Exploring the Parks

On The Santa Fe National Historic Trail | Prairie Towns And Challenges

Our intrepid correspondent, having following the Santa Fe National Historic Trail from Santa Fe, New Mexico, east to Franklin, Missouri, now reverses course and heads back west on the stretch of trail known as the Mountain Route.

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By Barbara 'Bo' Jensen - August 1st, 2024 1:24am

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On The Santa Fe National Historic Trail | Ruts And Twisters

Two threads from the same fabric, the Santa Fe National Historic Trail actually is two trails separated at times by hundreds of miles. While pioneers used oxen to pull their wagons, our correspondent turned to the couple hundred horses under her vehicle's hood to traverse the trail.

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By Barbara 'Bo' Jensen - August 1st, 2024 1:24am

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Virgin Islands National Park | Walk Like An Octopus

Do octopuses walk? Or do they swim? Perhaps they just scoot along. Whatever, Caroline Rogers, a marine ecologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, spotted this one while snorkeling at Virgin Islands National Park.

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By NPT Staff - July 25th, 2021 8:50am

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When Exploring Yellowstone, Don't Be Afraid To Leave Old Faithful Behind

Really, that headline is no mistake. When visiting Yellowstone National Park in summer, you shouldn't be afraid to leave Old Faithful behind and go in search of geysers that allow you to enjoy them with a little more solitude.

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By Kurt Repanshek - July 14th, 2021 2:00am

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Chaco Culture National Historical Park: Hard To Reach, Filled With The Unexpected

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is an atypical national park. The massive, thousand-year-old pueblos blend mysteriously into the towering canyon walls. Mystery and curiosity are among the top reasons thousands of visitors make the intentional trek far from paved roads deep into the Navajo Nation.

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By NPT Staff - August 1st, 2024 1:24am

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Decline Of Lake Powell Points To Waning Colorado River

As each day of exploring Lake Powell by sea kayak passed, the question kept surfacing in my mind: was the lake dying, or were Glen Canyon and the Colorado River coming back to life?

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By Kurt Repanshek - July 1st, 2021 12:01pm

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Glacial Geology On The Ice Age Trail

A course in ice age geology comes with the landscape when you hike the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

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By Bob Pahre - June 18th, 2021 2:00am

South Pass: Gateway To The Oregon Territory And California Goldfields

South Pass, located in southwest Wyoming, was the key that opened the door for emigrant wagons and handcarts to cross the Rocky Mountains in the early and mid-1800s. The 20-mile wide, sagebrush-covered saddle topped a gradual incline that appeared more like a prairie than a mountain pass.

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By Kurt Repanshek - June 4th, 2021 1:45am

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Restoring Americana on the Blue Ridge Parkway

An iconic early 20th-century mountain home along the Blue Ridge Parkway built by textile magnate Moses Cone and his wife, Bertha, is being restored to its elegant original appearance.

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By Kim O'Connell - June 6th, 2021 9:57am

A Little Mountain In A Big Park

The bus came to a stop on the gravel along the road. My son and I stood up, grabbed our packs from the overhead racks, and started down the aisle. The other passengers stared as we left the bus and slung our packs on our backs. They seemed surprised that anyone could get off the bus at a place like this.

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By Bob Pahre - June 4th, 2021 11:51am

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The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.