National Parks Traveler

President Obama's FY2011 budget proposal calls for $2.7 billion for the National Park Service, a number that includes a $35.3 million increase, to $2.3 billion, over FY2010 levels in operational funding tagged for ecosystem restoration, visitor services, cultural resource preservation and protection, and wildlife initiatives. Overall, though, the $2.7 billion is $21.7 million below FY2010's enacted Park Service budget.

There's a lot of marketing of national parks going on out there in the business world, but is it always accurate? Read on and see if you believe it is.

Planning a mid-February visit to Zion National Park? The rangers are looking for some hardy souls to help them delineate the park's wilderness boundaries east of Springdale, Utah.

Will the coming months prove to be particularly colorful in Death Valley National Park? That's a good question, but past history of wildflower blooms in the park would seem to indicate that while there might be more flowers than usual, there won't be a spectacular bloom that sweeps the park.