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You’ll be able to view a rare alignment of planets this month and into February. Our astrotourism expert reveals the best places and ways to see the awesome spectacle.

Timed-entry reservations are back. Our national parks columnist reveals how to get into these popular parks.

“The trees aren’t as big as everyone says” and “I've seen better in video games.” Our national-parks columnist rounded up some scathing reviews of America's Best Idea.

“Seen better”: Not every visitor is impressed with one of the world’s seven natural wonders, it turns out

The North Dakota governor has promoted outdoor recreation in his state. Opponents worry about his connection to the oil and gas industry.

Surrounded by more famous destinations, this area is often overlooked. Yet it is one of the wildest and most beautiful units in the national-park system.

Catch the colors and miss the crowds at these often-overlooked autumn destinations. Our parks columnists reveals where leaf peepers can see fall’s best shows.

Park Service employee Erich B. Koenig discovered spilled junk food inside New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns in 2023. His post about human impact on delicate ecosystems sparked a glut of media coverage.

When Ada Limón, America’s first Latina poet laureate, was tasked with bringing poetry to people who otherwise might not be exposed to it, she knew just where to put it: National Parks

You all know not to pet the fluffy cows in Yellowstone, but do you know how to plan a successful visit?

Plan your next summer escape around these parks, where high latitudes and high altitudes are still keeping temps cool

These cool new lodging options are within striking distance of some of the country’s most popular national parks

Ada Limón, America’s first Latina poet laureate, is helping us rethink wild spaces with some perfectly placed poems at a park near you

Debris flies hundreds of feet in the air in this video recorded by a Yellowstone hiker

The Mountain State has it all: rivers, 36 state parks, nine state forests, our newest national park, and a nearly million-acre national forest. Our travel expert reveals his favorite ways to get outside here.

The reintroduction of the apex predators to Washington’s North Cascades National Park has local communities asking if it’s still safe to hike in the park

Spectacular mountains and deep fjords, powder-blue lakes and sea stacks: here’s your bucket list of national parks to visit up north

A flurry of confusing memos—including one that effectively banned staff from participating in Pride in uniform—left LGBTQ+ employees and advocates wondering where the NPS really stands

But popularity online could also be the ticket to better funding for parks with lower engagement

Park-goers are suing to preserve their right to pay cash at increasingly card-only national park sites. We think both sides are wrong.

From miles of trails to acres of public land, the explorable and beautiful terrain in these states stand out above the rest.

According to new NPS data, visitation is up at the country’s most popular national parks. But at these under-the-radar gems, the scenery is equally spectacular and you’ll have plenty of room to explore.

Mount Rainier National Park will join Glacier, Rocky Mountain, and Arches in implementing a new timed-entry system for the park’s most popular entrances

We’re fact checking misinformation currently gaining traction on social media

There was nothing to do, I didn’t see a bear, and that snake harassed me

And take our advice on where to go for the most fun adventures in America's Best Idea, from Yellowstone to Acadia

With access to one of the islands’ best-rated beaches and a 175-mile oceanfront trail, Pacific views from every guest room, and a mouthwatering macadamia-nut sundae, this property is paradise defined for our hiking-happy writer

National Park Service encourages hikers to avoid Whiteoak Canyon and Old Rag due to poor air quality

After three years of testing, Rocky Mountain National Park may make its reservation system permanent—and other parks aren’t far behind

No matter if the curse of Pele is real or not, tourists should leave volcanic stones where they belong

One of the hottest, driest places in the world has a brand-new lake festooned with wildflowers—but park officials say it won’t be around for long

A draft plan would introduce 3 to 7 bears per year into the North Cascades over the next decade

In a new social media post, the National Park Service said the trend threatens to harm California condors, one of the rarest birds in the United States.

This week, 12 of Alaska’s chubbiest bruins will face off in a bracket for the title of Fat Bear Week Champion. Here’s what you need to know.

The Interior Department said on Friday that national parks will shutter if Congress doesn’t approve the recent spending bill. Several governors say they will use state funds to keep federal parklands open.

To celebrate National Public Lands Day on September 23, the secretary of the interior reminds readers why protecting public lands is so important

As Republican legislators fail to reach a deal with the fringe of their own party, the National Park Service and normal people who depend on it prepare to suffer

The climber is in critical condition following gear-ripping fall on pitch four of The Great White Wall

Climbers reported on the new crack that broke open near Royal Arches—but not before they climbed it

The live footage from Katmai National Park usually shows grizzlies. But on September 5, a man appeared on the livestream and mouthed “help.”

Follow these park-by-park recommendations from our expert who has explored each one to get the most bang for your adventure buck

The best ways to experience America’s best idea

“Turn around, don’t drown,” park rangers are reminding travelers as Hilary bears down on the southwestern United States

The Sourdough and Blue Lake Fires shut down the only road through the park, and crews are working to protect populated areas from the blazes

As extreme temperatures blaze across the nation, parks are taking extra measures to keep visitors safe

A proposed price increase for backcountry access in Zion could raise fees by as much as 400 percent for some groups

The nonagenarian proved that age truly is just a number

Brad Sailer and his epilepsy alert dog completed their quest in July to bring awareness to accessibility in the outdoors.

Reservations are hard to come by but this hundred-year-old lodge is worth the wait. In the meantime, you can hike five miles to see it.

New legislation is being supported by a major REI initiative

Walk among deep river gorges, glacial mountains, alpine lakes, and vast deserts, all on beautiful under-the-radar public lands

During his first wilderness job, a chance encounter with a bear left the wildlife biologist with a profound respect for nature that has endured ever since

The 26-year-old woman fell nearly 500 feet from Blitzen Ridge

Some of the wildest, best beaches in the country can be found in our national parks system. These are the most spectacular.

It’s becoming harder to find a slice of nature all to yourself. But there are plenty of secluded sweet spots around the country if you know where to look. From national monuments and lakeshores to forests and scenic waterways, here are some stunning, uncrowded wildlands that are definitely worth exploring.

We’ve got you. With this advice, you can still nab a nice—and even popular—spot at a campground of your choice this summer. Huzzah!

The booking website generates big bucks for private firm Booz Allen Hamilton. Our writer argues it’s a necessary tool for protecting the outdoors.

Our national parks are celebrating the season (aren’t we all?) with fun and immersive special events. We've mapped out our favorites, from photo classes to great music to getting dirty helping on a trail day.

As you’re visiting national parks this summer, don’t miss out on these spectacular outlooks, mountain summits, and lake vistas. We’ve got the intel on how to reach them all.

The epic winter of 2022–23 is still with us, with snowmelt causing flooding concerns in some national parks and in others roads and trails are closed for repairs. Here’s what you need to know for your summer trips.

Why be stuck behind the masses at popular parks when you can wander some of the nation’s best with barely a soul in sight?

National Park Service officials said they’re still investigating what caused the Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge to burn to the ground just weeks before its planned grand reopening

California’s wild storms and wet weather have resulted in dazzling displays of wildflowers, some peaking and others ready to pop. Here’s how to see one before it’s too late.

A recent survey of employee satisfaction returned abysmal scores for the NPS

Looking to save a few bucks when visiting our national parks? Here are upcoming free days, and seven other programs for freebies or discounts. You could make some memories.

These state parks offer everything you’re looking for in a national park, only fewer crowds. See our top choices for wildlife, wilderness, solitude, and more.

When it comes to advocating for adaptive athletes, the climber and National Park Service employee will never hold back

National parks protect our land and a wide variety of wildlife, many of them dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are the animals and reptiles to look out for and the best ways to keep you—and them—safe.

Our columnist had little idea of what to expect when she ventured to the far-flung island territory of American Samoa. In the final report of her 63 Parks series, she explains why this may be the nation’s wildest, most protected landscape of them all.

The last thing you want while looking out over Bryce Canyon contemplating the millennia is a tourist helicopter buzzing overhead. That’s why some parks, like Glacier, are working to end air tourism.

Our national park system has 424 units, but visitors pack into only a few of those. You’ll find jaw-dropping scenery, awesome adventures, and way fewer crowds in these often overlooked parks. And yes, we picked our favorite one in every single state.

Emily Pennington wanted to see it all. But life on the road was fiercer than she ever imagined.

Officials issued tickets to ascend 3,284-foot Old Rag in 2022. The program was a success, so the park is continuing it in 2023.

The family of Esther Nakajjigo accused the National Park Service of negligence for not properly securing the metal gate that killed her

In her adventure memoir "Feral," Emily Pennington sets out in a van to visit all 63 of America's national parks. She faces a painful romantic breakup, a pandemic, wildfires, and a hurricane. And that's just for starters.

Eager to visit one of America’s national parks this year? Start planning now. Here’s all the information you need to book hard-to-get reservations.