Buckeyes recipe inspired by: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio Essentially a slightly fancier and more regional version of classic peanut butter cups, buckeyes are a type of candy that make for fun, little, sweet dessert bites. This is a particularly popular candy in Ohio, nicknamed the “Buckeye State”, which is why this recipe was inspired…
This news story about the retirement of Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest National Park Service ranger, is based on a March 31, 2022, NPS press release. You can read the original release here. Thursday, March 31, 2022, was the last day in the extraordinary career of Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest active ranger in the…
Featured Outdoor Diversity Organization: Indigenous Environmental Network During the month of April, we are highlighting the work of Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) in our community effort to showcase organizations who are working towards social justice and more inclusive public lands. We invite you to learn more about this incredible organization and to join us in…
One of the most iconic mountains in the Pacific Northwest, Washington’s Mount St. Helens is famous for its 1980 eruption, which is still the most devastating and deadliest volcanic eruption in the history of the United States. Nowadays, however, it’s a fantastic place to witness the resilience of nature up close. More than 200 miles…
Spiced pumpkin waffles recipe inspired by: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee (alternatively: Shenandoah National Park or New River Gorge National Park) Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, well-stocked farm stands and harvest festivals abound in the Great Smoky Mountains in fall. This historic region has a long and rich agricultural history, going back…
This news story about President Biden’s $3.6 billion National Park Service budget proposal for 2023 is based on a March 28, 2022, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here. On Monday, March 28, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration submitted the President’s Budget for fiscal year 2023 to Congress. In this budget…
New England cod chowder recipe inspired by: Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts (alternatively: Acadia National Park) In addition to Boston cream pie, Maine lobster rolls, johnnycakes, fried clams and red flannel hash, fish chowder is one of the most quintessentially “New England” dishes. There’s no better pairing of dish and park than this Cape Cod…
The fact that American bison aren’t extinct in the United States is largely thanks to Yellowstone National Park. These extraordinary animals, a very symbol of American wilderness, came perilously close to extermination in the 19th century, but were able to find a safe haven in national parks like Yellowstone. Particularly the Lamar Buffalo Ranch, established…
French-Acadian ployes pancakes recipe inspired by: Acadia National Park, Maine (alternatively: Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument) Deeply rooted in the lifestyle and diet of the French-Acadian refugees who settled in northern Maine and eastern Canada in the 18th century, ployes (which rhymes with “boys”) are a traditional food in the far northeast of North…
This news story about the nomination of Hopewell Culture National Historical Park as the next UNESCO World Heritage Site in America is based on a March 24, 2022, National Park Service press release. You can read the original release here. On Thursday, March 24, 2022, the National Park Service (NPS) announced the nomination of the…
Baked zucchini balls recipe inspired by: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio This fun appetizer is inspired by the historic agricultural practices in Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley, from Native American crop cultivation thousands of years ago to modern-day farming and gardening. Native Americans started growing crops like corn, beans and squash—collectively known as the “three sisters”—as well…
Wild Western spaghetti recipe inspired by: Death Valley National Park, California (alternatively: Joshua Tree National Park, Saguaro National Park or Canyonlands National Park) This isn’t a Spaghetti Western—it’s a Western spaghetti! Bacon, beef, beans, whiskey and beer team up with sundried tomatoes, hot sauce and smoked paprika to create a killer of a Wild Western…
Wild rice pancakes recipe with blueberries and maple syrup inspired by: Isle Royale National Park, Michigan (alternatively: Voyageurs National Park or Cuyahoga Valley National Park) Also known as Chippewa, the Ojibwe people of the Lake Superior region were one of only a few Native American Tribes that actively harvested wild rice. In addition to the…
The perfect blueness, stillness, clarity and magnificence of Crater Lake must be seen to be believed. And luckily, there are many overlooks and summits that offer scenic views in Crater Lake National Park! For the best views of Crater Lake, Oregon‘s most famous lake, you can drive the famous Rim Drive, stopping at overlooks as…