Apr 12 2025
The National Park Service Junior Ranger program is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways for children—and often adults—to engage more deeply with America’s national parks. Instead of simply visiting a viewpoint or walking a trail, Junior Rangers complete activities that encourage them to observe wildlife, learn about history, understand geology, protect natural resources, …
Oct 01 2024
Zion National Park is one of the great hiking destinations of the American Southwest. Towering sandstone cliffs rise thousands of feet above the Virgin River, narrow canyons disappear between walls of red rock, and trails climb from the desert floor to viewpoints overlooking some of the most dramatic scenery in Utah. The best hikes in …
Oct 01 2024
The Narrows is one of the most unforgettable hikes in Zion National Park—and one of the few famous hikes where the river itself becomes the trail. Instead of following a dirt path through the canyon, hikers wade upstream through the Virgin River while sheer sandstone walls rise hundreds of feet on either side. At its …
Oct 01 2024
Glacier Point is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Yosemite National Park. Perched high above Yosemite Valley at an elevation of about 7,214 feet, the overlook provides sweeping views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Tenaya Canyon, and the rugged peaks of Yosemite’s high country. Unlike many of Yosemite’s grand viewpoints, Glacier Point does not …
Oct 01 2024
El Capitan is one of the defining landmarks of Yosemite National Park. Rising roughly 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, this enormous granite monolith dominates the north side of the valley and has become one of the most recognizable rock formations in the United States. For most Yosemite visitors, El Capitan is an unforgettable scenic landmark …
Oct 01 2024
Bridalveil Fall is one of the signature waterfalls of Yosemite National Park and one of the first major landmarks many travelers see as they enter Yosemite Valley. Dropping 620 feet from a hanging valley high above the valley floor, the waterfall appears almost suspended against a wall of pale granite. Unlike many seasonal Yosemite waterfalls, …
Oct 01 2024
Half Dome is the defining symbol of Yosemite National Park. Rising to an elevation of about 8,842 feet and standing nearly 4,800 feet above its base, this enormous granite formation dominates the eastern end of Yosemite Valley and appears in some of the most recognizable landscapes in the American national park system. For many visitors, …
Oct 01 2024
Yosemite Falls is one of the defining landmarks of Yosemite National Park and one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. From the rim of Yosemite Valley to the rocks below, the entire waterfall system drops an extraordinary 2,425 feet, creating a spectacle that can be seen from meadows, roads, trails, and viewpoints throughout the …
Oct 01 2024
Wind Cave National Park may be best known for the vast cave system hidden beneath the Black Hills of South Dakota, but some of the park’s greatest attractions live above ground. Rolling mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, rocky hills, and prairie dog towns support an impressive collection of wildlife that includes American bison, elk, pronghorn, …
Oct 01 2024
White Sands National Park may look almost empty at first glance. Miles of brilliant white gypsum dunes stretch across New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin, with few trees, little standing water, and summer temperatures that can make the landscape seem far too harsh for abundant wildlife. Yet White Sands supports a surprisingly diverse animal community. More than …
