National Parks Good News, Resources

All of the best good news and inspiration for U.S. national parks

A national park ranger in a black wetsuit snorkels in a shallow creek, his face in the water

National park ranger photographs rare species for the first time while snorkeling on the job

Biologist Michael Reichmuth captured something scientists had never photographed before in the wild.

Two photos side-by-side. On the left, drag queen Pattie Gonia takes a selfie on El Capitan beneath a massive trans pride flag. She's wearing a long red wig and a park ranger outfit. On the right is a large trans pride flag displayed on Yosemite's El Capitan

A drag queen named Pattie Gonia unfurls 'largest ever' trans pride flag at Yosemite National Park

Climbers, including Pattie Gonia, raised the flag over El Capitan, saying it is the “largest ever” Pride flag to be displayed in a national park.

A red 'i'iwi bird sits on a twig of Hawaiian sandalwood.

To save Maui's native birds, experts release 'Keurig pods' full of mosquitoes into national park

Using an unconventional method that reduces mosquito populations, the critically endangered birds may have a fighting chance.

A beach entrance at Cape Cod National Seashore on a sunny blue sky day

Cape Cod National Seashore is bringing a 445-million-year-old species back from the brink

An ancient species is thriving again at Cape Cod after vanishing for more than a century.

Two sea turtle hatchlings walk along a sandy beach

Hundreds of sea turtles visit this national park to lay their eggs every year. To protect them, locals 'adopt a nest'

Over seven years, 600 supporters have helped raise nearly $126,000 to protect endangered sea turtle eggs.

A person helps baby sea turtles return to the ocean

This national park site is training volunteers to become 'sea turtle nest sitters'

As turtle nesting season comes to a head, volunteers are needed to keep the endangered eggs safe.

Entrance sign for Joshua Tree National Park at dusk, with pink and purple clouds in the sky above a tan stone marker that reads "ENTERING JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE." Desert landscape and hills visible in the background.

California is building two wildlife crossings for mountain lions in Joshua Tree. The first phase is now underway

The Mojave Desert Land Trust has gathered over $6 million in state grants to plan and design wildlife crossings in the area.

On the left, a black and white photograph displays a person standing outdoors in a wooded winter setting wearing a light-colored hat and dark jacket. On the right, an older person wearing a gray knit beanie and dark green shirt smiles at the camera.

Missing 70-year-old hiker rescued from remote island after being spotted on trail cameras

70-year-old Craig Berg’s hike through Isle Royale National Park turned into a survival story earlier this month.

Black bear standing on rocky ground next to a metal structure, captured on a trail camera on 05/21/2020 at 02:42 PM.

North Carolina just voted to protect animals in the Great Smokies with historic investment in wildlife crossings

Advocates say the historic investment will “improve safety for both people and wildlife” across the area.

Two wolf pups trail behind their parent as they walk through a green forest.

This national park just had a rare wolf pack sighting, marking progress for the endangered species

The family is thought to be descended from the local Lassen wolf pack in the neighboring county.

Calendar of Fee Free National Park Days

The eight fee-free days of 2026 — plus more ways to score free or discounted passes at U.S. National Parks

An illustration of a US Park Service ranger hat in front of iconic national parks and a golden sunset

24 Ways To Celebrate National Park Week

National Park Week is an annual celebration in April dedicated to the appreciation and preservation of America's national parks. Here are some ways to celebrate the week-long event.