Blogs

Labor Day has come and gone, which means fall is almost upon us! Though the temperatures may be cooling down, autumn is a wonderful time to visit our national parks; the leaves are changing and the scenery is breathtaking. Many parks are offering promotions for those wishing to visit this autumn. 

Ford Explorer will donate $150,000 to outdoor organizations, and through the end of September, you can vote for your favorite organization to receive a portion of the funds!

On August 27 the public will get an eyeful with the release of the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Quarter. The coin features a spectacular eruption of Kilauea Volcano, with lava spitting high in the air.

In Beneath Cold Seas, one of the most impressive photography books we’ve seen in a long time, author and photographer David Hall captures the stunning underwater world of the Pacific Coast from California to Alaska, home to the most diverse and spectacular marine life of any temperate or cold-water ecosystem on the planet.

The photographs in the book capture stunningly colorful jellyfish, crabs, kelp forests, salmon, sea lions, seals, octopi, starfish, and a diverse array of other types of sea life.

Beneath Cold Seas is unique in that it focuses on a cold water North American ecosystem. But cold water does not mean lack of color. In fact, it’s just the opposite. The photographs are filled with rich orange, yellow and blue tones. Despite the many books published each year featuring underwater photography from tropical and subtropical locations, very few books that feature photographs of cold water ecosystems have ever been published. This has much to do with the challenges associated with underwater photography in cold environments.

In addition to revealing the secretive beauty of the underwater world of the Pacific Northwest, the book is also a testament to the great talents of photographer David Hall, who worked for hours in cold, murky waters to capture the amazing life below the surface.

We’ve included a slide show of some of our favorite images here. For even more amazing shots from the book, check out this video.

For almost a century, the National Park Service has protected the beauty, passion, and majesty of the parks that are at the heart of our country. Our nation’s parks are treasures for everyone to cherish, and NPS has been a crucial part in preserving these gems for generations of Americans to inherit and enjoy.

Rich in history, beauty, and adventure, the Appalachian Trail celebrates its 75th anniversary this summer.

Choco and mallow lovers rejoice! Today, August 10, is National S'mores Day. Celebrate by stocking up on some sweet treats and getting outside. Nothing beats toasting marshmallows over the campfire and customizing your own s'more as part of this tasty outdoor tradition.

One of the best parts of an outdoor trip is the grub! What would camping be without roasting marshmallows by the fire or digging into some Sloppy Joes? You gotta get creative with food in the woods. Whether it’s bite-sized snacks or a filling dish, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite camping foods for your next adventure.

Sloppy Joes

Watch Katmai’s brown bears from home via two live webcams

On a recent adventure in Central New York’s Finger Lakes region, I tested the KEEN Turia, a lightweight, comfortable adventure sandal that merges the technology of hiking shoes with the versatility of waterfront footwear.