The National Park Service, at the request of the state of Alaska, is extending through March 27 the public comment period on its plan to ban controversial sport hunting practices such as using donuts or grease-soaked bread to lure bears within range. The proposed regulations would only apply to hunting and trapping on Alaska national preserves.

With yet another atmospheric river bearing down on California, both Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks plan to close some areas on Thursday.

Yosemite National Park, which was buried beneath a snowstorm late last month, will remain closed at least through the coming weekend, the park announced Tuesday.

Once upon a time, there was a pass that could get you into every unit of the National Park System for free whenever the parks were opened. Sadly, those days are slipping away as growing park crowds have led to timed entry systems and even parking fees.