National Parks
Archive
The 33 special agents assigned to the Investigative Services Branch handle the most complex crimes committed on NPS land. When a day hike in Rocky Mountain National Park ended in a grisly death, ISB veteran Beth Shott hit the trail, where she began unraveling a harrowing case.
A former champion and constant runner-up face off on the final day of Fat Bear Week 2018, but every one is a winner in our hearts
New research suggests that national parks are getting hotter and drier faster than the rest of the country
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke will offer up nearly 4 million acres of public lands for lease this year, much of it for dirt cheap
The conservative Utah Congressman wants to fully fund our national parks and our public lands. Huh?
Nominee Raymond David Vela seems to care about making our national parks more accessible
Pioneers, the government, even John Muir helped kick out Native Americans from their homes on national parks. But in Yosemite, the Miwuk Tribe is getting its village back.
In Washington State, a group of researchers is mining social media posts and photos to identify overused trails and turn your next weekend adventure into a real escape
As the U.S. battles over the fate of public lands, the Chilean government and Kristine Tompkins are doing something extraordinary down in Patagonia—setting aside millions of acres for stunning new national parks. And they aren't done yet.
Many of our national parks are overflowing with visitors. To get away from the crowds, seek an alternate route.
At these five parks, the food is the treasured resource.
Hand-picked by Kate Siber, author of the new children's book 'National Parks of the USA'
Keeping an eye on the interior secretary's latest ethical blunders and questionable public lands policies
In an excerpt from his new book, Goldfarb explores what wilderness looks like with and without nature's most overlooked architects—and why they have more in common with wolves than you think
Frustrated by overly cautious restrictions at cliffs, some climbers are leading efforts to create flexible, evidence-based management
This hilarious—and informational—PSA from Ranger Lauren Ray warns river rats of the low flows on Arkansas’ Buffalo River.
Some of the places most sought after by recreationists are also culturally, spiritually or economically vital to tribes. We need to honor that.
It's taken half a decade to iron out the logistics, and while White Sands National Monument has as good a chance as ever at becoming a park, it's not guaranteed.
Everyone deserves to explore our country's most scenic destinations
With more people than ever taking to the woods, we need to rethink how we spend time on public lands
Political and journalistic pressure foiled Interior Department attempts to censor a climate report. Not surprisingly, its findings aren't good.
Sure, we love Yellowstone and Yosemite. But from Finland to Chile, a fresh crop of national parks has us counting up our vacation days.
There’s a common misconception that Black people don’t love wild places. Latria Graham, a southerner with deep connections to farms, rivers, and forests, says the problem isn’t desire but access—and a long history of laws and customs that have whitewashed our finest public lands.
[Insert exasperated Jean-Luc Picard meme]
From layers to shades, here’s what to take with you to prepare for rain or shine
For decades, park leaders have predicted that swarms of tourists could ruin public lands. Is anyone heeding their advice?
The Secretary of the Interior's idea to support public lands with oil and mining leases isn't just wrongheaded—the numbers don't add up.
Lawmakers didn't listen to the president’s call for less spending on land management and the environment—and put their foot down when it came to interior secretary Ryan Zinke’s reorganization plan, too
On March 21, the Department of Interior will hold the largest auction of offshore leases in U.S. history, including all unleased areas on the Gulf of Mexico’s outer continental shelf. But do energy extractors actually want such land and waters?
Lies, damned lies, and "fantasy" White House budget proposals
The résumé of P. Daniel Smith, including a troubling work history
With his office's insult-laden response to the resignation of the NPS Advisory Board, the secretary proves that, like his boss, he's not above mudslinging
If the government shuts down tomorrow, Ryan Zinke wants to keep these lands open. What that actually looks like is at best confusing and at worst dangerous.
A semi-detailed list of everything we know (and we still have plenty of questions) about possible public land closures starting tomorrow if the lights go out for the feds
Researchers at the University of Montana found that nearby towns dependent on tourist dollars stand to lose millions
Zinke's strategic plan for the next four years shows no intention of addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our public lands
A new proposal would nearly triple entrance fees to the busiest national parks during peak season
A leaked five-year strategic plan has zero mention of “climate change” or “diversity,” marking a major pivot away from its predecessor
Mikah Meyer, who's making his way through all 417 National Park Service sites and just happens to be gay, is willing to bet you haven't
New approaches to wellness travel offer detoxifying spa treatments, nutritious meals, and awesome fitness options
The National Park Service findings, released last week, are troubling. The reality is even worse.
In honor of Public Lands Day, we picked the places we couldn't live without
Jessica Klodnicki, general manager of CamelBak, explains why ending bottled water bans at some national parks is reckless
An artistic tribute to one of our National Parks.
We spoke with four lawyers about the four monuments most likely on Zinke’s chopping block
Trail runners that celebrate our National Parks.
American cowboy or posturing Trump enforcer?
This film A Field Guide To Losing Your Friends is a collaboration between filmmaker Chad Clendinen and Dunning and earned itself a place in our piece 'The 10 Movies at Telluride Mountainfilm That We're Most Excited About.'
Chacos is taking a stand in the fight over Bears Ears National Monument
If the budget is a political document that reflects a president’s priorities, Trump’s priorities are clear—and the environment, wildlife, and the Great Outdoors don’t rank particularly high
A group of the country's top rock climbers traveled to Washington last week to remind Congress that public lands are valuable assets worth protecting. Here's what I had to say.
The long-term impact of the president's first 100 days could destroy an industry with more jobs than oil and gas and automotive combined. Yep, you guessed it: outdoor rec.
With the help of Kris Tompkins, Chile is setting aside more parklands than the U.S. has in a long time. The Trump administration should pay attention.
The Dakota Access protests made headlines, but there’s a bigger war being waged against pipelines across the country that threaten our favorite parks and forests
These brews are named for some of America's most beloved spaces. A few even benefit the lands they honor.
When 18-year-old Joe Keller vanished from a dude ranch in Colorado's Rio Grande National Forest, he joined the ranks of those missing on public land. No official tally exists, but their numbers are growing. And when an initial search turns up nothing, who'll keep looking?
Thousands of firefighters, trail crews, and rangers will be able to get back to work this summer
The company that runs the industry's largest trade show is listening, but more brands need to speak up if they really want to make Utah feel the hurt
Elk sightings and waterfall hikes are all part of a day's work for Grand Canyon park ranger Perri Spreiser
After a few weeks of exploring Voyageurs National Park, More Than Just Parks brings you a spectacular display of colors in their film Voyageurs.
Gear that's guaranteed to help you have a memorable and romantic holiday
If posting to your feed is an act of love, these parks had the most adored vistas of the year
Our northern neighbor's national parks are pretty damn awesome—and accessing them in 2017 will be completely free
During her four-year tenure as Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, a former oil-industry engineer and CEO of REI, has helped designate 18 new national monuments, increase youth engagement in the national parks, and limit access for energy exploration. As a Trump administration with very different views on conservation prepares to take the reins in Washington, Christopher Keyes sat down with the secretary to discuss her legacy—and the uncertain future of America’s public lands.
One of our most iconic wild places is under threat from mining and development interests. Two journalists hiked 800 miles to remind people why they should care.
For decades, the Property and Environment Research Center has extolled the virtues of free-market environmentalism. Could their ideas save our parks?
We should all be working to preserve the parks as we know them
Parks are for people, and people today want to be able to share their wildnerness experience with their friends online
Monumental: Skiing Our National Parks is a new film that honors the history of skiing within some of America's most treasured places
Gracie has two jobs: To keep animals a safe distance away from visitors, and to teach visitors how to interact with animals.
All you have to do is visit a National Park and get very, very lucky
Fit in a last-minute camping trip at one of these iconic parks before summer ends
The books, articles, archives, and other happenings on our radar
We often don't hear about the people of color who have shaped America's natural spaces—and we still have a long way to go when it comes to representation in environmental and adventure media. Carolyn Finney, a professor of geography whose work often focuses on diverse communities in the outdoors, explains how we can do better.