You are here

Home » National Parks Traveler

A Drowning-free Summer at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Wasn't Just Good Luck

Reducing visitor accidents in parks is an enormous—and ongoing—challenge. The staff at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore decided to try a different approach to reduce the risk of drownings, and it paid off in a big way. The tally for the summer of 2009: zero drownings.

Interior Secretary Salazar Launches "Coordinated Strategy" To Address Climate Change Impacts on Federal Landscapes

In an understandable effort to get all land-management agencies on the same page when it comes to climate change, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Monday signed off on a strategy to develop some coordination in how climate change might already be affecting, or could in the future, the country's land, water, ocean, fish, wildlife, and cultural resources.
Image icon Interior-Climate_change.pdf

Traveler's Checklist: Acadia National Park

Summer's crowds, heat, and bugs have passed, making Acadia National Park a particularly attractive fall destination. The park's hardwood forests are beginning to show their true colors, while the hiking trails are carrying fewer feet, the Carriage Roads fewer cyclists. And those mouth-watering, jam-carrying popovers are still be served at the Jordan Pond House.

What Do You Think: Is The National Park Service Handling Advertising For Park-Related Businesses?

What role should the National Park Service play in promoting businesses that make a living off national parks? That's a potentially thorny question. On one hand, visitors coming from far off might want such information to help plan their trips. On the other, is the Park Service giving away free advertising and adding an appropriate commercial bent to its websites and press releases?
Image icon NPS-Directors_Order_21.pdf

Several New Trails Proposed at Denali National Park. Comments are Now Being Received

Several new short trails are being proposed at Denali National Park to help protect park resources, improve visitor safety and add additional recreational and interpretive opportunities. The park is now accepting public comments on the plan. Here's a summary of the project.

Visiting Badlands National Park is Like Stepping Into the Past

The last time I visited Badlands National Park was back in 1963. I remember a twisty labyrinth of narrow canyons, spires, and geologic formations reminiscent of Bryce or Cedar Breaks, soft crumbly sedimentary rock that in many places erodes too quickly for plants to put down roots. Vistas that stretched from the high plateau along the north of the park out to the southern plains. Sagebrush, prairie dogs, and antelope