National Parks Traveler

Superb opportunities to enjoy the night sky are just one of many reasons to visit Capitol Reef National Park, and that quality has earned some special recognition for the site. The park has been named a “Gold Tier” park by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), the highest ranking awarded by that non-profit organization. In doing so, Capitol Reef becomes the seventh unit of the National Park Service to achieve designation as an International Dark Sky Park.

The National Park Service recently released a prospectus soliciting proposals for concession operations in Denali National Park and Preserve. Commercial operations required of a concessionaire in the Alaska park include transportation, retail sales, and campground management. The prospectus also authorizes, but does not require, the concessionaire to offer winter transportation, garage service, equipment rental, and ATMs.

It took more than a year, but crews at Joshua Tree National Park, aided by professional conservators from the University of New Mexico, have largely "erased" graffiti scratched into the Barker Dam, a historic site inside the California park.

If, after the long, snowy and cold winter, you're ready for some colorful spring wildflowers, consider heading to New River Gorge National River in West Virginia this weekend for the 12th Annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend.