National Parks Traveler

Incubating eggs in the harsh coastal expanses of Kenai Fjords National Park and Preserve in Alaska is tough business to start with, and with predators on the prowl, it becomes even more difficult to rear a brood.

For the second time this year, a thrill-seeker has died at Zion National Park as the result of a BASE-jumping attempt that went awry.

The million-plus acre Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument that's squeezed between Grand Canyon National Park and the Utah border has drawn kudos for its wonderfully dark night skies.

Bryce Canyon National Park officials, rather than forcing private equestrians to pay a guide to lead them on trail rides, should see the marketing and PR value in having rangers saddle up to lead rides much as they lead hikes, for free.

Barring a spring storm, facilities along the 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway will begin opening for the high season on April 1, with most facilities open by June 1.

Often the health of our rivers, lakes, and streams in the National Park System is endangered by something we don’t immediately see. Such is the case in Arkansas, where a hog farm less than 6 miles upstream from the Buffalo National River poses an industrial threat to the river.

“Pirates used to hide in these keys,” Carlos, our guide, tells us as our boat swings behind a small, steep-sided island. Numerous forested islets dot the shoreline like floating haystacks. “English and French pirates hid in Samaná Bay to ambush Spanish gold ships leaving Santa Domingo. The 58 cays and inlets made perfect hiding places.”

A glimpse into the past will be available to Valley Forge National Historical Park visitors next weekend during a re-enactment of the Continental Army's winter encampment there in 1777-78.

Ahhh, the sweet scent of national parks. You've had the chance to freshen your bathrooms with it, and now you can leave your clothes smelling park fresh!

Though spring wildflowers are still a couple months off at Grand Teton National Park, work will begin in earnest Monday to open the Teton Park Road for visitors.