National Parks
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We鈥檝e redefined the modern adventurer鈥檚 bucket list
Sites operated by the National Park Service recorded more than 331 million visits last year鈥攖he most in history. The news comes as the NPS weathers its worst staffing crisis in years.
Modern life is filled with noise. These peaceful parks are very, very quiet.
We rounded up some of the most creative signs from last weekend's protests, including one from a junior park ranger and another from a golden retriever
A nonprofit is tallying up how many NPS employees have been let go from each park. A key asset has been social media posts from terminated employees.
From a music-centric journey across the northern U.S. to a national park-studded road trip through the heartland, we鈥檝e got itineraries for your next great cross-country adventure.
The National Park Service faces a staffing crisis after losing 1,000 employees. We spoke to experts and laid-off rangers to understand what visitors can expect.
From exploring Arizona's canyons to surfing California'a beaches and hiking Utah's buttes, our national parks columnist shares his dream Southwest road-trip itineraries. Just gas up your rig, grab the sunscreen, and go.
I found big adventure and warm weather in these national-park units spread across the Southeast and Southwest
Most national parks have an entry fee, but not these. And they鈥檙e all awesome places to visit.
You鈥檒l be able to view a rare alignment of planets this month and into February. Our astrotourism expert reveals the best places and ways to see the awesome spectacle.
Timed-entry reservations are back. Our national parks columnist reveals how to get into these popular parks.
鈥淭he trees aren鈥檛 as big as everyone says鈥 and 鈥淚've seen better in video games.鈥 Our national-parks columnist rounded up some scathing reviews of America's Best Idea.
鈥淪een better鈥: Not every visitor is impressed with one of the world鈥檚 seven natural wonders, it turns out
The North Dakota governor has promoted outdoor recreation in his state. Opponents worry about his connection to the oil and gas industry.
Surrounded by more famous destinations, this area is often overlooked. Yet it is one of the wildest and most beautiful units in the national-park system.
Catch the colors and miss the crowds at these often-overlooked autumn destinations. Our parks columnists reveals where leaf peepers can see fall鈥檚 best shows.
Park Service employee Erich B. Koenig discovered spilled junk food inside New Mexico鈥檚 Carlsbad Caverns in 2023. His post about human impact on delicate ecosystems sparked a glut of media coverage.
When Ada Lim贸n, America鈥檚 first Latina poet laureate, was tasked with bringing poetry to people who otherwise might not be exposed to it, she knew just where to put it: National Parks
You all know not to pet the fluffy cows in Yellowstone, but do you know how to plan a successful visit?
Plan your next summer escape around these parks, where high latitudes and high altitudes are still keeping temps cool
These cool new lodging options are within striking distance of some of the country鈥檚 most popular national parks
Ada Lim贸n, America鈥檚 first Latina poet laureate, is helping us rethink wild spaces with some perfectly placed poems at a park near you
Debris flies hundreds of feet in the air in this video recorded by a Yellowstone hiker
The Mountain State has it all: rivers, 36 state parks, nine state forests, our newest national park, and a nearly million-acre national forest. Our travel expert reveals his favorite ways to get outside here.
The reintroduction of the apex predators to Washington鈥檚 North Cascades National Park has local communities asking if it鈥檚 still safe to hike in the park
Spectacular mountains and deep fjords, powder-blue lakes and sea stacks: here鈥檚 your bucket list of national parks to visit up north
A flurry of confusing memos鈥攊ncluding one that effectively banned staff from participating in Pride in uniform鈥攍eft LGBTQ+ employees and advocates wondering where the NPS really stands
But popularity online could also be the ticket to better funding for parks with lower engagement
Park-goers are suing to preserve their right to pay cash at increasingly card-only national park sites. We think both sides are wrong.
From miles of trails to acres of public land, the explorable and beautiful terrain in these states stand out above the rest.
According to new NPS data, visitation is up at the country鈥檚 most popular national parks. But at these under-the-radar gems, the scenery is equally spectacular and you鈥檒l have plenty of room to explore.
Mount Rainier National Park will join Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Arches in implementing a new timed-entry system for the park鈥檚 most popular entrances
We鈥檙e fact checking misinformation currently gaining traction on social media
There was nothing to do, I didn鈥檛 see a bear, and that snake harassed me
And take our advice on where to go for the most fun adventures in America's Best Idea, from Yellowstone to Acadia
With access to one of the islands鈥 best-rated beaches and a 175-mile oceanfront trail, Pacific views from every guest room, and a mouthwatering macadamia-nut sundae, this property is paradise defined for our hiking-happy writer
National Park Service encourages hikers to avoid Whiteoak Canyon and Old Rag due to poor air quality
After three years of testing, Rocky Mountain National Park may make its reservation system permanent鈥攁nd other parks aren鈥檛 far behind
No matter if the curse of Pele is real or not, tourists should leave volcanic stones where they belong
One of the hottest, driest places in the world has a brand-new lake festooned with wildflowers鈥攂ut park officials say it won鈥檛 be around for long
A draft plan would introduce 3 to 7 bears per year into the North Cascades over the next decade
In a new social media post, the National Park Service said the trend threatens to harm California condors, one of the rarest birds in the United States.
This week, 12 of Alaska鈥檚 chubbiest bruins will face off in a bracket for the title of Fat Bear Week Champion. Here鈥檚 what you need to know.
The Interior Department said on Friday that national parks will shutter if Congress doesn鈥檛 approve the recent spending bill. Several governors say they will use state funds to keep federal parklands open.
To celebrate National Public Lands Day on September 23, the secretary of the interior reminds readers why protecting public lands is so important
As Republican legislators fail to reach a deal with the fringe of their own party, the National Park Service and normal people who depend on it prepare to suffer
The climber is in critical condition following gear-ripping fall on pitch four of The Great White Wall
Climbers reported on the new crack that broke open near Royal Arches鈥攂ut not before they climbed it
The live footage from Katmai National Park usually shows grizzlies. But on September 5, a man appeared on the livestream and mouthed 鈥渉elp.鈥
Follow these park-by-park recommendations from our expert who has explored each one to get the most bang for your adventure buck
The best ways to experience America鈥檚 best idea
鈥淭urn around, don鈥檛 drown,鈥 park rangers are reminding travelers as Hilary bears down on the southwestern United States
The Sourdough and Blue Lake Fires shut down the only road through the park, and crews are working to protect populated areas from the blazes
As extreme temperatures blaze across the nation, parks are taking extra measures to keep visitors safe
A proposed price increase for backcountry access in Zion could raise fees by as much as 400 percent for some groups
The nonagenarian proved that age truly is just a number
Brad Sailer and his epilepsy alert dog completed their quest in July to bring awareness to accessibility in the outdoors.
Reservations are hard to come by but this hundred-year-old lodge is worth the wait. In the meantime, you can hike five miles to see it.
New legislation is being supported by a major REI initiative
Walk among deep river gorges, glacial mountains, alpine lakes, and vast deserts, all on beautiful under-the-radar public lands
During his first wilderness job, a chance encounter with a bear left the wildlife biologist with a profound respect for nature that has endured ever since
The 26-year-old woman fell nearly 500 feet from Blitzen Ridge
Some of the wildest, best beaches in the country can be found in our national parks system. These are the most spectacular.
It鈥檚 becoming harder to find a slice of nature all to yourself. But there are plenty of secluded sweet spots around the country if you know where to look. From national monuments and lakeshores to forests and scenic waterways, here are some stunning, uncrowded wildlands that are definitely worth exploring.
We鈥檝e got you. With this advice, you can still nab a nice鈥攁nd even popular鈥攕pot at a campground of your choice this summer. Huzzah!
The booking website generates big bucks for private firm Booz Allen Hamilton. Our writer argues it鈥檚 a necessary tool for protecting the outdoors.
Our national parks are celebrating the season (aren鈥檛 we all?) with fun and immersive special events. We've mapped out our favorites, from photo classes to great music to getting dirty helping on a trail day.
As you鈥檙e visiting national parks this summer, don鈥檛 miss out on these spectacular outlooks, mountain summits, and lake vistas. We鈥檝e got the intel on how to reach them all.
The epic winter of 2022鈥23 is still with us, with snowmelt causing flooding concerns in some national parks and in others roads and trails are closed for repairs. Here鈥檚 what you need to know for your summer trips.
Why be stuck behind the masses at popular parks when you can wander some of the nation鈥檚 best with barely a soul in sight?
National Park Service officials said they鈥檙e still investigating what caused the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge to burn to the ground just weeks before its planned grand reopening
California鈥檚 wild storms and wet weather have resulted in dazzling displays of wildflowers, some peaking and others ready to pop. Here鈥檚 how to see one before it鈥檚 too late.
A recent survey of employee satisfaction returned abysmal scores for the NPS
Looking to save a few bucks when visiting our national parks? Here are upcoming free days, and seven other programs for freebies or discounts. You could make some memories.
These state parks offer everything you鈥檙e looking for in a national park, only fewer crowds. See our top choices for wildlife, wilderness, solitude, and more.