National parks are serving up a host of events this month, from music to an acclaimed documentary screening to a hunt for birds, butterflies and mushrooms.
See the list below for a look at a few of the upcoming programs (note all times are local), and be sure to visit the National Park Service calendar for special events near you.
Booker T. Washington Speech Commemoration, Booker T. Washington National Monument
This is the 130th anniversary of the opening speech at the 1895 Cotton States and Industrial Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia, that propelled Booker T. Washington to national fame.
What: Hear a 1908 recording Washington made of the speech and learn from rangers who will examine how Washington gained a place onstage, the meaning behind his message of racial cooperation and industrial education, why his speech received immediate acclaim across the nation, and how it cemented his legacy within the long Civil Rights Movement.
When: Sept. 18 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: The free program begins on the back porch of the visitor center at 12130 Booker T. Washington Highway in Hardy, Virginia.
Also: The event includes a short walk through the historic core of the park to explore how the landscape shaped Washington's childhood and later fame. Contact the visitor center at 540-682-0173 for more information or visit the park website.
Mountain Life Festival, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Heritage meets hands-on history at this family friendly event focused on the culture of the Southern Appalachian region and the legacy of the many families who once lived on the lands that later became the park.
What: Activities and events include traditional sorghum milling, hearth cooking, apple butter making, apple cider pressing, broom making, hominy preparation and demonstrations of Cherokee culture. Seasonal activities will also showcase the crafts and customs that defined autumn in the region’s past.
When: Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Mountain Farm Museum behind the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Cherokee, North Carolina
Also: No reservations are required, but visitors are reminded that a parking tag is required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes. Tags can be obtained in advance online or at the visitor center. Visit the park website for more information.
Guided Bird Walk, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
This guided bird walk also sets the stage for the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival (see below), offering a perfect way to connect with nature before enjoying a day filled with stories and tradition.
What: Visitors are invited to experience the rich natural beauty of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau on a guided bird walk led by noted ornithologist Dr. Charles Nicholson.
When: Sept. 20, 8 a.m.
Where: The walk starts at the Bandy Creek swimming pool in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Oneida, Tennessee.
Also: The event is free and appropriate for all ages. For additional information on this special event as well as others at the park, call at 423- 569-9778 or visit the park website.
Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
The 33rd annual festival includes a variety of demonstrations and nine featured storytellers that celebrate the culture, history, and traditions of the Appalachian region.
What: Storytelling, music workshops, entertainment, crafts and crafts with presentations including Revolutionary Period Long Hunters, local HAM radio operators, quilting, and many others throughout the day.
When: Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Bandy Creek Field, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Oneida, Tennessee
Also: Find the full schedule of events here.
McCook Takes the Field, Shiloh National Military Park
This ranger-led hike highlights soldiers’ baptism by fire, the intensity of the Confederate defense, and the desperate counterattacks that unfolded during a pivotal phase of the Battle of Shiloh.
What: 5.5-mile hike tracing the movements of the Army of the Ohio’s 2nd Division, commanded by Brigadier General Alexander McCook — one of the famed “Fighting McCooks” of the Civil War.
When: Sept. 20, 8 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.
Where: Shiloh Visitor Center, Shiloh National Military Park, 1055 Pittsburg Landing Road in Shiloh, Tennessee.
Also: Reservations are required and may be made by calling the Shiloh Visitor Center at 731-689-5696. Participants should be prepared for a challenging experience and bring sturdy hiking boots or shoes, a hat, insect repellent, at least one liter of water per person, rain gear, and snacks. Event may be canceled due to weather conditions.
We the People: A Yorktown Battlefield Event, Colonial National Historical Park
The day starts with an educational and entertaining Revolutionary Festival and ends with an exclusive premiere screening of acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns’s highly anticipated documentary, The American Revolution – set on the very battlefield where history was made.
What: Live music including the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), plus living history demonstrations and hands-on activities.
When: Sept. 20, starting with the festival at 3 p.m. followed by The Old Guard performance and documentary screening at 7 p.m.
Where: Yorktown Battlefield, Virginia.
Also: There is both onsite and offsite parking, as well as shuttle service. Check the park website for further details and recommendations to enjoy the day.
Sounds of Appalachia ‘25, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Experience the sounds and learn more of the history of the rich tradition of Appalachian music.
What: Ranger talks and free Appalachian music performances from Long Point String Band, Bronco Junction, and Woodbine.
When: Sept. 21, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: New River Gorge's Cliffside Amphitheater at Grandview, 4700 Grandview Road in Beaver, West Virginia.
Also: This program is part of the multi-day Hidden History Happenings events throughout the New River Gorge region in late September and early October. Click here for the full schedule.
Voices of the Niobrara: Myths of Women's Madness on the Plains, Niobrara National Scenic River
The last in a month-long speaker series celebrating the rich history and diverse voices of Nebraska's Niobrara River Valley from the perspective of indigenous leaders, historians, and local ranchers.
When: Sept. 25, at 6 p.m.
What: Nancy B. Johnson from Humanities Nebraska will delve into historical narratives and misconceptions surrounding women's mental health during the homesteading era.
Where: Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center, 214 W. Highway 20 in Valentine, Nebraska.
Also: The event is free and no reservations are required. More information is available online at www.nps.gov/niob or via phone at 402-376-1901.
Star Spangled Night Sky, George Washington Birthplace National Monument
A special program to explore how the stars have shaped our American story — from the symbolism of stars on the U.S. flag to America’s journey into space.
What: View the rings of Saturn through a telescope, identify constellations, and locate the Andromeda Galaxy.
When: Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. (Sept. 28 if delayed due to inclement weather)
Where: George Washington Birthplace National Monument, 1732 Popes Creek Road in Colonial Beach, Virginia.
Also: Visitors are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs or blankets to experience this very special evening under the stars. Check the park website, Instagram page or Facebook page for more information.
National Public Lands Day Bioblitz, Homestead National Historical Park
Choose from three different expert-led nature walks (or join them all) for a hunt to find, document, and photograph species in the park's tallgrass prairie and woodlands.
What: A bird walk, a mushroom walk, and an insect walk. When: Sept. 27, starting at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Where: Homestead National Historical Park, 4 miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska.
Also: Each walk lasts about 90 minutes and is appropriate for any age. For more information, call 402-223-3514 or visit the park website or social media pages.
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