Stubborn As A Mule's Knot: Massaging Ornery Beasts

The famous pack mules that carry supplies and people in and out of the Grand Canyon have back pain, as you might imagine. One man is on a mission to make the lives of these beasts of burden a little less painful. When Rene Noriega retired a few years ago ...

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Raptors of the West: Captured in Photographs

Raptors of the West: Exclusive Slideshow Get up close and personal with bald eagles, snowy owls, peregrine falcons and more in Raptors of the West, a stunning book of photographs by Rob Palmer, Nick Dunlop and Kate Davis. Raptors of the West includes 430 photos of birds of prey broken ...

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Visit the Grand Circle on a Budget

Fall is the perfect time to explore the Grand Circle on a budget Labor Day marks the end of summer and the beginning of one of the most desirable times to travel. With the peak travel season coming to an end, the crowds at our national parks begin to thin, ...

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Top Ten Park Train Rides

1.) Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon Railway With the Arizona heat looming, hop the train to Grand Canyon National Park and enjoy the comfortable ride. The Grand Canyon Railway departs daily at 9:30 a.m. from Williams, Arizona, about 30 miles west of Flagstaff. The train travels almost due ...

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Grand Canyon’s North Rim a throwback to a simpler time

Talk to travelers about the differences between the North and South rims of Grand Canyon National Park, and most will say the north offers more solitude. Only 10 miles separate the two edges of the mile-deep chasm, but the north is about 1,000 feet higher in elevation, is closed during ...

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Explore National Parks by Taking the Shuttle

Vacations are meant to be relaxing, not spent in traffic. If you are planning to visit a national park during peak season, consider taking a shuttle. Not only do you avoid the hassle of driving, but you’re helping reduce emissions and noise in the park.   Acadia National Park From late June ...

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Grand Canyon to add Water Bottle Filling Stations Throughout Park

The National Park Service (NPS) will soon complete the installation of nine new water bottle filling stations in Grand Canyon National Park, making access to free Grand Canyon spring water easier than ever before. The fillings stations are currently being installed in high traffic areas on both rims of the park. ...

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Water Bottle Refill Stations added at Grand Canyon

The National Park Service (NPS) will soon complete the installation of nine new water bottle filling stations in Grand Canyon National Park, making access to free Grand Canyon spring water easier than ever before. The fillings stations are currently being installed in high traffic areas on both rims of the ...

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Shhh, and Not Because the Fauna Are Sleeping

At times, deep within this vaulted chamber of redwoods, it is almost quiet enough to hear a banana slug slither by. For the National Park Service, that stillness is as vital a component of the site as the trees’ green needles, or the sudden darting rays of sunlight. A decade ...

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New Amphitheater at Mather Point in the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon Association and Grand Canyon National Park dedicated a new rim-based amphitheater and landmark feature at Mather Point on Grand Canyon’s South Rim on Monday, October 25, 2010. The new amphitheater allows park visitors to view the Canyon’s famous vistas from a beautiful location, while seated on native ...

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Oh, Ranger! Insider Tips: Part II

As part our latest series, the OhRanger.com team has put together a list of our favorite national park activities. Each month, we'll share a few of our most-loved adventures with you. In return, we hope YOU will do the same! Here is our second round of Oh, Ranger! Insider Tips. We ...

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Winter Travel Deals at our National Parks

Most budget conscious (and flexible) travelers know that some of the best travel deals are often available during the next several weeks between the peak Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Years travel period. The lucky ones, those who can make their own schedules, have extra day off in the bank, or ...

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Grand Canyon's Human History

Although John Wesley Powell first gave the Grand Canyon its name, Grand Canyon National Park has actually been inhabited for over 4,000 years! One of the best ways to explore the park is through the eyes of those who first called it home. Ancient Roots The first known occupants of Grand ...

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Species Spotlight: Western Pipistrelle

Although bats are often considered spooky, spotting a western pipistrelle (Pipistrellus hesperus) might not be as frightful as you think. These boo-tiful little critters are insectivores— preferring insects to human blood—and keep the pests at the Grand Canyon in check! Although they’re the most commonly seen bats in the ...

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Grand Canyon Quarter to Launch September 21

The Mint and the National Park Service will kick off the fall season by introducing Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park Quarter on September 21 at 1:30 p.m. (MST), on the park’s South Rim, between Hopi House and Verkamp’s Visitor Center. Since parking near the ceremony is "extremely limited," the Mint ...

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