With its length of 10 miles and depth of nearly 500 feet, Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It’s also one of the most popular places in the park. The center of tourist activity on the park’s West Side, busy Apgar Village sits on the south shore of Lake McDonald. This is…
Situated in the Black Hills of South Dakota, an area of invaluable cultural significance to the Lakota people, Wind Cave National Park preserves sprawling prairie landscapes, the historical home of plains animals like prairie dogs, rattlesnakes, pronghorn, and bison. The park also encompasses one of the longest and most complex caves on Earth—Wind Cave was…
Driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTTSR) in Glacier National Park is easily one of the greatest national park experiences in the United States. This high-elevation mountain road cuts through the heart of the park, passing by numerous trailheads and epic viewpoints, attracting thousands of visitors every day in summer. In this post, I’ll focus on what…
This news story about recent wildlife incidents in Yellowstone National Park is based on a June 1, 2023, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here. According to a new statement by Yellowstone National Park, the summer season in the park has barely begun and there have been several wildlife incidents…
Situated on the shimmering shores of Florida Bay, Flamingo is the southernmost of the four main tourist areas in Everglades National Park. It’s located near the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. Flamingo sits at the end of the popular Main Park Road, which runs from the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center all the way…
More than 500 miles of hiking trails zigzag and crisscross their way over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park. From easy strolls to strenuous mountain ascents, the variety in day hikes in Shenandoah National Park allows pretty much every visitor to experience the great outdoors.
More often than not in America’s national parks, your dog is only allowed in campgrounds, on and near paved roads, and/or in some accommodations. Only in developed areas, in other words. Some parks, however, also welcome dogs on hiking trails. Here are the most dog-friendly national parks of them all.
In southwestern South Dakota, a huge collection of multicolored rock formations sits within sprawling prairie, providing a home to one of America’s largest federal bison herds. Although its name implies otherwise, “there is nothing bad about Badlands National Park,” the National Park Service says. “In fact, it should be called ‘goodlands.’ For it is a…
This news story about the intentional disturbing of a bison calf by a man in Yellowstone is based on a May 23, 2023, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here. Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers are asking the public for information about an incident that occurred on the evening…
During the spring calving and fall mating seasons, elk can be particularly dangerous. This post offers useful information about how to stay safe while observing and recreating near elk. Following these elk safety tips will ensure that your elk viewing experience is a safe and successful one.
This news story about grizzly bear 399 and her cub of the year, and other bears in Grand Teton, is based on a May 18, 2023, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here. As spring progresses and wildlife becomes increasingly active, Grand Teton National Park management asks visitors to be…
The centerpiece and crown jewel of Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful is by far the most visited single attraction in the park. Innumerable other hydrothermal features dot the Upper Geyser Basin too, from fumaroles to hot springs, many of which are visible from trails and boardwalks. Old Faithful, however, is the star of the show,…
A park renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, expansive views, waterfalls, and wildflowers, Mount Rainier National Park attracts day visitors, campers, and backpackers alike. Many people come to enjoy the park’s incredible mountain scenery, whether while auto touring, cycling, or hiking. One of the biggest drawcards of Mount Rainier is its magnificent panoramic views, which can…
the various day hikes in Acadia National Park bring outdoor enthusiasts to remote surf-pounded beaches, to the bare summits of coastal mountains or deep into the forests that cover part of Mount Desert Island.