National Park News

Houchin Ferry service and the Maple Springs Group campground will open for the season this weekend. Houchin Ferry will begin spring operation on Sunday, February 28; Maple Springs Group Campground will open March 1. 

In 2009, Glacier National Park officials had proposed to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) and initiated public scoping to look at alternatives for six mines and eight mine features located within the park. After conducting field surveys and further defining the proposed action, the National Park Service decided to close a 33-foot deep shaft at the Van Pelt mine site located in the Gable Mountain area north of Many Glacier. 

New Federal Firearms Law Takes Effect Monday, February 22 – Glacier National Park subject to Montana firearm law.

Voyageurs National Park Association (VNPA), a park partner, has donated $1,000 for environmental education travel grants in 2010.

All snowmobile trails in the park are open and in excellent condition.  The Rainy Lake Ice Road is open to the entrance of Diamond Island.

The seventh meeting of the Denali National Park Aircraft Overflights Advisory Council that was to take place on Thursday, February 25 in Wasilla, Alaska has been re-scheduled for Thursday, May 6. It will be held at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge in Talkeetna, Alaska.

A change in federal law effective February 22, allows people who can legally possess firearms under federal, state, and local laws, to possess those firearms in Yellowstone National Park.

A change in federal law effective February 22, allows people who can legally possess firearms under federal, California, and local laws to possess those firearms in the local National Park Service areas of Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and Lassen Volcanic National Park.

During the March “From Shore to Sea” lectures, Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau will commemorate the park’s 30th anniversary.

A change in Federal law effective February 22, allows people who can legally possess firearms under Federal, Minnesota and local laws to possess those firearms in Voyageurs National Park. The laws of Minnesota prohibit the possession of rifles, shotguns or BB guns in public places such as Voyageurs National Park.

Voyageurs thanks the Lake States Interpretive Association for 34 years of service.  The park is pleased to welcome the Jefferson National Park Association as the new Voyageurs cooperating association.

A free family ice fishing clinic will be held in Voyageurs National Park on Sunday, February 21 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Everglades National Park Implements Manatee Protection Areas in Chokoloskee Bay

Saturday, February 20, 7:00 p.m. – "America's Wilderness: A Political Climate Change?"

Travelers with disabilities need to know more about an actual destination and accommodations before starting their trips.

Climbing routes on cliffs used by nesting peregrine falcons at Zion National Park will be temporarily closed on March 1, 2010.

Several small items representing the world’s first national park are currently orbiting the earth.

Wolf numbers in Yellowstone National Park declined for the second consecutive year.  The decline was expected and considered natural.

Mammoth Cave National Park will close at 2:00 p.m. today (Monday, February 15, 2010) because of snow accumulating from the present winter storm.

The National Park Service has released an Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Closure Plan and Environmental Assessment for projects to correct health and safety hazards associated with abandoned mines in four national park system sites in Arizona.

February 2010 photography exhibit at Coe Visitor Center features work of Jeff Ripple

New Evening programs for the whole family at Everglades National Park – Join Everglades "Nocturnal Encounters"

All snowmobile trails in the park will be open and in good condition this weekend. The Rainy Lake Ice Road is open from the Rainy Lake Visitor Center and now circumvents Dryweed Island on to the entrance of Diamond Island.

The National Park Service (NPS) is developing an Environmental Assessment (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to analyze potential changes to concession operations at Grand Canyon National Park.

Kathleen S. Morse, Forest Supervisor for the Lassen National Forest in northern California, has been selected as Chief of Planning for Yosemite National Park.  She will work for the Denver Service Center, Planning Division and be a member of the Yosemite Management team.

Superintendent Jock Whitworth has announced that a Zion National Park Centennial coin is onboard space shuttle Endeavor on its flight to the International Space Station.

Mammoth Cave National Park will be closed today (Wednesday, February 10, 2010) following yesterday’s winter storm that left the park covered in snow and ice.

Come to the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for a Family Movie Day on Sunday, February 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Superintendent Patrick Reed announced that most park facilities closed at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday because of conditions caused by a winter storm.  Turnhole Bend is closed, as well as Flint Ridge Road and Houchin Ferry Road.

The National Park Service (NPS) recently awarded the contract for construction of Phase II of the improvements called for in Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan to Fann Contracting, Inc. of Prescott, Arizona.