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Traveler's Postcard From The Parks: Hiking Kīlauea Iki At Hawai'i Volcanoes

Hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

When you visit Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, after you’ve gazed into the Kīlauea crater itself if it’s erupting, you should make a point to hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail. Starting from an overlook near Nāhuku (aka the Thurston Lava Tube), the trail descends through the rainforest and out across a crater floor created back in 1959 by one of the most spectacular eruptions of the 20th century at the national park. It was an eruption that saw lava fountains shoot roughly 1,900 feet into the sky.

National Parks Traveler Episode 147 | A Pleistocene Burial Ground

Exploring Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

It’s hard to imagine that camels, lions, and mammoths once roamed the landscape around Las Vegas, Nevada.  But such was the case during the latter part of the Pleistocene era, which spanned a period of time between 11,000 years and 2.5 million years ago.  The area -- known as the Upper Las Vegas Wash –- is rich with the fossils of these and many more creatures as well as ancient plants and pollens.  

National Parks Traveler Episode 146| Rick Ridgeway's Life Lived Wild

Rick Ridgeway's Life Lived Wild.

Today we’re talking adventures, friendships, and the environment. And to drive that conversation, we’re joined by Rick Ridgeway, who has traveled the world seeking adventure and, along the way, debated and discussed environmental consciousness with his friends, colleagues and peers. Rick, a climber, kayaker, explorer, filmmaker, and thoughtful writer, has a new book out, Life Lived Wild, that chronicles many of the adventures he’s embarked upon the past five decades or so. 

National Parks Traveler Episode 145: Exploring Night Skies With Tyler Nordgren

Exploring the night sky over national parks.
It’s been said that the night sky represents the other half of the National Park System. It’s in the national parks where you can experience some of the darkest skies you’ll find anywhere. Our guest this week knows all about that. Artist, author, astronomer and Night Sky Ambassador Dr. Tyler Nordgren talks with the Traveler’s Lynn Riddick about the cosmic opportunity that the parks offer to teach the public about astronomy.

Traveler's Audio Postcards From The Parks: Hog Wild

Feral hogs are a growing problem for the National Park Service.
Feral hogs are just one of several species of invasive mammals that are posing immense challenges for national park managers. Unlike invasive insects or reptiles, invasive mammals are often larger and more “charismatic” animals, difficult for parks to eradicate from a logistical, financial, and emotional perspective. Contributing writer Kim O'Connell goes in search of wild hogs at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

National Parks Traveler Episode 141: Is Charles Sams The Next National Park Service Director?

Charles Sams, National Park Service director.
We are on the cusp of having the first Senate-confirmed director of the National Park Service since Jonathan Jarvis retired at the end of the Obama administration in January 2017. Since then there’s been a revolving cast of individuals serving as acting director. But now the Biden Administration has nominated Charles F. Sams III to be the next director of the venerable agency.

INN Member

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.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.