National Parks Traveler

We knew we were being watched. We skimmed across the water, with our paddle blades rising and falling in a quick cadence. From its tall perch atop a pine, a bald eagle slowly rotated its white-feathered head and kept its eyes on us as we paddled further across Menokin Bay towards Cat Point Creek.

Higher entrance and camping fees proposed for Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Maryland and West Virginia are being opposed by some Maryland lawmakers, who say the proposed increases would lead to reduced tourism and jobs in their state.

A sliding scale for entrance fees, and slightly higher campground fees, will take effect at Yosemite National Park on March 1.

President Obama's budget request for the 2016 fiscal year seeks $2.6 billion for the National Park Service, an increase of $55 million from current funding levels. That request seeks hundreds of millions of dollars for infrastructure needs, such as renovations to the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park and for safety, efficiency, and access upgrades to the visitor's center at Gettysburg National Military Park.