Archive List

National Parks Traveler Launches User Forums

It took longer than it should have, but user forums finally have been added to National Parks Traveler. Use them to share information, get your questions answered, and launch your own posts about the national park system.

Opening For Spring is a Struggle at Olympic National Park

Last fall's storms and this past winter's snows are slowing the opening of Olympic National Park this spring. But little by little the park's various areas are opening. That said, before you head out you might want to call the park to check on conditions.

Congressman Introduces Legislation To Double The Size of Big Thicket National Preserve

Big Thicket National Preserve, a rich crucible of biodiversity, would double in size under legislation introduced by a congressman from Texas.

Interior Officials Want to Allow Concealed Carry in the National Parks

Moving at a politically expedient speed, Interior Department officials are proposing to allow national park visitors to carry concealed weapons with them.

Bison, Elk and Bears Might Be Cute, But These Videos and Statistics From National Parks Suggest Caution

Ever consider a sprint with an elk or bison? Well, if you're not careful, you just might wind up in that predicament in Yellowstone National Park. And you won't win.

Groups Sue To Overturn Removal of Greater Yellowstone Wolves from Endangered Species List

Has Yellowstone National Park's wolf recovery program, now more than a decade old, succeeded? The federal government thinks so, as evidenced by the removal of greater Yellowstone wolves from the Endangered Species List. But a coalition of conservation group differs, and has filed a lawsuit to overturn the delisting.

Creature Feature: the Many-Colored Fruit Dove

A tiny clutch of islands in the South Pacific harbors not only the National Park of American Samoa, one of the National Park System’s oft-overlooked delights, but also some of the last vestiges of the many-Colored Fruit Dove, a colorful bird that long has captivated those lucky enough to spy it.

National Parks Week: Perfect Time to Assess the "State of the Parks"

Don't let the hoopla over National Parks Week and the launch of the Centennial Challenge fund-letting fool you: The state of the national park system is depressing. While recent visitation is up, staffing is down, and park budgets aren't keeping pace with inflation.

Railroad's Tweaking Delays Glacier National Park's Decision Against Bombing Avalanche Chutes

Long after the public comment period closed on Glacier National Park's draft environmental impact statement regarding a railroad's request to bomb avalanche chutes on the park's southern boundary, the railroad apparently has succeeded in tweaking that document.

Snared Wolves At Denali National Park and Preserve Cast Ugly Shadow on Trappers

Wolf trapping that went wrong has left two wolves with snares cinched around their necks roaming Denali National Park and Preserve just as tourist season is about to arrive.

2008 National Park Service Centennial Projects Run the Gamut, From Traveling Trunks to Biodiversity Inventories

From "traveling trunks" and power systems to biodiversity inventories and efforts to develop tomorrow's national park stewards, the 110 Centennial Challenge Projects and Programs that are being funded for 2008 offer a little something for most folks.

Traveler's Top 10 Picks For Movies Involving National Parks

Dozens of movies have depicted actors and actresses cavorting, romancing, running, hiding, fighting, and yes, even dying in national parks or places destined to become national parks. Here are ten of Traveler's favorite movies with a national park connection of some sort. Note that we don’t restrict the field to films shot on location in parks.

GYC Explains Value of Latest Agreement for Yellowstone National Park Bison

On April 17, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer and Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Suzanne Lewis announced that an agreement had been struck that opens up additional habitat for bison north of the park. This deal signifies the biggest step forward for Yellowstone bison in over a decade and will result in bison roaming onto traditional winter habitat over six miles north of Yellowstone National Park

Utahn Wins Top Honors in National Park Foundation's Essay Contest

A Utah boy and his family spent Earth Day at Everglades National Park thanks to his winning entry in the National Park Foundation's 2008 essay contest.

Flying Squirrels, Scenic Vistas, and the Blue Ridge Parkway

The National Park Service has a cumbersome conundrum on its hands at the Blue Ridge Parkway, where the agency is grappling with how to preserve scenic vistas along the 469-mile-long road while not making further inroads on habitat critical for the Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel.

Proposed Settlement Filed in Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Case

Birds on Cape Hatteras National Seashore will get more protection from off-road vehicles under a proposed settlement filed in federal court. If Judge Terrence Boyle signs off on the 23-page document, seasonal restrictions will be implemented to see that ORVs don't trample bird habitat.

NPCA: Health of Everglades National Park Requires a Longer Bridge Along the Tamiami Trail

Once seen as an innovative project for its time, in 1929, Tamiami Trail was built along the northern edge of what was to become Everglades National Park and through Big Cypress National Preserve. It fulfilled the dream to create passage across the Everglades from Tampa to Miami. Today, many people feel much differently about the road that currently impedes the natural flow of water through the historic River of Grass.

Are Blue Ridge Parkway's Historic Guardrails At Risk?

A hallmark of driving the Blue Ridge Parkway - and most national park roads - has always been the rustic stone or wood guard rails that line the roadway. But now, that could all change.

Yellowstone National Park Bison Agreement: How Big A Step Forward Is It?

If the winter of 2008-09 is as severe as this slowly retreating winter, will it matter that 25 Yellowstone National Park bison have been saved from slaughter while another 1,200 or so are trucked to their death? Those paying $2.8 million to gain grazing rights to a ranch just north of Yellowstone think so.

National Park Service Helps Expand Bison Range North of Yellowstone National Park

A $2.8 million agreement has been reached that will expand the northern range for Yellowstone National Park bison. Under the agreement, cattle will be removed from the Royal Teton Ranch for the next 30 years.

Adios Amigos: Tales of Sustenance and Purification in the American West.

"River time." It's that blissful oasis reached only by pushing off from terra firma, leaping board a raft, kayak, or canoe, and leaving the real world behind. Preferably for more than an afternoon. In the West, this generally is accomplished by heading for the Middle Fork of the Salmon, the Green, the Selway, or the Lochsa rivers. For those truly lucky souls, it means putting in from Lee's Ferry onto the Colorado River for two or more weeks of riverine solitude.

Bear #399, And Other Grizzlies, Are On the Prowl In Grand Teton National Park

Mountain snows slowly are beginning to melt, the aspen are beginning to unfurl their leaves, and the bears are rummaging about. All the more reason to pay attention to not just your surroundings in the national parks, but your cleanliness in terms of food.

Park History: Natural Bridges National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument is one of the more remote corners of the national park system, but make the effort to find it and you'll be richly rewarded with an amazing landscape, rich human history, and glorious solitude.

National Park Week Activities

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.

Online Registration Possible For Climbing in Denali National Park

Beginning the planning for a climb of Mount McKinley or Mount Foraker in Denali National Park and Preserve is just a click away, thanks to an online registration program launched by the National Park Service.

Creature Feature: Hellbenders

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.

Gettysburg National Military Park: Of Cycloramas, Museums and Visitor Centers

At 8 a.m. EDT Monday a door will open into this country's most bitter moment in history when the $105 million Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park opens for business.

Should Canyon de Chelly Be Given to the Navajo Nation?

It's an interesting coincidence that not long after the Traveler revisited the national park units that have been decommissioned that it's come to our attention that there are talks about turning Canyon de Chelly National Monument over to the Navajo Nation.

Tentative Deal Reached Over Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV Management

A tentative deal has been reached in the matter of off-road vehicle driving at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, although specific details have not yet been released.

Tune-in For Yosemite National Park

Never been to Yosemite National Park? If you haven't, or if you just want to recall its beauty, watch for "Yosemite -- America's Treasure" on the Travel Channel this Sunday and again on April 17 and 18.