Get Out There

We may think of the national parks as natural landscapes frozen in time. However, landscapes are ever-changing. A new, exciting thermal vent has appeared in Yellowstone.

The national parks had 331.9 million visits last year. That is a record high. And 28 parks had new attendance records. But, an internal National Park Service memo said not to publicize the news.

When Dianne Whelan started hiking the Trans Canada Trail, she had little experience. She’s the first person to finish it. She initially thought the hike would take 500 days; it actually took six years.

We love exercising outdoors. Getting outdoors and getting plenty of light can benefit mood. However, you have to be safe about it. And it's not possible under some circumstances.

You can find treasures while hiking. It could be an artifact, a millionaire's hidden treasure, a lost wallet or a sight you've never seen before. It's waiting for you if you search for it for it.

It’s hard to believe that 152 years after Yosemite opened, new national parks are being founded. But we’re a country that loves our public lands! Right now is a great time to visit the newer parks.

A shocking news story has shown that one piece of trash can have massive consequences. A single bag of Cheetos dramatically impacted the ecosystem of Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

People complain that national parks are too crowded. State parks, on the other hand, are quieter. They don’t require reservations, they are less expensive and beautiful.

While we love free souvenirs, one thing you can’t take home with you is anything natural from public land. Picking flowers on public land can be a federal offense with a hefty fine.

The bite of an aggressive invasive tick can cause you to develop an allergy to meat. Most of us know to be concerned about Lyme disease caused by ticks. But Lone Star ticks are more likely to bite.

National parks are popular vacation spots. If you want solitude along with nature, a new ranking will offer you guidance! The grades were based on how quiet the park is, along with other factors.

An inspiring story from Vietnam has highlighted the fun and uplifting hobby of plaking. It's an excellent way to be outside and help your community!

Summers are a time to take once-in-a-lifetime trips to get outdoors and hike beautiful trails. But, the National Parks wants to stress the importance of safety as temperatures soar.

Using humor can be the best way to convey a message. That’s why the NPS posted, “Believe in yourself like visitors who believe they can pet a bison,” in a post about safety tips for avoiding wildlife.

If you want to burn calories, you probably try to optimize your walk. Simply switching up the cadence of your stride could boost your metabolism.

For many people, allergy season can put a stop to exercising outdoors. But if you love getting outside, there are ways to make your life easier!

Hunting is a great source of nutrition and exercise. But recently, two men died after eating meat from deer with chronic wasting disease — also known as “zombie deer disease.”

Earth Day is coming up this Monday. It’s a wonderful time to get out into your community and meet your neighbors! There are activities outdoors and inside that let you join the fun!

Spring hasn’t officially begun, but a mild winter kicked off allergy season early. Almost a quarter of the country has higher than usual pollen counts. But you can take care of yourself.

Three scary headlines surfaced in the world of hiking news this week. Going out into nature can be dangerous and hiking with company may be safer.

Some national parks are more popular and more expensive than others. But some underrated free parks are very similar to the most popular, most expensive parks.

A lawsuit over a bike injury made Coloradan landowners reluctant to let people on their grounds. A coalition of outdoors groups, landowners and politicians aims to change the law around responsibility.

A global survey used data from more than 2.5 million air filters. Eighty-five percent of the countries studied had worse air quality inside than out for six months a year and January was the worst.

While on vacation in Yellowstone, Pierce Brosnan, who is famous for playing James Bond, allegedly left the path and walked onto the thermal grounds. As it's a crime, he now faces jail time.

If it is too cold to go out, you can plan for when you will head back out to hike and camp again! By dehydrating food at home, you can save money and have delicious food on the trails!

Most national parks are free every day. But, the ones that charge an entrance fee can be pricey. The National Park Service have announced six free days in 2024. So plan your trip now!

Three national parks are bringing back reservations with timed entry tickets. Arches National Park, Glacier National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park will all require reservations in the spring.

A study from India examined air pollution as a possible factor in blood sugar concerns. Tiny particles can be absorbed into the bloodstream and cause many health problems.

Lots of people dream of hiking famous trails end-to-end. It’s become a romanticized bucket list ambition that many novels and memoirs have been written about. But the reality is different.

Love locks are a modern phenomena that have caused problems all around the world. Now, the practice has come to America’s national parks. Rangers at the Grand Canyon are trying to protect the wildlife.

Researchers say that spending more time outside can aid blood sugar levels. Metabolism and insulin resistance are both linked to a body’s internal clock. Daylight can, essentially, keep that clock ticking at the right speed.

Once you head into nature, there are animals all around you. But, in fall, bears are more of a danger than in other seasons. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prepare yourself.

Races can be fun and leave you with a sense of accomplishment. Unfortunately, many have walked away from a Tough Mudder race with bad memories. At least 350 people reported illnesses after an event.

Regardless of what steps you take, you will probably have delayed onset muscle soreness after a hike. But you will recover faster by taking care of yourself before, during and after your hike.

Some sunscreens might not be as healthy as you would expect. Chemicals in sunscreen may carry health risks. But there are trustworthy brands and tips you can use to spot the best ones.

A woman and man walking through the park said a pair of bison in a field and immediately turned and walked away. However, the two animals charged and gored the 47-year-old woman.

If it’s too hot out for you, you can bring the outside world indoors! Indoor gardening isn't just for winter. It’s a year-round hobby that lets you make your home greener and healthier.

Tie-dyeing is fun for people of all ages! If you are outside, you don't have to worry about the mess. But if it's hot and you're stuck inside, you can take steps and make it an indoor activity.

A couple of years ago, we shared tips for staying cool without air conditioning. They’re great tips. But, as the summer heat just won’t quit, we wanted to add more we have learned recently.

For people with blood sugar concerns, hot weather can be more than just irritating. Heat can change blood sugar levels rapidly. It’s essential to keep an eye on blood sugar numbers on hot days.

You’ve heard the advice about covering up and wearing bug spray before. But did you know that prevention can start in the shower? Certain soaps make you more attractive or less to mosquitos.

Weeding your garden is a great workout. When you weed, you are stretching all sorts of muscles. You lean, stretch, squat and kneel. You burn through a lot of calories as you make your yard beautiful!

The Northeast has been dealing with fires for the last couple of weeks. Fire season isn’t in their wheelhouse. As a Californian company that deals with this every year, we feel we should share some tips.

Almost 312 million people visited national parks last year! The busy parks are ready for visitors. Popular spots start getting ready for spring and summer visitors during the winter.

Shenandoah National Park recently celebrated the addition of 1,000 acres of land. The land was bought from three families and is one of the largest expansions to the park in recent history.

A group of 10 hikers, aged 16 to 18, got stuck when they were unprepared for a hike. While they were under-dressed and didn't have enough water, they did have a phone with an app that rescued them.

A study on the neurological effects of outdoor exercise found that a short walk outdoors improved memory and concentration significantly more than the same indoor walk.

Today is Cinco de Mayo. You should enjoy the nice weather this weekend and invite people over for a party. Here are three inexpensive Mexican crafts that would be perfect to make outside!

We’re at the perfect time of year when it’s not too hot or too cold. It’s also not too buggy yet, and the absolute perfect weather for picnicking. Picnicking is good for your mental and physical health.

We love words from other languages that can’t be easily translated, especially when they are about health and wellness. We are looking at gökotta — the Swedish practice of getting up early to listen to birdsong.

An outdoor TV is expensive. But, more than the monetary cost, there is a quality of life cost. Having a TV in your yard takes away from what your yard is meant to be: a gateway into nature. And they can take a toll on your health.

Wildflowers are already in full bloom in many parts of the country. National Weed Appreciation Day was earlier this week. You should get out and see them in a park near you.

You may be inclined to catch up on the latest TV when it’s gray and wet outdoors. But getting outside and getting moving is essential for staying healthy. So we have tips for enjoying rainy days.

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.