Opposites do attract...the viewer's eye. Rebecca Latson offers up a few more handy techniques for you to try out during your next visit to a national park.

How much federal land is too much? When it comes to the state level, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas believes 50.5 percent is too much. While he recently failed to force the federal government to reduce the size of its holdings, the Republican and other anti-government politicians bear watching, particularly with the coming fall elections.

Once considered largely to be worthless, national parks today are economic engines that generate $26.5 billion for the nation's economy.

In a 25-page motion attacking not just the propriety but also the legality of a backcountry user fee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a group of backpackers has not only asked that the fees be tossed out, but shined some light on the conundrum of how to afford our public lands.