NATIONAL-PARKS-SERVICE

This Veterans Day is your chance to visit Glacier National Park for free.

All National Parks Are Offering Free Admission on Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, you can visit any one of the National Park Service's more than 400 parks on Monday, November 11, 2024, for free.

More people get to witness Virginia’s beauty in fall.

Special Viewfinders at Virginia State Parks Let Colorblind Guests See Fall Foliage

Fall just got more colorful for colorblind visitors to Virginia’s state parks.

Rayne Beau the cat made an incredible journey.

Cat Lost in Yellowstone Is Back Home After Traveling 900 Miles in 2 Months

This cat proved that love knows no distance when he traveled hundreds of miles to be with his owners.

A breathtaking view of Wosnesenski Lake in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay State Park.

The Top 10 State Parks in the U.S.

These state parks are definitely worth the trip, according to reviewers on Tripadvisor.

This lucky camper scored a permit at Yosemite National Park.

National Parks Now Let Visitors Set Alerts for Online Reservations

Want to snatch a camping spot at Yosemite before they’re gone? The new availability alert feature on Recreation.gov can help.

Get ready to see some serious seasonal color.

11 of the Best Leaf-Peeping Destinations in the U.S.

New England's fall foliage is legendary, and for good reason. But Texas, Oregon, and Minnesota have lovely locales for leaf-peeping, too.

New Apple Maps Update Makes It Easier to Navigate National Parks

Apple’s iOS 18 update will let people save trails and access them while offline.

1947 16mm Film Home Movie - ROAD TRIP TO CALIFORNIA

Watch a 1947 Home Video of an Ohio Family’s Road Trip to California

Filmed over 75 years ago, this retro home movie follows one Ohio family as they drive to California and visit some classic American attractions along the way.

An aerial view of the rust-colored Kutuk River in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. Thawing permafrost is exposing minerals to weathering, increasing the acidity of the water, which releases metals like iron, zinc and copper.

Alaska’s Rivers Are Turning Orange, and Yeah, It’s Probably Climate Change

A new study shows that rusty discoloration in Alaska’s otherwise pristine streams and rivers is likely due to melting permafrost—and that’s a problem for Arctic animals and people.

1 Fact About All 63 U.S. National Parks

From Acadia to Zion, the U.S. has some pretty majestic national parks. In the latest episode of The List Show, we’re giving you one fun fact about every single one.

Sunrise on the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park.

Watch a Stunning Time-Lapse of Grand Teton National Park

There are sparkling glacial lakes, breathtaking sunsets, and mountains disappearing into clouds in this high-def tribute to Grand Teton National Park.

Night sky over Capitol Reef National Park.

The 10 Best Places for Stargazing in the U.S.

Utah's state and national parks dominate the list of America's best stargazing locations.

Photo illustration by Mental Floss. Image: iStock.

The 1925 Cave Rescue That Captivated the Nation

The epic effort to rescue Floyd Collins was a battle between heroism and folly, selflessness and selfishness, and life and death.

Cats are being evicted from Old San Juan in Puerto Rico.

The National Park Service Wants to Shut Down ‘Disney World for Cats’ in Puerto Rico

Hundreds of strays roam a historic site. The NPS says they're a health hazard. Cat lovers disagree.

7 Majestic Facts About Devils Tower

There's much more to the Wyoming landmark than what you saw in ’Close Encounters of the Third Kind.’

Two-time Fat Beat champ 747 is looking to defend his title.

Fat Bear Week 2023 Is Coming to Katmai National Park

Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve is kicking off its Fat Bear Week tournament—and the competition looks as fierce, and chonky, as ever.

Visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park on September 23, 2023, and volunteer to keep the heavily visited park in top shape.

Visit Any National Park Property for Free on September 23—or Volunteer to Help Maintain Them

On September 23, 2023, you can visit the Statue of Liberty, Alcatraz Island, or any of the 400-plus other monuments, parks, and historical sites overseen by the National Park Service for free.

You never know what—or who—you'll encounter in these national parks.

6 Legendary Beings Who Haunt America’s National Parks

The parks offer thrill seekers, ghost hunters, and the brave alike another reason to visit.

A National Monument Has Just Been Established to Honor Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley

Emmett Till’s murder—and his mother's fight for justice—will be recognized across three sites in two states.

There better not be a dog or cat in that raft.

10 Strange and Surprisingly Specific National Park Rules

National Park rules go beyond the general Leave No Trace guidelines. These surprising cover everything from wildlife to waste.

Picnics Are the Hot "New" Dining Trend, Thanks to Gen Z

Instead of snagging dinner reservations, pinickers are snagging spots in the park to dine al fresco.

The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, California.

8 Historic National Park Hotels for Your Bucket List

From a 175-year-old farmhouse to a luxury lodge on the Grand Canyon, these are the most historic places to stay in eight national park properties.

The sun shines on Balanced Rock (right), a unique formation in Big Bend National Park.

7 “Hidden Gem” National Parks to Visit This Summer

These parks may not have the same level of name recognition as other sites, but offer just as much natural beauty—without all the foot traffic.

New Google Maps Features Help You Plan the Perfect National Park Visit

Google Maps is gearing up for National Park Week with some exciting new tech tools.