National Parks Traveler

The political and legal process required to create a new unit for the national park system can be long and complicated. In some cases, it's almost as difficult figuring out later exactly what happened in that process! That's the situation for a large national monument that's sometimes described as "another Yosemite." The question of the day is …was it ever part of the national park system?

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By Jim Burnett - December 1st, 2008 4:20am

7 comments

Utah Man Dies in Fall at Zion National Park

A short fall in Zion National Park has killed a 55-year-old Utah man.

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By Kurt Repanshek - November 30th, 2008 10:51am

This Park Nourishes Its Forest Service Roots

This park celebrates its 93rd anniversary today, but the area was first protected in 1904 as part of the San Francisco Mountain Reserve. It's not in California, however, and it was managed by the U.S. Forest Service until 1934.

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By Jim Burnett - November 30th, 2008 4:59am

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Sea Turtle Rescues at Cape Lookout

Numerous sea turtles have been caught by unusually cold weather along the North Carolina coast since mid-November. That has led to dozens of rescues of the endangered reptiles in the past week at Cape Lookout National Seashore.

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By Jim Burnett - November 30th, 2008 4:12am

Hikers, Bikers and National Parks

How big is the deal surrounding efforts pushed by the International Mountain Bicycling Association to expand mountain biking in the National Park System? Apparently the American Hiking Society thinks it's pretty big.

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By Kurt Repanshek - November 30th, 2008 3:49am

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Improvements to the Hermit Road at Grand Canyon Make Trips Greener and Safer

Travelers to the Grand Canyon have been enjoying trips along a route known as the Hermit Road for nearly a century. A lot has changed since horse-drawn "touring coaches" began those trips in 1911, and the road has recently reopened following a 9-month project that makes future travel both safer and a bit easier on the environment.

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By Jim Burnett - November 29th, 2008 4:51am

Whatever Happened to That Rule Change To Allow You to Pack Heat in National Parks?

Remember earlier this year all the controversy over a proposed rule change to allow concealed weapons holders to arm themselves in the National Park System? Well, it's still lurking out there.

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By Kurt Repanshek - November 29th, 2008 3:33am

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China Moves to Designate its First National Park

More than a century after the establishment of Yellowstone National Park kicked off the world-wide national parks movement, China has designated its very first "national park."

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By Kurt Repanshek - November 28th, 2008 4:29am

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Bush Administration: Slash and Burn on The Way Out of Office?

As the end of the Bush administration nears, it's natural for many to look back on the past eight years and try to assess the sum impact. In the case of public lands and natural resources, it's relatively easy to castigate the outgoing administration for its seemingly heavy hand on that landscape.

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By Kurt Repanshek - November 28th, 2008 3:16am

7 comments

Rescued Yosemite Hiker Has Lots to be Thankful for This Year

A solo backcountry trip to Yosemite National Park offered a lot more than a hiker bargained for earlier this month. A major mistake could have led to a tragic outcome, and the man has plenty to be thankful for this November.