The first sea turtle nest of the season was discovered at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on May 16. Staff took this photo of the female nesting loggerhead using turtle-safe lighting. Red light is used because sea turtles are sensitive to white bright lights. The mother and nest were found north of Ramp 44 on Hatteras Island.

You don't have to leave town to explore the wonders of national parks this weekend. While in-person Memorial Day programs will still be held at some national cemeteries and battlefields, nearly 50 national parks across the National Park Service's South Atlantic Gulf region and beyond have joined forces to host a Virtual Campout and Virtual Memorial Day Tribute, giving visitors a chance to experience parks this holiday weekend in a safe way while also creating lasting memories

Memorial Day Weekend traditionally is a busy three-day period for Zion National Park, and that's why the park superintendent warned Thursday that visitors heading to Zion this weekend should be prepared for crowds.

You can cross off your to-do list plans to visit Padre Island National Seashore this summer to watch sea turtle hatchings race for the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. That's because the park is suspending those public events due to the coronavirus pandemic.