Infos querbeet zu NPs, NMs, SPs, etc.

250th Anniversary of the American Revolution

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Commemorating 250 Years of Revolution in Boston

2025-2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Siege of Boston (1775-1776). Following the first shots at Lexington and Concord, colonial forces laid siege on Boston for 11 months while the British Army tried to maintain control of the town and the harbor. This siege was the first chapter of the eight year war for American Independence.

Join the National Parks of Boston as we commemorate significant moments of this siege and consider how successive generations of Bostonians looked to this pivotal moment as inspiration in later political and social movements.

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More National Park Service Sites Announce Hour Reductions And Campground Closures

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National parks continue to make changes. Cancelations are ongoing, along with delays for visitors following the layoffs. Concerns are also growing over US National Park campground reservations, with several parks delaying the process, or keeping quiet about future plans.

In the following, we have the very latest on National Park closures and hour changes. Some parks have changed availabilities, while getting rid of certain activities altogether.

We'll take a closer look at that situation, and what visitors can expect when heading towards the likes of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Denali National Park and Preserve.

National parks have announced more closures, along with a change in the hours. This trend continues to grow following the layoffs that have taken place across national parks in the US. The layoffs are expected to extend throughout March and into April.

Denali National Park and Preserve also made a major announcement, canceling all youth camps for 2025. Curecanti National Recreation Area is also set for some changes.

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This Is the Quietest Trail in the U.S. - and It Follows a Stunning 76-mile Scenic River

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For peace and quiet, head to Nebraska's Niobrara National Scenic River.

True silence is something most people rarely get to enjoy. Even when we're exploring seemingly remote places, human-made noises can still reach our ears, be it airplanes buzzing overhead or the distant rumble of a highway. That's why Quiet Parks International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving silence, started identifying, evaluating, and recognizing the quietest parks and trails in the world.

The first trail in the United States to receive the rare “Quiet Trail” designation is a watery one: the Niobrara National Scenic River, located near Valentine, Nebraska. The nationally protected waterway is a popular destination for river recreation—from canoeing on calm, early-morning water to floating on tubes with friends. But, it is also surprisingly quiet.

The trail was awarded Quiet Trail status in October 2023. To earn the designation, qualitative and quantitative sound data was collected from the river over two years.

“Our testing process is very exact," Gordon Hempton, cofounder of Quiet Parks International, said in a statement. "Beyond collecting standard acoustic data, each team member must agree, unanimously and unhesitatingly, that natural quiet prevailed throughout the testing period. The Niobrara River’s splendid geologic landscape, unusual atmospheric conditions, and outstanding wildlife all contributed towards a positive outcome,”

The 76-mile Niobrara National Scenic River stretches from Valentine, Nebraska, to just north of Newport, Nebraska. It is also where six major ecosystems converge, resulting in around 160 plant and animal species. The presence of a diversity of wildlife only makes the waterway’s role as a quiet escape even more important; quiet places benefit all living things, not just overstimulated humans.

“Quiet is rare globally, as 97 percent of the U.S. population faces noise pollution from sources like aviation and highways," said Susan Cook, a superintendent at Niobrara National Scenic River. "Destinations where one can experience the pure sounds of nature are becoming increasingly scarce, so we are thrilled to be able to offer this at Niobrara National Scenic River."

While Niobrara National Scenic River is the first Quiet Trail in the U.S., it does have two international counterparts. There's Cuifeng Lake Circular Trail in Taiwan's Taipingshan National Forest as well as the Montañas Vacías Bikepacking Trail in Spain. Trails around the village of Finnhamnen in the Kvarken Archipelago of Finland and Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii are currently being evaluated.

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San Francisco eröffnet neuen Küstenpark Sunset Dunes

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San Francisco hat mit dem Sunset Dunes Park ein neues Naherholungsgebiet geschaffen. Der rund 20 Hektar große Küstenpark am Ocean Beach entstand aus einem gesperrten Highway und verbindet nun laut Tourismuswerbern Erholung, Kunst und Naturschutz.

Wo zuvor Autos fuhren, sind künftig Spaziergänger, Skater und Radfahrer unterwegs. Mit dem Sunset Dunes Park wurde in San Francisco ein 3,2 Kilometer langer Abschnitt des früheren Great Highway dauerhaft in eine Strandpromenade umgewandelt. Die neue Anlage verbindet den Golden Gate Park mit dem Zoo am Sloat Boulevard und erstreckt sich über 20 Hektar direkt an der Pazifikküste.

Bereits während der Corona-Pandemie hatte die Stadt den Highway provisorisch für den Autoverkehr gesperrt, teilt San Francisco Travel mit. Daraus entwickelte sich ein Konzept, das nun als Kaliforniens größtes Fußgänger-Umbauprojekt umgesetzt wurde.

Der Park setzt auf ein klares Leitsystem, das Wege für Fußgänger und Strecken für zügigere Aktivitäten trennt. Mit farbigen Wandmalereien und Skulpturen wolle man dem Ort einen künstlerischen Charakter verleihen, so die Macher. Zudem sorgen in Sunset Dunes Hängematten, Sitzbereiche, Outdoor-Fitnesszonen und Parcours für Abwechslung.

Neben der Freizeitnutzung spielt laut San Francisco Tourism auch der Umweltschutz eine Rolle. Bereits im Februar pflanzten Freiwillige über 1.500 einheimische Strandgräser zur Stabilisierung der Dünen und zum Schutz vor Erosion. Weitere Renaturierungsprojekte seien geplant, um die Artenvielfalt zu stärken.

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Blue Ridge Parkway Begins Virginia Pavement Preservation Work

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Parkway Visitors Can Expect Single-Lane Closures in 21-mile project area

The National Park Service announced today that approximately 22 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia will be resurfaced this summer as part of a pavement preservation program on the historic motor route. Work is expected to start next week and continue through this September. Visitors that encounter active work zones can expect short duration, single lane closures. Work will take place from milepost 122, at US 220, to milepost 143, near Pine Spur, including paved overlooks.

As with any road project, motorists and park users must exercise caution. In the interest of visitor safety, park visitors are asked to:

Check the Parkway's Alerts and Conditions page for regular updated work zone information.

Expect delays while work takes place Monday through Friday. Lane closures will be managed with flagging operations and a pilot car to lead traffic through work zones.

Observe reduced speed limits in work zones, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; to maintain safe operations and allow for proper curing of pavement.

Anticipate loose gravel on the road surface during pavement curing times. Bicyclists and motorcyclists are asked to exercise extreme caution as loose gravel on top of the paved surface, during the required curing time, could result in loss of control. On-site message boards will advise against bikes.

When circumstances prevent bicyclists from keeping up with traffic, dismount and move off the road to let the on-coming traffic pass when traveling through a single lane closure.

Contractors will work in short sections and repeat the resurfacing process as they move from section to section of the full project. The steps in this process include prepping the surface, applying a chip seal surface of liquid asphalt and stone chips, allowing the surface to properly cure, vacuuming the work area to minimize loose gravel, applying a fog seal on top of the chip seal surface, and finishing by painting new road marking lines. The process will then repeat on the next section of the project.

The Blue Ridge Parkway inventory of paved roads includes bridges, tunnels, parking areas, spur roads, service roads, campground, and picnic area roads, in addition to the 469-mile Parkway motor route itself. Given the large inventory of paved surfaces along the Parkway, and to effectively invest available funding, the pavement preservation strategy focuses on keeping the good sections good and returning fair sections to good condition.

Pavement preservation is a regular road maintenance strategy in national parks. Studies find that for each dollar spent on pavement preservation between $6 and $10 in future pavement rehabilitation costs are saved. Funding for road maintenance in national parks, including the Parkway, comes in large part from the Highway Trust Fund, which is derived from a federal gas tax managed by the Federal Highway Administration.

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This California Waterfall Is Called the '8th Wonder of the World'—and It Reopened After 9 Months With a Gorgeous New Trail

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The trail to the Burney Falls at McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is open again to visitors. Here's how to see it responsibly.

The National Park Service reported a record 331.9 million visits in 2024, showing just how much we are all craving getting a little time outside with Mother Nature. However, we sometimes love Mother Nature a little too much, which was the case with one particular site in the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park in Northern California, which was forced to close several trails for nine months for repairs after its record-breaking visitor numbers.

But now, the trails are back and ready for (responsible) action—and will lead you to arguably one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the nation.

Located about a five-hour drive north of San Francisco, travelers can explore the park's five miles of trails, several of which lead to and around the 129-foot Burney Falls, which the park website says "is not the highest or largest waterfall in the state, but possibly the most beautiful."

The park's site additionally explains that the water for the falls comes from its underground springs, flowing to Lake Britton, "getting larger along the way to the majestic falls."

The spring months are, without question, when the falls peak thanks to additional spring rains and snow melt. This helps push more water down its face, flowing over moss and ferns, tumbling into a crystal clear pool at the base, giving a truly picture-perfect experience.

It's such a beautiful scene that visitor numbers swelled from 250,000 to over 350,000 annually over the last few years, according to Active NorCal. And that excessive use caused the 1.1-mile Burney Fall Loop Trail and the 2.6-mile Burney Creek Trail infrastructure to fail, creating a potentially dangerous environment for visitors.

California State Parks quickly took action, closing the trails for the better part of 2024 as part of an $835,000 project to repair both. It also worked in tandem with Caltrans' multi-million-dollar Highway 89 improvement project, which is also the main route to access the park and trails.

And just as the parks department estimated, everything is now back up and running at the park just in time for the spring and summer season. However, California State Parks is warning people: "McArthur Burney Falls State Park experiences extremely high visitation beginning in April and continuing through October. Most weekends all summer, the park will fill to capacity, and entrance into the park is subject to closure due to limited parking availability."

It added that would-be visitors should expect traffic delays "for up to an hour prior to entering the park due to the increased visitation experienced at this park."

Still, if you're up for an early-morning adventure, or time your trip well, it could all be worth it. After all, it's such a beautiful sight that former President Teddy Roosevelt even nicknamed it "the eighth wonder of the world." Just make sure to abide by the Leave No Trace Principles to keep this place as pristine as you found it.

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Glacier Park releases details on 2025 Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle

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Glacier National Park is temporarily offering a Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle as a way for day hikers to access Many Glacier Valley from July 1, 2025 to September 21, 2025 during construction in the Swiftcurrent area.

There will be no general public entrance into Many Glacier between July 1 and September 21, 2025, without a day hiker shuttle ticket, wilderness permit, commercial service reservation, or lodging reservation. A gate will be in use at the fee booth to restrict overnight access and limit overnight parking in the valley to visitors with lodging reservations or wilderness permit holders.

Prior to July 1 and after September 21, there will be general public entrance to Many Glacier, however, because parking is limited to the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot, capacity will be reached quickly, and daily temporary access restrictions of up to several hours are expected.

To use the Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle, day hikers will need to obtain shuttle tickets on Recreation.gov. Tickets will be available seven days in advance at 8 am, starting on June 24, and at 7 pm the night before entry, starting on June 30. The only cost associated with obtaining a ticket is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.

Each ticket allows up to four people arriving in one vehicle to park and ride the Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle. If there are more than four people in your party, additional tickets can be purchased. During the checkout process in Recreation.gov select date and time, and indicate the number of people in your group.

Hikers with shuttle tickets will park at one of nine pullouts designated for parking along Many Glacier Road and board the shuttle at an indicated loading area for a 15 to 30-minute ride to Many Glacier Hotel. Access to all trails will begin at Many Glacier Hotel, with maps and signs indicating detours around the construction zone. Hikers should be aware that detours add mileage and elevation to hikes.

Tickets are available in one-hour time blocks; 7-8 am, 8-9 am, 9-10 am and 10-11 am. Hikers will need to park and board the shuttle within their designated time block, which is designed to match shuttle capacity and minimize wait times. Hikers who arrive inside their time block will be given priority for boarding the shuttle. A valid park entry pass is also required for each party boarding the shuttle. Only one park entry pass is required per vehicle. These passes could include any of the following: a $35 vehicle entrance pass, good for seven days; a valid Interagency Annual/Lifetime Pass (America the Beautiful); or a Glacier National Park Annual Pass. Shuttles will stop near the Many Glacier Entrance Station where park entry passes will be validated prior to entry. Vehicle entrance passes can be purchased on Recreation.gov when shuttle tickets are purchased, or at the park upon arrival.

A Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle ticket will be required to park and ride the shuttle. Roadside parking areas will be reserved for ticketed shuttle riders only, and parking will only be allowed at designated parking locations. Parking spaces cannot accommodate vehicles over 21 feet or vehicles with trailers. No overnight parking will be permitted in shuttle parking.

Visitors without a Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle ticket, or commercial service or lodging reservation, or a wilderness permit are discouraged from driving into the valley past Babb, MT, since there will be no parking and additional traffic will cause congestion and dust.

For visitors’ safety, hiking and biking will not be allowed on the Many Glacier Road between July 1 and September 21, 2025.

Visitors with mobility disabilities holding a Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle ticket can park for shuttle pick-up in one of two accessible parking spaces near the accessible restroom, located at pullout #6, on the Many Glacier Road. Alternatively, visitors with mobility disabilities and a shuttle ticket may drive their vehicle to Many Glacier Hotel by presenting the shuttle ticket and an accessible placard or an “America the Beautiful – Access Pass” to park entrance staff. Parking availability inside Many Glacier is not guaranteed. Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle buses comply with federal accessibility standards. However, most shuttle stops do not meet these standards.

In 2025, Many Glacier Hotel, Swan Mountain Outfitters and Glacier Park Boat Company will operate as usual. The only parking available for these services and activities will be at Many Glacier Hotel. The parking at Many Glacier Hotel will be set aside for visitors with lodging, horseback riding, boating reservations, and wilderness permits between July 1 and September 21, 2025.

Visitors with boating, horseback riding, lodging reservations or a wilderness permit should not purchase a Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle ticket, but should drive their vehicle to the entrance gate. Visitors with boating or horseback riding reservations can enter the park only between the hours of 7 am and 5 pm by showing confirmation of a reservation, either saved on their phone or a printed copy, at the entrance station. Visitors with a lodging reservation will also need to show confirmation of a reservation at the entrance from 7 am to 5 pm. An access code to enter the gate will be provided to Many Glacier Hotel guests in their final lodging confirmation if access is needed before 7 am and after 5 pm. Visitors with a wilderness permit will need to show their permit at the entrance station from 7 am to 5 pm, and place a copy of the permit on the dash of their parked vehicle.

Pursuant to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, tribal members will have access to enter Many Glacier Valley from 7 am to 5 pm.

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn, Many Glacier Campground, and all trailhead parking in the Swiftcurrent area will be closed through mid-May 2026. All waters in Many Glacier Valley will be closed to private personal watercraft the entire 2025 season. Many Glacier Ranger Station is closed for the 2025 season. The nearest wilderness permit office is at St. Mary Visitor Center. National Park Service information and trail updates will be available at Many Glacier Hotel.

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The Birth of Biscayne National Park

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The Florida Keys is one of the most famous and most visited archipelagos in the world. Contrary to what many may think, the Florida Keys do not begin at Key Largo. To the north lie nearly 50 more keys (ancient coral reef islands) that are virtually undeveloped. The fight to protect these last unspoiled keys culminated over 30 years ago with the creation of Biscayne National Monument.

During the early 1950s, an era of newfound prosperity, Americans were taking more vacations and moving to Florida. The keys were a popular destination and property values soared. Many people looked at the northernmost keys, the ones bypassed by Henry Flagler's railroad and within the present day boundaries of the park, and saw them languishing in placid waters. They envisioned hotels, roads and other developments. Several years later came a plan to dredge up 8,000 acres of bay bottom to create a jetport. In 1961, 13 area landowners voted unanimously to create the City of Islandia. Plans for Seadade, a major industrial seaport, were announced in 1962. The proposal called for the dredging of a 40-foot deep channel through the Bay's clear, shallow waters. Dade County's "new frontier" was born, but it never grew beyond the toddler stage.

An initially small, but vocal, group of people had an entirely different vision for these islands; a national park unlike any other. The park would be covered by water, protecting not only the islands but the bay to the west and the reef to the east. It would provide a haven for wildlife and a respite for people tired of cramped city life. The park's proponents were not extraordinary in the usual sense of the word. They were doctors and pilots, farmers and writers. They were people who knew the area — people who understood new concepts like ecology and environmental preservation.

The Hatfields and McCoys had nothing on the two feuding groups. Words were exchanged, tempers flared and fights broke out. Lloyd Miller, president of the local Izaak Walton League, said that the opposition poisoned his dog and tried to get him fired from his job because of his support for the park idea. Slowly though, support began to build. Juanita Greene's inspiring newspaper stories in the Miami Herald helped accelerate the pace. Hardy Matheson based his entire campaign for county commissioner on the issue of establishing the park. Vacuum cleaner magnate Herbert W. Hoover, Jr., who spent considerable time in the area as a boy, brought legislators down from Washington for dramatic blimp rides over the proposed park, convinced that anyone who saw the place would be just as smitten with it as he was. By early 1968, local and national support for a Biscayne National Monument was at an all-time high.

Facing a ground swell of public support for the park idea, landowners in the city of Islandia brought in bulldozers in an attempt to spoil the area. Dubbed "spite highway," the swath was six lanes wide and seven miles long, right down the middle of Elliott Key. Park proponents were not deterred. Congress, led by longtime Representative Dante Fascell, created Biscayne National Monument to protect "a rare combination of terrestrial, marine and amphibious life in a tropical setting of great natural beauty." President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill on October 18, 1968.

That was nearly 50 years ago. Since then, a lot has changed. Greater Miami has become a Latin American capital, with 4 million residents and 10 million annual visitors from all over the world. The park has undergone several enlargements and a name change. Spite highway has grown in to an intimate tunnel through a tropical hardwood forest, and serves as the park's one and only hiking trail.

While the struggle to protect the park from current local threats continues, some things have not changed. The northern keys are still untethered by roads and bridges. The shallow water is still clear and beautiful. It is still a haven for wildlife and a respite for weary urban dwellers.

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Birthplace to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of George Washington’s Command of the Continental Army

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George Washington Birthplace National Monument is kicking off the summer with "Washington’s Call to Command," a two-day event commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army and honoring George Washington as the Army’s first Commander in Chief. The event will take place on June 14th and 15th, promising a memorable weekend of history and celebration.

Visitors will experience a rendezvous with revolution as they encounter Continental Army soldiers who will conduct black powder demonstrations and showcase equipment used in the daily lives of soldiers during the Revolutionary War. Throughout the weekend, additional Revolutionary War-themed demonstrations and kid friendly activities will highlight why the Continental Congress chose Washington as commander in chief, the Homespun Movement, and more.

On June 15th, a special presentation titled "Washington as a Military Commander" will be held in the visitor center auditorium at 2:00 p.m. This presentation will explore George Washington's military career and tactics, offering attendees a deeper understanding of the strategic decisions that shaped his legacy.

“We are excited to celebrate this significant milestone in American history and honor George Washington’s legacy,” said park superintendent Melissa Cobern. “This event is a great introduction to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution as well as a fun and meaningful way to reflect on the importance of Washington’s leadership to the founding of our nation.”

The event is free and open to the public.

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Glacier National Park: Next Day Timed Entry Vehicle Reservations available June 12

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Glacier National Park reminds visitors that next day timed entry vehicle reservations become available on Recreation.gov starting June 12, 2025, at 7 pm Mountain Time.

A timed entry vehicle reservation is required from June 13 to September 28, 2025, for the West Side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and the North Fork. Reservations can only be purchased on Recreation.gov.

Timed entry blocks are available in two hour increments as follows:

7 am–9 am

9 am–11 am

11 am–1 pm

1 pm–3 pm

Visitors can enter reservation areas at any time during the time block they have reserved and can remain in the park for as long as they like on the day of their reservation. Visitors who miss their reserved time block can enter after 3 pm.

Timed entry vehicle reservations were made available through two booking windows. A portion of reservations were made available 120 days in advance, starting February 13, at 8 am Mountain Time, on a daily rolling basis. A second booking window, for next-day entry, will be available starting June 12, 2025, at 7 pm Mountain Time.Each of the specified areas of the park requires a separate reservation, which can be made on Recreation.gov or the Recreation.gov mobile app. Visitors must create an account before booking and are encouraged to do so prior to the day reservations open. The cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee.

Visitors may also make a reservation through the Recreation.gov call center. Contacting the call center does not provide an advantage towards securing a reservation but provides an alternative for those who don’t have access to the internet or are not as familiar with technology. Call centers are open every day from 8 am to 10 pm Mountain Time and the processing fee remains $2. The following lines are available for callers:  Reservation line (International) - (606) 515-6777

As a reminder the North Fork has limited amenities and services. The only services are outside of the park entrance in the small community of Polebridge which is accessible without a reservation. There is no cell phone coverage. A four-wheel-drive vehicle and the ability to change a tire are recommended, as flat tires are common on the unimproved roads inside the park. First come, first served camping for this area can be arranged at the Polebridge Ranger Station on the first day of the visit and does not require a timed entry vehicle reservation. Please do not make a reservation for the North Fork without thorough research of the area and full intentions of using the reservation.

As in 2024, visitors will be able to access Apgar Village, Two Medicine, and the East Entrance to Going-to-the-Sun Road at St. Mary without a timed entry vehicle reservation. While visitors can access Going-to-the-Sun Road from the St. Mary Entrance without a reservation, visitors should be advised that if they drive west through the Apgar check point into Apgar Village, they cannot reenter through the check point driving east without a timed entry vehicle reservation for the appropriate time block or until after 3 pm.

Like previous years, visitors with lodging, camping, transportation, or commercial activity reservations can access their intended service within the Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation area with proof of their reservation. Only commercial reservations that originate beyond the Apgar timed entry vehicle reservation check point and west of Logan Pass will provide entry in place of a timed entry vehicle reservation. As a reminder, lodging, camping (including Fish Creek and Apgar campgrounds), and commercial activity reservations originating in Apgar will not provide access beyond the Apgar timed entry vehicle reservation check point.

Due to extremely limited parking during construction in the Swiftcurrent area, the park will restrict personal vehicle access into Many Glacier and provide a temporary Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle service under a separate reservation system for a limited number of hikers to access Many Glacier and Swiftcurrent from July 1, 2025, to September 21, 2025. Visit the Many Glacier Construction FAQs page to learn more.

In addition to a timed entry vehicle reservation, each vehicle entering the park is required to have an entrance pass for any entry point into the park. These passes could include any of the following: a $35 vehicle entrance pass, good for seven days; a valid Interagency Annual/Lifetime Pass; or a Glacier National Park Annual Pass. A vehicle reservation does not include an entrance pass, and the park entrance pass does not serve as a vehicle reservation.

Pursuant to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978, vehicle reservations are not required for tribal members throughout the park.

As in past years, entry may be temporarily restricted in areas of the park that don’t require reservations, such as Two Medicine and Many Glacier, if they become too congested for visitor safety and resource protection. Visitors with commercial service reservations (e.g., boat tours, lodging, horseback ride, guided hikes) in these areas should arrive early to ensure a parking space. Visitors with commercial service reservations may be permitted entry during temporary restrictions if feasible. Sign up for text alerts to receive updates on temporary restrictions.

Parking at Logan Pass, Apgar Village, and other areas may be congested or temporarily unavailable. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of free shuttles for hiker access to Logan Pass although waits for shuttles may be long depending on the time and location. Visitors are encouraged to check the park website frequently for updates and additional information.

When planning to visit Glacier National Park, take time to consider your preparedness, skills, fitness and experience. No matter how you choose to recreate, be prepared to turn back when conditions change or if you are being pushed to your limits. Weather and conditions can change quickly in the park. Before starting any trip, take time to explore the park's website and plan ahead for a safer and more enjoyable visit.

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Glacier NP: Going-to-the-Sun Road projected to open Monday, June 16

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The full length of Going-to-the-Sun Road is expected to open to motorized vehicles Monday, June 16, for the 2025 summer season.

As a reminder, timed entry vehicle reservations are required to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side of the park for those traveling by vehicle or motorcycle from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning June 13 through September 28, 2025. Complete information on timed entry vehicle reservations can be found online at https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourv…eservations.htm. As in 2024, timed entry vehicle reservations will not be required to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side of the park at the St. Mary Entrance.

Ahead of the full opening, beginning June 14, the east side of the Going-to-the-Sun Road will be open to vehicles and motorcycles from the St. Mary Entrance to Logan Pass. Some popular trails such as the Highline Trail remain closed due to remaining hazardous snowy conditions. For up-to-date information on trail conditions and clearing activities, visit the park’s trail status webpage.

This will be the last weekend for bicyclists to bike the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road before it is projected to open to motorized vehicles on Monday, June 16. As a reminder for bicyclists coming from the West Entrance heading eastbound (uphill) on Going-to-the-Sun Road there is still an active closure, past the loop due to a wildlife incident. Visitors are reminded of proper bear safety such as, if you see a bear along the road, do not stop near it. Roadside bears quickly become habituated to traffic and people. Carry bear spray, know how to properly use it, and make sure it is accessible. This will be the last weekend of the hiker/biker shuttle for the season. More biking information can be found at Bicycling - Glacier National Park (U.S. National Park Service).

As we prepare for the road opening, bicyclists should be mindful of administrative vehicle traffic, especially on Thursday and Friday, June 12 and June 13, while bus operators are in training. Bicyclists are reminded to wear a helmet, bring extra clothes as conditions can change quickly, never leave food unattended, and bring the necessary tools to change a tire. Bicyclists are required to have a timed entry vehicle reservation if they are wanting the opportunity to park at Avalanche to bike from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., during their selected time slot. Going-to-the-Sun Road may become busier after 3 p.m. when timed entry vehicle reservations are no longer required for the day.

For safety concerns, bicycle restrictions are in place when the road is open to motor vehicles as described below:

Eastbound:

From June 13 through June 15, bicycles are prohibited from going eastbound (uphill) between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Apgar to Avalanche.

Beginning June 16, when Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opens, through September 28, bicycles are prohibited going eastbound (uphill) between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Apgar to Logan Pass.

Westbound:

From June 13 through June 15, bicycles are prohibited from going westbound (downhill) between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Avalanche to Apgar.

Beginning June 16, when Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opens, through September 28, bicycles are prohibited going westbound (downhill) between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. from Logan Pass to Apgar.

Visitors are reminded that although the entirety of Going-to-the-Sun Road is projected to open on Monday, rockfalls or other natural events might delay this opening, as conditions can change quickly.

Going-to-the-Sun Road Reservations and Amenities

Visitor information services and the Glacier National Park Conservancy bookstore will be available at the Logan Pass Visitor Center starting June 14. Visitors are reminded to pack water and snacks as food and water are not available for purchase at the Logan Pass Visitor Center. Restrooms will be open.

When Going-to-the-Sun Road fully opens, the number of timed entry vehicle reservations available will be increased. The increase will be executed through the next-day reservations available at 7 p.m. each day. Timed entry vehicle reservations are only available on Recreation.gov and not available at the park.

Timed entry vehicle reservations are required to enter Going-to-the-Sun Road from the west side of the park past Apgar Campground. Reservations will be required for those traveling by vehicle or motorcycle from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning June 13 through September 28, 2025. Visitors who miss their time block or visitors without a timed entry vehicle reservation can enter after 3 p.m.

Visitors with lodging, camping, or commercial activity reservations (e.g., boat tours and horseback rides) within the specified reservation areas can use proof of their reservation for entry instead of a timed entry vehicle reservation to gain access to the area for which they have a service reservation. Service reservations originating east of Logan Pass cannot be used instead of a timed entry vehicle reservation for access past the Apgar Check Point heading east on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Parking at Logan Pass, Apgar Village, and other areas may be congested or temporarily unavailable. Daily shuttle service along Going-to-the-Sun Road will begin operating July 1, on a first-come, first-served basis at the Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers with stops along Going-to-the-Sun Road. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the free shuttle for hiker access to Logan Pass although waits for shuttles may be long depending on the time and location. Check the park website for additional information on shuttle stops.

While driving along the road, particularly through the Rim Rock area (approximately one mile west of Logan Pass) visitors should be aware of potential rockfall and should not slow down or stop in this section. Rocks and other debris continue to fall throughout the summer, requiring daily clean up. With the level of snow at Logan Pass, visitors should use extreme caution and refrain from crossing snowfields or standing under snow overhangs.

North Fork

Timed entry vehicle reservations are also required for the North Fork beginning June 13 through September 28, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Many Glacier

As a reminder, the Many Glacier Valley has significantly reduced parking spots due to the construction project at Swiftcurrent. The road closure begins at the T-intersection just past the Many Glacier Hotel road. Although the Many Glacier Valley does not require a timed entry vehicle reservation in 2025, the area is already seeing high congestion and temporary closures. A Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle will take effect July 1. Learn more about the Many Glacier Construction on the Many Glacier Construction FAQs page.

Two Medicine

The Two Medicine area will not require timed entry vehicle reservations in 2025. Visitors may experience temporary restrictions due to congestion.

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21 Vintage Photos of America’s National Parks

Link zu den Bildern – ich habe bei dem ein oder anderen lachen müssen.

Ein Felssturz in Kanadas Banff Nationalpark tötet eine Person

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Ein Felssturz im kanadischen Nationalpark hat am gestern Donnerstag eine Person getötet und drei weitere verletzt. Die Gesteinsbrocken sind auf einen Wanderweg niedergegangen.

Im berühmten Banff National Park in Kanada haben herabstürzende Felsen eine Wandergruppe getroffen. Eine Person kam bei dem Vorfall am Donnerstag (Ortszeit) ums Leben, drei weitere wurden verletzt, wie die Polizei mitteilte.

Die Regierungschefin von Alberta, Danielle Smith, sagte, sie sei tief betrübt: «Wir denken an alle Beteiligten und wünschen ihnen Sicherheit, während wir auf weitere Details warten», schrieb sie in einem Beitrag in den sozialen Medien.

Rettungskräfte waren am Nachmittag in den Park geeilt, nachdem sie die Meldung erhalten hatten, dass eine Gruppe von Wanderern von den Felsbrocken getroffen wurde. Der Ort in der Nähe der Bow Glacier Falls liegt nördlich von Lake Louise am Icefields Parkway, etwa 200 Kilometer nordwestlich der Stadt Calgary.

Der Bow-Glacier-Falls-Wanderweg ist eine neun Kilometer lange Strecke, die als moderate Herausforderung für Wanderer und Tagesausflügler gilt, darunter auch Familien. Die Behörde Parks Canada hat Besucher gebeten, das Gebiet zu meiden.

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Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle ticket reminder

Zitat

Glacier National Park reminds visitors that beginning July 1, private vehicle entrance into Many Glacier will be limited to visitors with wilderness camping permits, commercial service reservations, or lodging reservations. All other visitors are required to use the temporary Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle. Tickets are now available seven days in advance each morning at 8 a.m. Beginning June 30, tickets will also be available at 7 p.m. the night before entry.

The Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle is a temporary solution for day hikers to access Many Glacier Valley during the Swiftcurrent Construction Project.

How to Purchase a Many Glacier Day Hiker Shuttle Ticket:

Each person will need a ticket to ride on the shuttle.

One (1) person can purchase up to 4 Hiker Shuttle tickets per $2.00 reservation fee.

If there are more than 4 people in your group, the same person can purchase another $2.00 reservation with an additional 4 hiker shuttle tickets in the same transaction and account for up to a total of 8 tickets.

During check out, select date, time and indicate the number of tickets needed for the number of people in your group.

Tickets are limited and can only be purchased on Recreation.gov.

Access to all trails will begin at the Many Glacier Hotel parking lot, maps and signs will indicate detours around the construction zone. Hikers should be aware that detours may increase the total hiking distance for rerouted trails.

Visitors without a Day Hiker Shuttle ticket, wilderness camping permit, commercial service, or lodging reservation, should not drive into the valley past Babb. With no available general parking along the Many Glacier Road, hiking and biking will not be allowed on the road between July 1 and September 21.

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Trump-Anordnung: Ausländer müssen in US-Nationalparks mehr zahlen

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Ausländer sollen in den beliebten Nationalparks der USA künftig mehr Eintritt zahlen müssen. Dies kündigte Präsident Donald Trump am Donnerstag (Ortszeit) an. Mit der Erhöhung des Preises für ausländische Touristen sollten die Parks für US-Bürger "erschwinglich" bleiben.

Trump machte die Ankündigung zum Auftakt der ein Jahr lang andauernden Feierlichkeiten anlässlich des 250. Jahrestages der USA im Jahr 2026. "Anlässlich des Jahrestages habe ich gerade eine Verordnung unterzeichnet, die die Eintrittspreise für ausländische Touristen erhöht und gleichzeitig die Preise für Amerikaner niedrig hält", sagte der Präsident vor einer jubelnden Menge bei einer Kundgebung in Iowa. Auch für die Nationalparks solle das von ihm ausgegebene Motto "America First" (Amerika zuerst) gelten.

Zugleich wies er das Innen- und das Außenministerium an, "den internationalen Tourismus in Amerikas Nationalparks zu fördern". Die durch die Preiserhöhung für Ausländer erzielten Einnahmen sollten für bessere Infrastruktur und zur "Verstärkung der Freude" am riesigen Nationalparksystem des Landes genutzt werden, erklärte Trump. Dies ist eine der äußerst seltenen Maßnahmen des klimaskeptischen Präsidenten für die Umwelt.

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Flooding in Big Bend National Park

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The Big Bend area of Texas received significant amounts of rainfall during the past few days, causing flash floods, wet conditions, and flooding along the Rio Grande. On July 3, river flows exceeded 30,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) at Rio Grande Village and 18,000 cfs at Castolon, causing localized flooding in Big Bend National Park. Tornillo Creek and Terlingua Creek are full and are delivering large amounts of water to the Rio Grande. Smaller arroyos are flash flooding as well.

Floodwaters have reached low-lying areas in the Rio Grande Village campground, and campers have been evacuated and moved to campsites in the Chisos Basin campground. Campers with reservations at primitive roadside campsites have also been moved to the Chisos Basin campground, because unpaved roads are impassible.

Flash floods have caused minor damage and left debris and standing water on paved park roads. Due to wet conditions, mud, and potential washouts, unpaved roads have been temporarily closed until they can be assessed. Additionally, the paved road between Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon is underwater and has been temporarily closed. Motorists are advised to be alert for standing water and debris on all area roads.

At these river levels it is unsafe to cross the Rio Grande, and the Boquillas Port of Entry will be closed until floodwaters recede to a safe level.

The park is acting to protect historic structures, such as Alvino House in the Castolon area, from floodwaters. The Hot Springs Historic District is flooded and inaccessible.

More rain is forecast over the next few days. As the high water currently in Castolon moves downstream, it may impact Rio Grande Village on Friday, potentially causing another rise in river levels at that location.

Visitors are encouraged to check the park website Alerts for current conditions and to check with rangers at the Panther Junction Visitor Center.

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Touristen-Abzocke beschlossen - Ausländer müssen in den USA künftig mehr zahlen

Zitat

Donald Trump macht Ernst mit "America First!": Ausländische Besucher sollen künftig mehr für den Besuch von Nationalparks mehr blechen, während US-Bürger Vergünstigungen und Sonderrechte bekommen.

US-Präsident plant Touristen-Abzocke:US-Präsident Donald Trump hat angekündigt, die Eintrittspreise für ausländische Touristen in amerikanischen Nationalparks zu erhöhen. Für US-Bürger sollen die Preise hingegen niedrig bleiben. Bei einer Kundgebung in Iowa unterzeichnete er ein entsprechendes Dekret.

"Anlässlich des Jahrestages habe ich gerade eine Verordnung unterzeichnet, die die Eintrittspreise für ausländische Touristen erhöht und gleichzeitig die Preise für Amerikaner niedrig hält", sagte Trump vor jubelnden Anhängern. Der Republikaner betonte, dass auch für die Nationalparks sein Motto "America First" gelten solle. Das Weiße Haus veröffentlichte das Dekret mit dem Titel "President Donald J. Trump Makes Our National Parks Great Again".

Die erhöhten Gebühren für ausländische Besucher sollen nach Angaben des Weißen Hauses Hunderte Millionen US-Dollar einbringen. Diese Mehreinnahmen sind für Naturschutzprojekte und den Abbau des massiven Instandhaltungsrückstaus vorgesehen. Der Rückstau bei notwendigen Reparaturen und Modernisierungen in den Nationalparks beläuft sich mittlerweile auf über 22,9 Milliarden Dollar. Unter der Biden-Administration war dieser von 14,9 Milliarden Dollar deutlich angewachsen.

Das Weiße Haus begründet die Maßnahme mit mehr Gerechtigkeit für US-Bürger. Amerikaner finanzierten die Nationalparks durch ihre Steuergelder, müssten aber bisher dieselben Eintrittspreise zahlen wie ausländische Besucher, heißt es in der Mitteilung des Weißen Hauses. Dies bedeute, dass Amerikaner insgesamt mehr für den Besuch ihrer eigenen Nationalschätze bezahlen als ausländische Touristen.

Trump wolle diese aus seiner Sicht unfaire Situation beenden. Die unterschiedlichen Preise für In- und Ausländer seien international üblich und unterstützten sowohl den Naturschutz als auch erschwinglichen Zugang für Einheimische. Neben den erhöhten Gebühren sieht das Dekret weitere Vorteile für amerikanische Staatsbürger vor. Der National Park Service wurde angewiesen, US-Bürgern bei Genehmigungen und Reservierungssystemen Priorität einzuräumen.

Trump verwies auf seine Naturschutz-Erfolge aus der ersten Amtszeit. 2020 unterzeichnete er den Great American Outdoors Act, die größte Investition in Amerikas Nationalparks seit der Präsidentschaft von Theodore Roosevelt. Das neue Dekret baue auf diesem Erbe auf und erfülle sein Versprechen, Amerikaner an erste Stelle zu setzen. Die Maßnahme folge dem konservativen Naturschutz-Ansatz der Republikaner und reinvestiere in Amerikas Naturschätze unter dem Prinzip "America First".

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