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In Yellowstone National Park, Rangers Sometimes Have To Intervene With Natural Processes

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 31, 2012 - 2:51am
The National Park Service likes to emphasize that it strives to let natural processes play out in the parks, but there are times when rangers must intervene and take an active role in that process. That happened recently in Yellowstone National Park, where rangers killed an elk and bison that were in distress.

What Were The Top National Park Stories Of 2012?

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 31, 2012 - 2:48am
Ranking anything is highly subjective. Nevertheless, the following stories from the national parks rose above most others in 2012. They range from the tragedy of a Mount Rainier National Park ranger gunned down in the line of duty on New Year's Day to the ongoing struggle over the future of an oyster farm at Point Reyes National Seashore.

On The Lighter Side In The National Parks In 2012

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 31, 2012 - 2:40am
A few stories from the National Park System stood out this past year because, well, because they cast a light on the lighter side of life in the parks

Parks Beyond Borders: Sri Lanka's National Parks Report Record Visitor Income

Submitted by Randy Johnson on December 30, 2012 - 7:39am
International tourism in Sri Lanka is spelling good news for the nation’s national parks. While Africa’s national park proponents discuss ways to increase tourism and reduce poaching that’s alarming the world and threatening to eliminate some species—Sri Lanka’s parks are reporting record income from visitors.

Discriminating Explorer: Richmond, Virginia—An Epicenter Of Civil War Sesquicentennial Travel

Submitted by Randy Johnson on December 30, 2012 - 5:12am
Surrounded by battlefield parks, Richmond’s history transcends any single Civil War anniversary you might try to coincide with. Best plan—get to Richmond when the getting’s good and there’s more than enough to see and do to turn a “national park vacation” into a true historical travel experience.

National Park Service Buys 86 Acres Of Wyoming Lands Surrounded By Grand Teton National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 30, 2012 - 2:49am
Slowly, but surely, the National Park Service is whittling away at the amount of Wyoming-owned lands that lie within the boundaries of Grand Teton National Park.

Consider Making A Charitable Donation To The National Park Friends Group Of Your Choice

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 30, 2012 - 2:21am
Monday is the last day to make a charitable, deductible, donation to the national park friends group of your choice for the 2012 tax year -- and maybe forever, depending on how Congress resolves the nation's budgetary problems.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park Christmas Bird Count Coming....In January

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 29, 2012 - 2:07am
Planning to be in West Texas early next month? If so, consider heading over to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to join in the park's annual Christmas Bird Count.

Registration For Field Courses In Denali National Park Opens January 9

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 28, 2012 - 2:58am
Winter months are planning months (unless you can escape to a warm, sandy location). And beginning January 9, you'll be able to start planning a summer journey to Denali National Park and Preserve for a field seminar hosted by Alaska Geographic.

Still Time To Join A Yellowstone Association Institute Course This Winter

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 28, 2012 - 2:48am
If you have some time on your hands, a hankering for natural sciences, and always wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park winter, here's your chance.

A Year Of Birding In The National Parks

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 28, 2012 - 2:11am
Kirby Adams ranged far afield in the national parks looking for birds in 2012, relating his experiences that took him all the way north, and a bit east, to Newfound in Canada. Let's take a look back at those columns.

Skype Connects Maine Youngsters With Wild Alaska

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 27, 2012 - 2:51am
As a fifth-grader living in Maine, you would probably not spend a typical Saturday night at town hall dancing with your parents and grandparents. But in Savoonga, Alaska, that would be the only choice.

Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park In January? Check Out These Programs

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 27, 2012 - 2:12am
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing After Dark in the Park and Hawaiian cultural programs with the community and visitors throughout January – which is also Volcano Awareness Month, established by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Books We've Read In 2012 (And Some That We Liked!)

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 27, 2012 - 2:12am
Despite the hectic nature of life, here at the Traveler we still managed to read a few books during the past 12 months. Here's a look at those books, and where you can find our reviews.

A Year In The Parks: From Arches National Park To Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 26, 2012 - 2:47am
Living in the Rocky Mountains is a great asset when it comes to visiting national parks, for there are so many in just about any direction you head. The past year took me north and south through the region to a diverse collection parks, and I also ventured to Virginia to explore the National Park System.

Trails We Hiked in 2012 That We Think You'll Like

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 26, 2012 - 2:31am
Few national park visits are complete without a hike of some distance and duration. We made the following hikes in the parks the past year, and think you'll find them interesting possibilities for 2013.

Guest Column: Of Wolves And Science

Submitted by Greg Breining on December 26, 2012 - 2:19am
This fall has been a tough one for those who love the wolves of Yellowstone National Park, as more than a few of the predators have been killed outside the park by hunters. Wolf hunting and trapping also is an issue in the Midwest, and the controversy around that issue prompted writer Greg Breining to take a close look at how wolves and science intertwine. It's not always as neat as you might think

Florida National Scenic Trail To Turn 30 In 2013

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 25, 2012 - 2:39am
The Florida National Scenic Trail will mark its 30th anniversary during 2013, and a special event is scheduled for January 4 to dedicate the trail's Southern Terminus with a monument at the Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve.

Check Out The National Parks We Explored In 2012

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 25, 2012 - 2:24am
Part of the fun of the National Park System is exploring the various units to see what they have to offer. Here's a look at parks the Traveler "explored" in 2012.

Yosemite Steve Goes Snorkeling In Virgin Islands National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 25, 2012 - 2:20am
Steven Bumgardner, aka Yosemite Steve, typically restricts his videography to Yosemite National Park, but he recently visited Virgin Islands National Park and came away with a great video on snorkeling in the park.

Photography In The National Parks: Capturing The Moods Of Mount Rainier National Park

Submitted by Deby Dixon on December 25, 2012 - 2:16am
Mount Rainier is known for its subalpine meadows filled with bright, colorful wildflowers in late July to mid-September, depending on the year, but photographing the mountain in its many moods requires spending time on it throughout the year.

Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Friends Of The Smokies Team Up To Hang Bear Wires In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 24, 2012 - 2:38am
A joint effort by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Friends of the Smokies has made it a wee bit safer for backcountry travelers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Wind Cave National Park Programs Will Lead Kids Into The Backcountry

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 24, 2012 - 2:24am
Programs for exploring nature with children and discovering the park’s backcountry will be offered this winter and spring at Wind Cave National Park.

National Park Lodging: Who's Taking Care Of These Buildings? Part II

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 24, 2012 - 2:11am
While many national park lodges are on the National Register of Historic Places, not all lodges reflect the preservation and well-maintained appearance you might expect for such properties. In this, the second of our two-part series, the Traveler looks at why some properties are not as well-maintained as you might expect.

Parks Beyond Borders: Quebec Set To Create One Of North America's Biggest National Parks, Wales To Get "Power Pylons"

Submitted by Randy Johnson on December 23, 2012 - 8:38am
Quebec could become home to the largest national park in eastern North America, and power "pylons" are the "preferred option" to transfer power near Snowdonia National Park in Wales.

Winter Closes Roads At Dinosaur, Cedar Breaks National Monuments In Utah/Colorado

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 23, 2012 - 2:52am
Recent snow storms have led to the closure of some roads at both Dinosaur National Monument and Cedar Breaks National Monument for the rest of the winter.

Ranger-Led Snowshoe Hikes Start Wednesday At Grand Teton National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 23, 2012 - 2:34am
With snow in the forecast, and the year-end holiday break, consider joining a ranger for a snowshoe hike at Grand Teton National Park if you're in the area this week.

Thank You For A Great Year In The National Parks

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 23, 2012 - 2:30am
Eight days are left in 2012, and then we'll be off to a brand new year in the National Park System. To all our readers, more than 1 million strong, we thank you for visiting the Traveler and, when the urge moved you, leaving your thoughts.

National Park Lodging: Who's Taking Care Of These Buildings? Part I

Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on December 23, 2012 - 2:11am
While many national park lodges are on the National Register of Historic Places, not all lodges reflect the preservation and well-maintained appearance you might expect for such properties. In a two-part series, the Traveler looks at the highs and lows of upkeep in the National Park System.

Dock Thought To Be From Japan Lands On Shores Of Olympic National Park

Submitted by NPT Staff on December 22, 2012 - 9:19am
A section of a dock thought to have drifted from Japan following the March 2011 tsunami has come ashore along the coast of Olympic National Park, and officials are working on a plan to remove it.