Across the National Park System, the National Park Service has an estimated half-a-billion-dollars of obligations owed concessionaires who run lodges, restaurants, and even some activities. It's a sum that, while agency officials say it's manageable, has seemingly stifled concessions competition in some parks and diverted tens of millions of dollars from others to reduce debts.

Legislation to open up paddling opportunities in Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks has been reintroduced by a Wyoming congresswoman, but it contains too many flaws the National Parks Conservation Association believes.

Make an executive decision to visit a national park this Presidents Day weekend. All 405 national parks will offer free admission February 14-16.

President Obama's budget request for the 2016 fiscal year seeks $2.6 billion for the National Park Service, an increase of $55 million from current funding levels. That request seeks hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure needs, such as renovations to the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park and for safety, efficiency, and access upgrades to the visitor's center at Gettysburg National Military Park.