Latest News

The latest news from around the National Park System.

Rare Chance to View FDR's Historic Ice Yacht "Hawk" on March 17, 2012

Long before he entered politics, Franklin D. Roosevelt enjoyed ice yachting on the Hudson River near his home. His ice yacht "Hawk" hasn't been on public display for years, but visitors can get a rare, one-day look at the historic craft on Saturday, March 17, 2012.

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By Jim Burnett - March 15th, 2012 4:00am

Reader Participation Day: Does Availability of Cell Phone Service Affect Your Decision to Visit a Park?

Are you anxious about being out of cell phone contact during a park visit? Would you actually decide to skip a trip to a park just because the answer to "can you hear me now?" is ..."no"?

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By Jim Burnett - March 14th, 2012 4:00am

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North Cascades National Park Ranger, Helicopter Pilot Honored For Rescue Of Injured Climber

A ranger from North Cascades National Park and a helicopter pilot have been honored by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for their efforts in recusing an injured climber in July 2009.

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By NPT Staff - March 13th, 2012 6:39am

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Wolves At Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve Appear To Be Thriving

Wolves in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve seem to be thriving, according to the preserve's latest report on the canids, with at least 71 animals divided among nine packs.

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By NPT Staff - March 13th, 2012 4:00am

Grand Teton National Park Rangers, Exum Mountain Guides Recognized for Valor By Interior Secretary

Climbing rangers from Grand Teton National Park and guides from Exum Mountain Guides have been recognized for their valor in connection with a search-and-rescue operation in the Tetons when 17 climbers were caught up in a lightning storm.

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By NPT Staff - March 12th, 2012 4:00am

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Yogi The Bear Meets His Match At Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Yogi might have been smarter than the average bear, but he was just a two-dimensional cartoon character. But there's a bear in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve who really seems to be smarter than the average bear, as he's figured out how to use tools.

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By NPT Staff - March 12th, 2012 4:00am

6 comments

And February's Winner Is....David Crowl!

Congratulations to David Crowl, who successfully negotiated Traveler's February puzzlers to win a deck of Freedom of the Hills playing cards from The Mountaineers!

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By NPT Staff - March 12th, 2012 4:00am

Spring Brings Flowering of Great Smokies' Services

Opening dates for Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor services.

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By NPT Staff - March 11th, 2012 1:23pm

Parks Beyond Borders: Looking Abroad At Other National Park News

A round-up of global park news.

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By Randy Johnson - March 11th, 2012 5:00am

As Time Nears To Hit The Appalachian Trail, Some Stats For Thru-Hikers To Keep in Mind

With an eye on the prize, this year's crop of would-be Appalachian Trail thru-hikers are getting ready to hit the trail. With that in mind, here are some stats, courtesy of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, to help them stay focused.

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By NPT Staff - March 11th, 2012 4:00am

3 comments

13 National Historic Landmarks Added To the System

The roster of National Historic Landmarks has grown by 13, with landmarks in nine different states received that designation this week from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

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By NPT Staff - March 10th, 2012 3:00am

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Massive Avalanche Blamed For Deaths Of Backcountry Skiers At Grand Teton National Park

A massive avalanche that ran 3,000 feet is being blamed for the deaths of two veteran backcountry skiers at Grand Teton National Park.

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By NPT Staff - March 10th, 2012 2:12pm

Yellowstone Park Foundation Underwrites $1.4 Million in Projects At Yellowstone National Park

Funding to help fight the lake trout infestation in Yellowstone Lake, educate visitors on the dangers of wildlife, and improve access to the Norris Geyser Basin are among the projects at Yellowstone National Park being made possible through $1.4 million in grants from the Yellowstone Park Foundation.

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By NPT Staff - March 9th, 2012 9:35am

Good Start: Bald Eagle Chick Hatches At Channel Islands National Park

It wasn't too long ago that you couldn't find a nesting bald eagle at Channel Islands National Park, but things are definitely different today. Just the other day the 2012 bald eagle breeding season got of to a record start with the earliest known natural hatching of a bald eagle chick on the Channel Islands, according to park staff.

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By NPT Staff - March 9th, 2012 3:00am

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Provides More Than $650,000 For Parkway Projects and Programs

Trail work, facility repairs, and even music are among some of the projects and programs that will be evident along the Blue Ridge Parkway this year thanks to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

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By NPT Staff - March 9th, 2012 7:37am

UPDATE: Avalanche Kills Two Backcountry Skiers in Grand Teton National Park

Rangers on Thursday recovered the bodies of two men who were killed by an avalanche during a backcountry skiing trip in Grand Teton National Park.

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By NPT Staff - March 8th, 2012 3:35pm

Ranking The National Parks By Visitation In 2011

People seem to like numbers, and hierarchy, so here's a rundown of the leading units of the National Park System in terms of 2011 visitation. The first list combs through all 397 units in the system, while the second looks only at "national parks."

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By NPT Staff - March 8th, 2012 4:18am

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Yellowstone National Park Wolf Population Numbers Down

Wolf numbers in Yellowstone National Park at the end of 2011 were far off their peak of 174 counted back in 2003, a decline attributed to disease and a smaller prey base.

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By Kurt Repanshek - March 8th, 2012 7:50am

Great Smoky Mountains National Park To Institute Backcountry Fees

Those who head off into the backcountry of Great Smoky Mountains National Park for a night or two will have to pay for the privilege beginning in 2013 under a plan approved by the National Park Service.

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By Kurt Repanshek - March 7th, 2012 7:25pm

8 comments

Reader Participation Day: Have You Had a "Close Call" in a National Park?

If you've narrowly escaped from a life threatening situation in a national park, tell us about it.

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By Bob Janiskee - March 7th, 2012 4:00am

25 comments

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