Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which operates lodges and restaurants in some of the most iconic national parks in the system, on Wednesday announced it was suing the National Park Service over its handling of concessions contracts on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

A public opinion poll of key Western states has produced somewhat contradictory results when it comes to federal lands in those states. While strong numbers voiced positive views of agencies such as the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, strong numbers held their state governments in higher esteem than the federal government. Overall, though, a slight majority opposes proposals to turn those federal lands over to the states.

Geology factors into many units of the National Park System, but there are some parks that rise above all others if you have an interest in the geologic past...and present. What follows is a short list of some of the most geologically fascinating parks in the system, though we're sure you can add others.

Railroads played a huge role in the establishment of the national parks in the early 20th century. Just how great their influence was will be discussed by Dr. Alfred Runte as part of the lecture series at Zion National Park this summer.