The feed
Park news
On-the-ground news from America’s national parks: closures, wildfires, reopenings and alerts that change what you need to plan for.
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
Joshua Tree: Geology Tour Road Closed After Heavy Rain
Heavy rain flooded Joshua Tree's Geology Tour Road, which is now closed. Use caution on the rest of the park's roads.
Joshua Tree By Jocelyn Pion
Great Smoky Mountains Closes Newfound Gap Road for Hurricane Isaias: Helicopter Airlift at the Lodge
From October 6 to 12, 2026, LeConte Lodge suspends services during the 9 a.m. to noon airlift windows, with brief holds on the Mount Le Conte trails.
Great Smoky Mountains By David Sanchez
Joshua Tree: Part of the Westside Loop Trail Closed for Repairs at Black Rock
Part of the Westside Loop Trail, in the Black Rock area of Joshua Tree, is closed for repairs. Here's what to know before you go.
Joshua Tree By Jocelyn Pion
Death Valley: Flash Flood Watch in Effect, Use Caution on the Roads
A flood watch is in effect for Death Valley as tropical moisture threatens flash floods. Check road conditions before you head out.
Death Valley By Jocelyn Pion
Winter Storm Hits Gates of the Arctic: Travel Discouraged in the Brooks Range
The National Weather Service placed the southern Central Brooks Range under a winter storm warning for the night of October 10 to 11, 2026.
Gates Of The Arctic By Erika Müller
Zion: Kolob Canyons Road Closed Beyond South Fork After Rockfall
A rockfall has closed the Kolob Canyons scenic drive beyond the South Fork Trailhead until further notice.
Zion By Jocelyn Pion
Shenandoah: Power Outages at Big Meadows After Isaias
Power outages are hitting Big Meadows and trees may block the road, so use caution in the park right now.
Shenandoah By David Sanchez
Balsam Mountain Campground Is Closed in Great Smoky Mountains
Balsam Mountain Campground, high up in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is closed for now. Here's what that means for your trip.
Great Smoky Mountains By David Sanchez
Zion: Official Flash Flood Warning, the Narrows and Slot Canyons Closed
The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for Kane and Washington counties; the Narrows and all the park's slot canyons remain closed.
Zion By Jocelyn Pion
Death Valley: Scotty's Castle, guided exterior tours, interiors not before 2028
Tours of Scotty's Castle stay limited to the exterior on guided visits; a full reopening, interiors included, isn't expected before November 2028 at the earliest.
Death Valley By Jocelyn Pion
North Cascades: Prescribed Burns Planned This Fall in Two Recreation Areas
Prescribed pile burns are planned at Ross Lake and Lake Chelan in October and November, weather and staffing permitting.
North Cascades By Victoria Boissonade
Congaree: Harry Hampton Visitor Center Closed Monday, October 12
Congaree's Harry Hampton Visitor Center closes for a Monday holiday, so line up your practical info before you arrive.
Congaree By David Sanchez
Great Smoky Mountains: Closures Underway as Hurricane Isaias Approaches
A storm is closing in on Great Smoky Mountains, with Newfound Gap Road and a campground shutting down and high winds expected through Sunday morning.
Great Smoky Mountains By David Sanchez
Zion Reopens the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway Oct. 9 After a Rockfall
The scenic Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway, closed since Sept. 30 after a rockfall, reopens to visitor traffic on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026.
Zion By Jocelyn Pion
Zion: Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway fully reopens, US-89 detour lifted
The Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway reopens in full October 9 at 9 a.m., per KSL. The US-89 detour is no longer needed, though some sections stay temporary gravel.
Zion By Jocelyn Pion
Glacier: temporary closure of the alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road
The alpine section of Going-to-the-Sun Road is temporarily closing between Avalanche and Jackson Glacier Overlook, ahead of the rain and snow forecast this weekend.
Glacier By Victoria Boissonade
Yellowstone Logs 868,450 Visits in September 2026 as Roads Close Soon
In September 2026, Yellowstone logged 868,450 visits, up 3% year over year, and most of its roads close on November 1.
Yellowstone By Victoria Boissonade
Arches Now Offers All-Terrain Wheelchairs for Its Trails
Starting October 8, 2026, five Utah parks including Arches now lend all-terrain wheelchairs to visitors with mobility needs.
ArchesZionBryce CanyonCapitol ReefCanyonlands By Jocelyn Pion
Grand Canyon: North Rim Redesign Opens for Public Comment
The NPS is putting three North Rim redevelopment concepts up for public comment, with meetings set for mid-October 2026, according to ksl.com.
Grand Canyon By Jocelyn Pion
Badlands: Fire Weather Alert, Take Care If You're Visiting the Park
The National Weather Service has placed the Badlands area under a Red Flag Warning, with high fire risk starting October 9.
Badlands By Victoria Boissonade
Olympic: No Drinkable Water in the Hoh Rainforest, Pack Your Own
In Olympic's Hoh area, the tap water is no longer safe to drink as is, so plan to arrive with your own supply.
Olympic By Victoria Boissonade
Mount Rainier: Nisqually Entrance closed overnight for SR 706 work
Mount Rainier's Nisqually Entrance closes for one night to fix SR 706. Use the Stevens Canyon Entrance and SR 123 on the east side instead.
Mount Rainier By Victoria Boissonade
Yellowstone: The Beartooth Highway Closes Ahead of Winter
US-212 between Red Lodge and Cooke City closes temporarily before the snow, then shuts for the season on October 12.
Yellowstone By Victoria Boissonade
Yellowstone: Three Roads Close After Oct. 12, Main Entrances Open Through the 31st
Starting October 12, Dunraven Pass, the Beartooth Highway, and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway close; the West, East, and South entrances stay open through October 31.
Yellowstone By Victoria Boissonade
Kīlauea on Alert: Two Crater Trails Closed at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
The Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of Byron Ledge are closed over rockfall risk tied to the volcano's activity.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes By Erika Müller
New River Gorge: Train Derailment at Thurmond Disrupts Part of the Park
At New River Gorge, a train derailment near Thurmond is disrupting access to the area during cleanup, expected to run through Friday, October 10.
New River Gorge By David Sanchez
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Closes Two Kīlauea Summit Trails as a Precaution
As of October 7, 2026, the park is closing Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and part of Byron Ledge Trail, 1.3 miles in all, for safety.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes By Erika Müller
Prescribed Burn at Grant Grove: What It Means for Your Visit Starting October 13
Starting October 13, the National Park Service is running a prescribed burn across 521 acres at Grant Grove near the General Grant Tree, with smoke and possible access limits for visitors.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon By Jocelyn Pion
Great Smoky Mountains: Two Ginseng Poachers Caught in the Park
Two suspects arrested for illegally harvesting 688 wild ginseng roots in Great Smoky Mountains NP. Collecting plants is illegal: fines up to $5,000 and six months in jail.
Great Smoky Mountains By David Sanchez
Death Valley: More Than Half of Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground Reopens
More than half of Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground has reopened after the September 15 fire, but the burned Lower Springs area stays closed.
Death Valley By Jocelyn Pion
Road Work near Moran in Grand Teton: Expect Delays
The National Park Service is starting road work near Moran in Grand Teton to fight Snake River erosion, so plan for delays beginning October 2026.
Grand Teton By Victoria Boissonade
North Cascades: Cascade River Road Closes to Vehicles Starting October 13
Starting October 13, Cascade River Road is closed to vehicles at milepost 20 for road maintenance work.
North Cascades By Victoria Boissonade
Grand Canyon: water deliveries underway, service targeted for Thanksgiving
The first water deliveries have begun, but Level 4 restrictions stay in effect; service for residents is now targeted for Thanksgiving, November 26.
Grand Canyon By Jocelyn Pion
Death Valley Extreme Heat Warning: October 4 to 9, 2026
An Extreme Heat Warning covers the low-lying areas of Death Valley through October 9: up to 110°F by day, 85°F at night. Here's how to plan.
Death Valley By Jocelyn Pion
LeConte Lodge: Morning Closures October 6-9 for Helicopter Flights
From October 6 to 9, 2026, LeConte Lodge and its services close each morning from 9 a.m. to noon, though the summit trails stay open.
Great Smoky Mountains By David Sanchez
Cuyahoga Valley: Parking Lots Closing in Rotation, October 5-16
Several Cuyahoga Valley parking lots will close for a few hours each for maintenance between October 5 and 16. Here's where and when.
Cuyahoga Valley By David Sanchez
A Scenic Aerial Tramway in the Works at Glacier's Doorstep
A scenic aerial tramway near Glacier is under review by the U.S. Forest Service. Here's what we know so far, according to Morningstar.
Glacier By Victoria Boissonade
Yosemite Turns 136: The 1890 Law That Sealed It All
Yosemite National Park marks the 136th anniversary of its official creation by Congress, signed into law on October 1, 1890, according to WHSV.
Yosemite By Jocelyn Pion
New River Gorge: Prescribed Burns in Two Park Areas This Fall
Starting October 1, 2026, New River Gorge is running prescribed burns in two areas, and here's what it means for your visit.
New River Gorge By David Sanchez
Redwood: The Scenic Parkway Closes to Cars One Saturday a Month
The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway clears of cars for Hike and Bike Day, one Saturday a month from October through May. Here's what it means for access.
Redwood By Victoria Boissonade
Great Sand Dunes: Three Deep Creek Crossings on Medano Pass Road
Creek crossings 3, 4, and 5 on the Medano Pass Primitive Road are running deep right now, so use caution and bring a capable vehicle.
Great Sand Dunes By Jocelyn Pion
Mount Rainier: Fryingpan Creek Bridge Faces Years of Construction
Since September 28, 2026, the Fryingpan Creek bridge has been under construction at Mount Rainier, a multiyear project that may disrupt access to this part of the park.
Mount Rainier By Victoria Boissonade
Isle Royale: 37 Wolves Counted, a Rebounding but Still Fragile Population
The latest winter count found 37 wolves on Isle Royale, AP reports, an uptick that inbreeding still threatens.
Isle Royale By David Sanchez
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: The Hōlei Sea Arch Has Collapsed into the Pacific
As of October 1, 2026, the famous Hōlei Sea Arch is gone. Here's what it means for visiting the park's coast.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes By Erika Müller
Big Bend: Border Project Under Review, Ground Work Paused Until Late October
Construction is still on hold and no ground work is planned in the park before late October at the earliest, according to AP.
Big Bend By David Sanchez
Grand Canyon: $100 More Per Person for International Visitors
Since early 2026, every non-U.S. visitor pays a $100 surcharge to enter the Grand Canyon, according to knpr.org.
Grand Canyon By Jocelyn Pion
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes: Keanakākoʻi Area Closed After a Surge in Kīlauea Activity
Earthquakes and volcanic unrest at Kīlauea's summit have closed the Keanakākoʻi area for safety, until further notice.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes By Erika Müller
Haleakalā: No Water or Restrooms at Kīpahulu, Pack Your Own
On Haleakalā's south coast, the Kīpahulu District has lost its restrooms and water, so come prepared with your own drinking water.
Haleakalā By Erika Müller
Channel Islands: Restoring Santa Rosa Island's Torrey Pines
After the May 2026 fire, the National Park Service is protecting and replanting Santa Rosa Island's Torrey pines as the first new needles push out on burned trees.
Channel Islands By Jocelyn Pion
Haleakalā: New Bilingual Hawaiian-Language Exhibits Open at the Summit
New exhibits in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and English now greet visitors at the Haleakalā summit visitor center, according to Maui Now.
Haleakalā By Erika Müller
Road Work on US 26/89/191: Expect 20-Minute Delays in Grand Teton
Road work south of Moran Junction is slowing US 26/89/191 in Grand Teton, with delays of about twenty minutes in both directions.
Grand Teton By Victoria Boissonade
Carlsbad Caverns Area Under Flood Warning on September 30
The National Weather Service placed Eddy County, home to Carlsbad Caverns, under a flood warning on September 30, 2026, from 8:27 AM to 2:15 PM.
Carlsbad Caverns By David Sanchez
Rocky Mountain's Old Fall River Road Closes to Cars October 6, 2026
The mountain road switches to its winter schedule, closed to vehicles in early October with two maintenance windows when no one can get through.
Rocky Mountain By Jocelyn Pion
Saguaro: Javelina Wash Trail Closed After Flash Flooding
Just outside the Red Hills Visitor Center, the Javelina Wash Trail is closed for repairs after flash flooding.
Saguaro By David Sanchez
