Infos querbeet zu NPs, NMs, SPs, etc.

20 Amazing Images of US National Parks from Space

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On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park became the nation’s first national park (and perhaps the world).
Today, the National Park Service manages 418 separate units covering more than 84 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. In addition to 60 more national parks, they include 88 national monuments, 77 historical sites, and 11 national battlefields.
Click through the slideshow below for a look at some of the country’s amazing national parks — from above.

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US-Nationalparks verzeichnen Besucherrekorde

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Die bekannten US-Nationalparks freuen sich über mehr Touristen als jemals zuvor, die Gesamtzahl aller Besucher geht jedoch zurück.
Zahlreiche bekannte Nationalparks in den USA haben im Jahr 2018 neue Besucherrekorde verzeichnet. So viele Touristen wie nie zuvor kamen unter anderem in die Nationalparks Arches und Bryce Canyon im Bundesstaat Utah, nach Death Valley und Joshua Tree in Kalifornien sowie nach Grand Teton in Wyoming. Das teilte der US-Nationalpark-Service (NPS) in Washington parallel zum Start der Reisemesse ITB in Berlin (noch bis 10. März) mit. Auf der ITB 2019 ist die hohe Belastung einzelner Reiseziele, die oft mit dem Schlagwort Overtourism beschrieben wird, ein viel diskutiertes Thema.
Die Gesamtzahl aller gezählten Nationalpark-Besucher in den USA ging im vergangenen Jahr zwar um 3,8 Prozent zurück und erreichte 318,2 Millionen. Sie war jedoch die dritthöchste bisher gemessene, und zum vierten Jahr in Folge wurde nach NPS-Angaben die 300-Millionen-Marke überschritten. Insgesamt werden 418 Stätten vom NPS verwaltet, neben den 61 Nationalparks auch zahlreiche Monumente und historische Orte. 385 dieser Stätten zählen ihre Besucher. Nach Angaben des NPS wurden in den Parks zudem 13,95 Millionen Gästeübernachtungen registriert.
Der meistbesuchte vom NPS verwaltete Ort war im Jahr 2018 die Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco mit gut 15,2 Millionen Gästen, gefolgt vom Blue Ridge Parkway (knapp 14,7 Millionen) und dem Great Smokey Mountain Nationalpark in Tennessee und North Carolina (11,4 Millionen). Der Grand Canyon Nationalpark in Arizona, der mit vielen Aktivitäten in diesem Jahr sein 100-jähriges Bestehen feiert, kam 2018 auf die neue Rekordzahl von fast 6,4 Millionen Besuchern.

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This is when cherry blossoms are expected to hit peak bloom in Washington, D.C.

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People flock from all over to see the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., come springtime. But when will the photogenic trees hit peak bloom in 2019?
This year, peak bloom is predicted for April 3 to 6, according to Jeffrey Reinbold, acting superintendent of the National Park Service -National Mall and Memorial Parks.
The dates were revealed at a news conference hosted by the National Cherry Blossom Festival, an event that's been around for more than 90 years, and will run from March 20 to April 14 this year.
This prediction, however, is only as good as the weather forecast, Mike Litterst of NPS told USA TODAY. He explained that some years the forecast has been spot-on (like in 2015), but that last year, for example, they had to revise the date twice (peak bloom in 2018 fell on April 5). The average dates for peak bloom are April 3 to 4.
How does NPS reach such predictions? Litterst explains: "Our horticulturists look at three main factors: They're looking at the historic record (what's happened in years past as far as temperature trends and bloom dates); we're looking at obviously the forecast short and long-term as we go forward; and looking at the trees themselves."
It was easy to get excited for spring during the festival's presentation: The event featured everything from a drummer on a hoverboard (Malik Stewart) to a woman in a pink wig on stilts. Gwynne Flanagan, a circus performer, sported a cherry-blossom-adorned pink umbrella, tutu and pants. People couldn't help but take pictures and selfies with her.
National Cherry Blossom Festival events will include everything from a parade on April 13 to the Blossom Bash at The Anthem music venue on April 5 featuring pop star Meghan Trainor. Other highlights include the annual Sakura Matsuri Japanese Street Festival and a special "Yappy Hour" at Milk Bar. More than 1.5 million people visit the festival every year, Diana Mayhew, president of National Cherry Blossom Festival told USA TODAY.
Mayhew also made a pitch for the cherry tree endowment campaign from the Trust for the National Mall and the National Cherry Blossom Festival, noting a $1,000 donation can fund a tree (there are 3,800 on the National Mall). Mayhew estimates hundreds of thousands of people have gotten married or engaged under the trees, and she welcomed those people to celebrate their anniversaries with an endowment.

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‘Super bloom’ covers US desert in vivid gold and purple flowers after weeks of heavy winter rains
Phenomenon usually only appears once in a decade but latest bloom is second in two years

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A “super bloom” of wildflowers that can be seen from mountaintops thousands of feet above has appeared across California‘s Anza-Borrego desert after weeks of heavy rain.
The state park to the east of San Diego is covered in swathes of the purple, yellow and orange flowers including Bigelow’s monkey flower, evening primrose and desert lilies.
The phenomenon usually occurs only once in a decade in California, but this year’s bloom is the state’s second in two years.
The 2017 super bloom was the best seen in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in 20 years and drew mass crowds.
This year’s bloom followed heavy rains and warm temperatures since October that caused seeds dormant for decades under the desert floor to flower.
Jim Dice, reserve manager of the Anza-Borrego Desert Research Centre, said: ”It’s a painting of colours at the moment out there in many of the areas.”
He said that six times the amount of rain fell in the desert over the winter compared to last year.
It is believed that if caterpillars and freezing temperatures stay away, the wave of wildflowers could intensify and spread into other areas for months to come.
A research associate at the Desert Research centre hiked up to the top of Coyote Mountain where he took a photo of the flowers that could still be seen 3,000 feet below.
Visitors to the desert have been taking advantage of the natural phenomenon to take floral-themed selfies.
Bright orange poppies are also covering the sides of Southern California motorways.
Betsy Knaak, the executive director of the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, which tracks the blooms said: “There’s just an abundance in where it’s blooming and it’s coming in waves.”
Stephen Rawding drove out from Carlsbad, north of San Diego, to take photos in the desert after a friend told him it was better than the super bloom in 2017.
“It’s unreal,” he said. “It’s just like they said – so beautiful.”

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President Trump signs bill that makes 2 SC historic sites national parks

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Two South Carolina historic sites became national parks on Tuesday after President Trump signed a Congressional lands bill into law.
The new law establishes Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park in the Charleston area and the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort. Both had been designated as national monuments and were already managed by the National Park Service.
The U.S. Senate overwhelming passed the bill — which includes other National Park Service designations, protects more than a million acres of wilderness and reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund — on Feb. 12. The bill then passed the U.S. House of Representatives handily late last month before it went to the president.
Dawn Davis, a spokesperson for the park service, said the primary difference the name change will bring to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie is the potential to reach more visitors.
“It can change how the public perceives the park and give it better recognition,” she said.
The new name can be especially helpful for Fort Moultrie, she said. Though the Sullivan’s Island fort was part of Fort Sumter National Monument, it wasn’t included in the overarching name.
Fort Moultrie is one of the oldest forts on the U.S. coast, and Fort Sumter, which is located on a small island in Charleston Harbor, was where the first shots of the Civil War rang out in 1861.
The recognition that comes with being known as a national park could also help officials when they’re trying to secure funding for projects, said Paula Ogden-Muse, the head interpreter for Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie.
For example, they hope to restore the Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, which is included in the national park as part of the historic Sullivan’s Island Life Saving Station.
In Beaufort, the new law will also establish a network of historic sites. The national park in Beaufort will serve as a hub for a Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which would connect other sites around the country that are important to the period of U.S. history following the Civil War.
“It’s going to allow us to link all these stories related to Reconstruction,” Davis said. “This story is way bigger than one park.”
The new legislation makes it easier for the park to possibly expand, too, Davis said, though it doesn’t automatically change its boundaries.
At the statewide Governor’s Conference on Tourism and Travel hosted last month in Columbia, U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-SC, praised the park developments in Beaufort. He described its potential for tourism growth in the state as “unlike any since golf.”
Duane Parrish, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, had echoed Clyburn, saying that Reconstruction “could be to Beaufort what civil rights is to Selma.

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Grand Teton National Park

Proactive Road Preservation Scheduled in Park this Year

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A large pavement preservation project is planned in Grand Teton National Park this summer in an effort to proactively protect and preserve asphalt road surfaces throughout the park The work will take place on U.S. Highway 89 and in other highly visited locations and include some temporary delays and closures. Work is anticipated to begin in early May and completed in September, but it is dependent upon weather conditions. The project will be funded and managed in partnership with the Federal Lands Highway Program.

The initial work will include patching holes and sealing cracks in the pavement surface. A contractor will then apply a chip seal or micro seal on the road surface, followed by a fog seal to reduce airborne gravel. Striping will be the final action.

Chip sealing is a cost-effective way to provide an improved road surface and preserve the underlying pavement. When proactive preventative maintenance activities are completed on park roads, more serious and costly damage to the pavement structure will be averted.

Road work will generally occur between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, including weekends. No work will be permitted Saturday through Monday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 25-27, or over the Independence Day Holiday, Wednesday afternoon through Sunday, July 3-7.

The chip sealing work is a rolling construction operation that will gradually proceed from south to north on U.S. Highway 89. Visitors can expect temporary delays and reduced speed limits in these mobile construction zones. Work at parking lots will be managed by sections so that a portion of the lot will always be accessible.

Weather permitting, work will occur at the following locations and dates listed:

U.S. Highway 89

South Boundary to Antelope Flats
Begin early May and complete by July
Maximum 15-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Maximum 30-minute delays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Antelope Flats to East Boundary near Moran
Completed by mid-July
Maximum 15-minute delays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Maximum 30-minute delays from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Gros Ventre Road (Kelly Road)
Completed by mid-July
Maximum 15-minute delays

Colter Bay Entrance Road
Completed by mid-July
Maximum 15-minute delays

Colter Bay Visitor Center Parking
Completed by mid-July
Work will be completed in six phases to allow for visitor parking and access.

Leeks Marina Access Road
Prior to June 15 or after September 15, or completed at night 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Maximum 15-minute delays during daytime hours
Work on the Leeks Marina Access Road and the Colter Bay Entrance Road will not be performed concurrently.

South Jenny Lake Access Road and Parking
Completed by July
Work will be completed in four phases to allow for visitor parking and access.

Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center Parking
Completed by July
Work will be completed in two phases to allow for visitor parking and access.

Additional road preservation work may happen this summer if funding is available. Updated road status and conditions will be available by calling the park road information line at 307-739-3682 and on the park’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

In addition to the pavement preservation work, the final phase of emergency repairs related to the June 2017 washout of the Gros Ventre Road will occur late this summer. Work is expected to begin in late July and continue into November. The work will focus on realigning the road to restore the original 45 m.p.h. speed limit and replacing the concrete barriers with a guardrail. Additional stream bank armoring will occur upstream and downstream from the work that was completed in the fall of 2017.

Traffic delays associated with this repair project will be limited to 15 minutes. Daily work will occur between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Delays will be encountered both during the day and at night depending on the phase of the project.

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Access Horseshoe Bend via city shuttle

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The iconic Horseshoe Bend is a busy place. Improvements at Horseshoe Bend Overlook are currently underway, including a new accessible trail, shade structures, and a larger parking lot. A new viewing platform at the rim opened Summer 2018.
The City of Page requires Horseshoe Bend visitors to park in a temporary parking lot and travel by shuttle to the Horseshoe Bend trailhead. The parking shuttle will continue for the duration of construction of the new facilities at Horseshoe Bend Trailhead. The temporary parking lot for the Horseshoe Bend Trailhead shuttle is located 2.5 miles northeast of Horseshoe Bend, on the north side of Route 98, just east of Route 89A.

Shuttle Schedule : January 30th to April 15th 2019
First Shuttle Departs Temporary Parking Lot 10:00am , Last Shuttle Departs Horseshoe Bend Trailhead 5:00pm
Shuttles will depart Shuttle Parking Lot approximately every 15 minutes.
Fees and policy:
$5/guest, roundtrip shuttle from Temporary Shuttle Parking Lot to Horseshoe Bend Trailhead and back.
Guests can buy shuttle tickets online or pay cash on site.
Children under 2, who do not require their own seat, are free.
Strollers and collapsible wheelchairs can be placed in the luggage storage area of the shuttle.
No glass containers on the shuttle. No food or drink on the shuttle, besides water. No smoking on the shuttle.

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Quiz: Name that National Park
Think you know your National Parks? Name the park in the 20 photos to find out.

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Our friends at National Park Trips Media put together this 20-question quiz with stunning photos of different locations. Maybe you've never been to any of these sites or maybe you've been to all of them.

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Schwer ist es nicht - ich hatte 19 von 20 richtig.

5 Breathtaking Places to View Wildflowers This Spring

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This winter has been one for the books. With record-breaking temperatures, rainfall, and snowfall across the continental United States, the country has been holding its breath with the promise of spring and warmer weather around the corner. And just like winter, this spring will be one worth talking about.
As temperatures continue to rise and the country defrosts, wildflowers will begin dotting the landscape, offering spectacular displays of color. While wildflowers are a common springtime occurrence in much of the country, this year the flowers can be found in warmer, drier regions as well, due to the high amounts of rainfall.
California, in particular, has been receiving special attention for its “super bloom” in the deserts, an event that typically occurs once a decade. But just because it is rare doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best.
Here, we’ve rounded up five of the best places to view wildflowers this spring, so you can decide for yourself which is your favorite.

Crested Butte, Colorado

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Anza Borrego Desert State Park, California

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee

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The Oldest Tourist Attraction in Every State

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From fortresses to national parks to geological wonders—American history is packed into each U.S. state’s roster of tourist attractions.

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Here are 5 amazing national park live webcams to brighten your day
National Park Week is coming up and that means it's time to rediscover nature — from the comfort of your laptop, of course

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The Internet of Things can help with a lot of practical tasks — creating a smart home, powering automatic cars and even provide better experiences with video games. But did you also know that they can transfer all the magic of the National Parks right to your laptop?
The first day of National Park Week is coming up — on April 20 to be exact — and you can visit any National Park that day without entrance fees. However, if you don't live right next to a park — or you simply don't have the means to trek yourself across the continental U.S. — the NPS utilizes live webcams to bring nature right to you. Here are five of the best live streams that keep us feeling tranquilized and content.

Channel Islands
By far the best in my opinion, California's Channel Islands' live ocean webcam allows you to view a whole new world — vibrant magenta kelp forests flow through the water as a thousand different species swim in and out of frame. The webcam is located on the Anacapa Island landing cove, just off the coast of Ventura County, and switches cameras every few minutes. The Channel Island also has two live webcams trained on two bald eagle nests at Santa Cruz Island, plus some California brush. A recent check-in netted two mature bald eagles at Sauces Canyon, and an adult with three chicks at Fraser Point. These two webcams were created when the first chick hatched in 2006 without human aid — the first in 50 years. Warning: You're going to lose considerable time on this site.

Yosemite Falls, Yosemite
If you're more landscape oriented, you can take a look at the Yosemite Falls webcam — the huge waterfall is one of the tallest in North America, dropping to about 2,425 feet. There's not much action, but it's just so serene to watch and a way to slip into Yosemite National Park without a trek to this California wonder.

Old Faithful, Yellowstone
Old Faithful has nine webcams in total — eight static cameras and one live streaming. The static cameras give you photographs throughout the day but the live stream continuously keeps going. The website also gives predictions on when the geyser will erupt so you're not just sitting around watching a small billow of steam.

Arches National Park, Utah
This webcam is a live view, delivering a still image every 60 seconds of Arches National Park. It's positioned at the entrance to the park, pointed towards the junction with Highway 191, near Moab, Utah. No geysers or bald eagles here — just a wide open view of land with snow-capped Mt. Waas in the distance.

Katmai Bear Cam, Alaska
Are you a bear lover? Well, the Katmai Bear cams — six of them to be exact — are your go to on our list. My personal favorite is the Brooks Falls cam where you can watch bears go fishing for their daily meals in Katmai National Park, Alaska. If bears are hibernating, you may catch a highlights reel. But if you're lucky, you might even catch a mama bear teaching her cubs some survival lessons. You can also gaze at live footage of the Nahnek River in Alaska, where you can occasionally catch salmon swimming up stream and maybe a whale.
These webcams can help you get an idea of what you might see if you trek to one of these majestic sites this summer, or on National Park Day. They're certainly worth bookmarking if your summer plans don't include any big travel this year — or you just need a moment to breathe at work.

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The 15 Best Places to Camp in National Parks

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This summer, check out the most spectacular spots to sleep under the stars in America’s most beautiful outdoor spaces.

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Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Seawall, Acadia National Park, Maine

Wonder Lake, Denali National Park, Alaska

Deep Creek, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Bright Angel, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Lower Pines, Yosemite National Park, California

Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Many Glacier, Glacier National Park, Montana

Any campsite, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Pinon Flats, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Devils Garden, Arches National Park, Utah

Namankanipaio, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii

Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, Texas

Colonial Creek South Loop, North Cascades National Park, Washington

Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

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Auf dem Bright Angel Campground habe ich schon mal genächtigt.

Klimawandel Washingtons Kirschblüten sind bedroht

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Im April kommen jedes Jahr Hunderttausende Touristen nach Washington, um die Kirschblüte zu bewundern. Doch der steigende Meeresspiegel und kaputte Deiche setzen die Bäume regelmäßig unter Wasser. Der Bestand ist bedroht.

Zartrosa Blüten, soweit das Auge reicht. Entlang des Wasserreservoirs am Jefferson Memorial reiht sich ein blütenübersäter Kirschbaum an den nächsten. Es sind Tausende. Noch viel mehr Besucher bevölkern bei herrlichstem Frühlingswetter die National Mall, um die Blütenpracht zu bestaunen und sich gegenseitig im Blütenmeer zu fotografieren.
Wenn man hoch in die Bäume schaue, könne man sich in den Blüten verlieren, schwärmt Marianne aus Virginia. Mit Kind und Kegel, Fahrrädern und Picknickdecken fallen Bewunderer aus der ganzen Welt in den Kirschblütenwald ein. Wo früher Rasen wuchs, ist heute nur noch staubige Erde.

Ausgetrampelte Pfade rund um die Kirschbäume
"Wir haben mehrere Millionen Besucher jeden Tag, die an diesen wunderschönen Ort kommen. Deutlich zu erkennen ist das an den ausgetrampelten Pfaden rund um die Kirschbäume. Dieser Ort kann die Millionen Besucher nicht mehr verkraften", sagt Sean Kenneally vom National Park Service. Die meisten der hellrosaroten Bäume sind über 100 Jahre alt. 1912 schenkte der Bürgermeister Tokios der Stadt Washington 3000 Kirschbäume zum Zeichen der japanisch-amerikanischen Freundschaft.
Zusätzliche Belastung für die Bäume ist die Flut, die über die Ufer des Potomac River tritt und das Wurzelwerk der Bäume regelmäßig überschwemmt und freilegt. "Dann kommt es zu Überflutungen wie hier. Der Uferweg ist unbenutzbar und steht unter Wasser. Zweimal am Tag passiert das", weiß Teresa Durkin von der Organisation "Trust for the National Mall". Parkranger Sean Kenneally fügt hinzu: "An vielen Stellen fallen die Bäume buchstäblich ins Wasser. Hier sieht man die exponierten Wurzeln, und dort drüben kann keiner laufen. Verantwortlich für die Überflutungen sind die Deiche, die sich im Laufe der Jahre abgesenkt haben."

Kaputte Bäume müssen ausgetauscht werden
Das Tidal Basin, so heißt das Wasserreservoir am Jefferson Memorial, sei an einem kritischen Punkt angekommen. Immer öfter müssten kaputte Bäume ausgetauscht werden, heißt es beim National Park Service.
"Nun, 125 Jahre später, beginnt diese vom Menschen geschaffene Anlage auseinander zu fallen. Auch durch die Auswirkungen der Stadt und der steigenden Wasserpegel - viele Faktoren tragen zu dem Verfall bei", sagt Durkin. Die Deiche müssten erneuert und die Spazierwege erweitert werden, um die kostbaren Bäume zu schützen, fordert sie. Rund 500 Millionen US-Dollar würde eine solche Sanierung kosten. "Wir müssen jetzt handeln - nicht erst in hundert Jahren. Wir wollen ja, dass es diesen Ort auch in hundert Jahren noch gibt", mahnt sie.

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11 surprising things you never knew about US forests

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It can be easy to take greenery for granted, but trees provide a range of benefits, from improving air quality to lowering air temperature. In the US, the National Forest System helps protect nearly 200 million acres of public forests and grasslands.
Here are 11 things you never knew about US forests.

Yellowstone was the first national forest and the first national park in the US.

One of the newest national forests, Finger Lakes, was established in 1985.

The Forest Service manages nearly 200 million acres of land across the US.

There are 154 national forests in the US and Puerto Rico.

Kansas and North Dakota are home to national grasslands but no national forests.

El Yunque in Puerto Rico is the only tropical rainforest in the National Forest System.

The largest US national forest is Tongass in Alaska.

One of the smallest forests is Tuskegee in Alabama.

There are more than 7 million acres of wetlands in the US National Forest System.

National forests provide 66 million people in the US their municipal water supply.

The state with the most national forests is California.

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The Washington Monument Won’t Reopen Until August

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Hoping to take family and friends to the top of the Washington Monument this summer? Tell them to push off their visit until the end of the season.
The National Park Service announced Monday that the National Mall landmark will not reopen to visitors until August. The monument has been closed since August 2016 to construct a new visitor screening facility and modernize the elevator. It was originally scheduled to reopen this spring.

According to the Park Service, completion of the new security building has been delayed after “possibly contaminated soil” was found in the construction area. The Park Service believes the soil was introduced in the 1880s when the monument was being completed. It poses no public health risk. The Park Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the details of the contaminating materials and how and why they will be mitigated.
When the new screening center is complete, it will replace a temporary structure constructed after the terrorist attacks on Sept 11, 2001. The new glass-and-steel facility was paid for by the Park Service’s annual budget.
The monument’s new elevatorwilltakevisitors 500 feet up to the observation area. The project is “substantially complete,” pending final testing and safety systems certification. The old elevator system had chronic issues, leading to service interruptions and visitor evacuations down the monument’s 897 steps.
The elevator renovations were funded by David Rubenstein, a philanthropist and the co-founder of the private equity firm the Carlyle Group. He is a frequent backer of federally-managed parks and sites in the District that are of national interest. He funded restoration work on the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, and he supports the panda habitat and associated research at the Smithsonian National Zoo.
He also donated $7.5 million to repair the monument after a rare earthquake in 2011 cracked the marble and granite structure. It was encased in scaffolding during much of the five ensuing years of repairs.

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Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site

Explore Four Battlefield Structures During “Doors Open Gettysburg” on May 4

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The fourth annual Doors Open Gettysburg event offers an insider’s look at the preservation and history of four magnificent battlefield and farm structures at Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower National Historic Site. This free event is held during National Historic Preservation Month in cities and towns throughout the United States and internationally.
On May 4, from 10 am to 2 pm, the National Park Service will open four historic structures on the Gettysburg battlefield and the Eisenhower farm to the public for a rare look at buildings ranging from newly restored to those in need of repair. Visitors will be able to explore the Edward McPherson Barn; the Josiah Benner Barn; Meade’s Headquarters – the Lydia Leister Home; and the Eisenhower Show Barn.

“Doors Open Gettysburg highlights the park’s important historic preservation mission and the stories these buildings can tell,” said Kristina Heister, Acting Superintendent, Gettysburg National Military Park. “This event is a great opportunity for our community and park visitors to learn more about Gettysburg and how we take care of these resources.”

Edward McPherson Barn: A landmark on the First Days Battlefield, the barn is the only surviving element of the Edward McPherson Farm. It was used as a field hospital and aide station during and after the fighting. Park along Stone and Meredith Avenue.

Josiah Benner Barn: Recently rehabilitated by the National Park Service, this Pennsylvania Bank Barn was occupied by elements of both the Union and Confederate armies on July 1, 1863. Park in the gravel driveway between the Benner House and Barn, Old Harrisburg Road.

Meade’s Headquarters - The Lydia Leister Home: Home of the widow Lydia Leister and her children, the two-room structure became the Headquarters of the Union Army of the Potomac. General George G. Meade held his famous “Council of War” here on the evening of July 2, 1863. Park in the National Cemetery Parking Lot, or along Hancock Avenue.

Eisenhower Show Barn: Often the first stop for international dignitaries visiting the Farm, President Eisenhower used his award winning Black Angus cattle to create a friendly atmosphere for conversation with foreign leaders such as Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and French President Charles De Gaulle. Enter from Red Rock Rd and park in the gravel parking lot.

Please note that the buildings are not wheelchair accessible. No tickets or reservations are necessary for Doors Open Gettysburg. The event is free.

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Horseshoe Bend Partnership Reaches Milestone

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Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the City of Page are pleased to announce improvements at Horseshoe Bend are progressing. The portion of the new American Disability Act (ADA) trail closest to the rim was opened for public use on April 18, 2019. The eleven-foot wide, one-quarter mile long section connects to the viewing platform at the rim which was completed last September.

City Manager Michael Celaya reports that the first stage of construction of the parking lot is completed and it is now open for public use. The second stage includes completion of the entire parking lot and is expected to be open by May of this year. Parking fees are $10 per car and $5 per motorcycle. Commercial vans or buses are $35 (up to 14 passengers), $70 (up to 35 passengers), and $140 (over 35 passengers). This is a parking fee for the City of Page and monies collected will be utilized for future improvements at the site. National Park Service passes are not valid.

According to Superintendent William Shott, “The iconic Horseshoe Bend feature in the Glen Canyon reach of the Colorado River is becoming a bigger attraction due to the improvements being made. The city's improvements to the parking area along with the trail improvements on public lands make me even more proud to welcome the millions of visitors to our part of the Colorado Plateau. I look forward to doing more in the future to make Horseshoe Bend a world class experience for visitors and residents alike."

After parking, visitors will utilize the previously existing trail from the parking lot to the top of the sandy hill. Pets must not be left unattended in vehicles. Pets are allowed but must be on a leash that is no longer than six feet in length. Owners must clean up solid pet waste.

Horseshoe Bend will not be fully ADA accessible until the portion of the trail from the parking lot is completed. Trail crews have been persistently working since November 2017 to construct the three-quarter mile long ADA-accessible trail. Construction continues on the remainder of the trail which will include two shade shelters and connect the new parking lot to the rim.

Horseshoe Bend is located within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and is managed by the National Park Service. The parking lot is located in and managed by the City of Page. Both the City of Page and the National Park Service wish all visitors a safe and enjoyable visit to Horseshoe Bend and thank you for your cooperation while improvements continue.

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Google Earth: Virtuell durch die US-Nationalparks spazieren

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Zur Nationalpark-Gedenkwoche in den USA ermöglicht es Google, über Google Earth 31 der 59 Parks kennenzulernen. Über kleine Touren lassen sich die Weite des Grand Canyon, die Hoodoos des Bryce Canyon oder die Bäume des Redwood-Nationalparks anschauen.

Google hat in seinem Kartendienst Google Earth Touren zu US-amerikanischen Nationalparks veröffentlicht, wie das Unternehmen in einem Blogbeitrag mitteilt. 31 der insgesamt 59 Nationalparks können auf diese Weise erlebt werden. Grund für die Einrichtung der Touren ist die Nationalpark-Gedenkwoche in den USA, in der unter anderem auf die Notwendigkeit des Naturschutzes hingewiesen wird.
Nutzer können sich auf einer Übersichtsseite einen Park heraussuchen, anschließend startet eine kleine Tour. Dabei werden verschiedene lohnenswerte Aussichtspunkte des jeweiligen Parks vorgestellt, durch die sich der Nutzer durchklicken kann.
An vielen dieser Punkte stehen Panorama-Aufnahmen zur Verfügung. Einige Wanderwege können dank Street View auch teilweise abgelaufen werden. Einige Stellen sind als Earth-3D-Modell verfügbar. Zu jeder Sehenswürdigkeit gibt es eine Textbox mit Informationen.

Neben berühmten Nationalparks sind auch weniger bekannte verfügbar
Die 31 verfügbaren Nationalparks liegen über die USA verstreut. Zur Auswahl stehen unter anderem der Grand-Canyon-Nationalpark, der Mount-Rainier-Nationalpark, der Bryce-Canyon-Nationalpark, der Everglades-Nationalpark, der Sequoia-Nationalpark, der Joshua-Tree-Nationalpark und der Rocky-Mountain-Nationalpark.
Auch abgelegene Parks wie der Dry-Tortugas-Nationalpark vor der Küste Floridas oder der Virgin-Islands-Nationalpark in der Karibik können angeschaut werden. Einige Parks sind umfangreicher dokumentiert als andere.
Um die Parks besuchen zu können, müssen Nutzer nicht Google Earth als Programm installieren. Die Touren lassen sich direkt im Browser anschauen.

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Destroyed by volcanic eruptions, popular trail at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopens

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Nearly one year after the Kīlauea Volcano eruption at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, much of the famed Kīlauea Iki Trail reopened in time for this week's National Park Week.
The national park, which protects one of the most active volcanoes in the world, closed on May 11, 2018, as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and flowing lava destroyed trails and switchbacks, park buildings, roads, water systems and other park infrastructure.

Officials ordered residents and visitors to evacuate or face arrest, as the flowing lava destroyed over 700 homes in the area.
The park remained closed for 134 days last year due to Kīlauea's unpredictable eruptions. Portions of the park re-opened on September 22, as repairs continued to make more of the park accessible to the public.
While much of the national park and two-thirds of Kīlauea Iki Trail are now open, some areas remain closed for safety reasons.
During the past year, park staff have had their hands full. They dealt with a hurricane, two tropical storms and a wildfire on Mauna Loa (another volcano in the park) and a federal government shutdown.
Kīlauea is not currently erupting -- although that could change -- and there is no molten lava on the surface, according to the park website. Still, the volcano remains active, and scientists are monitoring its many moods.

Link mit Video und Bildern

USA: So teuer sind Übernachtungen in Nationalparks

Mit mehr als 50 Nationalparks sind die USA ein echtes Paradies für Reisende, die sich nach Abgeschiedenheit sehnen. Das Übernachten mitten in der Wildnis hat jedoch seinen Preis – und der wird immer höher.

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Imposante Landschaften, wilde Tiere und viel Ruhe: Das versprechen wir uns von einer mehrtägigen Reise durch einen Nationalpark. Was einst ein kostengünstiges Abenteuer für Naturverbundene und Backpacker war, gleicht heute fast einer Luxus-Reise.
In den USA findest du trotz der großen Auswahl an Nationalparks und Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten kaum noch eine Unterkunft, die weniger als 100 Dollar pro Nacht kostet.
Mit Blick auf die vergangenen zehn Jahre stellt die Organisation „National Parks Traveler“ eine Preisexplosion in den amerikanischen Nationalparks fest: Seit 1999 sind die Übernachtungskosten um 129 Prozent gestiegen.
Das ist ein Ergebnis aus der Statistik, in der die Organisation die Zimmerpreise in 34 verschiedenen Lodges, verteilt auf 19 Nationalparks, erfasst hat.

Übernachten im US-Nationalpark: Preise mehr als verdoppelt
Konkret bedeutet dieser Trend, dass ein Zimmer für 100 Dollar im Jahr 1999 heute im Schnitt 229 Dollar kosten würde. Aufs Jahr heruntergebrochen entspricht das einem Anstieg von 4,23 Prozent.
Die prozentual größte Preiserhöhung gab es im Yosemite-Nationalpark. Dort zahlten Touristen vor zehn Jahren für eine Zeltkabine im Half Dome Village (früher Curry Village) am Glacier Point noch 40 Dollar die Nacht – heute sind es 141 Dollar.
Der Preis variiert je nach Ausstattung der insgesamt 403 Zelte. Während eine tägliche Reinigung, frische Handtücher und zusätzliche Decken bei allen inklusive sind, müssen Reisende in der Mehrzahl der Zeltkabinen auf Heizung und ein eigenes Bad verzichten – Strom gibt es nur für die Beleuchtung der zum Teil aus Holz bestehenden und mit Planen überspannten Zelte.
Den enormen Anstieg im Halfdome Village erklärt der Sprecher Scott Gediman des Yosemite-Nationalparks so: Außerhalb des Parks würden ähnliche Unterkünfte und deren Preise ermittelt und der Preis der Zeltkabinen dementsprechend angepasst.

Eine Nacht im Yosemite-Nationalpark 100 Dollar teurer
Mit seinen Riesenmammutbäumen und der mächtigen Steilwand des El Capitan ist Yosemite natürlich ein Anziehungspunkt für Touristen. Fast identische Unterkünfte zu ähnlichen Preisen haben wir im im Sequoia-Nationalpark südlich der Sierra Nevada in Kalifornien gefunden.
Für etwas weniger Geld gibt es in Minnesota das Kontrastprogramm in der Seenlandschaft des Voyageurs-Nationalpark. Im Gegensatz zu den anderen 18 Nationalparks schneidet dieser noch relativ günstig ab, von 65 US-Dollar erhöhte sich der Zimmerpreis im Kettle Falls Hotel innerhalb von zehn Jahren um 25 Dollar. Aber auch hier gibt es dafür kein eigenes Bad.

Horrende Preise im Grand-Teton-Nationalpark
Dass die Preis so stark angehoben wurden, ist auch auf den gebotenen Service und Komfort zurückzuführen. Der Standard hat sich bei manchen Unterkünften enorm verbessert. Das unterstreicht auch die Behörde National Park Service (NPS), die US-Nationalparks und andere Schutzgebiete verwaltet und die angebotenen Preise der Unterkünfte prüft.
Nach oben hin scheinen dem erst mal keine Grenzen gesetzt. Mit 799 Dollar pro Nacht betten sich Touristen in der Jenny Lake Lodge im Grand-Teton-Nationalpark besonders weich. Zum Vergleich: Auch hier hat sich der Preis für ein luxuriöses Cottage im Landhausstil mehr als verdoppelt.
Auf einer eigenen möblierten Vorderterrasse können Urlauber für diese Summe mit Blick auf die Bergkette der Rocky Mountains ihr Gourmet-Essen genießen – für schlappe 800 Dollar allerdings ohne Mittagessen.

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Link mit Bildern