A father and son who thought they could negotiate 25 miles of the Snake River on an inflatable raft better suited for a swimming pool and armed with sticks for paddles had to be rescued by Grand Teton National Park rangers several miles into their journey when the raft sprung a leak.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is inviting high school-aged students, their families, and the general public to join scientists and educators in collecting scientific data during field activities in the park, July 13-15, 2009.

If you'll be at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon between now and July 27 and you'd like to learn how to take better photos, here's a great opportunity. You don't even need a camera to participate.

Fire restrictions were put into place Friday in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks as officials try to cope with extremely dry conditions across the two parks.