The blog
The American national parks blog
On-the-ground news from all 62 parks, advice for traveling to the USA, deals and the American Parks magazine.
Latest park news
Closures, wildfires, reopenings and alerts that change what you need to plan for, park by park.
Yellowstone's Wolf Pups Have a Rough Year Again, but the Population Is Holding Steady
Yellowstone's wolves produced few pups again in 2026, according to the Jackson Hole News&Guide, but the overall population remains stable.
Yellowstone By Victoria Boissonade
Rocky Mountain: Trail Ridge Road Closed at Rainbow Curve and Milner Pass
Snow and ice have shut down Trail Ridge Road at two points in Rocky Mountain. Here's what it means for your visit.
Rocky Mountain By Jocelyn Pion
Mineral King Road Construction: Closures and Delays to Expect in Sequoia
Daytime closures and traffic delays are hitting Mineral King Road right now. Plan ahead for your trip into this remote corner of Sequoia.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon By Jocelyn Pion
Great Smoky Mountains: Cherokee Orchard Road Closed to Pedestrians Over Bear Activity
Bears are active along Cherokee Orchard Road, so foot access is closed and you can only drive through until further notice.
Great Smoky Mountains By David Sanchez
Grand Canyon: North Rim Shifts to Fall Mode, Cape Royal and Point Imperial Closed
Grand Canyon's North Rim has shifted to fall operations. Cape Royal and Point Imperial roads are closed through November 3, with no fuel or service in the park.
Grand Canyon By Jocelyn Pion
Yosemite: Dome Fire 86% Contained, Minimal Activity
Dome Fire containment reaches 86% and its perimeter has held steady for several days. Fire activity stays minimal, limited to interior pockets of heat.
Yosemite By Jocelyn Pion
Traveling to the USA
ESTA, flights, landing in New York or Los Angeles, car rental, insurance: everything that comes before the first park.
Travel Insurance for the United States: Medical Costs, Limits, and What Your Card Covers
A U.S. hospital stay can cost $11,000 to $29,000. Learn what your credit card really covers, what limit to choose, and why national parks require extra protection.
By Erika Müller
Driving in the USA: French Licenses, International Permits, and Rules to Know
A valid French license, the $7.25 international permit, four-way stops, and right on red: essential rules before driving in the United States.
Gas Prices in the United States: Gallons, State-by-State Differences, and Road Trip Budget
Gas prices, gallons-to-liters conversion, paying at the pump with a French card, and fuel budgeting for a 15-day road trip through the American West.
Deals & savings
Passes, lodging, flights, gear and off-peak windows: the real savings on a national parks trip.
U.S. Motels: Chains, Campgrounds, and Lodges for a National Parks Road Trip
Chain motels, NPS campgrounds on recreation.gov, free BLM dispersed camping, and gateway towns: options and 2026 prices for planning your nights.
How much to budget for a trip to the USA: planning a 2- or 3-week road trip
Flights, cars, lodging, meals, park passes: itemized ranges and three sample budgets for two people traveling 15 or 21 days, based on October 2026 data.
By Erika Müller
What to Do in Miami: Beaches, Neighborhoods, and Three National Parks Within Driving Distance
South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana, and three national parks near Miami: our practical guide to visiting in 3, 5, or 7 days.
By Erika Müller
Magazine
Stories, portraits, behind the scenes and perspectives on America’s national parks.
National Parks in France and the United States: 11 vs. 63, Two Philosophies
France's 11 national parks and the NPS's 63: inhabited zones versus wilderness, free entry versus passes, and which French park speaks to Western travelers.
By Jocelyn Pion
Deserts and Canyons in France: Landscapes That Echo the American West
Verdon Gorge, the Provençal Colorado, and the Dune du Pilat: seven French landscapes compared with their American counterparts, with facts, access, and seasons.
Canada's National Parks: Our Picks for American Park Lovers
48 national parks, from the Rockies to Newfoundland: an annotated selection pairing each park with its American counterpart and explaining the required Moraine and Louise shuttles.
