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UPDATED: Hiker In The Narrows At Zion National Park Apparent Drowning Victim

One of the most iconic hikes in the National Park System, one that also potentially is one of the deadliest, has claimed another victim. Heavy rains that have been pounding southern Utah for days swelled the Virgin River that flows through the Narrows at Zion National Park well above flood stage and claimed the life of a 34-year-old man.

For First Time In 11 Years, All Of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Is Open To Visitors

There's an oasis at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, one where birds and wildlife are drawn for a drink and where prehistory is measured. It's one where, until just recently, the public was largely prevented from traveling due to dangers created by illegal border crossings.

Polling Shows Most Westerners Approve Of Federal Land-Management Agencies, Oppose Giving Lands Over To The States

A public opinion poll of key Western states has produced somewhat contradictory results when it comes to federal lands in those states. While strong numbers voiced positive views of agencies such as the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, strong numbers held their state governments in higher esteem than the federal government. Overall, though, a slight majority opposes proposals to turn those federal lands over to the states.

Traveler's View: Fear Mongering On The Public Lands

Confusion, misspoken words, and fear mongering swept the public lands landscape this past week following word that the U.S. Forest Service was planning to squash your right to snap a photo in the woods if you didn't pony up $1,500 for a picture-taking permit. The uproar stemmed from a poorly worded Federal Register notice, and was fanned by media worried about their First Amendment rights and very possibly by federal government critics.

A Return To Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

The two of us recently returned to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore for the first time in many years. It was a good time to visit northern Wisconsin, in light of the oppressive early September temperatures and humidity of south Georgia. The trip turned out to be quite an adventure beginning at 2:30 a.m. on the morning of departure when we received a call from Delta that our flight had been cancelled.

Repairs Coming To O'Shaughnessy Seawall At Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Decades of salt air, ocean spray, and storms have taken their toll on the O'Shaughnessy Seawall at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in California. The effects -- cracked and spaulding concrete -- will be erased in the coming months as crews repair the wall at Ocean Beach in the NRA.

Rock Outcrops To Be Protected Under Shenandoah National Park's Management Plan

Rock outcrops at Shenandoah National Park, places such as Hawksbill, Old Rag, and Little Stony Man, offer great opportunities for viewing the surrounding landscape as well as climbing. But concerns about visitor pressures on these features have led park officials to develop and adopt a Rock Outcrop Management Plan that aims to protect these natural features and their biological communities while continuing to allow visitor access.

Watch Out For Wildlife In The National Parks

Fall brings so much to the national parks, with changing colors blanketing the landscapes, visitor loads dropping, and wildlife on the move, both for migration and, for some, the annual rut. And that rut can make wildlife such as elk, moose, and bison unpredictable and especially dangerous to park visitors who wander too close to these big animals.