Tag: national parks

Visiting a national park soon? You might need a reservation.

Plan your park trip.

Our fun outing to Mount Rainier National Park was derailed by a long line of cars waiting to gain entrance. Immediately, my husband and I were cranky. How do you escape into nature when surrounded by a gazillion fellow humans?

This has been a common frustration in recent years, and it intensified as the pandemic further popularized the great outdoors. Between 2001 and 2021, annual visitation to Arches National Park in Utah grew over 73%, from a little over a million to more than 1.8 million. Because of this overcrowding trend, some of the most popular national parks have adopted a timed entry system. While this puts the kibosh on spontaneity, the National Park Service hopes this reservation requirement will both protect natural resources and make for a less crowded visitor experience.

A forested mountain landscape at Mt. Rainier National Park.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Which parks have timed entry in 2024?

So far, about 10 parks have announced timed entry plans for 2024. Mount Rainier is implementing a reservation system for the first time ever. Arches, which started its pilot reservation program last year, will continue theirs.

Other parks requiring reservations for peak times of year include Glacier National Park in Montana; Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado; Yosemite in California; Zion in Utah; Shenandoah in Virginia; Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee; Acadia in Maine, Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico; and Hawaiʻi’s Haleakala, which will require sunrise vehicle permits year-round for visitors entering the park from 3 to 7 a.m. Muir Woods National Monument now requires visitors to get a parking permit in advance. Turn up without one, and you won’t be invited in to see the trees.

A log in a meadow of grass and flowers overlooking a mountain range in the sun.
Photo by NPS/Neal Lewis

What does timed entry mean for your park visit?

Planning. And more planning. If you’re visiting a national park this summer, go to the park website and check the current rules. They can be quite complex — and each park is different, depending on which parts are the most touristed. For example, Mount Rainier requires timed entry reservations for the Paradise Corridor between May 24 and September 2. But if you want to enter through the Sunrise Corridor, you only need a reservation between July 4 and September 2. Each park seems to have similar complicated rules involving dates, times, and locales. Suddenly, extra research is required when visiting a park.

Fortunately, Rainier is open 24/7, and if you enter before 7 a.m. or after 3 p.m., you don’t need a reservation. That’s ultimately what we did on our last Rainier trip. We waited for the line to decrease, then entered the park for the last few hours of daylight.

Sunset over Mount Rainier National Park.
Catching the last couple of hours before dark — without a reservation. / Photo by Teresa Bergen

And if you can go during a less-visited season, even better. During a February trip to the Grand Canyon, I whizzed right through the entrance from the gateway town of Tusayan, Arizona. But during spring break and summer, you might have to wait two hours! The moral of the story: go early, go late, go off-season, or plan ahead and score that reservation if you want to visit one of America’s most popular national parks.

7 adventures to go on at Pinnacles National Park

Find fun things to do.

Californians enjoy several incredible national parks located throughout the state. The region offers seemingly endless wonders to explore, from the deserts of Joshua Tree to the waterfalls of Yosemite. But these stunning destinations aren’t the stars of our show today. Instead, we’re focusing on some of the exhilarating adventures that await visitors at Pinnacles National Park.

Located under three hours from San Francisco, this 26,606-acre park is best known for its eye-catching rock formations forged by ancient volcanic eruptions. Guests on a quest to see the park’s best sights will want to make a beeline for spots like High Peaks or Bear Gulch Reservoir. But what about people looking for a more active way to enjoy the park? If you want to find fun park activities, look no further than this list of seven things to do at Pinnacles National Park.

Grand Teton mauling ends when grizzly bear activates bear spray

The 35-year-old victim had reached for his spray after encountering a grizzly bear cub, but momma bear was too quick.

Bear spray appears to have helped save the life of a man who was attacked by a grizzly bear Sunday in Grand Teton National Park, but not in the traditional sense.

The 35-year-old visitor from Massachusetts had encountered a grizzly bear cub, which ran off, causing the man to reach for his bear spray. But momma bear attacked before the man could activate the spray.

However, according to the Cowboy State Daily, the bear chomped on the man’s bear spray canister, causing it to burst in the bruin’s face. Momma bear and her cub subsequently ran off.

The man was released from the hospital Monday and is expected to fully recover.

The National Parks Guide  reports that because momma bear attacked while defending her cub, she will not be tracked and euthanized or relocated.

According to the Cowboy State Daily, this was the first reported grizzly bear mauling of the year in Wyoming. The incident occurred near the park’s Signal Mountain Summit Road.

–Grizzly bear image courtesy of National Park Service

The 5 best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park

Let’s explore.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is a stunning destination for nature-loving hikers. Stretching across 265,807 acres, this park features a fascinating array of environments, from towering mountains to enchanting forests. The region offers incredible views that will impress all kinds of hikers. Warm weather months treat guests to gorgeous meadows full of wildflowers, while winter invites adventurers to appreciate the park’s serene, snowy vistas. Even travelers who prefer to stay in their car will find beautiful sights along the park’s iconic Trail Ridge Road.

For visitors who are most excited about the park’s top trailside attractions, over 300 miles of hiking trails await. Discover five of the best hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park with our photo guide below.

Can you spot the Yellowstone bison and three grizzly bears?

Hiking guide Douglas Scott posed the question after capturing images of a grizzly bear family and a large bison in a single frame.

A guide who leads hiking excursions in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday shared a “quiz” image via X, asking:

“Can you find the lone bison and the three grizzly bears from this picture from Yellowstone National Park?”

It’s not a difficult quiz for those who blow up the image.  (Answer provided below.)

But Douglas Scott’s images from this encounter are interesting because they show a momma grizzly bear with yearling cubs in a seemingly peaceful coexistence with a nearby bison.

“The bison was pretty alert, but there were no issues, as bears rarely, if ever try to attack a full-grown bison,” Scott, who runs The Outdoor Society, told FTW Outdoors. “The cubs were definitely were curious about it, occasionally stopping their grazing and watching the bison.”

Grizzly bear family walks around bison. Photo: Douglas Scott

Scott tweeted a second image from the encounter, which shows the bear family walking around the bison, with the bison standing and alert.

“Do you see all three grizzlies?” Scott asked his followers. “The bison certainly did.”

Scott said the encounter occurred northeast of the Fountain Paint Pots boardwalk on May 10 at 5 p.m.

Grizzly bears (left) and bison at the edge of a meadow. Photo: Douglas Scott

May is an excellent month for viewing grizzly bears and bison in Yellowstone National Park, as both species are often in close viewing range with youngsters in tow.

What you should know about Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald Lodge

Tour the lodge.

So, you’re planning a trip to Glacier National Park. Stretching across 700 miles of northern Montana, Glacier National Park is a one-of-a-kind destination made for travelers who appreciate natural beauty. Active adventurers can hike along the park’s stunning Avalanche Lake Trail, and families can take a scenic driving tour on Going-to-the-Sun Road. But before you can enjoy these attractions, you’ll have to figure out where you’re staying.

What options are there when it comes to lodging at Glacier National Park? For visitors looking for a stay with phenomenal views and a fascinating history, few options rival the experience at Lake McDonald Lodge. Learn all about this curious spot in the photo gallery below.

Yellowstone tourists crowd grizzly bears in ‘what-not-to-do’ moment

Footage shows one photographer standing just yards from a momma bear with cubs in clear violation of the park guidelines.

A guide in Yellowstone National Park on Monday documented “a prime example of what not to do” as a grizzly bear family crossed a highway lined with tourists.

Andrea Baratte, who captured the accompanying footage, referred mostly to the photographer with the tripod, just yards from momma grizzly as she tried to lead her yearling cubs across the road.

“As much as visitors enjoy seeing grizzly bears in Yellowstone, this is a prime of example on what not to do,” Baratte, who guides for Yellowstone Adventure Tours, explained via Instagram. “This bear with her cubs has been feeding for the last 10 days on a drowned bison and the location is no secret, hence all the people.

“You need to keep at least 100 yards, otherwise stay in your car. The photographer in the street refused to leave the area even after letting him know multiple times in advance that she was going to cross the road. ”

Yellowstone guidelines mandate that tourists stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves. In cases where that might not be possible, visitors should exercise enough common sense to create a safe environment for themselves and the animals.

“It was an insane day,” Baratte told For The Win Outdoors.

Photographer in blatant violation of Yellowstone’s distance guidelines.

Viewers might note the photographer down the slope, far from any vehicles, at the beginning of the footage. Had the bears attempted to pass in his direction, the situation could have turned dicey.

What also stands out is the elderly person returning to the silver truck with the bears approaching. The person, who appears to be limping, turns to snap one last photo, but smartly abandons that plan in favor of accessing the vehicle.

Thankfully, momma bear did not perceive the crowd as a major threat and calmly led her cubs back into the wilderness.

A stress-free guide to camping at Olympic National Park

Unwind and enjoy yourself.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably already well aware of how gorgeous Washington’s beloved Olympic National Park is. This destination has a lot to offer, from magical views of the Hoh Rain Forest to outstanding wildlife spotting opportunities. For adventurous travelers who enjoy the Pacific Northwest’s vibrant greenery and dramatic shores, this park is one of the most alluring spots for a weekend getaway. Start sorting out your trip to the park with this simple guide to Olympic National Park camping spots. Below, you’ll find info on three of the park’s most popular campgrounds, plus three hidden gems that provide visitors with a more relaxed experience.

A blue tent set up in an Olympic National Park camping area.
Photo by Jason Pratt

Olympic National Park camping options

Currently, Olympic National Park’s camping page features 15 campgrounds. Don’t worry, we’re not going to just list all of them here. Instead, we’ll focus on some of the park’s best campsites and what they have to offer guests. While securing a spot at these campgrounds can get competitive (especially in the summer), the incredible sights you’ll see there make them worth the struggle.

Three of the park’s best camping spots are: Kalaloch Campground, Hoh Rain Forest Campground, and Sol Duc Hot Springs RV Park & Campground. While the Kalaloch and Hoh Rain Forest campsites are open year-round, Sol Duc Hot Springs is only open from March to November this year. All three are popular for their gorgeous scenery, and snagging a reservation can be tricky. If you can’t manage to book a spot when planning your trip, keep an eye on the reservation website as your travel dates approach. Last-minute cancellations could be your ticket to scoring one of these coveted campsites.

Greenery surrounding a sign at Hoh Rain Forest Campground in Olympic National Park.
Photo by NPS

Willing to branch out and try some different camping spots? Try South Beach Campground, Fairholme Campground, or Graves Creek Campground. This year, South Beach Campground is open from May to October and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Fairholme Campground is open from April to September, with reservations required from late May to September. Graves Creek Campground, within the Quinault Rain Forest, is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis.

Except for Graves Creek Campground, all of the above Olympic National Park camping spots feature RV camping sites. All campgrounds also welcome leashed pets.

A developed area overlooking a river at Hoh Rain Forest Campground in Olympic National Park.
Photo by NPS

Go trail running on this pristine path through Acadia National Park

Enjoy running with a side of scenery.

Maine’s Acadia National Park is full of stunning sights that will charm any nature-loving visitor. The park truly offers something for everyone. Birdwatchers can look for wildlife along Jesup Path, stargazers can watch the skies over Cadillac Mountain, and people who prefer driving to hiking can cruise along Ocean Drive.

But what about trail runners? What does this dazzling park have for outdoorsy folks who enjoy jogging through scenic landscapes? If you’re looking for a prime trail running spot at Acadia National Park, look no further than Jordan Pond Path. This running hotspot circles the tranquil waters of Jordan Pond, but waterfront views aren’t the only perks runners can look forward to seeing there. Take a peek at this trail’s best sights and learn more about the area in the photo guide below.

Can you spot the Yellowstone bobcat hiding in plain sight?

Trent Sizemore encountered the elusive wildcat while leading a photography tour last week in the park’s northern range.

Bobcat sightings are rare in Yellowstone National Park, in part because the stealthy felines are mostly nocturnal but also because they’re masters of camouflage.

How easily can you spot the bobcat in Trent Sizemore’s image?

Sizemore told FTW Outdoors that the extraordinary encounter occurred last Monday during a photography workshop he led in the park’s northern range.

Can you spot the bobcat? Photo: ©Trent Sizemore Photography

“We stopped at a pullout near Lamar Valley to have lunch, when one of my clients spotted something up on the rock, and it was the bobcat watching us,” Sizemore recalled.

“This was my first one in 10 years here. We spent several hours there, seeing the cat a few more times that day. Up against the rocks, the camouflage was impeccable.”

The same bobcat in full view. Photo: ©Anne Reinhard

The image showing the bobcat less camouflaged was captured by one of Sizemore’s workshop participants, Anne Reinhard.

“[She] was off photographing birds so she missed the first sighting we had,” Sizemore said. “She got this one a bit later in the day.”

Location of the bobcat. Photo: ©Trent Sizemore Photography

The Yellowstone website states that bobcats occupy habitat throughout the park but are “rarely seen.” Most reported sightings occurred in rocky terrain near rivers.

Bobcats are in the lynx family and can weigh up to 30 pounds. They prey largely on small mammals and birds, but have been known to stalk deer and pronghorns.

Yellowstone is currently plowing roads in preparation for the spring opener, scheduled to begin April 19.

However, the road connecting the North and Northeast entrances – about 55 miles, passing through Lamar Valley – is open year-round.