National Parks

Latest Stories

Environment

Rangers Just Recovered Hundreds of Poached "Green Gold" Roots in the Smokies. Here’s Why It’s a Big Deal.

A bust in Appalachia highlights how understaffed national parks are struggling to protect "green gold" from an escalating underground market.

Katie RiordanOctober 5, 2026

Opinion

Major League Baseball Wants to Play a Game in a National Park. We Have Thoughts.

Our features editor believes that a professional baseball game could be tweaked to reflect the staff cuts, budget woes, and overcrowding that national parks have endured amid two years of disastrous policy changes

Frederick DreierSeptember 28, 20262

National Parks

Why Peak Fall Colors Are Becoming Harder to Predict

Warming temperatures and changing precipitation patterns are disrupting traditional leaf-peeping timelines. Here is how shifting climate conditions affect autumn foliage across top national parks.

Lauren LiebhaberSeptember 22, 2026

National Parks

Fall Colors Are About to Pop Off. Here’s When They Peak in 12 National Parks.

Mark your calendars, pick your favorite park, and get ready to leaf peep.

Katie Joy BlanksmaSeptember 22, 2026

Environment

Tourists Dropped 26,000 Items into Yellowstone Geysers This Year. Here Are the Weirdest Ones.

Crews at Yellowstone National Park recovered over 20,000 pieces of trash, 5,600 rocks, and hundreds of hats from the park’s hydrothermal features in 2026—a 50 percent jump from last year.

Suzie DundasSeptember 14, 20262

Exploration & Survival

Kayakers Find Human Skull Near Popular Ohio National Park Service Picnic Area

Investigators estimate the remains found near the Village of Peninsula had been in the Cuyahoga River for at least two to five years. Here is what forensic experts and rangers know so far.

Madison DapcevichSeptember 4, 2026

Environment

Patagonia Is Suing Donald Trump over Bears Ears—Again

The outdoor retail giant Patagonia has rejoined tribal nations and conservation groups to fight the administration’s attempt to strip protections from nearly three million acres of public land.

Suzie DundasSeptember 3, 2026

Books & Media

How to Act Like a Crime-Solving National Park Ranger, with Tracy Spiridakos

The star of a new TV adaptation of the beloved 'Anna Pigeon' novels talks tree climbing, horseback riding, and eagles as costars

September 2, 2026

Books & Media

Why You Should Take Your Grandma Camping, with Brad Ryan

One half of the 'Grandma Joy and Me' viral duo on healing family trauma through adventure

August 26, 2026

National Parks

Starlink Is Changing the Night Sky. How Much Longer Will We Be Able to Stargaze?

Park rangers and astronomers warn that stunning dark skies over America's national parks could be changed forever.

Megan EavesAugust 26, 2026

National Parks

The Perfect National Park for Every Type of Travel Personality

Whether you’re an introvert who hates crowds, the family minivan pilot, or a thrill-seeker, our national parks columnist has the perfect park for you.

Graham AverillAugust 26, 2026

National Parks

Not Ready for Summer to End? Here Are 6 National Park Water Adventures to Take Now.

From mellow rafting to swimming holes to backcountry lakes, these national parks offer a refreshing cool-down before autumn arrives.

Graham AverillAugust 23, 2026

National Parks

It's National Park Week. Celebrate with Us.

From towering redwoods to sweeping desert canyons, here is your ultimate guide to finding wonder in America's Best Idea.

August 22, 2026

National Parks

I Used to Think National Parks Were Too Soft for Real Outdoors People. I Was Wrong.

Getting deep into the backcountry is great, but there is profound value in sharing iconic views with the rest of the world.

Mikaela RulandAugust 22, 20261

Environment

A Watchdog Group Says Yosemite Is Using Flock Cameras

DeFlock claims that Yosemite National Park has installed the controversial surveillance technology. The NPS says the cameras are part of a system to monitor congestion and parking.

Kristy HamiltonAugust 17, 20262

Environment

Bulldozers Just Arrived in Big Bend. Locals Fear a Border Wall Could Cut Off Public Lands.

Photos show that heavy machinery has broken ground along the Rio Grande inside Big Bend National Park. Local outfitters fear a loss of public river access and devastating effects to the outdoor recreation economy.

Kristy HamiltonAugust 11, 20262

Environment

We Now Know What the Trump Admin Did with 51 Removed Signs and Exhibits

According to court documents, officials threw away signs, placards, films, and brochures describing topics like women’s rights, slavery, and Indigenous massacres.

Kristy HamiltonAugust 7, 2026

Environment

After the National Park Service Removed Historic Signs, One Former Ranger Is Fighting to Keep Their Stories Alive

Signs about slavery, climate change, and other historical topics continue to quietly disappear from national parks. Former park guide Melissa Dalley quit over the removals, and now she travels the country handing out the missing texts.

Kristy HamiltonAugust 6, 20265

Environment

Did a Guy in a Bison Suit Really Scare Tourists in Yellowstone? We Asked the NPS.

A trending social media story claims that a 34-year-old man dressed in a homemade bison costume chased tourists in Yellowstone while shouting, “Now you know how it feels!” But is there any truth to the claim? We asked the National Park Service.

Madison DapcevichJuly 28, 20262

National Parks

America Just Got Its First National Park City. We Went to Check It Out.

This Southern adventure hub's blend of adventure, culture, and outdoor access helped earn it recognition as North America’s first National Park City. Here’s what it is actually like to hike and paddle through the area.

Mary Beth SkylisJuly 22, 2026

National Parks

Latest Stories

Rangers Just Recovered Hundreds of Poached "Green Gold" Roots in the Smokies. Here’s Why It’s a Big Deal.

Major League Baseball Wants to Play a Game in a National Park. We Have Thoughts.

Why Peak Fall Colors Are Becoming Harder to Predict

Fall Colors Are About to Pop Off. Here’s When They Peak in 12 National Parks.

Tourists Dropped 26,000 Items into Yellowstone Geysers This Year. Here Are the Weirdest Ones.

Kayakers Find Human Skull Near Popular Ohio National Park Service Picnic Area

Patagonia Is Suing Donald Trump over Bears Ears—Again

How to Act Like a Crime-Solving National Park Ranger, with Tracy Spiridakos

Why You Should Take Your Grandma Camping, with Brad Ryan

Starlink Is Changing the Night Sky. How Much Longer Will We Be Able to Stargaze?

The Perfect National Park for Every Type of Travel Personality

Not Ready for Summer to End? Here Are 6 National Park Water Adventures to Take Now.

It's National Park Week. Celebrate with Us.

I Used to Think National Parks Were Too Soft for Real Outdoors People. I Was Wrong.

A Watchdog Group Says Yosemite Is Using Flock Cameras

Bulldozers Just Arrived in Big Bend. Locals Fear a Border Wall Could Cut Off Public Lands.

We Now Know What the Trump Admin Did with 51 Removed Signs and Exhibits

After the National Park Service Removed Historic Signs, One Former Ranger Is Fighting to Keep Their Stories Alive

Did a Guy in a Bison Suit Really Scare Tourists in Yellowstone? We Asked the NPS.

America Just Got Its First National Park City. We Went to Check It Out.

Join Outside+