National Park News

Due to the deterioration of the snowpack, Denali National Park and Preserve Superintendent Paul Anderson has determined that there is no longer adequate snow cover for the use of snowmobiles for traditional activities in the 1980 additions to Denali National Park and Preserve on both sides of the Alaska Range.

Effective immediately, the Windy Creek Trail, Cantwell Airstrip Trail, Pyramid Trail, Cantwell Creek Floodplain Trail/Corridor, and the Bull River Floodplain Trail/Route are closed for 45 days by regulation (36 CFR 13.903 and 13.460) to the use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) by authorized subsistence users in order to protect vegetation and soils from damage.

As a result of the unique assemblage of sensitive species found at Glacier National Park’s Logan Pass, the Montana Native Plant Society recently designated the Logan Pass area as the first Important Plant Area (IPA) in the state of Montana.

JoshuaTreeNP: Swing by HiddenValley for a caffeine boost before hitting the crag.Sat&Sun 8-10am.Get beta-find a partner.Free coffee-tough to beat that-br

JoshuaTreeNP: Free Climbing Movie! Cliffhanger. Popcorn and swag. 5/1@7pm -Sportsman’s Club. Sponsored by Friends of Josh. http://ht.ly/1Fhfd -br

On Saturday, May 15 the general public is invited to attend the Glacier National Park Associates (GNPA) annual “Volunteer Day” at the West Glacier Community Building in Glacier National Park.

JoshuaTreeNP: Trail Restoration Volunteers.Come out to see the wildflowers-work with climbers and park staff to make JTNP better. http://ht.ly/1FgZn -br

Weekend road access impacted by weather conditions.

Late season snows have descended on Yellowstone, and will make travel somewhat difficult in some areas of the park for the next few days. Park visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, including temporary road closures and delays. 

Heavy snowfall from a strong spring storm has closed roads in Yellowstone National Park to travel. The roads will be closed through the night, and will be evaluated by park staff on Thursday morning.

The Cimarron area road beyond the campground and ranger station will be closed Monday, May 3 through Saturday, May 8 to begin the restoration process on Engine 278 and its attached cars.

Zion National Park received a report on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at approximately 4:20 p.m. that a woman fell from Scout Lookout. 

The two men whose bodies were located in Zion National Park on Monday, April 26, 2010 have been identified.

Native flowers will be in the spotlight during Shenandoah National Park’s 24th annual Wildflower Weekend, May 8 and 9, 2010. Visitors will have a chance to meet woodland beauties such as wild geranium, trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, and many others on a variety of naturalist-led hikes.

Hundreds of scientists, naturalists, community leaders, schoolchildren, and volunteers to participate in 24-hour race to discover and record species living in Biscayne National Park.

North Cascades National Park is recruiting for six youth age 16-18 for this summer’s Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) in Marblemount, Washington from June 21 through August 13. The program is non-residential; therefore, enrollees are responsible for their own housing and daily transportation to and from Marblemount. Work hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and the pay rate is $8.55 per hour. Transportation will be provided from Marblemount to work sites each day, which could include campgrounds, roads and trails.

You are invited to join in the conversation at the next Tapping into Science with Dr. Jesse Kennedy, Chief of Cultural Resources at North Cascades National Park, who will profile pioneer life as captured in the writings of Lucinda Davis.

The Arizona Department of Transportation will open Highway 67 to the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park on Saturday, May 15 by 7:00 a.m.

The Lyceum schedule runs through May. Financial support for the lyceum series is provided by the park’s nonprofit partner, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association. Programs are free and open to the public. They are held at 7 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center auditorium in Rocky Mountain National Park.

The body of a second man was found at approximately 1:40 p.m. on Monday April 26, 2010.

International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) is an annual event to celebrate and support migratory bird conservation. Like clockwork, each spring many migratory birds return to or fly over environments like Yellowstone National Park en route to their breeding areas. Yellowstone and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center staff will celebrate IMBD on Saturday, May 8, with programs and a field trip that are open to the public. 

The National Park Service (NPS) is soliciting public comment on an environmental assessment/assessment of effect (EA/AEF) that analyzes the effects of maintaining the natural gas pipeline in Arches National Park.

Public comments due by Friday, May 7

The body of a male was found in the North Fork of the Virgin River near the Gateway to the Zion Narrows at approximately 9 a.m. on Monday, April 26, 2010.

Just as children need good nutrition and adequate sleep, research is showing that they may also need contact with nature for optimal health. Many parents may wonder why is it so hard to get them to go outside. At Glacier National Park, many staff members are dedicated to help reconnect children with the great outdoors.

Press advisory information for the Biscayne BioBlitz starting on Friday, April 30, at 11:30 a.m.

Press advisory information for the Biscayne BioBlitz starting on Friday, April 30, at 11:30 a.m.

Mesa Verde National Park joins with its partner, the nonprofit Mesa Verde Institute to provide visitors with new opportunities and experiences in the park this season.

Mesa Verde National Park joins with its partner, the nonprofit Mesa Verde Institute to provide visitors with new opportunities and experiences in the park this season.

Special Programs Offered and Entrance Fees waived at both parks April 17 – 25

Officials at Glacier National Park report more roads are opening this week, allowing greater access for visitors during the second weekend of National Park Week.