement On Great Smoky Mountains National Park's North Shore Road

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 28, 2007 - 12:23pm
More than six decades after promising to build a road along the north shore of Fontana Lake in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the National Park Service has signed off on a deal to settle the matter with a cash payout of $52 million. Today's action brings an end to the long saga of the so-called "road to nowhere."

NPS Officially Comes Out Against North Shore Road at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on October 2, 2007 - 8:35am
While the proverbial handwriting has been on the wall ever since former U.S. Representative Charlie Taylor lost his re-election bid last November, the National Park Service finally has officially come out against building the so-called "road to nowhere" in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Fall's Brightest Colors Descending on National Parks

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on September 28, 2007 - 2:00am
With Fall officially under way, it won't be too long before the season's most spectacular colors are daubed, stroked, and splashed across the national park system. The good news is that you haven't missed the peak yet. The bad news is that if you don't already have a room reservation, you probably won't find a vacancy in any of the well-known fall foliage parks.