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Our Nationals Parks are the crown jewels of America. We break down the best parks for different activities and how to be prepared for your next visit.

Moose sitting in a field in an open clearing during the day

Why you need to be just as wary of moose as bear attacks (and what to do when you encounter one)

Moose aren't normally dangerous, but you really don't want to get on their bad side. Here's what to do when one is approaching quickly.
The South Rim of the Grand Canyon (Arizona)

Grand Canyon closures expected to last into 2025 – what to know before you go hiking or camping

Pisgah National Forest yellow flowers with pine trees.

Forget overcrowded national parks – these are the best hiking trails in national forests

Wild bushfires burning in Tasmania, Australia.

Time to wake up: Climate change gave us our hottest summer ever and the Earth is in meltdown, U.N. says

A picture showing the beautiful landscape and clear skies of Death Valley

You can mountain bike into Death Valley and watch the next solar eclipse on October 14

Apple Maps update press release photo

Apple just gave hikers, campers, skiers, and snowboarders a great reason to use Apple Maps and ditch Google Maps

Closeup of large black bison starting at camera from a grassy field.

In Yellowstone National Park, one woman was sent running after yet another too-close encounter with a bison

View from Angels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah

U.S. national parks have a plan to go carbon neutral — here’s what that means for visitors

Man walking with hiking poles

Podcasts every outdoors enthusiast will enjoy: The Crux, Dirtbag Diaries, and more

Skier heading downhill at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, with the sun and aerial tram in the background.

Jackson Hole Mountain Resort owners sell to local families, keeping resort hyper-local indefinitely

An angler holding a rainbow trout above a fishing net.

Yellowstone river mountain whitefish should not be eaten, but rainbow trout are fine, authorities say: Here’s why

BLACK BEARS LOOKING FOR FOOD AND FEEDING

To avoid a bear attack, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed a road

Night Sky Over Idaho's Craters of the Moon

Where will the next U.S. national park be?

The 64th and newest National Park will be here soon. Here are the candidates and what the naming process is like.
best national parks to visit in spring summer warm weather great sand dunes park and preserve colorado getty images

These are the best national parks to visit when the weather warms up

With the arrival of spring (and summer just around the corner), now is the time to explore the best U.S. National Parks.

Take a break at one of these U.S. National Parks this winter

Winter provides the most beautiful, peaceful, and picturesque landscapes at some of the most popular U.S. National Parks.
lesser known us national parks humpback whale breaches the water  park of american samoa 2015 gallery

5 Little-Known National Parks That Are Cooler Than Their Overcrowded Brethren

More obscure national parks are just as majestic, but receive a fraction of the crowds. Try these little-known U.S. national parks in the Great Outdoors.
Best National Parks Header Image - Hidden Lake, Glacier National Park

The 20 Best U.S. National Parks to Explore Now

Soaring mountains, dune-covered deserts, glacial lakes, primeval forests, and red-rock canyons set the stage for special adventures in splendid national parks.
A majestic view of Zion National Park Angels Landing in Utah.

The 6 Best Day Hikes in U.S. National Parks

Hiking season is here and the trail awaits. Take in amazing natural experiences and stunning landscapes that only require day hikes through U.S. national parks.
A rustic wood barn sits beneath a panorama of the Grand Teton Mountains in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Jackson Hole Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Eat, and More

A gateway to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, Jackson Hole is an incredible Western destination. This guide will suggest where to stay, what to eat, and more.
A Wyoming landscape, mountain lake and rocks leading up to jagged mountains with the sun setting behind them.

Wyoming Travel Guide: Where to Stay, What to Eat, and More

A guide and reasons to visit the Cowboy State in the spring and summer — Yellowstone, breweries, rodeos, outdoors in Jackson Hole, etc.
The annual Firefall event at Horsetail Fall in California's Yosemite National Park.

Witness the Bizarre Natural Beauty of the Yosemite Firefall

Even frequent visitors to California's Yosemite National Park have likely never witnessed its spectacular Firefall event.
Zion National Park.

Zion National Park Forever Project Opens East Zion Bike Trail

A Part of the East Zion Initiative, the first 10 miles of Zion National Park officially opens the East Zion Bike Trail for public use.
A spectacular view of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in fall.

5 Best Hikes for Fall to Enjoy the Burst of Autumn Colors

Pack your gear and embark on these spectacular hikes for fall, so you can stay cozy and admire the breathtaking autumn display without the crowds.
Service rangers at a national park.

U.S. National Parks Are Being Overrun. This Is How Rangers Are Facing It

Park rangers are facing many challenges in U.S. national parks in response to the massive influx of visitors the parks are receiving. Plan ahead and be patient.
best national forests in america featured image

The 10 Breathtaking National Forests in America Worth Visiting

America's National Forest System stretches over 193 million acres. Here’s a shortlist of some of the country’s most breathtaking national forests.
national park camping

Top National Park Camping Destinations in the United States

Of the 59 total United States National Parks, here are the best national park camping spots, ranging from the coast to the desert, to get away from urban life.
hiking the knife edge trail

What It’s Like Hiking the Knife Edge Trail to the Highest Peak in Maine

One hard ascent to Mount Katahdin's peak is through the 1.1-mile corridor known as the Knife Edge Trail. How long would it take to reach the summit? Find out.
person standing under night sky

The 5 Best Evening Outdoor Destinations You Need To Visit Now

Extend your vacation days with an outdoor adventure at night. These ultimate destinations offer incredible adventure activities after dark.
acadia national park guide an adventurers to getting around

An Adventurer’s Guide to Getting Around Acadia National Park 

Whether you're swimming in Echo Lake or visiting island attractions, Acadia National Park is always ripe for adventure!
best national park lodges us usa  oregon crater lake lodge

The Best National Park Lodges for High-End Style and Rugged Mountain Charm

If you’re itching to explore one of our country’s amazing national parks, a weekend at one of these retreats would definitely be the perfect spot for you.
Truck Camping in Mammoth Lakes, California

The Best National Parks for RV Camping in 2022

With more than 400 'units' in the U.S. National Park Service system, where do you go next? These are the best National Parks for RV camping in 2022.
When to Book Your National Park Campsite for Summer 2021

When to Book Your National Park Campsite for 2022

Campgrounds and hiking trails around the U.S. are about to get very busy. Now is the time to start booking your National Park campsite for this year.
Silhouette Against the Night Sky

See the Night Sky Like Never Before at New Mexico’s International Dark-Sky Park

New Mexico's Valles Caldera National Preserve is a nature lover's dream. On a clear, dark night, visitors are afforded stunning views of our galaxy.
fire lookout rentals

8 Breathtaking Fire Lookouts You’ll Want to Rent Right Now

Fire lookout towers were first used to spot wildfires. Now, these unique off-grid destinations can be booked as bucket-list-worthy rentals.
glacier national park

The Best National Parks to Visit Virtually From the Comfort (and Safety) of Your Home

Don’t grab your hiking boots or daypack, but rather, travel over to Google Earth and explore the most scenic landscapes America has to offer.
Old Saloon Montana

A Love Letter to the Old Saloon, Emigrant, Montana’s Most Famous Bar

While most western-themed bars overdo it or don't do enough, the Old Saloon in Emigrant, Montana does the perfect amount.
Zion National Park river

Visit Any U.S. National Park for Free in 2021 on These 5 Days

The U.S. government gets a lot wrong, but one thing it nailed more than a century ago was the founding of the National Park Service. Most NPS sites are already quite affordable. On select dates this year, however, visitors can experience every NPS site completely free of charge.
White Sands National Monument

White Sands National Monument Is the Newest U.S. National Park

From unexpected day closures to budget cuts, these are trying times for the U.S. National Park Service. There was some good news last year, however, with the official designation of two new national parks. The most recent addition, announced just last month, was White Sands National Monument.
best nature books book

10 Best Nature Books to Connect You to the Wilderness

In our urbanized lives, nature writing fills a much-needed void, letting us experience cathartic wonder, educating us on our human history, and inspiring us with a healthy respect, not to mention a sense of responsibility, for our natural environment.
utahs luxurious camp sarika retreat is at the heart of 5 national parks 2

Utah’s Luxurious Camp Sarika Retreat Is at the Heart of 5 National Parks

Few life experiences are as beautiful, humbling, calming, eerie, and awe-inspiring as standing in the middle of a desert. One renowned U.S. resort is looking to capture that feeling -- plus a healthy dose of high-end luxury amenities to boot -- with an exclusive, all-new desert camp.
hawaii national parks guide tourist hiking in haleakala volcano crater on the sliding sands trail  beautiful view of floor an

What to Know About Hawaii’s National Parks

When visiting Hawaii, it's a must to check out one of the two national parks located on the islands. With volcanoes and spectacular views, they give you a true look at just how beautiful Hawaii can be.
visit south dakota cc10 25 16rushmore  1

12 Reasons South Dakota Deserves Your Attention

Ever thought about a trip to The Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota? If you haven't, it might be high time you do. Here are 12 of the best things to do in the state that you can plan a trip around.
Mikah Meyer flag

On the Road with Mikah Meyer, the First Person to Visit Every National Park Site in One Trip

What does it take to visit every National Park in the country? For Mikah Meyer, it took three years and thousands of miles.
hammock camping

Book a Last-Minute Summer Camping Trip Just About Anywhere With Pitchup

For summer campers, finding a last-minute campsite can seem almost impossible. With Pitchup, campers can shop cheap, peak season sites near some of the most iconic national parks in the U.S.
grand canyon night sky

Grand Canyon Celebrates 100th Anniversary with New International Dark Sky Park Distinction

As one of the most popular national parks in the United States, Grand Canyon National Park hardly needs any new accolades. However, the iconic park was just awarded official Dark Sky Park status, cementing it as one of the world's best destinations for stargazing.
great sand dunes national park dark sky

Colorado Is Now Home to the Newest International Dark Sky Park

Light pollution makes it harder now than ever to see the night sky as our ancestors did. Thankfully, the International Dark-Sky Association is working to combat the problem. This month, Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park became the latest to receive an official Dark Sky Park designation.
south-kaibab-trail-grand-canyon-national-park-2

Put All 419 U.S. National Parks in Your Pocket with the Chimani App

If you’re planning a National Park escape -- whether for hiking, kayaking, or stargazing -- you want to be prepared. The Chimani app puts every U.S. National Park site in your pocket or, more specifically, on your smartphone.
parks project x jungmaven support our national yosemite tee 2

Support Our National Parks By Stunting a Parks Project X Jungmaven Hemp Tee

You can help support different National Parks-focused charities and conservancies by purchasing one of three hemp T-shirts from the Parks Project X Jungmaven debut collaboration.
google earth national parks tour yosemite national park

Effortlessly Explore 31 U.S. National Parks from Home with Google Earth

National Parks Week is a time to celebrate the natural wonders and history within the United States. However, if we’re stuck working, we can’t just drop everything and jet around the country — but with Google Earth, you can.
Pints for Parks Cuyahoga Valley

Support National Parks this Summer By Drinking Breckenridge Brewery Pints

Drinking for a good cause is always a good thing. Introducing the Pints for Parks program: Colorado's Breckenridge Brewery is giving proceeds of every beer sold across the country this summer to U.S. National Parks.

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