Grandfather Injured By Charging Bison

 

The above video is a good example for keeping your distance from bison in Yellowstone National Park or anywhere else. Bison are surprisingly fast.

Fortunately, the grandfather, although injured, is expected to fully recover.

From Cowboy State Daily: 

A man was seriously injured Friday evening after being thrown 8 feet into the air by an angry bull bison in Yellowstone National Park.

Mike MacLeod, a professional photographer from Bozeman, Montana, said the incident happened at the Bridge Bay Campground, south of Fishing Bridge.

MacLeod said the man was walking with his grandson when the agitated bison made them the targets of its aggression.

“I was just trying to get some dramatic footage of that bison having a fit,” he told Cowboy State Daily. “It’s changed my idea of what to expect from these guys at this time of year, because I would not have predicted that happening.”

The National Park Service has not released any information on the incident.

To read more, go here. 

Senior Citizens Can Get a Discounted National Park Pass

Above, one of the gateways into Yosemite National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ten years ago, I turned 62 which qualified me to get a national park lifetime senior pass. At the time, the pass was only $10. It is currently $80, but it is still a bargain if the holder makes use of it. The standard entrance fees for U.S. National Parks range from $15 to $35 per private vehicle.

Conde Nast Traveler has posted an article on the lifetime senior pass and what benefits it gives to the holder. 

They begin it with:

From the jagged red sandstone of the Grand Canyon to the moss-cloaked forests of the Pacific Northwest, the allure of America’s iconic landscapes defies generational divides. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of public lands or a national park newbie, US citizens and residents aged 62 years or older can nab a discounted lifetime pass to travel to over 1,000 federal recreation sites.

Yes, the pass famously covers entrance fees to all 63 national parks, but its true value is in its other great perks and discounts. The pass allows for free entry into all national forests, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sites, Bureau of Land Management areas, national monuments, and offers discounts on popular campgrounds and more. In short, it’s a one-way ticket to adventure, at a bargain price. Here’s what to know, whether you’re applying for yourself or a loved one.

 

Above, the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Fireworks Returning To Mount Rushmore

Above, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For some odd reason, fireworks at Mount Rushmore National Memorial wasn't allowed during the Biden years.

However, now that Donald Trump is back in the White House, fireworks will be allowed at the Memorial this year as the nation celebrates 250 years.

The National Park Service posted:

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service today announced fireworks will again illuminate the sky above Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026, to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. Public tickets for the event will be available through a lottery on Recreation.gov from April 8–12.  

After a five-year absence, the return of fireworks to this iconic national memorial reflects President Donald J. Trump’s vision of a “grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.” 

“In partnership with the State of South Dakota, we are excited to reinstate a spectacular fireworks show as the highlight of Mount Rushmore’s Independence Day commemoration,” said Dr. Jenifer Chatfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. “We invite the public to enjoy the show and reflect on our nation’s remarkable journey and the great patriotic leaders who established, preserved and expanded our country’s destiny.”   

To read more, go here. 

T + L: Ultimate Guide To Senior National Park Pass

Above, rock formations in Arches National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Baby boomers are now in retirement age. The recognized generation of baby boomers are those born from 1946 to 1964. This means US citizens or residents 62 years or older are eligible for a Senior Pass to U.S. National Parks.

According to Travel + Leisure:

Senior Passes are honored at sites managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Forest Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and the National Park Service. 

I bought mine when I turned 62 in 2016 for the then-fee of $10.00. Senior Passes now cost $80.00, which is still a bargain considering they are good for a lifetime and if used.

The Senior Pass is only good for entering the parks. They are not good for camping.

Travel + Leisure posted their "ultimate" guide to the Senior National Park Pass.

They begin it with:

With jaw-dropping natural beauty, national parks are the crowning jewel of the United States' landscape—and an important part of American history and culture. President Ulysses S. Grant founded the country's first national park, Yellowstone, in 1872, while President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service (NPS) into existence in 1916.

Now, more than 100 years on, people flock from across the U.S. and the globe to see the natural wonders within the most popular of the 433 parks. NPS has created a variety of passes, both annual and lifetime, to encourage Americans to visit national parks, monuments, and federal recreational lands. But it's the national park pass for seniors that allows unhindered access. Here are some key details on the Senior Pass.

Above, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I last used my Senior Pass at Arches National Park in Utah and Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana last summer.  

To read more, go here.

Quicksand In Popular Recreation Area

Above, Frankenstein's monster (Glenn Strange) and Dr. Niemann (Boris
Karloff) in quicksand in House of Frankenstein (1944). Universal Pictures.

When I was a kid, it seemed like a lot of movies of that era had a fixation on quicksand. One in particular was not really quicksand, but rather a way to trap humans into an alien spaceship. That movie was Invaders From Mars (1953). It was creepy.

The National Park Service has issued a warning about quicksand at a popular recreational area.

RV Travel posted the following:

The National Park Service is warning travelers heading to public lands in the Southwest about a potential hazard they may not expect: quicksand. Officials at the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which spans the Utah–Arizona border, say quicksand has recently been found near shorelines and in drainage areas throughout the park. Be careful!

Zion National Park’s New Discovery Center Opening in 2026

Above, Zion's Great White Throne. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the years, I have been to Zion National Park several times. The most recent was in 2015. We entered the park from the east entrance (Zion-Mt. Carmel road).

Next year, a new Discovery Center will open in 2026 near the east entrance.

According to RV Travel:

If you’re planning a trip to Zion National Park in 2026 (or beyond), there’s a new reason to consider the park’s less-visited east side. That’s because if work stays on schedule, the new Zion National Park Discovery Center should open in late 2026.

Why build a Discovery Center?

Zion Canyon’s main South Entrance gets most of the traffic during peak seasons. This often means overcrowding on trailheads, shuttles, and parking. The new Discovery Center was planned to give visitors a place to slow down, learn, and launch adventures from the quieter east side.

The National Park Service (NPS) aims for the new building to balance visitor traffic and ease pressure on the canyon. Running educational programs at the crowded rim is difficult, so the NPS hopes the Discovery Center will attract visitors and reduce congestion.

The Discovery Center project also includes plans for a transit hub and EV-shuttle connections so visitors can start their Zion day from the east rather than funneling into Springdale.

To read more, go here.

Custer National Cemetery and Battlefields

Above, Custer National Cemetery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When planning the trip to Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, I had to time it so that we could attend the Winchester Arms Collectors Association's gun show in Cody, Wyoming and to visit the Little Bighorn Battlefield.

Above, the temporary visitor center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As construction is now underway for a new visitor center, the Little Bighorn Battlefield is only open to visitors from Fridays to Sundays this summer. A temporary visitor center has been placed near the Custer National Cemetery. I wasn't aware that there is a national cemetery at the Battlefield until we arrived. 

We walked through the National Cemetery and, after that, took a driving tour through the Custer and Reno-Benteen Battlefields with stops at both areas. 

Some photos:

Above, Custer National Cemetery. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a monument honoring the 5th Regiment of Infantry. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a bunny relaxing in the shade of my RV at the Little
 Bighorn Battlefield parking lot. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Last Stand Hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Reno-Benteen Battlefield. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

All Yosemite Campgrounds Opening Beginning This Month

Above, The Beast at Yosemite's North Pines Campground in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yosemite National Park has announced that all 13 campgrounds within the park will be open for the first time since 2019.

According to the National Park Service:

Yosemite National Park will open all 13 park campgrounds this summer, marking the first time since 2019 that all campgrounds have been open. These additional openings will add approximately 500 campsites available to the public for enjoying the park.

"We're very excited to have these campgrounds open to the public as we enter the busy summer season," said Acting Yosemite National Park Superintendent Ray McPadden. "Camping in this park is truly a magical experience, and we want to provide the opportunity for as many visitors as possible."

To read more, go here. 

The Lincoln Home Through the Years

Above, the Lincoln Home in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the more interesting places I visited during my 2016 trip to Metropolis, Illinois for actress Noel Neill's celebration of life was Springfield, Illinois.

Springfield was the hometown of President Abraham Lincoln. There, visitors can visit the Lincoln home, Presidential Library and Museum, the Lincoln tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery along with other places.

Above, one of the rooms inside the Lincoln Home. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The National Park Service has a website focusing on the Lincoln Home through the years. Along with photos, the page describes in detail highlights of the home over the years.

They begin it with:

For seventeen years, the house at Eighth and Jackson Streets in Springfield, Illinois was home to Abraham Lincoln and his family. Purchased shortly after the birth of their first son Robert, the home sheltered the family through the birth of their remaining three sons and the death of their son Eddie, and had been the center of Lincoln's life as a husband and father. Abraham Lincoln was elected to be the 16th President of the United States on November 6, 1860. The family had three short months to prepare for their move to Washington, D.C. As they made the many decisions related to such a significant move, they had to decide if the home would be a part of their future, as well as their past. The home was rented rather than sold and their best furniture placed in storage for their eventual return. But on April 15, 1865, an assassin's bullet took the life of President Lincoln. Mary Lincoln faced a lonely future and wrote that she "could not bear to return to the scenes of the happiest times in my life without my family." The Lincoln Home remained rental property until Lincoln's son, Robert, donated the home to the State of Illinois in 1887 to be protected and preserved for future generations. In 1972 the home was conveyed to the United States of America, which through the National Park Service continued the State's work in preservation and restoration of the home, along with acquisition and restoration of the surrounding four-block neighborhood. This photographic essay captures images of Lincoln's house, showing that his home, like his legacy, has survived the years well.

This page provides an overview of the photographic essay. Click on the thumbnail views to download the full-screen pictures.

To read more, go here. 

Essential Rules In U.S. National Parks

Above, Lassen Peak at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With summer vacation season a little over a month away (some consider Memorial Day weekend the beginning of the summer vacation season), if visiting national parks is on one's itinerary, it is a good idea to familiarize one's self with dos and don't for visiting national parks.

This is the topic of an article by Lonely Planet. They have 40 dos and don't to know.

They begin with:

Picture it now. You’re standing atop Ooh Ahh Point, soaking up magnificent views of the Grand Canyon. Blue skies. Light breeze. Life is good. But one negative thought interrupts the vibe: your choice of flip-flops might have been a bad idea. Yep, that climb to the South Rim – steep and twisty with the possibility of mule poop – is going to be uncomfortable if you’re wearing wimpy footwear.

A little preparation can improve your trip. From wearing the right shoes to securing permits for popular trails, there are important rules to remember when visiting a US national park. Even if you mean well, it’s easy to irritate others unintentionally or run afoul of park regulations. And nobody wants to annoy a park ranger.

To read the full article, go here. 

Zion National Park To Ban Large Vehicles From Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway In 2026

Above, the east entrance into the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the big attractions of Zion National Park is the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway that includes a mile-long tunnel. 

The last time I drove the highway was in 2015 while heading home from Yellowstone National Park.

According to SF Gate, the tunnel has seen too many problems with large vehicles, including vehicles getting stuck and crashes. 

They wrote: 

Zion National Park’s Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and its historic bridges and tunnel offer the fastest route between Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon national parks. The famous tunnel was the longest of its kind in the United States when it was completed in 1930, but for the past three decades, it’s been plagued with congestion, crashes and oversized vehicles becoming stuck. Now, big changes are in store.

Beginning in mid-2026, large vehicles will be required to skirt the 11.9-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Highway and its tunnel. Matthew Fink, a spokesperson for Zion National Park, told SFGATE that the park service doesn’t have an exact date for when the change takes effect. But once it does, visitors traveling in recreational vehicles, tour buses and other oversized vehicles will be ushered toward alternate routes, extending their travel time by 10 to 45 minutes. 

The National Park Service policy will be: 

Vehicles exceeding 11’4” tall, 7’10” wide, 35’9” long, or 50,000 pounds cannot pass through Zion National Park’s Zion-Mount Carmel Highway safely and will be rerouted in 2026.

Above, the clearance of the Zion-Mt. Carmel Tunnel is 13'1". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

My Class C motorhome is within the future limit as it is exactly 11' tall.

To read more, go here.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Closed Mondays Through Thursdays This Summer

Above, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. NPS photo.

One of the places I am planning to visit this summer during a trip into Wyoming is Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. 

This is the site of the massacre of Col. George Armstrong Custer and his troops by several Indian tribes. 

However, careful planning is needed as the site will be only open this summer from Fridays to Sundays.

According to NBC Montana:

MISSOULA, Mont. — Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument will be closed Mondays through Thursdays this summer.

The closure is due to construction of the Visitor Center and a roadway improvement project.

To read more, go here. 

Park Service Wins Legal Battle Over Cashless Payment Policy

Above, Yosemite entrance gate in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Being a holder of the National Park Senior Pass, this doesn't affect me. But others are bothered by the National Park Service's cashless policy for paying entrance fees at national park entrance gates. 

A federal judge tossed a lawsuit by three people over this policy.

According to RV Travel:

It was a case that really stirred up RVtravel.com readers. Three people filed suit against the National Park Service for its “cashless payment” policy rolled out at some Park Service sites. Now a judge has tossed their cashless payment suit out—but left the plaintiffs a little bit of wiggle room.

Cashless payment suit claimed violation of “legal tender” law

Last March, Esther van der Werf of Ojai, California, Toby Stover of High Falls, New York, and Elizabeth Dasburg of Darien, Georgia, filed suit in U.S. District Court. The suit asked the court for a declaratory judgment. It claimed the Park Service violates U.S. law that “legal tender”—U.S. currency—is suitable “for all public charges.” If their suit was successful, it would have forced the Park Service to accept cash for any fees charged to visitors.

To read more, go here. 

Grand Canyon National Park 106th Anniversary

Above, the Grand Canyon with the Colorado River flowing through. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today in history, President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill establishing Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona.

From the Grand Canyon National Park Facebook page:

Today marks the 106th anniversary of Congress establishing Grand Canyon National Park - in order to preserve and protect one of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders.

Over the past century, the National Park Service has worked tirelessly to protect the park's resources, to maintain trails and facilities, and to make Grand Canyon accessible to millions of visitors from all around the globe.

Above, our campsite at Trailer Village RV Park at the South Rim. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that we've reached 106 years. I bought a commemorative coffee mug for the 100th anniversary.

I have been to the Grand Canyon's South Rim several times and the North Rim in 1972. I was last at Grand Canyon National Park in 2017 and stayed at Trailer Village RV Park at the South Rim. 

Trump Administration Reverses National Park Job Cuts

Above, an early morning view of Yosemite Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I first heard about the national parks job cuts by the Trump Administration, my immediate reaction was that of many others: a stupid idea.

Well, fortunately, the Administration has reversed itself on this.

According to RV Travel:

After threatening to cut thousands of jobs at National Parks, the Trump Administration has backed off following widespread protests. “I make just over $40,000 a year; scrape sh*t off toilets with a putty knife nearly every day,” Yosemite maintenance worker Ilek Chmura told the L.A. Times after he was notified his job was eliminated. “Somehow, I’m the target.

“We lost our whole custodial staff in this part of the park,” he explained. “That will impact what people see, and it will be embarrassing if people come to this site and see it’s just full of trash.”

In response to public outcry and a media campaign from outdoor enthusiasts, the administration has now reconsidered its plan to eliminate thousands of seasonal jobs at the National Park Service. Last month, seasonal employees — responsible for tasks like collecting fees, cleaning trails and restrooms, and assisting injured hikers — had their job offers rescinded for the 2025 season.

This week, a memo from the Department of the Interior stated the agency could hire 7,700 seasonal employees this year, up from about 6,300 in recent years.

To read more, go here. 

Save Money On Your Next National Park Trip

Above, a view of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In these days of high inflation, saving money is number one for travelers. That includes visiting our national park.

Fortunately, traveling to and visiting a national park needn't break the bank and Mental Floss has seven tips to save one's hard-earned cash.

They begin with:

National parks are a fantastic way to explore the great outdoors, whether you’re into leaf-peeping or stargazing. Although most are free to enter, some destinations charge fees, which can cost up to $35 per vehicle or $20 per person. Here are some ways to save money if you plan on visiting a National Park Service (NPS) property with an entrance fee this year.

To read more, go here. 

Biden Signs Law Reforming National Park Film Permits

Above, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finally, His Fraudulency Joe Biden did something that actually benefits people.

He signed into law a bill that reforms national park film permits.

Buckrail reported: 

JACKSON, Wyo. — On Saturday, Jan. 4, President Joe Biden signed H.R. 6492, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act or the EXPLORE Act, into law.

The EXPLORE Act includes provisions of the FILM Act, which reforms the permit system for for-profit filming under the National Park Service (NPS).

This passage comes after the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and the National Press Photographers Association filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Jackson-area photographers Alexander Rienzie and Connor Burkesmith against the NPS after they were ticketed for violating the federal law prohibiting commercial filming without a permit in Grand Teton National Park (GTNP).

“By removing unconstitutional barriers, this new law allows filmmakers to share the beauty and stories of our national parks without facing jail or fines for how they use the footage,” FIRE Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere said in a press release. “FIRE applauds Congress and President Biden for taking this crucial step to ensure no one sheds their First Amendment rights just for stepping on land that belongs to the American public.”

To read more, go here. 

Montana Gov. Gianforte Sues Yellowstone National Park Over Bison Plan

Above, lounging bison and their calves in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A legal battle is brewing in the state of Montana over a plan by the National Park Service and Department of the Interior over a bison management plan.

Governor Greg Gianforte and the Montana departments of Livestock and Fish, Wildlife & Parks are plaintiffs in the lawsuit.

According to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle: 

Citing a failure to cooperate with Montana state agencies and violation of federal laws, Gov. Greg Gianforte’s administration has sued to have Yellowstone National Park’s bison management plan nullified.

The 51-page lawsuit, filed on Dec. 31 in Billings District Court, names the National Park Service, Department of Interior and its leaders — including Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly — as defendants.

In addition to Gianforte, the Montana departments of Livestock and Fish, Wildlife & Parks are plaintiffs in the suit.

Yellowstone’s bison plan was finalized in July 2024 amid protests from the Gianforte administration, first outlined in a 17-page letter in 2023.

Under Gianforte’s leadership, the state has sought lower bison populations in the park to lessen the chance of the animals migrating into Montana in the winter.

The state wants the park bison population to number no more than 3,000 animals, a target agreed to in 2000 when the Interagency Bison Management Plan was adopted.

In the new plan, however, Yellowstone cited updated scientific findings to justify a population range between 3,500 to 6,000 animals after calving. That would put the population at an average of 5,000 head a year.

To read more, go here. 

Photographers Sue Over National Park Filming Permits

Above, Grand Teton National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Did you know that if you are just a tourist or a news organization, you don't need a permit to photograph or shoot videos within our national parks? But if you are doing so commercially, you need a permit.

That is the crux of a new lawsuit against the National Park Service by two commercial photographers. They claim that the permit requirement violates their First Amendment rights.

According to PetaPixel:

Two photographers have sued the National Park Service (NPS) claiming that its photography permit requirements violate First Amendment rights.

Nature and sports photographers Alexander Rienzie and Connor Burkesmith filed the lawsuit against NPS, with the aim of overturning its “unconstitutional permit-and-fee scheme that charges Americans for the right to film in public spaces.”

According to the lawsuit, Rienzie and Burkesmith wanted to film athlete Michelino Sunseri’s attempt to break the record for the fastest climb up the Grand Teton in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming in September.

The filmmakers planned to have only two or three people, using small handheld cameras and tripods, on the 16-mile route for the shoot — less gear than the typical climber going up the mountain.

Under current law, the NPS does not require everyday visitors or news photographers to have film or photography permits.

To read more, go here. 

Little Bighorn Battlefield Nat. Monument To Get New Visitor Center

Above, The Custer fight (1903) by Charles Marion Russell.

One of my "bucket list" places to visit is the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Montana. I tried going there in 1990, but the tent trailer at the time got damaged during a windstorm in Sheridan, Wyoming and we had to change our route. Maybe I'll go there this coming year. I have been thinking about heading there, Cody and venturing east to the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The Little Bighorn Battlefield is where Col. George Armstrong Custer engaged in a battle that killed 268 7th cavalry soldiers, civilians, and Indian scouts along with an estimated 60-100 Lakota and Cheyenne.

The National Monument is breaking ground for a new visitor center.

From the National Park Service:

CROW AGENCY, Mont. – Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument recently awarded a construction contract to replace the park’s aging visitor center built in 1951. The National Park Service is coordinating with the park's associated Tribes and stakeholders to develop interpretive exhibits that better tell the complex stories surrounding the landscape, site, and people. Work is scheduled to begin on November 25, 2024.

The nearly $14 million project is funded by the Centennial Challenge program and donations through the National Park Foundation (NPF), including a lead grant from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

The new 9,000 square foot building will be constructed on the footprint of the old visitor center. Nomlaki Technologies LLC, based in West Sacramento, California, is a 100% tribally owned company of members of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians. The new building will provide prominent views of the battlefield and will feature a roof deck, an improved parking area, accessible walkways, and enhanced visitor amenities to accommodate increased visitor use.

To read more, go here.