Category Archives: National Parks

National Forests, National Parks

2015 National Park Free Entrance Days

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee waived* dates in 2015:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 19
  • Presidents Day weekend – February 14-16
  • Opening weekend of National Park Week – April 18-19
  • National Park Service Birthday – August 25
  • National Public Lands Day – September 26
  • Veterans Day – November 11

Remember: out of 401 national parks only 133 of them charge an entrance fee.  Get outside!

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise (per NPS).

National Parks, Wildlife

Meadow Fire grows to 700 acres

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

ABC News is reporting that the week old Meadow Fire has grown to 700 acres.

From a smaller 100-acre blaze, the fire has suddenly flared up, jumping to 300 acres yesterday and igniting an additional 400 acres overnight.

From their website:

A wildfire in Yosemite National Park grew to 700 acres Sunday, with about 100 visitors rescued by helicopter, park officials said.

Sunday’s strong winds and high temperatures fueled the fire, park spokeswoman Kari Cobb told ABC News.

Hikers were airlifted from Half Dome peak, a popular rock formation, as well as nearby campgrounds and hiking trails, Cobb said.

“We actually had a number of helicopters here in the park that were able to airlift these individuals back to Yosemite Valley so that they could be out of the way of the fire,” Cobb said.

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National Parks, Wildfire

Meadow Fire in Yosemite

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The Meadow Fire is burning in the greater Little Yosemite Valley area and is at 400 acres.

All trails from the top of Nevada Fall to Merced Lake, including trails leading to that area, are closed. Additionally, the trail from Sunrise Lakes Trailhead to Sunrise Lakes and Sunrise Lakes High Sierra Camp, and the trails from the camp to the trail along the Merced River east of Little Yosemite Valley, are closed.

Currently, four type 1 helicopters, three type 3 helicopters, three air tankers, one air attack, six hotshot crews, and other resources are assigned to the fire.

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National Forests, National Parks

National Parks Service 98th Anniversary – TODAY!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

The National Parks Service marks its 98th anniversary today. All of the parks will be celebrating by offering FREE ADMISSION!  Get out there and visit your national parks!

From the NPS website:

It’s our birthday, and we hope you’ll visit a national park and help us celebrate! On August 25, 2014 the National Park Service turns 98 years old. We are waiving entrance fees and inviting everyone to join in the festivities taking place coast-to-coast.

Our big day, August 25, is a free-entrance day, so head to any of the country’s 401 national parks and take in the scenery, learn a little history, or simply enjoy the great outdoors.

Ninety-eight may sound old, but we’re young at heart and celebrating with everyone who shares our youthful exuberance! Parks across the country are offering loads of fun activities. Take the kids on a caving adventure, bike ride, kayak tour, hike, or island safari. Catch a campfire talk, make a painting, or witness a living history demonstration. Search the events calendar to find out what’s happening at a park near you! You can help the kids earn a free Junior Ranger badge at almost any park—just ask at the visitor center.

You can find out more about the National Park Service – and find a National Park near you – on their website HERE.

You can sign the NPS birthday card HERE.

National Forests, National Parks

Happy 70th, Smokey the Bear!

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

On this day in history – August 9, 1944 – Smoky the Bear made his debut appearance.  The first poster featuring the iconic jeans wearing bear was illustrated by Albert Staehle. In it Smokey sports both his modest (yet durable) pants choice as well as the well recognized campaign hat that is still worn by National Park Service personnel to this day. He is show pouring a bucket of water on a campfire, with a message below the image reading, “Smoky says – Care will prevent 9 out of 10 forest fires!”

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