National Park News

Training for the Northern Great Plains Exotic Plant Management Team was held at Badlands National Park from May 17th through May 20th.

Glacier Bay vessel operators are asked to avoid harbor seals hauled out on floating ice. 

Visitors to Yosemite National Park over the Memorial Day holiday weekend should expect the park to be busy. People planning trips into the park are strongly encouraged to arrive before 10:00 a.m. or after 2:00 p.m. to avoid long waits at the entrance stations. Visitors may also choose to ride the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System ( www.yarts.com ), which picks up in multiple locations along Highway 140 from Merced and provides multiple drop-off locations throughout Yosemite Valley. Once visitors arrive in the park, they are urged to ride the free shuttle throughout Yosemite Valley, utilize the bike paths, or walk.

Glacier National Park is recruiting volunteers for the 2010 summer season to work and help in unique settings and programs that help park visitors and resources.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced new completion dates for several construction projects that are underway to improve park roads and facilities. Severe winter weather conditions and delays in awarding certain contracts have resulted in revised work schedules and opening dates for some of these projects.

The remains of two Montana men who died while ice climbing a frozen waterfall in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone were successfully recovered Tuesday afternoon.

Yosemite Institute, a campus of NatureBridge, is hosting a week-long summer program for local youth that combines physical challenges, team building activities, and adventures in Yosemite.

A late season attempt to ice climb a waterfall below the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone has resulted in the deaths of two Montana men.

Zion-Mt Carmel Highway Road Reconstruction begins June June 1,2010

A public meeting on theCoral Reef Restoration Plan takes place on Thursday, June 10 in Florida City.

A public meeting on theCoral Reef Restoration Plan takes place on Thursday, June 10 in Florida City.

North Cascades National Park is currently hosting two Artists-in-Residence — muralist Kathleen Durkin in Newhalem and sound artist Jay Needham in Stehekin — both of whom are offering free community programs this week.

Memorial Day weekend activities at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to showcase America’s fortitude and dreams

The Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 5-13, except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground.  The closure is to accommodate transportation service for visitors planning to spend the evening viewing the natural-occurring, synchronous firefly beetles at Elkmont.  

Zion National Park will be implementing a series of small, 3-20 acre prescribed burns this spring in Zion Canyon.

The Five South Florida National Parks Remain Open For Visitation

On Thursday, May 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific time view a live broadcast of biologists banding two bald eagle chicks on Santa Cruz Island. Watch as biologist’s band the bald eagle chicks, attach wing tags, radio and satellite transmitters, and conduct health checks. Join hundreds of eagle fans who will watch this event on the Channel Islands Live Bald Eagle Webcam at www.nps.gov/chis.

Mammoth Cave National Park staff continue to assess damages and make repairs where possible, following the May 1-2 flood. The canoe launch and picnic area are open at Dennison Ferry Day-Use Area. Joppa Ridge Road is open. All cave tours are operating on their normal schedule and traditional routes.

Yosemite National Park announces the release of the Badger Pass Ski Lodge Rehabilitation Environmental Assessment (EA) for public review. This rehabilitation project would repair and stabilize deteriorated structural and exterior elements to prevent further damage, and contribute to full rehabilitation of the ski lodge and associated support facilities. In January 2009, Yosemite National Park initiated public scoping and hosted two public meetings to solicit comments. Comments received from the public, tribes, and other agencies have contributed to the development and refinement of a range of alternatives presented in this EA. The EA describes the No Action and three action alternatives, analyzes the potential environmental impacts of each alternative, and includes mitigation measures to avoid or minimize impacts to sensitive resources.

California Highway Patrol Assists in Rescue

At approximately 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2010, the Yosemite Emergency Dispatch Center received a call regarding a climber that had fallen on a popular climbing route on El Capitan. The climber, a 48 year old male from France, fell approximately 65 feet and sustained head and chest injuries and a loss of consciousness. A second party on the climbing route was able to provide basic emergency medical assistance until Park Rangers arrived.

Denali National Park and Preserve To Honor Military by Waiving 2010 Memorial Day Weekend Entrance Fee  

Campgrounds, lodges and other facilities are opening for summer season.

You are invited to join in the conversation at the next Tapping into Science with Western Washington University professor Dr. Leo Bodensteiner and North Cascades National Park aquatic ecologist Ashley Rawhouser, who will discuss the natural history of aquatic ecosystems in North Cascades National Park.

Lassen Association will offer two digital photography workshops in Lassen Volcanic National Park with renowned photographer, Bob Grace.

Park trails opening, overlay project progressing,west entrance station reopens

The Wind Cave Prairie Walkers, a hiking group for anyone interested in discovering seldom seen areas of the park, will meet at the park visitor center at 9 a.m. on the last Monday of the month through August.

The Wind Cave Prairie Walkers, a hiking group for anyone interested in discovering seldom seen areas of the park, will meet at the park visitor center at 9 a.m. on the last Monday of the month through August.

A chip and seal project on U.S. Highway 385 and South Dakota Highway 87 in Wind Cave National Park is scheduled to begin in early June.

A chip and seal project on U.S. Highway 385 and South Dakota Highway 87 in Wind Cave National Park is scheduled to begin in early June.