Summer brings a wealth of flowers to those parks that have enjoyed spring flowers like Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It also brings flowers to Rocky Mountain National Park and the parks in Alaska where the snow is just melting.

Wildlife and wildflowers are on display throughout the National Park System. Contributing writer Beth Pratt found ample numbers of both along the Mount Washburn Trail in Yellowstone.

By the end of the century, possibly sooner, a hotter climate likely will wipe out Joshua trees from 90 percent of their current range, which includes Joshua Tree National Park, according to U.S. Geological Survey researchers.

You don't need to sleep in a tent to make a national park visit affordable. Our lodging experts have found 10 national parks where you can book a room for less than $100 a night.