National Park News

In honor of the historic event of Arizona’s centennial, Grand Canyon National Park will offer fee-free entry on Tuesday, February 14.

The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two research fellowships that are available to individuals wishing to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve and national parks in Alaska. The deadline for applications is February 15, 2012, and a decision is expected to be made within the following two weeks. The fieldwork of fellowship program recipients must be arranged before September 1, 2012.

The National Park Service (NPS) continues working on a long-term plan to guide winter use in Yellowstone National Park.

Grand Canyon National Park’s Trail Crew will soon begin repairs to the bridge across Bright Angel Creek on the Ribbon Falls spur trail in the Inner Canyon.

After a nearly four-year hiatus, Waterways has returned with two brand new episodes highlighting invasive exotic species and education programs promoting responsible recreation.

Discover outdoor fun and film with free entry during the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend.

Acadia National Park and the Mount Desert Fire Department conducted fire training together.

Yosemite National Park announces that the Big Oak Flat Road (the continuation of Highway 120) within the park will reopen tomorrow morning, January 28, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. The park’s Roads and Trails Crew worked throughout the week to clear the road of debris and rocks after a large rockfall occurred late last Sunday evening, January 22, 2012. Two lanes have been reestablished on the road and it will be open to unrestricted traffic tomorrow morning.

Yosemite National Park announces the signing of The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI records the decision of the National Park Service to adopt a long-term plan for the rehabilitation of The Ahwahnee (described as Alternative 3 in environmental assessment released for public review in July 2011). Yosemite National Park announces the signing of The Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The FONSI records the decision of the National Park Service to adopt a long-term plan for the rehabilitation of The Ahwahnee.

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park in conjunction with the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association are announcing a new opportunity to experience the Smokies.

According to a recently-released National Park Service (NPS) study, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is not only the nation’s most visited national park, it also tops the 397 national park units in visitor spending.

A proposal to return some cabin units in the Old Faithful area back to visitor use has been released for public review and comment.

Grand Canyon National Park’s Division of Science and Resource Management will once again be presenting monthly community lectures in Flagstaff, Arizona in collaboration with the Grand Canyon Association and Northern Arizona University’s Cline Library.

The past weekend brought up to a foot of snowfall in the area creating excellent riding conditions on the park’s snowmobile trails.

Batman, Catwoman and Spiderman ain’t got nuthin’ on the superpowers of some of Biscayne’s animals!

A break between storms provided a weather window for significant ground and air operations in the search for two missing parties on Mount Rainier.

Yosemite National Park announces the availability of the Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan Draft Environmental Assessment for public review. Public comments on the plan will be accepted from today, Tuesday, January 24, 2012 through Thursday, March 15, 2012. The Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan was developed to address crowded conditions, visitor experience, and safety on the Half Dome Trail and encompasses the two mile section from the John Muir Trail to the summit of Half Dome.

On February 7, 2012, Grand Canyon Railway, in consultation with the National Park Service (NPS), will be applying herbicide along their railroad tracks including those within Grand Canyon National Park.

The National Park Service and the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) are seeking applicants for two accomplished scientists to conduct research in Denali National Park and Preserve. Each Researcher-in-Residence will spend a month or more in the park, conducting self-directed fieldwork and sharing their expertise with park staff and visitors.

Kenai Fjords National Park Monthly Weather Summary

Countryside Conservancy and the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) are offering a series of free webinars designed for specialty crop growers. Registration is Now Open for January and March 2012 Sessions

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) is seeking qualified teachers who would like to work as a park ranger this summer in the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher (TRT) program.

The Southeastern Utah Group of the National Park Service is currently accepting applications for the 2012 Community Artist in the Park.

The Southeastern Utah Group of the National Park Service is currently accepting applications for the 2012 Community Artist in the Parks Program.

Due to a large rockfall that occurred at approximately 11:30 last evening, the Big Oak Flat Road (the continuation of Highway 120) is closed in Yosemite National Park. The road is closed between the Foresta Junction on Highway 120 (Big Oak Flat Rd.) and the Highway 120/140 (El Portal Road) Junction.

Yosemite Valley remains accessible via Highway 140 (El Portal Road) coming from Merced/ Mariposa and via Highway 41(Wawona Rd.) coming from Fresno/ Oakhurst. The Tioga Road remains closed. Foresta Road, between Foresta and El Portal, is not accessible.

Yosemite National Park remains open.

With a winter storm currently in the park, chain restrictions are in place on some park roads . For 24 hour road and weather information, please call (209)372-0200.

The Big Oak Flat Road will remain closed indefinitely.

The search for two overdue parties continues on Mount Rainier on Sunday, January 22. No sign of the missing parties has been detected to date.

This morning teams searched areas of the Paradise Glacier, Alta Vista, Upper Stevens Canyon and Muir Snowfield and detected no sign of the overdue parties. Extreme weather continues to limit search operations.

Searchers remain on standby to return to the search upon first signs of improved weather.

Current snowfall within the park is bringing excellent riding conditions on the trails.