For nearly a century, a popular story has linked the origins of the National Park Service to the genius of one man. In 1914, Stephen T. Mather, a self-made millionaire in the borax industry, visited Yosemite and Sequoia national parks. Finding both of them poorly managed he wrote Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane and complained. “Dear Steve,” Lane allegedly replied, “If you don’t like the way the national parks are being run, come on down to Washington and run them yourself.”

One million visitors. That seems like a lot for an entire year, and definitely a lot in one month for Yellowstone National Park, which came within 19,000-odd visitors of reaching 1 million during July.

Too many retirements and not enough new hires are behind the drop in law enforcement rangers for the National Park Service.

For many, a trip to one of the scenic, landscape national parks includes pristine landscapes, clear vistas, and fresh air. Unfortunately, we don't always get to enjoy those aspects, as a new report on air quality from the National Parks Conservation Association points out.