| National Parks Traveler

The statement, "That activity marked the beginning of a permanent European presence in Northern North America," is not quite correct. Don Juan de Oñate founded the capital of "The kingdom of New Mexico" in 1598. This founding marks the beginning of a permanent European presence in North America. The capital was moved circa 1608 to La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Assisi.

Jun 23rd - 08:52am | Anonymous

Saint Croix Island off the coast of Maine but not sure of the country of origin...

Work Continuing On Restoration of Bodie Island Lighthouse At Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Jun 24th - 10:41am | Kurt Repanshek

Bridetobe, the Bodie Light project probably won't be completed this year. Other possible options, though, are the Ocracoke Light or the Cape Hatteras Light. Of course, you could perhaps set a trend with orange fencing in weddings. Nice contrast, no?;-)

Jun 24th - 10:14am | Bridetobe

Does anyone know when the project is scheduled for completion? I am planning my wedding at Bodie Island in October and I'm starting to wonder if I need to select a different location. I'd imagine orange fencing and scaffolding don't make for pretty pictures :-)

Investigation Launched Into Grizzly Bear Mauling of Botanist Outside Yellowstone National Park

Jun 23rd - 15:38pm | Dub

Wouldn't it make much more sense to do the investigation FIRST and then decide whether or not the

Jun 23rd - 14:54pm | WNicolay

My wife and I would NEVER hike anywhere in bear country without our pepper sprays. We have had many encounters with these magnificent animals over the years, being long distance day hikers. We have never had to use our spray in all our years of hiking, although we have had it at the ready numerous times. One of which was just last year at Grand Teton.

Jun 22nd - 22:35pm | Steve Underwood

It is unconscionable that Mr. Everts was not carrying bear spray. The stuff works well with many, many cases of grizzly's being driven off by the intelligent use of this capsaicin pepper based chemical. Not carrying bear spray in Yellowstone is nothing but bumble headed stupidity. Too bad for the bear and Everts.

Jun 22nd - 21:24pm | KIERAN

I was amazed after the so called pros of the fish and game had done the radio collaring, that signs were not posted. Or were they? Did Mr Evert ignore the signs! The one thing for sure is that the Bear should not have been killed and the investigation i hope will answer all the questions.

Jun 22nd - 20:55pm | TrailMan

I hate second-guessing, but I can't agree with the decision to kill the bear. If it was radio-collared it would easily have been monitored to see if it showed signs of unusual aggression, or habituation that represented a danger.

Jun 22nd - 20:51pm | Anonymous

I have been to Yellowstone countless times. I have gone into that great adventure knowingly and understanding that this not my home but home to the wildlife. When hiking and camping, I always understood the risks both the avoidable and the unavoidable. I am sad that a bear that did not consume his victim and moved away from populated areas had to be put down.

Jun 22nd - 14:25pm | JRD

I've read (Cody newspaper) that he didn't have bear spray with him .... Maybe - just maybe - this could have been avoided.

Jun 22nd - 12:55pm | Mikezeto

Sad that the bear moved away into rugged terrain and they still killed it. Very poorly handled all around.

Jun 22nd - 12:23pm | Anonymous

The decision to kill this bear does not seem justified under the circumstances. I hope the investigation will be conducted by an objective entity as it would seem there are many questions to ask about this event.

Jun 22nd - 11:08am | Daryl L. Hunter

The bear probably had a hangover and he shouldn't have been killed for it.

Jun 22nd - 06:14am | Volpe

Not sure if bear repellent would have worked, I wasn’t there either, however no one can be certain of anything with animals and that precaution or some other could have saved Mr. Evert and yet he went to an area he was warned about with nothing for protection. One can only hope from this tragedy that the investigation will enlighten people.

Would Year-Round Access To Old Faithful Compromise Yellowstone National Park's "Frontier"?

Jun 23rd - 14:16pm | y_p_w

I'd just say that I'm in favor of an equitable solution. Frankly I don't know what purpose issuing labels serves. I understand the different human forces at play here, with some wanting a limitation of visitation to maintain a more "pristine" winter experience, while others are looking for an economic and/or access benefit.

Jun 22nd - 22:31pm | Daryl L. Hunter

We have always been able to travel to tower junction and Cooke City in winter yet it is still a very empty place.

Jun 22nd - 20:15pm | y_p_w

Kurt Repanshek: I'm not sure it's as straightforward as you outline. For starters, I'm not sure the Old Faithful Lodge is suited for winter operations. The inn is not; that's why it's not open. Plus, if you bring in more people, you need more staff. Does the housing exist? Again, I'm not sure.

Jun 22nd - 19:06pm | Daryl L. Hunter

The roads in Yellowstone open around april 20th every year. There aren't any services and it is wonderful. I go up as much as I can then as it is only 2.5 hours from my house.

Jun 22nd - 18:21pm | Kurt Repanshek

Y_P_W, I'm not sure it's as straightforward as you outline. For starters, I'm not sure the Old Faithful Lodge is suited for winter operations. The inn is not; that's why it's not open. Plus, if you bring in more people, you need more staff. Does the housing exist? Again, I'm not sure.

Jun 22nd - 17:21pm | Martha Weaver

I think Yellowstone should be open to vehicles in the winter. We have been to Yellowstone in the winter on a snowcoach. We would go more often if we could drive in.

Jun 22nd - 17:19pm | y_p_w

Anonymous:

Jun 22nd - 14:57pm | Anonymous

I honestly believe the vast majority of human beings can be the most selfish species on the planet. They have become accustomed to believing that they can have whatever they want whenever they want it. They believe that whatever they take from this earth can and will be easily regenerated. No thought is given to preserving or protecting what nature has so freely and generously provided.

Jun 22nd - 12:10pm | Daryl L. Hunter

Open the road to Old faithful and it will be very good for the gateway towns that have been bankrupted by the snowmobile ban. People are important also. Plow those roads and there will still be plenty of wilderness for the young yet still maintain access for the old like me :D

Jun 21st - 17:51pm | Christopher Buehler

Why is it that man always seems to think they must have access to everything on this planet at all times? Some things are just meant to be left alone, even if it's just for a few months. I think this "call to action" to start plowing roads throughout the park in the middle of the winter is completely and utterly ridiculous.

Jun 21st - 17:50pm | Anonymous

Yellowstone should stay as it is and never be plowed to allow random wintertime viewing by the public. The expense of getting into the Old Faithful area is not too high. Our snowcoach shuttle service from Mammoth to Old Faithful a few years ago was comfortable, fun and entertaining as the driver pointed out sights that we probably would not have seen without his knowledge of the park.

National Park Mystery Photo 24: Kinda Spindly, Ain't It?

Jun 23rd - 10:48am | tomp

Doh! I'm going to have to start getting to work earlier on Wednesdays. [In my defense, I got a flat tire on my bike riding in this morning.]

Jun 23rd - 08:43am | Patti

I had a feeling. Oh how I do miss the Sonoran Desert!

Jun 23rd - 08:41am | Kurt Repanshek

Congrats to Marty and Patti, who both correctly guessed what the photo shows and where it was taken. Tomorrow we'll fill in the details.

Jun 23rd - 08:36am | Patti

Is this the top of a Saguaro skeleton? Saguaro National Park?

Jun 23rd - 08:21am | Kurt Repanshek

Good guess, Karyn, but I'm afraid not.

Jun 23rd - 08:19am | Karyn

Could it be the top of one of the teepee frames along the Big Hole River in the Big Hole National Battlefield Monument?

Jun 23rd - 08:12am | Kurt Repanshek

Alas, this is no consummate stumper, as Marty has corrected guessed what this is. But to give others a shot, we're gonna sit on his answer for a little while.

Jun 23rd - 07:14am | Marty

The top of a deceased saguaro cactus - most probably in Saguaro National Park

Zion National Park Changes Road Closure Schedule

Jun 23rd - 07:49am | Jenn Grover

This has been a moving target. I believe this is the the third or fourth update. Hopefully, they won't change it again before my trip out. I am staying in the Mt. Carmel/Kanab area while visiting Zion and this road closure has the potential to be a challenge. Thankfully, I am visiting on a weekend.

Jun 22nd - 23:42pm | Constance

Thank goodness as I am going there for 4th of July weekend and then heading up to Duck Creek and I was going to have to roust two teenagers from bed at the crack of dawn in hopes of making it through the constructions zone before they started up in the morning. I did not have high hopes of making it threw in time. Now no worries.

Jun 22nd - 23:19pm | Gaelyn

Thanks for the update. It's been a bear telling visitors at the North Rim that they had to drive around to Hurricane to get into Zion.

Trails I've Hiked: The Windows Section of Arches National Park

Jun 22nd - 22:21pm | JF

My wife and I were just there at the beginning of this month. I would recommend it in any month other than June - Aug. It was super hot, and according to the locals only gets hotter.

Creature Feature: Feral Burros are "Equina Non Grata" in the National Parks

Jun 22nd - 20:03pm | TerryW

You Said: If you’ve ever hiked in terrain shared by feral burros, you know that their grazing and browsing habits are not the only cause of unwanted ecosystem change. The untrained eye has no trouble discerning the evidenced of their presence.

Wouldn't It Be Nice If the National Park Service Resumed the Distribution of Park Window Stickers?

Jun 22nd - 17:16pm | Anonymous

With our national parks struggling to make ends meet with meager budgets, perhaps now isn't the best time to implement another "freebie"...

A Tough Week for Hikers and Mule Riders at Grand Canyon National Park

Jun 22nd - 10:46am | Anonymous

Me and my father rode the mules to the bottom a couple of years ago. It was the most terrifying and unpleasant experience of my life...I would never recommend it to my worst ennemy. My father's mule fell and slammed him into the side of the canyon...causing a deep cut over his eye. The rangers had to come and tend to him. My mule stumbled also but I held on for dear life.

Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Provides Comprehensive Report To the Public

Jun 22nd - 10:14am | Benjamin Lord

Indiana Dunes is a true demonstration park. Did you know it has had more documents produced about it than any other park area by far (administrative related). I learned this fact at Boston Public Library while doing much of my NPS archival research (Boston Library ranks up there with HFC and the cumbersome Library of Congress).

National Park Mystery Plant: 4: This “Tree from Hell” Smells Like Rancid Peanut Butter

Jun 22nd - 07:43am | Mick Taska

Thank you for the information on this "pest" of a plant. Every day I rip dozens of its offspring from the ground, only to find dozens more the very next morning. Also, to me, anyway, the smell is much more like cat urine. It can get very bad, especially after it rains. Thanks again.

Yosemite National Park To Install Large Solar Energy Complex At El Portal

Jun 22nd - 00:15am | John Lackner

Solar power makes sense in remote locations where supplying grid power might not be practical, and the National Parks has plenty of them. Also, there's more to this equation than just money, like reduced depedendence on coal-fueled grids.

Traveler's Gear Box: What's Covering Your Feet?

Jun 21st - 22:43pm | Kate

keen sandals, ugg boots, mbt mary janes,

Unexpected Deaths of Two Mountain Goats Halt Study at Glacier National Park

Jun 21st - 19:36pm | Mikezeto

Study conclusion: Mountain goats stressed by climate change don't like being darted with powerful drugs. Now leave them alone.

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Donate Now!

The Essential RVing Guide

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

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

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.

National Parks Traveler

Search