Walt Disney World is billed as offering four theme parks and two waterslide parks, but for the past half decade, customers were not allowed to access all of that on a single vacation. That's because when Covid-19 hit and all of Disney's Florida attractions were shuttered for a few months, the company decided to keep…
The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate the National Park Service leases of at least 34 buildings that function as visitor centers, law enforcement offices, museums, archives, and centers for necessary park services. "Parks are being dismantled before our very eyes," said the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) in an urgent statement released Thursday,…
To my mind, the U.S. National Park System (NPS) is invaluable. Its 85 million acres span all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and every U.S. territory. In these parks are geothermal and geological wonders; billions of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish; and landscapes that are among the most majestic on Earth. Just as importantly,…
The temporary hiring freeze that has been ordered across the entire U.S. federal government by the Trump administration could wreak havoc on national parks this summer, observers warn. In addition to putting the brakes on the hiring of new workers for positions at the National Park Service, which is overseen by the federal Department of…
Only a few centuries ago, over half the North American continent was carpeted in the same type of mixed grass prairie you'll encounter at Badlands National Park. The park retains the largest intact prairie of any in the National Park Service system, providing an enduring home to the animals that keep this type of ecosystem healthy:…
Floridians are sounding a red alert after the state unexpectedly revealed its intent to allow rapid development at nine of Florida's nature reserves, sidestepping the usual process that allows for public participation. "This appears to be something that has been planned in secret, and it doesn’t appear to have involved the hundreds, if not thousands,…
For hikers and road trippers eager to see vibrant fall colors, many U.S. national parks have impressive displays this time of year. Makes sense—where there are trees, after all, there are usually leaves. Of course, some trees have more potential for color than others, and some parks have more miles of trails to get you…
Around 100 of the more than 430 sites in the U.S. National Park System charge entrance fees—and those include many of the most-visited parks. But on a few select dates each year, the National Park Service waives those charges (up to $35 per car at the most popular sites), and you can visit all federally…
When the U.S. Congress can't agree on a budget before federal funding expires, the government goes into shutdown mode, ceasing all operations deemed nonessential and furloughing hundreds of thousands of federal workers. As you might have noticed, several key aspects of travel in the United States are overseen by the federal government, including airport security,…
Disney World has become a repeat vacation spot and second home for a group of adults who love Disney. Now the company appears to be trying to replicate that magic at its international properties, using American influencers and bloggers to draw U.S. fans to Disney theme parks in China and Japan. The professional content…