Latest News

The latest news from around the National Park System.

Reward Offered In Connection With 2011 Murder Of Appalachian Trail Hiker

A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for murdering an Indiana man on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in central Virginia.

Read more about Reward Offered In Connection With 2011 Murder Of Appalachian Trail Hiker

By NPT Staff - April 27th, 2012 3:00am

1 comment

Oglala Sioux Tribe, National Park Service Poised To Create First Tribal National Park

Under an agreement supported by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, National Park Service officials are recommending the establishment of the nation’s first tribal national park in partnership with the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Read more about Oglala Sioux Tribe, National Park Service Poised To Create First Tribal National Park

By NPT Staff - April 26th, 2012 11:53am

1 comment

Yellowstone National Park Officials Finalize Plans For Future Of Lake Area

National Park Service officials have approved a long-term plan for managing development at the Lake area of Yellowstone National Park. The adopted plan shows a reduction in both paved acreage and RV spots from the initial proposal put forth by Yellowstone officials.

Read more about Yellowstone National Park Officials Finalize Plans For Future Of Lake Area

By NPT Staff - April 26th, 2012 3:00am

Monthly Astronomy Parties Planned At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

A series of monthly astronomy parties at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan kicks off Friday when rangers and members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society head out after dark into the lakeshore.

Read more about Monthly Astronomy Parties Planned At Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

By NPT Staff - April 26th, 2012 3:00am

“Peaceful Side of the Smokies” Will Be Hopping During Townsend In The Smokies Spring Festival

The “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” is going to be hopping May 4&5 when the Townsend in the Smokies Spring Festival arrives.

Read more about “Peaceful Side of the Smokies” Will Be Hopping During Townsend In The Smokies Spring Festival

By Randy Johnson - April 26th, 2012 3:00am

Ten Books You Should Have In Your National Park Library

National Park Week seems like an appropriate time to check your personal library to ensure it's up to snuff when it comes to the national parks. Here, in particular order, are 10 books you definitely should have in your library:

Read more about Ten Books You Should Have In Your National Park Library

By Kurt Repanshek - April 26th, 2012 3:00am

15 comments

Smokies Announce Construction Closures On Extremely Popular Chimney Tops Trail

If you want to hike to a few of the Smokies’ most pyramidal, inspiring peaks—Chimney Tops— don’t target the trail Monday through Thursday from May through October 18th.

Read more about Smokies Announce Construction Closures On Extremely Popular Chimney Tops Trail

By Randy Johnson - April 26th, 2012 10:37am

Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Provides $500,000 Grant To Get Kids Into National Parks

With hopes of connecting more youth with national parks, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund has provided a $500,000 grant to the National Park Foundation to help with the Foundation's "Ticket To Ride" and "America's Best Idea" programs.

Read more about Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Provides $500,000 Grant To Get Kids Into National Parks

By NPT Staff - April 25th, 2012 12:23pm

Mojave National Preserve Cross Case Settled With Land Swap

A long simmering dispute over a simple cross erected over Mojave National Preserve will be resolved with a land swap expected to net the National Park Service private land inside the preserve.

Read more about Mojave National Preserve Cross Case Settled With Land Swap

By NPT Staff - April 25th, 2012 10:06am

6 comments

Reader Participation Day: What Should The National Park Service Work On Leading Up To 2016?

It's National Park Week, a time to celebrate the national parks and get out and enjoy them. But it should also be a time for you to ponder the future of the National Park System. With that in mind, what do you think the National Park Service should focus on leading up to its centennial in 2016?

Read more about Reader Participation Day: What Should The National Park Service Work On Leading Up To 2016?

By Kurt Repanshek - April 25th, 2012 3:00am

8 comments

"Fall For Glacier" And Help The Glacier National Park Fund

What are you doing September 6-9? If you're a fan of Glacier National Park, you should be planning to be in the park supporting the Glacier National Park Fund.

Read more about "Fall For Glacier" And Help The Glacier National Park Fund

By NPT Staff - April 25th, 2012 3:00am

Virgin Islands National Park To Grow By 58 Acres

Efforts by the Trust for Public Land continue to grow the size of Virgin Islands National Park a bit at a time, with the trust recently transferring 58 acres to the park at Maho Bay.

Read more about Virgin Islands National Park To Grow By 58 Acres

By NPT Staff - April 25th, 2012 8:47am

House Democrats Urge GOP Leadership To Solve Horse-Packing Stalemate At Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Parks

Republican leadership in the House of Representatives could resolve the horse-packing stalemate at Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks through a legislative initiative, according to California Democrats.

Read more about House Democrats Urge GOP Leadership To Solve Horse-Packing Stalemate At Sequoia, Kings Canyon National Parks

By NPT Staff - April 24th, 2012 3:20pm

21 comments

Birding In The National Parks: Do You Have The Necessary Gear?

Every hobby has its collection of necessary equipment. You can’t golf without clubs, balls, and tees. You can’t knit without a collection of needles and a room full of yarn. You can’t (and definitely shouldn’t) skydive without a parachute. Birding is no exception. The beauty of birding as a hobby, however, is that there are distinct stages of equipment necessity

Read more about Birding In The National Parks: Do You Have The Necessary Gear?

By Kirby Adams - April 24th, 2012 3:00am

Vice President Biden Tours Everglades National Park, Pledges Continued Help On Restoration Plan

Vice President Joe Biden toured Everglades National Park on Monday with Sen. Bill Nelson in an appearance that mixed politics with preservation.

Read more about Vice President Biden Tours Everglades National Park, Pledges Continued Help On Restoration Plan

By NPT Staff - April 23rd, 2012 5:01pm

House Of Representatives Passes Legislation That Critics Fear Will Bring More Hunting Into National Park System

Concerns that hunting and fishing are slowly slipping away as pastimes in the United States have led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation that some fear would open more of the National Park System to hunting.

Read more about House Of Representatives Passes Legislation That Critics Fear Will Bring More Hunting Into National Park System

By NPT Staff - April 23rd, 2012 3:00am

4 comments

NPCA Field Report: Help Needed For The Atlantic Sturgeon To Recover

Sturgeon might have graced Captain John Smith's dinner table when he explored the Chesapeake Bay in 1607-1609, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one in the waters of the national historic trail that bears his name today.

Read more about NPCA Field Report: Help Needed For The Atlantic Sturgeon To Recover

By NPT Staff - April 23rd, 2012 8:07am

Cooking In The Parks: Popovers At Acadia National Park

If you've ever visited Acadia National Park, you no doubt stopped at the Jordon Pond House and had some of their buttery popovers smeared with jam. If the park is too far to reach this year, here's the recipe so you can make the popovers at home.

Read more about Cooking In The Parks: Popovers At Acadia National Park

By NPT Staff - April 22nd, 2012 3:00am

7 comments

No. 610 And Her Triplets Take A Stroll At Grand Teton National Park, The Video!

It's National Park Week, so why wouldn't the grizzlies be out and about in Grand Teton National Park?

Read more about No. 610 And Her Triplets Take A Stroll At Grand Teton National Park, The Video!

By NPT Staff - April 22nd, 2012 3:00am

2 comments

Parks Beyond Borders: Global National Park News—Russia to the Rescue of Big Cats, Brits Get a Leg "Down"

A round-up of global national park news

Read more about Parks Beyond Borders: Global National Park News—Russia to the Rescue of Big Cats, Brits Get a Leg "Down"

By Randy Johnson - April 22nd, 2012 9:39am

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Donate Now!

The Essential RVing Guide

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.

National Parks Traveler

Search