Latest News

The latest news from around the National Park System.

House-Endorsed Amendment Would Block Any Wilderness Designation At Big Cypress

A long-running effort to designate official wilderness within Big Cypress National Preserve, a landscape of sawgrass prairie and cypress swamps the size of Rhode Island, appears headed to failure again under Republican concerns and tribal opposition.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 13th, 2024 2:30am

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Virgin Islands National Park Preparing For Tropical Storm Ernesto

The approach of Tropical Storm Ernesto has placed the U.S. Virgin Islands under a tropical storm warning, prompting the National Park Service to begin to batten down Virgin Islands National Park and other park units in the islands for the storm.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 12th, 2024 5:21pm

Wildfire Preparations Lead To Closure Of Crater Lake National Park's North Entrance

Work to reduce fuels that could feed the Middle Fork Fire will close the North Entrance to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon on Tuesday.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 13th, 2024 4:01am

Wildfires Continue To Plague National Parks

Wildfires continued to plague units of the National Park System, with Lassen Volcanic National Park still closed due to the proximity of the Park Fire to the west, multiple backcountry fires burning in Yosemite National Park, and two fires impacting North Cascades National Park.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 11th, 2024 2:22pm

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House Funding Decisions For National Park Service Show Contradictions

While the House of Representatives couldn't alter the flow of funding to the Greater American Outdoors Act that helps federal land managers tackled backlogged maintenance projects, the chamber did make significant cuts into the National Park Service's two main accounts that fund construction, repairs, and maintenance.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 11th, 2024 2:45am

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Park Advocates: Time To Build Momentum For GAOA Reauthorization

There's still one year before the Great American Outdoors Act sunsets, but groundwork is being laid now to see the measure that invests in tackling the National Park System's maintenance backlog renewed.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 11th, 2024 2:45am

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Volunteers Needed For Trail Work, Education At Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers are recruiting volunteers for a variety of positions across the park. Opportunities include helping the trail crew rehabilitate two trails, serving as a campground host, and providing information to visitors at Clingmans Dome.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 11th, 2024 2:30am

Texas Preserve Designated as Nation’s Newest National Natural Landmark

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has affirmed the designation of Independence Creek Preserve in west Texas as the nation’s newest National Natural Landmark, recognizing an important piece of America’s natural heritage. This nearly 20,000-acre Chihuahuan Desert preserve is protected and managed by The Nature Conservancy.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 10th, 2024 2:45am

Fee Increase Proposed For Camping At Lees Ferry In Glen Canyon NRA

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is seeking public comments through September regarding a proposed fee increase for the Lees Ferry Campground.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 10th, 2024 2:30am

Renowned Arch At Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Is No More

A well-known arch at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area along Lake Powell, nicknamed "Toilet Bowl" as well as "Hole in the Roof" and other names, has collapsed.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 9th, 2024 5:43pm

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Remnants Of Tropical Storm Debby Knock Out Power At Shenandoah

Though no longer a tropical storm, post-tropical cyclone Debby packed enough bluster to knock out power at lodges in Shenandoah National Park on Friday.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 9th, 2024 12:09pm

Arrival Of Meteor Showers Prompts Plea To Mount Rainier Visitors

Recalling how chaotic things turned a year ago during the annual Perseid meteor shower, Mount Rainier National Park officials are asking visitors for this year's astronomical fireworks to be conscientious and courteous.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 9th, 2024 11:20am

Zion Lodge's Iconic Cottonwood Tree Might Be Nearing Its End

Across the National Park System there are many iconic images that catch visitors' attention, some as notable as Old Faithful in full eruption, some as subtle but still striking as the cholla garden at Joshua Tree National Park.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 9th, 2024 2:30am

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Tropical Storm Debby Creating Problems For National Park Sites

Tropical Storm Debby was carrying heavy rains across the Carolinas and the Virginias on Thursday, with heavy seas along the Outer Banks of North Carolina that spurred a water quality alert due to a leaking wastewater system at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 8th, 2024 2:14pm

German Visitors Cited For Paintballing Joshua Tree National Park

A visit to Joshua Tree National Park in California is carrying an unexpected expense for three Germans who have been charged with defacing signs and buildings with paintballs.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 8th, 2024 1:35pm

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Another Fatality Below Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim

For the third time in less than 10 days a body has been found below the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 8th, 2024 11:43am

Transition Coming To Smokies Life

Laurel Rematore, who has led Smokies Life for more than eight years, is retiring and being succeeded by Jacqueline Harp, who has a long relationship with the outdoor industry.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 9th, 2024 10:55am

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Proposing Fee Increases

The National Park Service is seeking public comment on proposed changes to recreation fees for guided tours, picnic shelter rentals, and front country camping at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 7th, 2024 2:30am

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Re-Routing Of Ice Age National Scenic Trail Will Improve Interpretation

The National Park Service has approved an Environmental Assessment for an 18.6-mile re-route within the Rusk County Forest for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 7th, 2024 2:30am

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Tropical Storm Debby Closing Parks As It Moves Up The Eastern Seaboard

As Tropical Storm Debby chugs north along the Eastern Seaboard, units of the National Park System, facing a foot or more of rainfall and associated flooding, shut down their operations and prepared for the aftermath.

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By Kurt Repanshek - August 6th, 2024 1:41pm

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