The National Park System is one of America’s greatest treasures, but it has become tarnished over the last century. Deteriorating historic buildings, crumbling roads, worn campgrounds, eroding trails, and outdated sewer and electrical systems have led to a backlog of repairs that will cost billions of dollars to fix.

As drought, high temperatures, and wildfires take a toll on Southwest landscapes, they increasingly are being accompanied by financial calamity for economies built around national parks.

Upcoming road work in Cades Cove at Great Smoky Mountains National Park will close the road for three weeks in early September.

A series of events is scheduled for next week to celebrate Voyageurs National Park's designation as an International Dark Sky Park.