Parkography

News: Sweeping National Park Exhibit Removals, Rescues Surge, and Fossils Found

This week on Parkography, we look at the Trump administration’s directive that’s leading to the removal of exhibits and signs about slavery, Native American displacement, labor history, and climate change at national parks across the country. We also examine new polling showing strong bipartisan opposition in Western states to the nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management, and a lawsuit challenging new federal rules that limit public input on logging, drilling, and wildlife management projects in national forests.
We’ll also cover new policies making it easier to lease public lands for oil and gas development — even as recent federal lease sales in Colorado draw zero bids — and a major reorganization of federal wildfire programs with the launch of a new U.S. Wildland Fire Service.
On the ground, we’re tracking a record year for search and rescue at Yosemite, recent vandalism near Bridalveil Fall, illegal off-road driving that damaged rare desert plants at Death Valley’s Eureka Dunes, and adaptive reopening plans for the Grand Canyon’s North Rim after last year’s wildfire.
And we’ll end with some good news: a surprise dinosaur fossil discovery at Dinosaur National Monument and major restoration projects underway at memorials and fountains across Washington, D.C. ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
Find the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography
The video on explaining passes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBfqPOoEu4w&t=357s
Check out our other channels focused on RV travel:  @RVMiles   @RVMilesPodcast ​
00:00 Intro01:10 Exhibits Removed From National Parks06:31 Controversial Nominee for Bureau of Land Management08:43 Lawsuit Against New Federal Rules on Public Lands10:24 Expanding Oil and Gas Development in National Forests12:20 Unified US Wildland Fire Service13:26 Updates on National Park Service Sites16:55 Dinosaur Fossils and Restoration Projects18:09 Conclusion and Farewell

A Fall in the Rockies: The Death That Wasn’t an Accident

When Toni Henthorn fell to her death during an anniversary hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, it was first reported as a tragic accident in rugged terrain. But almost immediately, park rangers noticed that the scene didn’t match the story. The location was far from the trail, the drop was steeper than described, and photographs taken just minutes before the fall raised troubling questions.
As investigators began to dig deeper, they uncovered another death years earlier — one that had also been ruled an accident, and that now looked disturbingly similar. What followed was a long and complex investigation that would ultimately lead to a murder conviction and expose how a carefully planned crime unfolded in one of America’s most visited national parks.
In this episode of Parkography, we examine the evidence, the investigation, and the critical role that park rangers and forensic analysis played in uncovering the truth behind a case that shocked both the National Park Service and the public.
Find the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography

UPDATED: National Park & Federal Land Passes Explained - NEW Non-Resident Fee Details and more

In this episode, I'm again breaking down the various types of passes available for national parks and other federal recreation areas, now updated with the new non-resident pass and non-resident fees. We have all of the details about how that will work for residents and non-residents alike.  I'll explain the America the Beautiful Pass, the Senior Pass, the Access Pass, and the Military Pass, detailing their benefits and eligibility criteria. Learn which pass is right for you, how to obtain it, and how to maximize your visits to federal lands. 
Order your passes online here: https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Get the Every Kid Outdoors 4th & 5th Grade Pass here: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm
Find the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography
Check out our other channels focused on RV travel:  @RVMiles   @RVMilesPodcast ​
00:00 Introduction to National Park Passes00:26 Major Changes to Passes in 202601:00 Understanding Interagency Passes02:08 Annual Pass Details05:49 Non-Resident Fees and Passes09:25 Digital vs. Physical Passes13:10 Special Passes: Senior, Access, and Military19:20 Purchasing and Using Passes21:59 Common Questions and Tips24:37 Conclusion

NEWS: Nat'l Parks Told To Remove "DEI" Merchandise, Grand Canyon Closes Services, New State Parks

The Grand Canyon's South Rim has closed lodging due to significant waterline breaks, while Theodore Roosevelt National Park completed a $51 million road rehabilitation project. The Interior Department is reviewing park merchandise to remove DEI themes, and the 'American Products in Parks Act' was introduced to mandate that all products sold in National Park Service gift shops be American-made. Additionally, Arkansas is creating a new state park at Blanchard Springs, and Florida State Parks need $760 million in repairs. New Jersey is rebranding its state parks in preparation for the USA's 250th birthday. Finally, there are concerns about reduced wildfire mitigation efforts on US Forest Service land.
Find the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography
The video on explaining passes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBfqPOoEu4w&t=357s
Check out our other channels focused on RV travel:  @RVMiles   @RVMilesPodcast ​
00:00 Introduction00:07 Grand Canyon Waterline Issues02:05 Theodore Roosevelt National Park Road Rehabilitation02:59 National Park Service Merchandise Review04:29 American Products in Parks Act05:55 Sponsored Segment: Slinky Stove06:33 Arkansas's Newest State Park: Blanchard Springs07:22 Florida State Parks Infrastructure Needs08:07 New Jersey State Parks Rebranding09:15 Wildfire Mitigation and Forest Service Staffing10:59 National Helicopter Repel Program Achievements14:11 Conclusion and Farewell

Early 1900s Christmas at YELLOWSTONE National Park

In this episode, how three young boys petitioned the Department of the Interior to open the gates to Yellowstone National Park each Christmas Eve, in anticipation of Santa's annual visit. 
Find the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography

BREAKING: Huge NATIONAL PARK PASS Changes: Non-Resident Surcharge, Digital Passes, New Design

In this episode: National park entrance is about to get much more expensive for foreign visitors, plus digital passes are here, and more. 
Find the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography
The video on explaining passes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBfqPOoEu4w&t=357s
 

NEWS: NPS Offering $70K To New NPS Rangers, Graffiti at Arches National Park, Trail Runner Gets Pardon

This week: National parks reopen after the government shutdown — but not before one of them gets hit with a rash of graffiti. Winter closures are rolling in across the park system, including some big changes at Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. The Park Service is trying to hire 500 new law enforcement rangers with an eye-popping $70,000 bonus… while a new academic study shows national parks are still some of the safest places you can visit. We’ll also look at the Justice Department’s renewed crackdown on marijuana use on federal land, the controversy surrounding the nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management. Plus — a presidential pardon for a record-setting trail runner, and the unbelievable moment a man walked straight toward a pack of wolves in Yellowstone.
The full video of the man approaching wolves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfVXr4Ap4S/
The National Parks Traveler Article: https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2025/11/national-parks-are-overwhelmingly-safe-spaces-says-study
Find the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography
Check out our other channels focused on RV travel:  @RVMiles   @RVMilesPodcast ​
00:00 National Parks Reopen After Shutdown02:36 Winter Closures and Changes in Major Parks04:53 Recruitment Drive for Law Enforcement Rangers07:09 Safety in National Parks: New Study Insights08:22 Federal Cannabis Law Enforcement in Parks09:12 Controversial Nominee for Bureau of Land Management10:30 Call for Restoration of National Park Funding11:36 Presidential Pardon for Trail Runner12:16 Man's Close Encounter with Wolves in Yellowstone13:14 Conclusion and Thanksgiving Wishes

National Park Passes Explained

In this episode, I'll break down the various types of passes available for national parks and other federal recreation areas. I'll explain the America the Beautiful Pass, the Senior Pass, the Access Pass, and the Military Pass, detailing their benefits and eligibility criteria. Learn which pass is right for you, how to obtain it, and how to maximize your visits to federal lands. 
Order your passes online here: https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes
Get the Every Kid Outdoors 4th & 5th Grade Pass here: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htmFind the  Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography
Join the PARKography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography
Check out our other channels focused on RV travel:  @RVMiles   @RVMilesPodcast ​
00:00 Introduction to National Park Passes01:29 Annual Pass: The Basics04:03 Special Passes for Kids and Volunteers05:07 Sponsored Message: Slinky Stove05:46 Senior Pass: Benefits and Discounts08:14 Access Pass for Disabled Individuals09:39 Military Pass: Recent Changes10:38 How to Obtain Your Pass12:39 Frequently Asked Questions15:33 Conclusion