National Parks News Round Up 11/20
New national parks & monuments on the horizon, wolves return to Lassen, endangered frogs thriving at Yosemite again, and more.
Happy Wednesday! Will here. Another round up of national parks news coming your way. This week we’ve got even more new national park designations on the horizon, the return of endangered species to a few parks, construction projects starting (and ending), and more.
The Week in National Parks News
We contributed to Huffington Post for a piece on Worthwhile National Park Hotels. We’re happy to share our insights on the best national park accommodations in a recent Huffington Post article.
Ocmulgee National Park legislation introduced! This is the big project we’ve been blazing away on and we’re now in the crunch time with legislation introduced. We’ll be providing more info on what you can do shortly and what this looks like but huge news nonetheless!
Chesapeake Bay gets closer to addition to the national parks system. The Chesapeake Bay is on its way to becoming the Chesapeake National Recreation Area (CNRA). Proposed legislation would unite key sites like the Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse and Whitehall Manor under the National Park Service. This move aims to protect the Bay’s ecosystem, highlight its cultural significance, and improve public access for recreation. With bipartisan support and widespread public enthusiasm, the CNRA could bring new resources and visibility to this iconic region.
Fire season officially ends at Yosemite (thank goodness). Yosemite’s fire season has officially wrapped up, marking the end of months of heightened wildfire risk. This year saw significant efforts to reduce hazardous fuels around high-risk areas, and now the focus shifts to winter preparations and maintaining access for visitors.
Major construction projects coming to Mount Rainier. Mount Rainier is undergoing some big upgrades. The Stevens Canyon Road rehabilitation was just completed, improving nine miles of road with new surfaces and better drainage. Plans are also in the works to replace the historic Fryingpan Creek Bridge starting in 2026. Meanwhile, the Nisqually to Paradise Road will get critical repairs to keep the main route to Paradise safe and accessible for years to come.
Grey wolves spotted at Lassen Volcanic National Park. Grey wolves have been spotted roaming Lassen Volcanic National Park! These sightings are part of a broader trend of wolves returning to their historic range in California, thanks to conservation efforts.
The popular Ramsey Cascades Trail is re-opened in Great Smoky Mountains after three long years of renovations. After three years of work, the Ramsey Cascades Trail is open again! Crews stabilized the trail, repaired bridges, and improved access to the stunning Ramsey Cascades—the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hikers can once again enjoy one of the park’s most beloved trails.
Oregon Caves National Monument receives International Dark Sky certification. Oregon Caves is officially a Dark Sky site! This certification highlights its pristine night skies, making it a perfect destination for stargazers.
Return the national parks to the tribes? A Forbes writer argues for the transferring national parks back to Indigenous tribes under the next administration.
Nearly extinct Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs are back at Yosemite. Once nearly wiped out, Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frogs are bouncing back in Yosemite thanks to conservation programs. These frogs play a crucial role in the ecosystem, and their recovery is a hopeful sign for biodiversity in the park.
Range of Light National Monument proposed to connect Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks to Yosemite. A new proposal calls for the creation of the 1.4 million acre Range of Light National Monument, which would link Sequoia, Kings Canyon, and Yosemite. This initiative would protect vital habitats, create a vast continuous wilderness, and honor John Muir’s vision of preserving the Sierra Nevada.
That’s a wrap for this week! Putting the finishing touches on our latest works and will have those out ASAP with you as the first one to know ;)
Thanks for tuning in this week!
Will