Years ago, we went on record as being against solo hikes. It can be dangerous. The country of Nepal agrees with us. As of April first, hiking in Nepal’s national parks without a guide will be illegal.
Two Florida teens have been accused of illegally harvesting dozens of plants in Fakahatchee Strand State Park. Their crop included the rare ghost orchid. A K-9 alerted to the smell of heavy vegetation on the teens.
When was the last time you went stargazing? About 80 percent of people in North America can’t see the Milky Way from their homes. Visiting an International Dark Sky Park lets you enjoy the national parks in a different way and see gorgeous sights!
You should hurry over to Yosemite by the end of the month to see the incredible “firefall.” For a few weeks a year, the sunset’s light hits the water of the Horsetail Falls at the exact angle to make it look like lava is flowing down the cliff face of El Capitan.
A new study found that people in cities who spent time in parks, gardens or other green spaces were less likely to need medication for depression, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety or asthma.
A new massive review of medical records from Medicare has shown that spending time in nature may lower the risk of hospitalization for Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s.
Whether it’s too cold or too wet to get outside, you can still enjoy nature by placing bird feeders in your yard. And you don’t have to buy a fancy one. A homemade bird feeder will attract wildlife.
In winter, hiking can pose dangers. It comes with a different set of challenges you have to prepare for. The National Park Service wants people to be safe when visiting this season. So, they have tips.
It’s a time for winter sports. But, there are hidden dangers to playing in the snow. You have to take precautions to have fun outdoors. A few safety tips will help you make memories instead of trips to the ER!
This winter, head to a botanical garden. They are open and are decorated for the holidays with gorgeous displays and sculptures.
We’ve spoken in the past about the health benefits of hunting. The problem with hunting is the safety concern for folks out walking and hiking. But steps can be taken to make everyone safer.
The National Park Service has asked visitors to please stop licking the Sonoran Desert toad. Licking it provides a psychedelic effect because it secretes a potent toxin.
A new analysis looked at trash in the parks to see what people throw away. It focused on garbage picked up by volunteers in 44 spots within the parks between July and September. Plastic made up 81 percent of the trash.
People go all out decorating for Halloween. They look wonderful! But 3,200 Halloween-related injuries are treated at hospitals annually, and Halloween decorations caused 770 house fires between 2014 and 2019. It's essential to be safe this year!
The differences between hiking shoes and hiking boots aren’t simply a seasonal choice. Today, we’re looking at hiking shoes and hiking boots to help you decide which one is right for you.
The national park reservation system that people called complicated has ended in most parks. Now that the busy summer season has finished, the parks are easing their restrictions.
People don’t think about hurting themselves around their homes. When it’s a task like yardwork, it can seem routine. However, fall yardwork should come with some safety tips.
It’s been a while since many of us exercised outside. Exercising outdoors requires a few steps to be safe and enjoyable. But it’s more fun than working out inside.
The beautiful fall foliage is here. In celebration of National Public Lands Day, all NPS sites are free this Saturday. The best park for leaf peeping is Acadia. It usually has a fee, so check it out now.
In 2014, a major road in Yellowstone had to be closed when the asphalt softened, and oil raised to the top. Since then people have claimed roads melting in the park are precursors to an apocalyptic volcanic event.
While many people are hiking the Appalachian Trail these days, fewer are traversing the Long Trail. It’s a 272-mile route that follows the crest of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Canada.
From health, to food, to heat, to travel to recreational activities, there’re a lot of ways a fun day can turn dangerous. With that in mind, here are a few tips to have a fun, safe Labor Day!
The massive climate bill that just passed will help the national parks. The bill includes over a billion dollars for the park to aid staffing, maintenance and shore up their climate change resistance.
Do you hate mowing your lawn? Is it killing your water bill? Do drought rules mean you can’t water it, and it dies every summer? Get rid of it. You can enjoy your outdoor space more without a lawn.
It’s not always a walk in the park when people go for, well, a walk in the national parks. Three hiking deaths occurred in Glacier National Park in three days.
We usually urge you to get outside on Fridays. But parts of the country are sweltering. Heatstroke can lead to death, so it’s essential to avoid it and recognize the symptoms to get help fast.
At this time of year, people want to go walking and hiking with their dogs. There are some steps you must take and gear you have to bring to make sure your furry friend is safe and has fun.
Getting out into the national parks is worth it. But unpredictable weather and fires are becoming more regular. Yellowstone's flood and Yosemite's fire are the most recent but not the first.
The National Park Service hosts artists through 50 residencies nationwide. Accommodations range from remote cabins to modern studios. Nancy Hershberger, an artist-in-residence, makes art quilts of views from national parks.
The Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain is one of the hardest hikes in Phoenix, AZ. Eight people shooting a reality TV show climbed it with “no idea” and had to be rescued — five of them needing to be removed by helicopter.
Yellowstone had to close after terrible flooding. Now the southern part of the park has partially reopened, but there are things visitors should know before heading to the park.
There’s good news for those who love the environment and bad news for those who tend to forget the water bottles at home. The National Parks are phasing out single-use plastic by 2032.
Mosquitoes are unwelcome company that make yards less pleasant! Here are ways to make your yard less friendly for mosquitoes while remaining a wonderful space to enjoy.
Most of us don’t use sunscreen as well as we should and aren’t getting the sun protection we expect. In a survey of 1,000 adults in the U.S., 62 percent rated themselves as “excellent” at sun protection. But, their answers show otherwise.
This three-day weekend you should take the opportunity to relax, unplug and stop thinking about your problems. It can be even more beneficial for your health than a longer vacation.
The EPA’s Superfund program cleans up some of the most contaminated lands in the country. When they open to the public, they are gorgeous, safe parks meant to be enjoyed by everyone. You should go to one in your area!
It's a challenge to balance the national parks’ conservation efforts and people’s ability to enjoy them. For instance, because of wildfire risks, the National Park Service will not be allowing fireworks on July 4th over Mount Rushmore.
It’s Earth Day today, a great time to remember to take care of nature while enjoying it! Hiking on muddy trails can be slippery and lead to erosion, damaging the environment. With some tips, you can safely enjoy trails.
Tomorrow, the national parks are having a fee-free day to celebrate National Park Week. It’s a presidentially proclaimed event that happens every year that we always look forward to!
Next week, Netflix is releasing a new docuseries narrated by Pres. Obama about national parks around the world. It’s called Our Great National Parks, and it premieres on April 13.
One man’s recent hiking trip can teach us how not to get outdoors. He was so under-prepared for a hike he attempted earlier this month that he needed to be rescued twice in two days.
This is a call to action. The clocks changing means there are more daylight minutes in the afternoon. And most places are getting warmer. It’s time to get out there and enjoy being outside!
On March 1, Yellowstone National Park turned 150 years old. The park is celebrating with different events and activities this month and throughout the rest of the year!
Yellowstone has recently changed its rules about wolf hunting. The Montana wildlife commissioners have moved to stop hunting gray wolves in south-western Montana once 82 have been killed this season.
But, instead of heading to one as a visitor, have you ever considered volunteering at a national park? Whether you’re helping to clean up, run a site, guide a tour or lend your time some other way, it’s great to get involved!
While we advocate for visiting the national parks, we believe it’s important to remember that they are wild, dangerous places. With some helpful tips, you can make your day safer and more fun.
It’s that time of year again! The time we tell you to mark your calendars to visit the national parks for free on certain days. There are 423 national park sites. Only 108 have a fee, but it can deter you from going.
Now is a great time to get out into the national parks and see beautiful winter sights. Some parks are even better now than they are in the summer months!
People talk about winter sports like skating and skiing. But they rarely pay attention to the workout you get from sillier activities! Sledding, playing with snowballs and building snowmen are forms of exercise that help you stay fit and enjoy the winter.
We’re looking at some last-minute gifts you can buy for your hiking partner! These are stocking stuffers and smaller gifts that are wonderful ways to show you care. They’ll help your loved one enjoy time outside without breaking the bank!
While it’s true that the country is filled with natural beauty, there isn’t a national park in every state. Pennsylvania and New Jersey may soon have their first national park if the Delaware Water Gap is reclassified.
People are getting out into the national parks.
In May, a grizzly bear and her two cubs in Yellowstone came near a group of tourists.
Fall is the best time of year for hiking, and we wanted to review a few of the reasons!
We have seen a lot of tips about how to hike safely in smoky conditions and during fire season. While you can follow the rules to safely hike during wildfire season, is it right for you?
As children, we’re taught about supply and demand. If something is needed, you make more of it. National parks are seeing record-breaking numbers of visitors. Is it time for more national parks?
Ever since social distancing rules came into place, the public lands have been inundated with visitors. With crazy weather, unfortunate events and bad behavior, the parks are under a lot of stress.
NASA’s Megan McArthur has taught herself how to ID the national parks from 250 miles above the Earth. She is taking photos of them while on the International Space Station to give us incredible views.
There are heatwaves and advisories all around the country. We understand that right now might not be the best time for you to be exerting a lot of energy outside. That’s why today, we’re focusing on farmers markets.
We’ve been sharing some ways to enjoy time outside — and ways to stay cool inside if it’s just too hot to venture out! Now we’re looking at ways to beat your allergies so you can enjoy summer.
Before setting out for any hike, you obviously check the route. But, danger lies ahead for people who use Google Maps to hike to the top of Scotland’s highest mountain.
A hiking cat reached the summit of the tallest mountain in New Hampshire, and we couldn’t be more pleased for the feline. We love looking for inspiration to get ourselves moving, but it’s never come in the form of a cat before.
An Instagram vlogger, decided to hit a golf ball in all 50 states. Now, he faces up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine for breaking the leave no trace policies after teeing off in Yellowstone.
This summer is expected to “be the biggest season in the history of the Park Service.” The National Park Service has launched a program to help people prepare for a trip in this busy year. It’s called “Plan Like a Park Ranger.”
When you are married or have a partner, date night may fall by the wayside. But dating, even when you are in a relationship, has health benefits! Many places have reopened, and if you are still uncomfortable, picnics and outdoor dinners are great!
If you are planning a trip to a national park this summer, you should plan ahead. Many have changed their policies because of COVID-19. And some are using a reservation system.
This Friday is National Picnic Day. The weather is beautiful, and it’s time to get outside. Sometimes you don’t have any interest in grilling or making a complicated picnic meal. If you want to enjoy something delicious and easy, these salads in jars are perfect.
In 2020, the national parks opened and closed, over and over again. National Park Service has reviewed the data. Park attendance was incredibly low last year. The number of visitors dropped by nearly a third, down to 237 million.
The U.S. has 418 national parks. Most are free, but 109 have admission can be expensive but have beautiful sights! That’s why we appreciate the free days. Six are happening this year, including a new free day that hasn’t occurred before!
There's some great news for national parks: for years infrastructure including bathrooms, bridges, roads and more have needed help. New funds are giving a huge boost to those projects and adding an annual free day!
While gyms are closed, we need exercise and to breathe and some relaxation. Visiting a national park can be a wonderful break. But, things are different in the time of COVID-19.
Iceland is suggesting people use screaming therapy to ease anxiety and the other mental health impacts of the pandemic. And, they’ve made a site so that we here in America can join in the activity.
Every summer, it’s essential to wear bug spray and take other precautions to avoid being bitten. But this summer, two specific illnesses are worrying health professionals.
Many families enjoy trips in the summer, especially family reunions. This year, with COVID-19 outbreaks around the country, that’s more difficult. Here's how to evaluate your risks and make your plans.
It's essential to be as safe as possible while meeting up. If you follow guidelines you can make spending time with family and friends safer this holiday weekend and all summer.
Niney-year-old Margaret Payne decided to climb Scotland’s Suilven mountain to raise money for charity. But she did it differently: she took the stairs.
Many of us are slowly reemerging into the sun having been indoors. No one has a “base tan.” So, what is the best way to get some fun outside and a little vitamin D without coming to harm?
Two women were missing their grandchildren. But, concerned about the risk of contracting COVID-19, they have stayed away. The friends decided to go for a hike. But it wasn’t just any hike.
We are all sick of staying away from other people. We need contact. That’s how the idea of COVID-19 bubbles started. The “bubble” means only hanging out with a couple of people who all agree to follow the same safety precautions.
For months scientists have warned us to stay inside as much as possible. However, their understanding of COVID-19 is ever-growing. After months of being told the safety place was our home, it seems that just being out is quite safe.
A new survey showed that a third of Americans plan on traveling once they are free from containment. Companies are trying to figure out a way forward. Traveling in the future will look different from what it was.
We want to get out into the world mentally if not physically, and that is why we were thrilled to see many museums, theme parks and zoos offering more accessibility to all of us.
For inter-generational trips, cruises are always an exciting go-to vacation. But, as the COVID-19 virus continues to spread — and is now officially recognized as a pandemic — the government is warning families away.
This will not be our last day out on the road trip, but we are entering the final state in the union. We are excited to be visiting Wyoming, with so much to see and do!
We are thrilled to be back on the road after the holidays, and we’re so pleased to be rolling into Wisconsin. From national parks and Frank Lloyd Wright buildings to giant cows and buildings shaped like castles and space ships, we want to see it all!
Getting outside is important. You don’t have to go on a ride to see nature, you just have to walk out your door. Much of the country has snow and ice and, this week, we are reviewing some safety tips for walking in winter.
Antibacterial hand wipes serve many purposes. We love them during cold and flu season. They are an excellent tool for staying healthy throughout the winter. However, they aren’t great for hands.
Visiting family is fun and rewarding, but it can be stressful for both your mood and your body. Between the change of routine, weather and company, it’s a prime time to get sick or injured. It’s essential to take care of yourself.
As we pull into the mountain state, we’ll be belting out the John Denver song. It’s going to be in the 50s this weekend, and we want to get out and see the sights in the gorgeous state that inspired the perennial favorite song
Well known for its gorgeous vistas, beautiful evergreen forests and Puget Sound, we can’t wait to breathe the air in Washington. We decided that, for this trip, we’re avoiding Seattle. The famous city has many things we want to see, but we want to explore the rest of the state.
Virginia is filled with historic and beautiful sites we want to visit. In addition to the traditional places, we want to hit slightly odder spots. We want to see live mermaids, dinosaurs playing a role in the civil war and the world's oldest edible ham!
We’re pulling into the green mountain state. We’re so pleased to be tourists here while the weather is still warm and we can see the last of the fall leaves and so many outdoor attractions!
By the numbers, Utah is an excellent place for us to visit. The state has two National Recreation Areas, seven national monuments and five beautiful national parks. But, we also want to visit some spots a little off beat.
We are so pleased to be rolling into Texas! This far south, we are bound to be enjoying warm weather for the weekend, which is great because we want to get outside. We're going to see some nature, history and culture. And, see how things really are bigger in Texas.
We are so excited to be heading to Tennessee! We want to head outside, learn history and dance. As music lovers, we are thrilled to visit; Tennessee is the home state of much of America's musical history.
We are so pleased to be rolling into South Dakota! We will be visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and more beautiful monuments that mark America’s history. We’ll also be spending large amounts of time in the state’s gorgous parks. And, of course, we will be hitting tourist spots.
Fall officially begins on Monday, but it’s still hot in South Carolina. We want to soak in the sun before the cold season. We’re heading to the beach for a dip, to Columbia for outdoor art and a roadside spot with a storied past!
This week we are headed to Rhode Island, and we could not be more excited! The country’s smallest state is jam-packed full of exciting things to do and see. From history, to nature to apple picking, there is so much going on in Rhode Island.
We are in Pennsylvania this week on our digital trip. Trips to PA require visits to the Liberty Bell and historic sites, including Gettysburg. They are can’t miss attractions, but we’re interested in the slightly more offbeat destinations.
This week, our car is entering Oregon, known for beautiful vistas, the westward expansion and quirky towns. We’re excited as we enter the three-day weekend! It’s a time to relax, breathe out and get back into fun. We are looking at a great mix of manmade fun and gorgeous nature that will please everyone in your group!
While many people are hiking the Appalachian Trail these days, fewer are traversing the Long Trail. It’s a 272-mile route that follows the crest of the Green Mountains from Massachusetts to Canada.
From health, to food, to heat, to travel to recreational activities, there’re a lot of ways a fun day can turn dangerous. With that in mind, here are a few tips to have a fun, safe Labor Day!
The massive climate bill that just passed will help the national parks. The bill includes over a billion dollars for the park to aid staffing, maintenance and shore up their climate change resistance.
Do you hate mowing your lawn? Is it killing your water bill? Do drought rules mean you can’t water it, and it dies every summer? Get rid of it. You can enjoy your outdoor space more without a lawn.
It’s not always a walk in the park when people go for, well, a walk in the national parks. Three hiking deaths occurred in Glacier National Park in three days.
We usually urge you to get outside on Fridays. But parts of the country are sweltering. Heatstroke can lead to death, so it’s essential to avoid it and recognize the symptoms to get help fast.
At this time of year, people want to go walking and hiking with their dogs. There are some steps you must take and gear you have to bring to make sure your furry friend is safe and has fun.
Getting out into the national parks is worth it. But unpredictable weather and fires are becoming more regular. Yellowstone's flood and Yosemite's fire are the most recent but not the first.
The National Park Service hosts artists through 50 residencies nationwide. Accommodations range from remote cabins to modern studios. Nancy Hershberger, an artist-in-residence, makes art quilts of views from national parks.
The Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain is one of the hardest hikes in Phoenix, AZ. Eight people shooting a reality TV show climbed it with “no idea” and had to be rescued — five of them needing to be removed by helicopter.
Yellowstone had to close after terrible flooding. Now the southern part of the park has partially reopened, but there are things visitors should know before heading to the park.
There’s good news for those who love the environment and bad news for those who tend to forget the water bottles at home. The National Parks are phasing out single-use plastic by 2032.
Mosquitoes are unwelcome company that make yards less pleasant! Here are ways to make your yard less friendly for mosquitoes while remaining a wonderful space to enjoy.
Most of us don’t use sunscreen as well as we should and aren’t getting the sun protection we expect. In a survey of 1,000 adults in the U.S., 62 percent rated themselves as “excellent” at sun protection. But, their answers show otherwise.
This three-day weekend you should take the opportunity to relax, unplug and stop thinking about your problems. It can be even more beneficial for your health than a longer vacation.
The EPA’s Superfund program cleans up some of the most contaminated lands in the country. When they open to the public, they are gorgeous, safe parks meant to be enjoyed by everyone. You should go to one in your area!
It's a challenge to balance the national parks’ conservation efforts and people’s ability to enjoy them. For instance, because of wildfire risks, the National Park Service will not be allowing fireworks on July 4th over Mount Rushmore.
It’s Earth Day today, a great time to remember to take care of nature while enjoying it! Hiking on muddy trails can be slippery and lead to erosion, damaging the environment. With some tips, you can safely enjoy trails.
Tomorrow, the national parks are having a fee-free day to celebrate National Park Week. It’s a presidentially proclaimed event that happens every year that we always look forward to!
Next week, Netflix is releasing a new docuseries narrated by Pres. Obama about national parks around the world. It’s called Our Great National Parks, and it premieres on April 13.
