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Mark Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore's Birthday By Gazing At The Stars

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is the “star” of an upcoming autumn night sky event; October 21 marks the 48th anniversary of the establishment of the national lakeshore. In celebration of that birthday, you're invited to join park rangers and astronomers from the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society in the Dune Climb parking lot on October 21, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., for the final Star Party of 2018.

A National Park That More Than Meets The Eye

Located approximately 70 miles west of Key West is Garden Key, the site of historic Fort Jefferson National Monument located within the Dry Tortugas National Park. Over 60,000 visitors are either ferried on a state-of-the-art catamaran out of Key West called the Yankee Freedom III or fly here via seaplane every year. It is, without a doubt, one of the least accessible and one of the most remote national parks in the nation and that, as it turns out, is a very good thing.

Willard Buttrick's Powder Horn Comes Home To Minute Man National Historical Park

Not quite 250 years ago a patriot in Massachusetts, Willard Buttrick, went to battle against the British army. Among the items he took with him was a powder horn for use in reloading his musket. Today that powder horn has found a new home at Minute Man National Historical Park thanks to his descendants.

New River Gorge National River To Host Public Meeting On Climbing

New River Gorge National River invites members of the public who have an interest in climbing at New River Gorge National River and Gauley River National Recreation Area to the autumn climbing public meeting. The event will be held on October 27 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center on U.S. Route 19, just north of Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Angels Landing And Portion Of West Rim Trail At Zion National Park Closed October 23-25

The two evaporative toilets at Scout Lookout in Zion National Park in Utah are being replaced with a new four-stall facility. In preparation, park staff will be emptying and removing the existing toilets October 23-25. The operation requires the use of a helicopter, so safety precautions in the form of trail and road closures will be in effect. On all three days of the operation, Angels Landing and the West Rim Trail will be closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. between the Grotto Trailhead and the patio just above Scout Lookout.

Where Are The Scariest Places In The National Park System?

There recently was a story about the scariest, or spookiest places in the 50 states, and the one chosen for Wyoming was Old Bedlam at Fort Laramie National Historic Site. Old Bedlam, of course, was a barracks built for bachelor officers, and doesn't seem that scary. There certainly are scarier places in the Cowboy State, such as the Old Faithful Inn.

Washington’s National Park Fund to Celebrate 25th Anniversary With Musical And Visual Extravaganza At Benaroya Hall

In an event sure to delight outdoors enthusiasts, Benaroya Hall in Seattle will come alive October 24 at 7:30 p.m. with beautiful musical compositions by Northwest Symphony Orchestra coupled with lovely imagery from the National Park System. The spectacular performance, “National Parks at Benaroya,” celebrates the 25th anniversary of Washington’s National Park Fund, the official philanthropic partner for Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks.