Death Valley National Park has plenty of colorful place names, including Furnace Creek, Stovepipe Wells, Last Chance Mountain and Devil's Golf Course, so modern-day visitors might be curious about the one given to a popular scenic overlook in the park: Zabriskie Point. The explanation may be a bit surprising, since the name is tied to an activity not usually associated with national parks, and the story of the overlook itself offers a fascinating glimpse into the park's history.

Can there be a better way to visit Hell? Bumpass Hell, that is, at Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Fall is a great time to visit national parks in general, and Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks specifically. The cool mountain air, the towering trees, and the relatively empty hiking trails combined offer an incredible setting for an escape.

Floods. Windstorms that down trees. Wildfires. Millions of feet. Hiking trails take a pounding from all these things. And while the paths are the responsibility of the National Park Service, the agency often lacks money and staff to tackle all but the most pressing needs. That’s where national park friends groups come into play with their financial resources and, at times, volunteers.