The blog
The American national parks blog
On-the-ground news from all 62 parks, advice for traveling to the USA, deals and the American Parks magazine.
Latest park news
Closures, wildfires, reopenings and alerts that change what you need to plan for, park by park.
Death Valley Extreme Heat Warning: October 4 to 9, 2026
An Extreme Heat Warning covers the low-lying areas of Death Valley through October 9: up to 110°F by day, 85°F at night. Here's how to plan.
Death Valley By Jocelyn Pion
LeConte Lodge: Morning Closures October 6-9 for Helicopter Flights
From October 6 to 9, 2026, LeConte Lodge and its services close each morning from 9 a.m. to noon, though the summit trails stay open.
Great Smoky Mountains By David Sanchez
Yosemite: Dome Fire picks up activity, firefight underway on the east flank
Crews are strengthening the handline on the Dome Fire's east side and addressing spot fires after heat and dry conditions fueled a spike in activity.
Yosemite By Jocelyn Pion
Cuyahoga Valley: Parking Lots Closing in Rotation, October 5-16
Several Cuyahoga Valley parking lots will close for a few hours each for maintenance between October 5 and 16. Here's where and when.
Cuyahoga Valley By David Sanchez
A Scenic Aerial Tramway in the Works at Glacier's Doorstep
A scenic aerial tramway near Glacier is under review by the U.S. Forest Service. Here's what we know so far, according to Morningstar.
Glacier By Victoria Boissonade
Yosemite Turns 136: The 1890 Law That Sealed It All
Yosemite National Park marks the 136th anniversary of its official creation by Congress, signed into law on October 1, 1890, according to WHSV.
Yosemite By Jocelyn Pion
Traveling to the USA
ESTA, flights, landing in New York or Los Angeles, car rental, insurance: everything that comes before the first park.
Travel Insurance for the United States: Medical Costs, Limits, and What Your Card Covers
A U.S. hospital stay can cost $11,000 to $29,000. Learn what your credit card really covers, what limit to choose, and why national parks require extra protection.
By Erika Müller
Driving in the USA: French Licenses, International Permits, and Rules to Know
A valid French license, the $7.25 international permit, four-way stops, and right on red: essential rules before driving in the United States.
Gas Prices in the United States: Gallons, State-by-State Differences, and Road Trip Budget
Gas prices, gallons-to-liters conversion, paying at the pump with a French card, and fuel budgeting for a 15-day road trip through the American West.
Deals & savings
Passes, lodging, flights, gear and off-peak windows: the real savings on a national parks trip.
What to Do in Miami: Beaches, Neighborhoods, and Three National Parks Within Driving Distance
South Beach, Wynwood, Little Havana, and three national parks near Miami: our practical guide to visiting in 3, 5, or 7 days.
By Erika Müller
What to Do in San Francisco: Neighborhoods, Alcatraz, and Trips to the Parks
Golden Gate, Alcatraz (book early), cable cars, Mission, and Haight: three days covering SF essentials, then Muir Woods, Yosemite, and Pinnacles.
By Jocelyn Pion
Which Car Rental Company to Choose in the USA: Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise Compared
Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Budget or Sixt: compare major US rental companies by deductible, additional driver rules, one-way fees, and road-trip costs.
By Erika Müller
Magazine
Stories, portraits, behind the scenes and perspectives on America’s national parks.
National Parks in France and the United States: 11 vs. 63, Two Philosophies
France's 11 national parks and the NPS's 63: inhabited zones versus wilderness, free entry versus passes, and which French park speaks to Western travelers.
By Jocelyn Pion
Deserts and Canyons in France: Landscapes That Echo the American West
Verdon Gorge, the Provençal Colorado, and the Dune du Pilat: seven French landscapes compared with their American counterparts, with facts, access, and seasons.
Canada's National Parks: Our Picks for American Park Lovers
48 national parks, from the Rockies to Newfoundland: an annotated selection pairing each park with its American counterpart and explaining the required Moraine and Louise shuttles.
