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Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park to Welcome Visitors Friday, August 9 Alongside Icefield Parkway Re-opening

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Following Parks Canada’s announcement today to reopen the Icefield Parkway, the Columbia Icefield will re-open to visitors on Friday, August 9.

Precautionary road restrictions due to Jasper wildfires will be lifted along the Icefield Parkway (Highway 93), stretching from Saskatchewan River Crossing to the Athabasca Glacier area of the Columbia Icefield. This reopening will allow access to the Columbia Icefield via the southern end of this iconic roadway that connects Jasper and Banff national parks, as well as neighboring HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel and The Crossing Resort.

The Columbia Icefield provides visitors from around the world with the experience to stand on ancient ice with the Columbia Icefield Adventure while taking in expansive Sunwapta Valley views from above, on the glass-floored Columbia Icefield Skywalk. The Columbia Icefield Glacier Discovery Centre, which houses both Pursuit and Parks Canada experiences, includes two signature restaurants along with the exclusive Glacier View Lodge.

With a phased re-entry announced for Jasper National Park, the Icefield Parkway reopening is another important step to recovery. This follows recent communication by Parks Canada to reopen visitor services based on recent conditions by September 3. The Columbia Icefield is located approximately 100 km (62 miles) from the town of Jasper.

“We owe an enormous amount of gratitude to the firefighters, first responders and members of Parks Canada for their heroic actions in ensuring the safety of our staff, their families and our mountain community,” said Stuart Back, COO, Banff Jasper Collection by Pursuit. “We will continue to work closely with the provincial government, town of Jasper and our tourism partners to support the recovery of the town of Jasper.”

The Pursuit attractions and hospitality operations reopening to visitors include: The Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, Columbia Icefield Adventure, Ice Odyssey, Columbia Icefield Skywalk and Glacier View Lodge.

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Gelb markiert! Deutsche Touristen verschandeln Nationalpark mit Paintball

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Drei deutsche Touristen sollen in einem kalifornischen Nationalpark mit Paintball auf mindestens elf Schilder, Toiletten sowie Müllcontainer geschossen haben. Jetzt droht Ärger mit US-Behörden!

Wie der National Park Service (NPS) am gestrigen Donnerstag (Ortszeit) bekannt gab, bemerkte ein Parkranger am 4. August (Ortszeit) frische Verunstaltungen nahe einem Campingplatz im Joshua Tree Nationalpark, östlich von Los Angeles.

Daraufhin wurden Polizisten zum Lager gerufen, die eine Schleuder in einem der vor Ort geparkten Autos fanden. Verdächtig! Nach Befragung der Besucher konnten die mutmaßlichen Täter ermittelt werden. Die drei Urlauber gaben zu, am Abend zuvor mit einem Paintball-Markierer und Schleudern Farbkugeln verschossen zu haben.

Die Beschädigung oder Veränderung der Landschaft des NPS, egal wie klein, ist gesetzeswidrig", so Jeff Filosa, stellvertretender Chief Ranger des Joshua Tree Nationalparks.

Jeder von ihnen kassierte eine Anzeige wegen Vandalismus, Beschädigung oder Zerstörung von Eigentum. Der Verstoß wird mit höchstens 5000 US-Dollar und/oder maximal sechs Monaten Gefängnis geahndet.

"Der Park wird regelmäßig mit der Entfernung von Graffiti aller Art beauftragt, was Zeit und Ressourcen in Anspruch nimmt, die besser für andere Prioritäten eingesetzt werden könnten", so Filosa.

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Iconic Natural ‘Double Arch’ Collapses At Famous US National Park

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A popular natural rock feature that stood for millions of years has come crashing down into Lake Powell in Utah’s Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Known as the Double Arch, the stunning geological attraction had been one of the park’s most visited beauty spots, but collapsed on Thursday, August 8th.

Also known as the Toilet Bowl, Crescent Pool, and the Hole in the Roof, the mesmerizing structure formed from 190-million-year-old Navajo sandstone and had the appearance of an enormous skylight in a grotto, allowing sunlight to illuminate a glittering patch of water in Rock Creek Bay. According to a statement from the National Park Service (NPS), the ancient structure had been shaped and warped by the elements since its formation, causing it to continually erode and break apart.

This process may have been influenced by the changing shoreline of Lake Powell, which the NPS says has been declining since 2001 as a result of climate change and a prolonged drought. “Changing water levels and erosion from wave action is suspected of contributing to the ultimate collapse of the arch,” confirmed the federal agency’s statement.

“This event serves as a reminder of our responsibility and need to protect the mineral resources surrounding Lake Powell,” added Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Superintendent Michelle Kerns. “These features have a life span that can be influenced or damaged by manmade interventions. While we don’t know what caused this collapse, we will continue to maintain our resource protection efforts on Lake Powell for future generations to enjoy,” she said.

Stretching from Lees Ferry in Arizona to the Orange Cliffs of southern Utah, the Glen Canyon National Park covers an area of around 5,060 square kilometers (1.25 million acres) and includes several world-renowned natural landmarks. Among these are the hugely popular Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River and Rainbow Bridge, which is among the world’s largest natural bridges.

Fortunately, the NPS was able to confirm that no one was injured by the collapse of the Double Arch. Yet with millions of tourists passing through the national park each year, Kerns highlights the need for all visitors to respect the delicate nature of these ancient natural wonders.

“Please enjoy our resources but leave no trace,” she says.

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Zitat von Minnesota

Boah, jetzt hast du mich aber erschreckt - ich war schon sehr traurig und am Heulen wegen des Double Arch in Arches NP....

Sorry, aber das hätte ich doch unter Arches NP eingestellt.

Lightning Strike at Horseshoe Bend Overlook Injures Two Park Visitors

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A few minutes before 4:00 pm on Monday August 12, lightning struck two visitors while they were standing near the rim of Horseshoe Bend in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Two female visitors aged 22 and 23 years old, one from the Netherlands and one from Australia sustained injuries. Classic Air Medical and City of Page Fire Department quickly responded to assist National Park Service Rangers with on scene patient care. Both victims were flown to St. George Regional Hospital in Utah by Classic Air Medical helicopters.

Visitors are advised to use caution while visiting exposed outdoor areas and be aware of changing weather conditions. Thunderstorms are most frequent and severe during the monsoon season, which is typically mid-June through September in Arizona and July through September in Utah. If you hear thunder, you are at risk of getting struck by lightning and should immediately seek shelter in a vehicle or building.

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Cedar Breaks to Open New Visitor Contact Station

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The National Monument welcomes visitors to celebrate

On August 22, 2024, Cedar Breaks National Monument is opening a brand-new Visitor Contact Station thanks to the help of the National Park Service-Centennial Challenge Program, the Zion National Park Forever Project, and Iron County.

“This building gives us a sense of place. It helps visitors orient to this landscape and realize its value as a national monument,” Kathleen Gonder, Cedar Breaks Superintendent said. “We cannot stress our thanks to everyone who helped make this dream a reality.”

The Visitor Contact Station will be a permanent feature to welcome visitors to Cedar Breaks with an expanded open season. Cedar Breaks’ former Information Center located in the 1937 historic cabin will now focus on the area's human history with a self-guided interpretive area.

The new building will be home to:

Ranger-led programs and activities.

Dark sky resources.

Wildflower events.

Interpretive exhibits.

The park store.

Events on August 22 will begin at Pt. Supreme Overlook at 10 a.m. with various booths supported by our partners and neighboring parks, followed by the dedication ceremony from 1 – 3 p.m. Media and visitors are welcome to attend, and additional information can be found at the Cedar Breaks website at http://www.nps.gov/cebr.

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Icefields Parkway reopens to traffic without amenities and limited cell phone coverage: Parks Canada

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The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) has reopened to traffic after a wildfire swept through the park last month.

Parks Canada confirmed the highway reopened at 7 a.m. on Friday.

Drivers must drive through without stopping.

"Safety has been assessed on the road for motor vehicle traffic only," Parks Canada wrote in its announcement. "All areas of the park, including rest stops and scenic lookouts, require further hazard assessments and danger tree removal before people can safely exit their vehicles.

"Cell phone coverage is limited or unavailable on this section of 93N."

Currently, there is no timeline available for the amenities to reopen.

The highway has been closed since Jasper National Park was evacuated on July 22.

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You Can't Carry Bear Spray On These 7 U.S. Hikes

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The vastness of the United States offers something for every type of hiker and the best U.S. hiking trails provide an unforgettable outdoor experience, regardless of hikers' skill levels or preferences for a leisurely stroll. However, these gorgeous settings also carry the risk of encountering wildlife, particularly bears.

While interactions with bears aren't common, being prepared and informed about the locations you're exploring can enhance your safety and enjoyment of these amazing hiking experiences. Carrying bear spray is a controversial topic, and some national parks have even banned using it within their boundaries due to its potential harm and alternative deterring methods.

While interactions with bears aren't common, being prepared and informed about the locations you're exploring can enhance your safety and enjoyment of these amazing hiking experiences. Carrying bear spray is a controversial topic, and some national parks have even banned using it within their boundaries due to its potential harm and alternative deterring methods.

7 John Muir Trail Yosemite National Park

6 High Sierra Trail Sequoia National Park

5 Yosemite Valley Loop Trail Yosemite National Park

4 Mist Falls Kings Canyon National Park

3 Big Baldy Ridge Trail Kings Canyon National Park

2 Tokopah Falls Sequoia National Park

1 Bumpass Hell Lassen Volcanic National Park

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Mehr Infos zu den einzelnen NPs hier

Glacier National Park Vehicle Reservations End September 9

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Glacier National Park would like to remind visitors that September 8, 2024 is the last day vehicle reservations are required. This includes reservations for Going-to-the-Sun Road via the West Entrance, the North Fork, and Many Glacier.

Based on observed traffic patterns during previous vehicle reservation pilot seasons, vehicular traffic is expected to increase when reservations are no longer required, and entry may be temporarily suspended due to congestion. Visitors are encouraged to plan for temporary delays, particularly during the peak hours of the day (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

Parking at Logan Pass, Apgar Village, Avalanche, and other popular areas is expected to be congested or temporarily unavailable.

Starting on September 3, shuttle service was reduced and will conclude for the season on September 15. Lines for shuttles are expected to be long.

The time restrictions for bicycles on Going-to-the-Sun Road will also end on September 9. During the 2024 season, bicycles were not allowed on Going-to-the-Sun Road (both directions) between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Apgar to Logan Pass. This restriction will be lifted starting September 9. More information on biking in the park can be found on the park’s website bicycling page.

Although vehicle reservations will no longer be required for the season, each vehicle entering the park is required to have an entrance pass for any entry point into the park. These passes could include any of the following: a $35 vehicle entrance pass purchased at time of entry and good for seven days; a valid Interagency Annual/Lifetime Pass; or a Glacier National Park Annual Pass.

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Hilflos am Flussufer - Vermisster Wanderer in den USA nach einem Monat gerettet

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Die offizielle Suche war bereits eingestellt: Nach rund vier Wochen haben Helfer einen vermissten Wanderer gefunden. Seine Rettung verdankt er wohl einem Zufall.

Einen Monat nach seinem Verschwinden haben Helfer einen vermissten Wanderer lebend gefunden. Der 39 Jahre alte Robert Schock war am 31. Juli im North Cascades National Park im US-Bundesstaat Washington verschwunden. Am 30. August fand ein Team der Pacific Northwest Trail Association (PNTA) ihn schließlich, wie mehrere US-Medien übereinstimmend berichten.

Die Rettung war wohl denkbar knapp. PNTA-Geschäftsführer Jeff Kish sagte: »Diejenigen, die an der Rettung beteiligt waren, sind der Meinung, dass Robert vielleicht nur noch einen Tag zu leben gehabt hätte.« Zudem war die Suche nach ihm bereits Mitte August eingestellt worden.

Anfang August hatten Mitarbeiter des Nationalparks das verlassene Auto des Wanderers entdeckt, ebenso seinen herrenlosen Hund. Zeugen berichteten, dass Schock ohne Übernachtungsausrüstung in der Nähe des Chilliwack Rivers unterwegs gewesen sei. Helfer durchkämmten daraufhin mehrfach das Gebiet zu Fuß und suchten aus der Luft nach dem 39-Jährigen, doch alle Suchen bis zum 16. August blieben erfolglos.

Gefunden wurde Schock schließlich von Arbeitern der PNTA, einer Non-Profit-Organisation, die den Pacific Northwest Trail betreut. Ihre Crews arbeiten in der Regel daran, Wanderwege instand zu halten. So war es laut der Schilderung von PNTA-Geschäftsführer Kish auch am 30. August. Das Team befand sich auf dem Rückweg von einem Einsatz, als es schwache Rufe hörte. Die Arbeiter suchten die Gegend ab und entdeckten Schock mehrere Hundert Meter abseits des Weges. Er lag hilflos am Ufer des Chilliwack Rivers und war stark geschwächt.

Die Helfer versorgten ihn, aber erst nach mehreren Stunden konnten ihn Rettungskräfte abholen und ins Krankenhaus bringen. Laut Kish war Schocks Zustand kritisch. Die Behörden hatten zunächst gemeldet, er sei »wohlauf«. Später bestätigte Schocks Mutter, dass ihr Sohn stark unterkühlt und erschöpft, aber bei Bewusstsein geblieben war.

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Forgotten Cheetos snack bag can have 'world-changing' impact, U.S. national park says

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A U.S. national park is cautioning tourists over how a small bag of Cheetos could have an enormous impact on the surrounding environment.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park posted a photo of a crumpled Cheetos snack bag on Friday, saying it was left off-trail at the park in New Mexico.

Carlsbad Caverns says some incidents can be difficult or impossible to prevent, noting that even a single step a person takes in the cave can leave a trail of lint. But it also said other incidents, such as forgetting trash, are "completely avoidable."

"A spilled snack bag may seem trivial, but to the life of the cave it can be world changing," wrote national park staff in a Facebook post.

The snack bag had a "huge impact" on the cave's ecosystem, Carlsbad Caverns wrote.

"The processed corn, softened by the humidity of the cave, formed the perfect environment to host microbial life and fungi," it wrote. "Cave crickets, mites, spiders and flies soon organize into a temporary food web, dispersing the nutrients to the surrounding cave and formations. Molds spread higher up the nearby surfaces, fruit, die and stink. And the cycle continues."

It said rangers spent 20 minutes carefully removing the foreign items and moulds from the cave.

"Some members of this fleeting ecosystem are cave-dwellers, but many of the microbial life and molds are not," Carlsbad Caverns wrote. "Great or small we all leave an impact wherever we go. How we choose to interact with others and the world we share together has its effects moment by moment."

Carlsbad Caverns(opens in a new tab) is one of more than 300 limestone caves in a fossil reef formed around 265 million years ago. It was officially designated as a national park in 1930.

The snack bag was dropped in the enormous cave chamber called the Big Room, known for "spectacular views, cave formations of all shapes and sizes, and a rope ladder used by explorers in 1924," according to Carlsbad Caverns(opens in a new tab) on its website.

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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

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Chain of Craters Road remains closed following short eruption

Last night, September 15, Kīlauea volcano erupted between approximately 9 and 10 PM west of Nāpau Crater along the middle East Rift Zone in the park. The eruption is over. Potential impacts to the trail, nearby pulu factory site and burn impacts to vegetation are still being evaluated.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), “Additional ground cracking and outbreaks of lava around the active fissures are possible at any time, or, existing fissures can be reactivated.” The HVO volcano alert level remains at WATCH and aviation color at Orange indicating that the unrest may not be over.

Chain of Craters Road and other areas remain closed as the park and USGS partners continue to evaluate impacts and hazards. Areas will reopen after conditions are determined to be safe.

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Kuwohi name restored to the highest peak in the Smokies

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U.S. Board of Geographic Names approves Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians name change request

The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted today in favor of the formal request submitted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to change the name of Clingmans Dome (FID #1326387) to Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee). Kuwohi is the Cherokee name for the mountain and translates to “mulberry place.” In Cherokee syllabary, the name is ᎫᏬᎯ.  The National Park Service strongly supported the name restoration and applauds today's decision, which also received support from local communities and governments.

Kuwohi is a sacred place for the Cherokee people and is the highest point within the traditional Cherokee homeland. Kuwohi is visible from the Qualla Boundary, the home of the EBCI. Efforts are already underway to update signage, website and other materials with the Kuwohi name.

“The Great Smoky National Park team was proud to support this effort to officially restore the mountain and to recognize its importance to the Cherokee People,” said Superintendent Cassius Cash. “The Cherokee People have had strong connections to Kuwohi and the surrounding area, long before the land became a national park. The National Park Service looks forward to continuing to work with the Cherokee People to share their story and preserve this landscape together.”

The proposal was submitted in January of this year by EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks following an effort started in 2022 by Lavita Hill and Mary Crowe, both enrolled EBCI members, to restore the traditional name of the summit.

Kuwohi is one of the most popular sites in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with more than 650,000 visitors per year. It is the tallest point in Tennessee and the third-highest summit east of the Mississippi River.

The park closes Kuwohi for three half days annually to provide access to predominantly Cherokee schools to visit the mountain and learn the history of Kuwohi and the Cherokee people from elders, Cherokee language speakers, culture bearers and community members.

Clingmans Dome has always been known as Kuwohi to the Cherokee People. The mountain became known as Clingmans Dome following an 1859 survey by geographer Arnold Guyot, named for Thomas Lanier Clingman who was a lawyer, U.S. Representative and Senator from North Carolina, and Confederate Brigadier General.

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Erosion an der Küste - Drittes Haus innerhalb einer Woche eingestürzt

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Der steigende Meeresspiegel und starke Stürme verschärfen die Erosion an den Outer Banks im US-Bundesstaat North Carolina. Nun ist dort das dritte Haus innerhalb einer Woche eingestürzt.

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Happy 50th Anniversary Boston National Historical Park!

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It should be noted that fifty years ago today Boston National Historical Park became the 272nd national park unit (there are 431 units today) through an act of Congress, Public Law 93-431.

So much has changed since the 1950s when a congressionally appointed Boston Historic Sites Commission was established to imagine what a national park in Boston might look like. It would take decades of political debate, dialogue with community organizations and businesses, and a lot of negotiations among the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and National Park Service. The extensive research and work by the Commission led to a series of recommendations for a Boston park, in addition to the establishment of Minute Man National Historical Park along the Battle Road in Concord and Lexington in 1959. The Commission's recommendations, however, went dormant until the early 1970s when a sense of urgency and opportunity to create a national park in Boston was influenced by two major events. The first being the imminent celebration of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution and Boston's desire to be nationally recognized for its defining role in the early agitation, debates, and battles that led to the nation's 1776 declaration of Independence from Great Britain. In his statement to a congressional hearing in 1974, John Sears, Metropolitan District Commissioner, on behalf of Governor Francis Sargent stated, "We must make the point that for Boston the Bicentennial focusses on 1975, rather than 1976. We must get going at top speed in order to be ready." The second opportunity that arose was the Navy's announcement that the Charlestown Navy Yard would be closed and the Boston Redevelopment Authority's plan to redevelop the Navy Yard that would include preserving the historic assets, adaptively reusing existing structures, new construction, and the creation of new public open spaces. Thus, several bills were filed in Congress in 1973 to create two national park units: Boston National Historical Park and USS Constitution National Historic Site.

In the summer of 1974, a park bill was adopted containing historic sites of national significance: Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Charlestown Navy Yard, and Bunker Hill Monument. The park would also include the U.S. Navy's Ship of State, USS Constitution and other properties within a designated 30 acres historic park unit. The legislation recognized that this type of partnership park would need to embrace public/private cooperation and sharing of authorities, responsibilities, and costs. Some of the park sites would remain owned and managed privately, while the City of Boston or the National Park Service would own others.

On October 1, 1974, President Gerald Ford signed the Boston National Historical Park Act of 1974 into law. Since 1974, Congress amended the legislation in 1978 to include Dorchester Heights as part of the park and expanded NPS properties in the Charlestown Navy Yard.

The world has changed profoundly since Boston National Historical Park was established. The park partnership has widened its lens to allow for new perspectives and interpretation of our national narrative. We recognize that although the American War for Independence ended in 1783, the American Revolution remains unfinished. Like the early revolutionaries that engaged in deep debates about how voices are heard and what liberty looks like, every subsequent generation has continued to grapple with and find their own answers to these fundamental questions. These historic sites are the platforms for dialogue, learning and inspiration.

We are once again working at "top speed" as the Semiquincentennial (250th) is upon us in 2025. We invite you to join us in a series of events throughout this anniversary year that will draw connections from the revolutionary era to today, showing the legacies and lasting impacts of the American Revolution. This revolutionary year will commemorate the founding of the nation in resonant, bold, and inclusive ways, empowering everyone to see themselves in our unfinished story. Together, we will broaden our understandings of the past and give ourselves the tools to build a better future.

Lastly, we want to recognize all those who were, and are, advocates, changemakers and authors of this chapter in Boston’s history. Thank you to the hundreds of partners, national park service staff, our city leaders, volunteers, elected officials, community organizations, academics, businesses and giving organizations – Happy Anniversary!

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Blue Ridge Parkway closed indefinitely due to storm damage

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In some places, the National Park Service said the damage is “catastrophic.”

The entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway has been closed indefinitely as crews assess the damage caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene, the National Park Service has announced.

The 469-mile road runs from the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. The Park Service earlier had closed the parkway through North Carolina, but it has expanded the closure to include Virginia.

As of Thursday afternoon, 250 National Park Service employees from 32 states and the District of Columbia were joining with the Blue Ridge Parkway staff in the recovery efforts, according to a news alert on the National Park Service website.

The most severe damage to the parkway stretches from milepost 280 to milepost 469. The National Park Service said in some cases, the damage is “catastrophic.”

In the coming weeks, staff will determine a timeline and cost estimates for repairs to the parkway, and according to the site’s alert, which was last updated today, assessment crews are still finishing their work in Virginia.

The announcement joins a growing list of closures. The U.S. Forest Service announced earlier this week that more than 90 miles of the Appalachian Trail through Virginia would be closed until further notice, and trail managers have asked hikers to avoid a much longer stretch of the trail until damages can be fully assessed.

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