There's good news and bad news from Capitol Reef National Park. The good news is that they're going to repair the entire 8-mile-long Scenic Drive that heads south from the visitor center. The bad news is that it could lead to delays of up to 30 minutes from now into July.

One of, if not the, most-sought permits in the National Park System is the one that allows private groups to run the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. If you want one, the park is now taking applications for the 2012 calendar year.

If you've always dreamed of visiting a national park, and wanted to take your family along, here's your opportunity. Three grand-prize winners of the Traveler's first Take Your Family to the National Parks essay contest will win lodging for four members of their family in one of the country's national parks, and some gear to help to help them enjoy the trip.

While Bryce Canyon National Park counted a record number of visitors in 2010, at Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitation was flat from 2009.