A forest fire has forced the closure of the Avalanche Lake Trail, a relatively short hike with an impressive payoff, in Glacier National Park.

Raise a toast to the Blue Ridge Parkway—and do it while enjoying a great meal at one of dozens of restaurants sponsoring “Plates for the Parkway” on September 18th, 2012. The first annual event will include restaurants that agree to donate a minimum of 10% of a meal or the day’s sales to benefit the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s efforts to protect the Parkway.

Recent relaxation of rules against private commercial development in Australian national parks in the state of Victoria are calling attention again to the ongoing plethora of park controversies. And here are the "Top Five" national parks in Britain and Malaysia.

National Park Service officials have updated their blueprint for preparing the agency for its second century, though National Parks Conservation Association officials believe the Service needs to be even more aggressive in looking to the future.