Sierra National Parks including Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Death Valley and other regional Parks with in driving distance.
DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – An elderly husband and wife from Las Vegas, Nevada were found dead in Death Valley National Park on January 13, 2023, according to law enforcement officials. Paul Fischer, 73, called the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office to report that he had just killed his wife, Mary Fischer, 72. Mr. Fischer stated his … Read more
Martin Luther King Day on Monday is 2023 First Free Entrance Day in National Parks National Parks- January13, 2023 – In honor of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., national parks will waive entrance fees for everyone on Monday, January 16, 2023, as the first fee free day of the year . It is also … Read more
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. January 12, 2023 –Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks has seen an extraordinary amount of precipitation this winter, with the last storm causing serious drainage failures, undermining the road at three different sections of the Generals Highway between Hospital Rock and Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. Road crews are currently working to … Read more
Organization Reflects on Four Decades of Park Preservation and Looks Forward to Expanding New Youth Programs, Partnerships, and Park Projects Washington, DC (January 12, 2023) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the National Park Trust, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving national parks and providing young people with inspiring park experiences. In 1983 National … Read more
Sierra Nevada is home to some of the best winter camping spots in the world. From stunning lakefronts, snow-capped mountains, and vast forests, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner camper or an experienced winter adventurer, you can find all kinds of activities to explore and enjoy here. We’ve rounded up some of our … Read more
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. December 27, 2022 – The end of the year is upon us, and the week between Christmas and the new year is a popular time to visit the parks. Seasonal closures and the possibility of winter weather add complexity to this busy holiday period, and trip planning is … Read more
MINERAL, Calif. – Backcountry campers visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park will be able to plan trips and obtain backcountry permits online via Recreation.gov beginning January 17, 2023. The new online permit system replaces the paper-based system that required in-person registration and is currently in place at many national parks throughout the country. The new system will improve … Read more
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. December 21, 2022 – On January 1, 2023, campground fee increases will take effect for Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This is the first of two increases, with the second set to take effect in 2024. This phased increase brings Sequoia ancd Kings Canyon National Parks’ campground … Read more
Yosemite National Park will require reservations for the last three weekends of February 2023 Yosemite National Park News- December 13, 2022 – The increasingly popular Horsetail Fall event has resulted in a surge in visitation in recent years. This has led to full parking lots, parking overflowing into traffic lanes, pedestrian-vehicle conflicts causing safety issues, and … Read more
June 2023 Update: Because of historic snow pack at Yosemite’s ability to get into the high camps this season they have canceled the opening of the 2023 high camps and issued refunds to all lottery winners for the camps in 2023. Lottery winners were notified by email that the Parks service decided that by time … Read more
Discover why cross country skiing is so popular in Yosemite National Park! Can you go skiing in Yosemite? Winter activities for Yosemite most definitely involve skiing. Not only does Yosemite host one of California’s most family-friendly ski resorts in Badger Pass. Many seek the solitude of the Yosemite wilderness for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing adventures. … Read more
Free permits required for roadside camping in Death Valley DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Death Valley National Park opened Hole in the Wall Road and Echo Canyon Road on November 9, 2022. The National Park Service (NPS) road crew re-established these backcountry roads after they had been partially erased by flash floods. A free permit is … Read more
SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, Calif. November 22, 2022 – Thanksgiving weekend is a busy time in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, at a time of year when some services and attractions are closed for the winter. Planning will help to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Winter ConditionsAt elevations where giant sequoias … Read more
Lassen Volcanic Highway Closes to Through Traffic for Winter Season MINERAL, Calif. – Lassen National Park Highway is closed to through traffic for the winter/spring snow season. Recent autumn storms brought heavy snow and ice to the high-elevation roadway. Lassen Volcanic National Park remains open throughout the winter/spring snow season and can be a wonderful time to … Read more
A snowy romp never felt better. Skiing along the rolling hills from Badger Pass to Dewey Points separates the adventurous from the tourists and delivers a breathtaking view of a snowy El Capitan. I arrived just in time for sunset and, after a comfortable night in my bivvy sack, caught a glorious sunrise on the … Read more
In a Rather Surprise Announcement Yosemite National Park Will Not require Vehicle Reservations in 2023 Yosemite National Park, November 15, 2022 – In a rather shocking announcement Yosemite National Park today announced it has decided not to require vehicle reservations in the summer of 2023. We for one are going to need to eat a … Read more
Campgrounds and some roads opening soon DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – October 18, 2022 – As temperatures cool, Death Valley National Park is opening campgrounds. The National Park Service (NPS) and Caltrans are making progress reopening flood-damaged roads. Free permits will be required for overnight camping along the park’s most popular backcountry roads and trails. Texas … Read more
MINERAL, CA– Fall brings cooler temperatures and seasonal changes to Lassen Volcanic National Park services and facilities. Visitors should be prepared for changing conditions including below freezing nighttime temperatures, limited campsites and visitor services, and temporary effects of fire management activities. Learn more about visiting in fall at go.nps.gov/lavo/fall. Services in the Manzanita Lake Area continue … Read more
Extensive seismic upgrades included in the $31.6 million project will be funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Yosemite National Park News – October 18, 2022- Funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), Yosemite National Park was recently awarded an approximately $31.6 million construction contract to upgrade the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. The project includes a major seismic upgrade throughout the … Read more
Climb the Park’s steepest, highest winding road to its peak elevation of 7,800 feet (2,377 m). National Park Travel Guides: Are you one of those travelers who love to get to the nooks and crannies of the parks that many will not venture? Do you like complicated travel for a great experience? Well, Mineral King Road … Read more
AMARGOSA VALLEY, Nevada – Agency biologists are excited to report increased numbers of one of the world’s rarest fishes. Scientists counted 263 Devils Hole pupfish, which is the most they’ve observed in 19 years. This count came on the heels of a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in Mexico that caused 4-foot waves in Devils Hole on … Read more
The “Temporary Advanced Summer Reservation System in Yosemite National Park will Expire September 30, 2022 Yosemite National Park News – September 27, 2022 – The Great summer Rush to Yosemite National Park is over. Travelers and national park enthusiasts will again be able to show up at the gates without a reservation starting Saturday, October … Read more
CA-190 and Badwater Road temporarily closed in Death Valley DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Storms fueled by the remnants of Hurricane Kay caused localized, heavy damage in Death Valley National Park on Saturday afternoon, September 10. California highway 190 (CA-190) is closed from CA-136 junction to Stovepipe Wells Village. Badwater Road is fully closed. Many other … Read more
As temperatures in the evening start to drop and we tumble forward toward the Fall Equinox in the northern hemisphere, the time to visit your national parks is now. Yosemite National Park in Autumn is our favorite time of year in the park. Crowds have diminished from the summer rush. Wildlife seems to be more … Read more
Yosemite National Park, September 1, 2022 – From my window in the Carson Valley today the slight haze of sm0ke filling the air around our valley reminds me quickly that fire season is long from over. As we head into the Labor day weekend, multiple fires burning still in Yosemite are not being helped by … Read more
Tuesday afternoon, August 16, 2022, Joshua Tree National Park experienced a massive rainstorm concentrated in the southern area of the park. Road crews are working hard to assess the situation and repair damage. As of this morning, August 17, 2022: Pinto Basin Road is closed from Ocotillo to the south boundary;Geology Tour Road is closed … Read more
DEATH VALLEY, CA –Update as of 8/10/22 – State Route 190 is open to the western portion of Death Valley National Park. The road remains closed from the Trona/Wildrose Junction in Panamint Valley through Death Valley Junction. Additional areas are expected to open no earlier than August 19 as work to clear debris and repair … Read more
DEATH VALLEY, CA – Rain this weekend was a historic event, with nearly a year’s worth of rain falling in three hours. The 1.46 inches of rain recorded at Furnace Creek is still preliminary data, and mere drops away from the all-time record of 1.47 inches. The rain caused widespread damage and closure of all … Read more
Funded mostly from the Great American Outdoors Act, Yosemite National Park Reworks glacier Point Road Access Yosemite National Park – August 6, 2022 – For millions of Yosemite visitors Glacier point is one of the most Iconic drives and views in our national parks system. Staring down the granite valleys of Yosemite with Half Dome … Read more
Flash Flooding and Extremely dangerous weather Close Access and Strand Visitors Death Valley National Park – August 5, 2022 – Advisory report – All Roads, Campgrounds and Services are now closed in Death Valley National Park because of extreme weather and flooding. The rains started on Friday and delivered a years worth of water in … Read more
Recovery from the Dixie Fire Continues as Lassen Volcanic Park Clears Trees for Safe Camping Lassen Volcanic National Park – July 28, 2022 – Lassen Volcanic National Park announced today via its social media pages that they have officially opened the camping areas at Juniper Lake on the East side of the park. The Juniper … Read more
Virtual public forum to conclude scholar’s roundtable NPS – July 25, 2022 – The National Park Service (NPS) National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program and the NPS Pacific West Cultural Resources Program are joining the Organization of American Historians (OAH) to host a public forum on July 28 at 6:30-7:30 p.m. PT to explore current scholarship surrounding the … Read more
We can all prevent wildfire! LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev., July 21, 2022 – Fire season is year-round. In the past, wildfires normally occurred in late summer and early fall when temperatures were high, humidity was low and vegetation extremely dry. Local, state, and federal fire managers now know that devastating wildfires can occur any time of year. … Read more
ROAD CONSTRUCTION, PARKING CHANGES AND CAMPING CLOSURES MAKE FOR HARDER THAN NORMAL EXPERIENCE IN YOSEMITE’S EAST ACCESS Yosemite National Park – Summer 2022 – If you have followed us for any amount of time, you know that we have a special affinity for Yosemite National Parks East high country region of Tioga Pass . Over … Read more
Setting Backburn and Setting Off Sprinkler Systems Saving Mariposa Grove Yosemite National Park – Fire News – July 12, 2022 – The Washburn Fire was reported on July 7th, near the Washburn Trail in the Mariposa Grove area ofYosemite National Park. Dry conditions and hotter weather patterns helped this fire spread quickly closing access the … Read more
Notice: Lassen Peak Trail Will Be Closed 7/12 The entire Lassen Peak Trail will be closed on Tuesday, July 12 for trail repair. Off-trail travel is always prohibited on Lassen Peak. Lassen Peak Trail climbs to the summit of one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world. Beginning at the Lassen Peak parking area, … Read more
Growing Wildfire Closes Popular Yosemite Entrance, Threatens Mariposa Grove, Causes Evacuations and Provides Toxic Air Quality to Yosemite Guests Yosemite National Park – July 11,2022 – The Washburn Fire which started last week near Yosemite National Park continues to grow and threaten the park & regions historic trees and structures. The fire had increased in … Read more
Drought and Animal Safety Closes Popular Hiking Trail in Joshua Tree On June 1, 2022, Joshua Tree National Park managers closed the 49 Palms Trail to allow bighorn sheep undisturbed access to surface water. The park is under extreme drought conditions and herds in the area are increasingly reliant on the oasis spring to survive the hot summer months. The … Read more
DEATH VALLEY, CA – Park visitors found the body of David Kelleher on June 14, 2022 in Death Valley National Park. Kelleher appears to have been walking from Zabriskie Point toward Furnace Creek after running out of gas. On the morning of June 8, a park ranger noticed that there was only one vehicle in … Read more
Lassen National Park Highway Open to Vehicles MINERAL, CA – The 30-mile highway through Lassen Volcanic National Park will open to through traffic on Friday, June 3. A lower-than-average snowpack accelerated snow clearing operations. Intermittent closures along the highway are possible due to repair work, as well as inclement weather. Please check the weather forecast before … Read more
