A throwback to the days when commerce flowed up and down canals to Washington, D.C., a Lockkeeper's House that dates to the 1830s, will be restored to near-mint condition thanks to a $1 million grant from American Express to the Trust for the National Mall.

There are at least 75 million reasons why the U.S. Senate should either fully fund the national park projects contained within the defense authorization bill, or strip them out.

One of the most popular areas of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Alum Cave area, is on tap for some serious restoration work that will take about two years and result in some occasional trail closures. The result, though, will make the trail safer for hikers and better protect natural resources, according to park officials.

Getting into Big Bend National Park in Texas could be a little bit more expensive next year, as officials are proposing a $5 increase in the daily entrance fee for vehicles and a $2 increase in the backcountry camping fee.