Tag: national parks

A runner’s guide to West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park

Race through the park.

The amazing recreational opportunities in West Virginia’s New River Gorge are no secret. This destination was recognized as a national river in 1978 and has long been beloved by rafters. But since becoming America’s newest national park in 2020, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has grown even more popular.

What does this place in rural West Virginia have to offer? There are over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the rugged New River. You can hike, bike along an old railroad grade, raft, and rock climb. All the while, you’ll be marveling at the longest, deepest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains. The park includes a variety of habitats that shelter rare and endangered animals. The Virginia big-eared bat, the Indiana bat, and the Allegheny woodrat all make their homes here. Rich human history is also evident, with rail and mining artifacts.

A river cutting through a gorge at West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Running at New River Gorge

Want to go for a run through New River Gorge? The New River Gorge Regional Development Authority’s Active Southern West Virginia initiative is here to encourage you. Brandon Mehlinger, an avid runner and running spokesperson for Active Southern West Virginia, wants to inspire people to get active outside.

“Two of the best trails in the New River Gorge National Park for trail running are Long Point Trail and Kaymoor Miners Trail,” Mehlinger said. “Long Point trail is a 3 mile out and back that leads you out to a stunning view of the river and the bridge. Kaymoor Miners trail takes you down through the remnants of an old coal mine area. It’s a unique trail that offers a challenging 821 step staircase at the bottom of the trail and can branch off in different ways on the way back up depending on how far you’re looking to run.”

Two runners on a paved trail at West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park.
Photo courtesy of Active Southern West Virginia

If you like to plan your travel around race events, New River Gorge offers two big days: the six-mile New River Gorge Rim to Rim Race in May and the Bridge Day 5K in October. Both involve the stunning and much-photographed New River Gorge Bridge. Runners pass under the bridge during the Rim to Rim. 

“The Bridge Day 5K allows runners the only opportunity of the year to run on the Bridge,” Mehlinger said. “Runners get to see the park and all its glory from above and really get to visualize the scale of it all. Both races give runners unparalleled views of the park – one from below, and the other from above.”

Runners crossing over a bridge at West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park during a race.
Photo by Jay Young, courtesy of Active Southern West Virginia

Can’t make a race day? Drop in for one of Active Southern West Virginia’s weekly running groups in Fayetteville or Beckley to explore trails inside the New River Gorge National Park.

Originally from Connecticut, Mehlinger came to West Virginia in 2022 as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Part of his role was expanding the Kids Run Club program to more rural elementary schools. Now, he’s the program coordinator of Active Southern West Virginia and a big advocate of both community and running.

A group of runners in West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park.
Photo courtesy of Active Southern West Virginia

“The New River Gorge National Park holds a unique allure for running enthusiasts, and it’s not just about the breathtaking scenery, although that’s certainly a major part of it,” he said. “What truly makes this place special for running is the heart and soul of the community that surrounds it. West Virginians are a close-knit group of individuals that take immense pride in their outdoors. The trails in the park follow century-old paths, revealing the history of timber and coal industries.”

Mehlinger urges people to get out on the trails to hike, mountain bike, or run. “It’s the people, the shared love for running, and the sense of community that make every stride in this park truly special.”

Pink flowers in the brush at West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park.
Photo by Teresa Bergen

Yellowstone wolves visit Old Faithful in surreal webcam footage

Members of the Wapiti wolf pack were observed strolling across the boardwalk system that winds around Old Faithful and other thermal features.

Yellowstone National Park fans who tuned into the Old Faithful webcam  Thursday morning were thrilled to see wolves strolling across the iconic thermal region.

“What a view this morning!” Yellowstone Forever exclaimed via X. “The webcam captured some incredible footage of the park’s Wapiti wolf pack making its way through the Upper Geyser Basin.”

The webcam footage – rare footage, indeed – shows several wolves on and near the basin’s sprawling boardwalk system. (See footage below.)

A 10-minute version produced by the National Park Service (posted below) shows more extensive exploration by the wolves near Old Faithful and other geysers as steam floats across the wintry landscape.

At times, the wolves are traveling on boardwalks that are crowded with tourists in spring and summer. One wolf is shown near a geyser’s vent, as if savoring its warmth.

A screen shot from the webcam footage was posted on the Yellowstone Insiders Hub Facebook page by Joe Nagel, who exclaimed: “Wolves right now on the Old Faithful webcam!”

One follower joked: “Get. On. The. Boardwalk,” in reference to a park regulation that applies only to human visitors.

Another remarked, “Well, that probably cleared the elk and bison out of the geyser basin.”

Old Faithful is in the southwest portion of the 2.2-million-acre park, which is situated in Wyoming and small portions of Montana and Idaho.

Although wolf sightings can occur anywhere inside the park, the most likely spotting destinations are across the vast northern range.

–Footage courtesy of the National Park Service

Your Yosemite National Park questions, answered

Get the info you need.

California is a state that enjoys a bounty of natural wonders. In fact, it has the most national parks of any state in America. The state’s nine national parks include Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood, and last but not least, Yosemite.

Yosemite National Park is the third oldest national park, after Yellowstone and Sequoia. Established as a national park in 1872, Yosemite also became a World Heritage Site in 1984. The site protects roughly 750,000 acres of meadows, valleys, mountains, and more. These stunning landscapes help make Yosemite one of the country’s most visited national parks. Before you visit, get to know the area with these answers to some of the most commonly asked Yosemite National Park questions. Plus, find resources to help you plan your trip.

A mountain range overlooking a lake.
Photo by DJM Photos

Where is Yosemite National Park?

Let’s start with the basics. Where is Yosemite National Park? As the park website explains, since Yosemite “covers nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada of California” there is no “single address” for the destination. When visiting the park, old-school maps and park-provided directions will be most helpful.

Visitors coming from San Francisco can expect the drive into Yosemite to take around four hours. If you’re coming from Reno, the drive will take between four and six hours. For help planning your trip, check out Yosemite’s driving directions hub for more detailed information. This resource even includes tips for driving between sites within the park.

Snow by a river with a rocky canyon in the background and the moon overhead.
Photo by Anita Ritenour

What to do in Yosemite?

Curious tourists will find endless things to do in Yosemite National Park. Sightseers can explore a variety of gorgeous overlooks and marvel at the majesty of El Capitan or the serenity of the Merced River. Hikers will feel on top of the world during a Half Dome Hike and can enjoy fall color on Valley Loop Trail. Rock climbers can also find fun adventures at Yosemite. Try a crack climb at Merced River Canyon, go alpine climbing at Cathedral Peak, or do a trad climb up El Capitan. This guide will point you toward even more climbing options at Yosemite.

That’s not all Yosemite has to offer, though. Scenic drives, wildlife viewing, biking, fishing, stargazing, and more make the park paradise for active travelers. Yosemite also ranks as one of the top 10 most accessible national parks, so everyone can join in on the fun.

A gray mountain.
Photo by docentjoyce

What to see in Yosemite National Park?

Now that you know some of the activities available at Yosemite, let’s dive into the incredible things you’ll see when you visit. With 1,200 square miles of wild beauty, Yosemite National Park has a lot of sights to see. Here are a few of the park’s most iconic landmarks to look out for:

  1. El Capitan
  2. Half Dome
  3. Bridalveil Fall
  4. Glacier Point
  5. Mariposa Grove
  6. Merced River
  7. Tunnel View
  8. Tuolumne Meadows
  9. Yosemite Falls
  10.  Cathedral Peak

If you’re near Yosemite during February, you’ll also want to try catching a glimpse of firefall at Horsetail Fall. Here’s a glimpse of the magic you’ll be able to see there.

Water flowing off Horsetail Fall glows orange while backlit from the setting sun.
Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

What it’s like to explore The Narrows at Zion National Park

Discover The Narrows.

Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful places in America. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the United States. As of 2022, the park ranked fourth on a list of the country’s most visited national parks.

So, what makes Zion National Park stand out against other beloved destinations, like the Great Smoky Mountains or the Grand Canyon? Well, while the park’s breathtaking sandstone rock formations certainly earn it a lot of love, hikers will tell you that their favorite parts of Zion are the magnificent trails. At spots like Angels Landing, hikers can challenge themselves to tackle a complicated trail and earn mind-blowing views for their efforts. Then, you have trails like the ones that pass through The Narrows of Zion Canyon. These treks present their own challenges and sights that make them irresistible to hikers. Here’s what you should know before visiting The Narrows at Zion National Park.

Have a sensational and scenic run in these 9 national parks

Explore the wilderness.

National parks are special places set aside to protect natural and historical resources. They’re also some of the U.S.’s most beautiful areas. Since President Ulysses S. Grant designated Yellowstone as the first national park in 1872, the number of national parks has risen to 63. But the National Park Service oversees a total of 428 national park units. This number includes categories like national historic sites, national seashores, national monuments, and national scenic trails. Many of these are ideal places for runners to enjoy diverse landscapes in places with little or no auto traffic. Here are a few of the best national parks for runners.

Elephant seal’s parking effort called out by NPS

“When you pull into a spot, aim straight for the middle. Pulling too far forward into a spot could result in taking up two spots unnecessarily.”

A National Park Service employee recently captured an image showing a northern elephant seal resting in a parking lot at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Anyone who is fanatical about perfect placement between the lines will note that the seal could have been more considerate by inching a few feet to its left.

The NPS cleverly made light of the situation via Instagram:

“Ex-seal-lent parking job. Well, almost.

“A little on the line there, bud. When you pull into a spot, aim straight for the middle. Pulling too far forward into a spot could result in taking up two spots unnecessarily. Skirting the line can also impact your neighbor being able to open their door or how hard they will “accidentally” bump your car. Awkward.”

More seriously, the NPS continued: “Always a best parking lot practice: drive slow, stay alert, make eye contact with pedestrians (or seals) to acknowledge their presence, not in a creepy way, and expect the unexpected at all times (like seals).”

Northern elephant seals are a popular attraction at Point Reyes National Seashore, especially during the winter with so many animals hauled out for the birthing and mating season.

–Image courtesy of NPS/K. Hernandez

This year, celebrate Christmas at these 3 national parks

Spend Christmas at a national park.

For many people, Christmas conjures up images of home, family, and traditions like gathering in front of a cozy fireplace hung with stockings. However, lots of folks don’t have a big family they want to spend time with or a house with a fireplace. Instead of feeling like you’re missing out on a perfect holiday, you can start a new tradition this holiday season. Consider spending time in one of America’s beautiful national parks. Stunning parks across the United States invite visitors to go for a hike, enjoy fresh air, and appreciate scenic beauty. This winter, stay at one of these three properties offering festive activities near national parks.

A hotel lodge sitting room with a Christmas tree and presents by a fireplace.
Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon. / Photo courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection

Celebrate the National Park Service with these fabulous gifts

Find great park-themed presents.

In 1872, the United States became the first country to create a national park: Yellowstone. Over the next four decades, various government entities oversaw the country’s parks, monuments, and reserves, including the Departments of Agriculture, War, and the Interior. Then, in 1916, the National Park Service was born. It’s grown to be America’s favorite public agency. Now, the National Park System has 423 sites, 63 of which are full-fledged parks. The rest fall into categories like national monuments, seashores, trails, recreation areas, and historic sites.

Do you have a park lover on your holiday shopping list? These gift ideas will keep fond memories of hikes and views top of mind year-round.

8 wild animals and plants you can discover at Saguaro National Park

Meet snakes, cacti, and more.

Desert landscapes are more diverse and vibrant than you may think. These unique ecosystems are more than just hot weather and scorpions in the sand. Few places prove this point better than Tucson, Arizona’s Saguaro National Park.

At first glance, this park may seem like your average desert. Dust, rocks, and cacti cover the land. But the longer you look, the more you’ll see. Flowers bloom from the cactus plants. Tortoises snack on prickly pears. Saguaro National Park is alive with a world of fascinating plants and animals. Get to know a few of these species in this photo guide to the park’s wildlife.

Live the RV life at these 10 gorgeous camping destinations

Hop in for an RV adventure.

How do you balance road-tripping with the comforts of home? More and more Americans are doing so with RVs. Approximately 20 million will go RVing this holiday season, a 30% increase over 2022, according to the RV Industry Association Holiday Travel Intentions Survey. Not only will you feel more at home, but so will your pets. About 60% of RVers will bring their pets on holiday this season. Fido will thank you for not leaving him behind in a kennel.

Don’t have your own RV? No problem. With RV rental platform RVezy, you can book an array of experiences. Get some travel inspiration with this list of 10 rentals you can book at beautiful and outdoorsy RV camping destinations across the country.