We splash downstream in The Narrows of the North Fork of the Virgin River, deep in the backcountry of Utah’s Zion National Park, mostly craning our necks up like turkeys hypnotized by falling rain. But our fascination is not with rain, but red walls on both sides that rise hundreds of feet overhead. The sun does not find us in this deep canyon, where the air temperature approximates the inside of a refrigerator, and the ankle- to calf-deep water feels about the same.

The growth of both photo editing software and social media sites such as Facebook have provided a fertile field for April Fools spoofs on a variety of subject, including national parks Here are just a few examples for your reading and viewing pleasure.

Spring is coming! Which means rising temperatures, blossoming flowers, Cadbury Easter Eggs, and road construction. Major developments (aka closures) are taking place inside the western side of Zion National Park on two sections of the Kolob Terrace Road starting on March 2.

An investigation into a case of vandalism that left painted images on rock outcrops in at least eight Western national parks is continuing with charges yet to be brought in the case, National Park Service officials say.