The National Park Service at Richmond National Battlefield Park in Virginia is working to expand its interpretation of Civil War history along the James River.

Zion National Park in southwestern Utah is expected to be hot and crowded for the Fourth of July holiday break.

On the day that three park rangers joined my cruise to interpret Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, I slept through their 6 a.m. arrival. But I was among the early birds gathered in the lounge for their 7:30 a.m. greeting, and when they later spoke from the bridge on a webcam channel, I listened from my stateroom with a park brochure and map spread out on the bed.

The 30-mile highway through Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California is now open for the season. That said, park visitors should prepare for winter conditions at higher elevations and possible delays due to ongoing road work.