While all national parks have abundant wildlife throughout the year, fall is prime time. Birds and animals are on the move, preparing for winter, and courting. They’re busy and plentiful.

Climbing in the Tetons of Grand Teton National Park can be an exhilarating experience, but it also can be unforgiving and, at its worst, deadly. For 10 climbers who tried to summit the Grand Teton in a long one-day slog, they narrowly avoided tragedy and in the end were rescued by rangers and other climbers on the mountain.

September into the heart of November are my favorite months in the National Park System. The days aren’t quite as long as they are in July and August, but the bugs and crowds are on the wane, wildlife is on the move, and the crisp night air is perfect for sleeping under the stars, or in a cozy cabin.

A new resource from The Wilderness Society is proving how far-reaching a critical land conservation program has been in its 50-year history. From major national parks in America’s western states to neighborhood playgrounds in the nation’s cities, thousands of open spaces in America have been made possible by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). But this critical funding for conservation is set to expire in less than 80 days unless Congress acts quickly.