The National Park Service has added eight sites to the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which connects sites that provide education, interpretation and research related to the period of Reconstruction. The Reconstruction Era (1861-1900) is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood periods in American History and includes stories of freedom, education and self-determination, according to the National Park Service.

An 80-year-old mountaineer attempting a solo climb of Mount Rainier was found dead five days after he was reported as overdue.

Raise the prospect of expanding the National Park System and you'll like illicit one of two responses, either, "That's great!," or, "Why bother, the National Park Service doesn't have the staffing or funding it needs to properly maintain what it has."

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has opened camping for this year’s summer visitor season, with reservable campsites available until Sept. 30.