Latest News

The latest news from around the National Park System.

Should Phone Company Be Allowed To Raise 80-Foot Tower Inside Glacier National Park?

CenturyLink, the phone company previously known as Qwest Communications, is seeking approval to erect a roughly 80-foot-tall telecommunications tower inside Glacier National Park at the park's St. Mary administrative area.

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By NPT Staff - January 10th, 2012 3:00am

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New Second-Generation Superintendent at Great Sand Dunes National Park Returns to Her Roots

Father-daughter duos as National Park Service superintendents are a bit unusual, but Lisa Carrico will bring some uniquely personal connections to the job when she assumes her new post early next month at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

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By Jim Burnett - January 10th, 2012 2:00am

1 comment

Interior Secretary Salazar Withdraws 1 Million Acres Around Grand Canyon National Park From Hardrock Mining

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar moved today to withdraw more than 1 million acres surrounding Grand Canyon National Park from hard-rock mining.

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By Kurt Repanshek - January 9th, 2012 1:08pm

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Recalling What Winter's Supposed To Look Like In Yosemite National Park

The winter of 2011-2011 has gotten off to a veerryyyy slow start in Yosemite National Park, with the Tioga Road still open in early January and climbers reaching the top of a snowless Half Dome. Fortunately, park videographer Steve Bumgardner reached into his vault to create this special feature that shows winter as it's supposed to be in the Range of Light.

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By NPT Staff - January 9th, 2012 3:00am

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Wilderness At Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument: A Challenge To Manage These Days

One of the most trampled units of the National Park System is Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southwestern Arizona, where drug runners, illegal immigrants, and pursuing Border Patrol and Park Service agents have zigzagged through the monument's wilderness. But, as Organ Pipe officials note in the following article, plans are being made to restore the resource.

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By NPT Staff - January 9th, 2012 3:00am

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Traveler's Checklist: De Soto National Memorial

De Soto National Monument is the park unit that commemorates the earliest event in American history. Though the site is only 30 acres, there's a lot to do for every member of the family.

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By [email protected] - January 9th, 2012 8:46am

Civil War Trust Releases 'Droid App For the Battle Of Bull Run at Manassas National Battlefield

While the best way to tour Manassas National Battlefield is with a park interpreter, a second option is with the "Bull Run Battle App" developed for Android smartphones by the Civil War Trust.

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By NPT Staff - January 9th, 2012 8:54am

Yellowstone National Park Extends String of 3-Million-Visitor Years

Strong economy or weak economy, Yellowstone National Park is proving to be a strong attraction, as the park in 2011 attracted more than 3 million visitors for the fifth straight year.

YELL-Counting Instructions.pdf

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By NPT Staff - January 9th, 2012 12:05pm

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National Park Foundation Sets Up Memorial Fund For Ranger Margaret Anderson's Family

The National Park Foundation has set up a memorial fund to benefit the two young daughters of Ranger Margaret Anderson, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on New Year's Day.

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By NPT Staff - January 8th, 2012 3:00am

Year's First Ascent of Half Dome Shows How Scarce Snow Is In Yosemite National Park

A climber who reached the top of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park the other day made a video that shows the spectacular views...and the lack of snow in the High Sierra this winter.

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By NPT Staff - January 8th, 2012 3:00am

1 comment

Forest Fire Burns Across More Than 50 Acres At Cumberland Island National Seashore

A wildfire has spread across more than 40 acres of Cumberland Island National Seashore off the Georgia coast, but officials don't expect it to grow much larger due to rising humidity levels.

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By NPT Staff - January 7th, 2012 12:33pm

2 comments

Free Cave Tours At Wind Cave National Park Over Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Weekend

If you find yourself in South Dakota during the long Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday weekend, swing by Wind Cave National Park to take one of the free cave tours being offered then.

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By NPT Staff - January 7th, 2012 3:00am

1 comment

Mesa Verde National Park, Hoping To Boost Off-Season Visitation, Waives Entrance Fees Through February

Hoping to boost visitation during the slow winter months, officials at Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado are waiving park entrance fees through February.

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By NPT Staff - January 7th, 2012 3:00am

4 comments

NPCA Opens Office In St. Paul, Minnesota

The National Parks Conservation Association, which operates a number of offices across the country to stay on top of national park issues, has opened an office in St. Paul, Minnesota, to keep an eye on parks in the Upper Midwest.

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By NPT Staff - January 6th, 2012 3:00am

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Herr's Woodlot At Gettysburg National Military Park Being Trimmed A Bit To Stay Healthy

An historic woodlot that gave a measure of shelter to beaten and battered Confederate soldiers during the battle at Gettysburg is being trimmed a bit to maintain a balance of mixed age timber, according to officials at the military park.

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By NPT Staff - January 6th, 2012 3:00am

Study Says Salt Water Does Not Greatly Impede Burmese Pythons In Everglades National Park

Not only do pythons seem to be getting more and more comfortable in the Florida Everglades, including Everglades National Park, but they don't seem to mind salt water too much, according to a study of the reptiles.

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By NPT Staff - January 5th, 2012 3:00am

Friends of Acadia Looking For New President and CEO

After 15 years at Friends of Acadia, the last four as president and chief executive officer, Marla O'Byrne is stepping down, a career move that opens up a wonderful position at a great national park.

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By NPT Staff - January 5th, 2012 3:00am

Rangers Ready To Lead You Into Denali National Park and Preserve This Winter

Rangers are ready to lead you into the landscape of Denali National Park and Preserve on weekends this winter.

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By NPT Staff - January 5th, 2012 3:00am

CAPTCHA Woes Strike The Traveler

The CAPTCHA gremlins have infiltrated the Traveler! We're aware the system won't allow you to post comments, and we're working to flush out the gremlins.

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By Kurt Repanshek - January 4th, 2012 3:21pm

5 comments

Civil War Trust Looks Back on Successful 2011 Campaign and Looks Forward to 2012 Challenges

It was just about a year ago that the Civil War Trust embarked on the first year of the sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War. During that year, the Trust was able to save more than 2,000 acres of hallowed ground.

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By NPT Staff - January 4th, 2012 3:00am

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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.

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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.

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