One of the enduring topics of debate in NPS circles in recent years has been Off-road vehicle (ORV) use in Big Cypress National Preserve. The park reached an important milestone with the announcement that "dispersed" ORV use in the area would end on July 22, 2011.

Can the National Park Service, which has a staggering maintenance backlog and shortage of curatorial staff and facilities, afford to spend roughly $700 per visitor to keep Yellowstone National Park's Sylvan Pass open in the winter for snowmobilers? That question is being posed to the Office of Management and Budget.

A popular swimming hole in Capitol Reef National Park has been closed for the rest of the summer due to torrential runoff that has created extremely dangerous conditions for swimmers.

Technology (sadly, perhaps) means you no longer need to climb Mount Rainier to get a good view from near the roof of Mount Rainier National Park.