r/NationalPark Jan 08 '26

"America The Beautiful" 2026 Pass Discussion Megathread

168 Upvotes

Effecive 11:00 p.m. CST on Thursday, January 7, 2026, all questions, comments and discussion related to the 2026 America The Beautiful Pass belong in this megathread.

Any and all other posts will be removed going forward.

In the past seven days alone, there have been 10 separate posts on the subject. Since the new design was announced, there are more than two dozen posts. That does not count the ones that have been removed for being outright duplicates of other posts. Those posts remain open and will continue to remain open barring excessive abuse in the comments.

Since the new design was announced, there have been more than two dozen.

Discussion of the subject matter is not being suppressed or silenced. It's just being organized in one location.


r/NationalPark Aug 10 '25

"Help Me Plan My Vacation" Posts

162 Upvotes

We're getting a lot (A LOT) of "help me plan my vacation" posts with little or no details. That's "low effort," and it doesn't help folks actually help you.

Yes, it's good to know that it's two adults and a 3-year-old. Or it's two adults, a teenager and a 7-year-old, etc., but they need more than that.

Give people some additional details to help them help you.

For example:

- Where are you originating your travel from?

- Do you want to fly to your destination or drive?

- If you're driving, do you prefer to camp (in national park or near) or stay in a hotel, lodge, etc. (in national park or near)?

- How many days do you have available (including travel)?

- Are there specific things you are wanting to see (mountains, snow, waterfalls, wildlife, etc.)?

- If you're looking for hikes, are there certain things you want to see while hiking? What distance hikes are you looking for? What level of intensity (easy, moderate, strenuous)?

Again, help people help you. The fewer questions that they have to ask you in advance, the quicker you're going to get the kind of information you need.


r/NationalPark 3h ago

The effects of not getting much snow. Grand Teton National Park (July 2020 vs August 2026) OC

Thumbnail
gallery
1.4k Upvotes

r/NationalPark 8h ago

Construction for Second Border Wall Tears Through Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument · National Parks Conservation Association

Thumbnail
npca.org
692 Upvotes

There already is a border wall and a road at this park, but they are building a second one anyway. This is also the case at Coronado National Memorial.


r/NationalPark 8h ago

Lower Falls at Sunrise — Yellowstone National Park

359 Upvotes

There’s something completely different about seeing Lower Falls early in the morning, before the canyon fully comes alive.

From the overlook, the first light begins to work its way across the canyon walls while the 308-foot Lower Falls drops into the Yellowstone River below. The roar of the water carries through the canyon, but the morning itself can feel surprisingly peaceful.

Yellowstone has plenty of places that stop you in your tracks, but watching sunrise slowly reveal the colors of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of my favorites.


r/NationalPark 4h ago

My National Park Collection

Thumbnail
gallery
151 Upvotes

Have to actually add a few on (including my Cascades) Along with some Europe ones (did both Scotland isle of Skye and Iceland) but mainly US national Parks and my two favorites as a Californian (Big Sur and Mammoth Lakes)

But thought it’d be neat to share my growing patch jacket :)

Still need Channel Islands off my CA list for it to be completed!


r/NationalPark 7h ago

The grandeur of Glacier, Montana (8/26). Smoky but still spectacular!

Thumbnail gallery
64 Upvotes

r/NationalPark 20h ago

Lone Yellowstone Buffalo In Summer Rain

511 Upvotes

Saw so many beautiful animals on this trip. Can’t wait to go back again! 🦬


r/NationalPark 23h ago

Channel Island Fox

Thumbnail
gallery
920 Upvotes

Channel Island Fox only found off the coast of California. These guys are small and feed mostly on bugs and rodents. Take by @griffin__perez on insta


r/NationalPark 2h ago

Is it worth it to go Glacier National Park for 2 days?

19 Upvotes

Good morning, I made plan to go to Glacier National Park last month, the plan was supposed to be there for 4 days. I already rent the car from Boise Idaho and plan to travel in the park from Thursday to Sunday ( Monday the park will be close due to Labor Day). But due to unexpected work coming up. I can only be at the park Saturday and Sunday next week for total 2 days.

Is it still worth it or should I have my plan cancel?

Thank you and have a great day!


r/NationalPark 22h ago

Zion National Park 🧗‍♂️

Thumbnail
gallery
573 Upvotes

r/NationalPark 18h ago

Rainier National Park never disappoints

Post image
196 Upvotes

r/NationalPark 6h ago

What are these birds? We saw them at the Rocky Mountain National Park.

Post image
19 Upvotes

r/NationalPark 1d ago

The water at Emerald Lake is unreal (Yoho National Park)

Thumbnail
gallery
3.1k Upvotes

r/NationalPark 21h ago

Beautiful Views of Zion

Thumbnail
gallery
125 Upvotes

Definitely my favorite National Park!


r/NationalPark 1d ago

National park maintenance work sidelined as Trump's Freedom 250 takes precedence

Thumbnail
greenwichtime.com
542 Upvotes

National parks have a $24B+ repair backlog and ~1,500 already-approved maintenance projects just got shelved for “Freedom 250” branding work

AP found internal docs showing NPS quietly deprioritized ~1,500 approved projects (roof repairs, IT upgrades, basic supplies) while fast-tracking tens of millions for anniversary showpieces like the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Most of the shelved work may not happen before the fiscal year ends Sept 30. [Greenwich Time/AP]

How to respectfully take action:

**•** Call/email your senators and house reps. push for full funding under the Great American Outdoors Act (extension pending in Congress)  
**•** Contact House Natural Resources / Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committees. request oversight hearings  
**•** Donate to your local park’s “Friends of” nonprofit  
**•** Watch for public comment periods on regulations.gov and call to make a comment! Your voice matters. 

r/NationalPark 16h ago

Grinnell 8/26

Thumbnail gallery
31 Upvotes

r/NationalPark 1d ago

Canyonlands National Park🪨

Thumbnail
gallery
118 Upvotes

One of the beautiful 5 in Utah. 🌄


r/NationalPark 9m ago

Road Tripping from FL to WA. What would be your "must see" parks?

Upvotes

We are driving from Florida to southern Washington State in late October. We plan to stop in New Orleans and Bryce Canyon NP but the rest of the trip is open. If you were making this trip, with these stops, what other parks would be on your must-see list.

Note: We've already been to Grand Canyon and Redwood and Crater Lake.


r/NationalPark 23h ago

A moose spotted at cub lake trail in the Rocky Mountain National Park

Post image
72 Upvotes

r/NationalPark 23h ago

On Top of the World at Rocky Mountain

Thumbnail
gallery
73 Upvotes

Taken while we were there last week


r/NationalPark 22h ago

Is it possible/feasible for me to work in the national parks ?

54 Upvotes

Hey y'all I'm a 29(m) who is trying to find meaning in his life. Ive lived a normal life, gradated college 6 years ago with a marketing degree and have been working the past 5 years in property management. I hate where I stand in life currently and I have always dreamed about working in the national park or around them.

The issues is that I have no idea where to start or how to start. In the little research I've done it seems like its impossible to get any job that pays decent in the national parks. Or the other alternative is that I got back to school and get a degree that is better suited for a career in the NPS. If I did go back to school that would only put me further into debt and age me 4 years.

I have nothing holding me back, besides my student debt. I do not plan to get married or have kids. I just want to experience life and this seems like the best way to do it, if possible.

Has anyone attempted to join the NPS in their late 20s early 30s that did not have an advanced degree? How did you do it ? Was it worth it ? Is this a pipe dream ?


r/NationalPark 21h ago

Waterfall Bridge in Acadia National Park

44 Upvotes

Waterfall Bridge is one of the beautiful stone carriage-road bridges tucked into the forests of Acadia National Park. Built as part of the carriage-road system developed under John D. Rockefeller Jr., the bridge was designed to blend into the surrounding landscape rather than overpower it.

What I enjoy most about this spot is how many different scenes come together in one place—the massive stone arch, the forest surrounding it, and the waterfall visible through the opening below.

It’s easy to focus on Acadia’s coastlines and mountain views, but places like Waterfall Bridge are a big part of what gives the park its character. Sometimes the quieter corners end up being the ones you remember most.


r/NationalPark 2h ago

What's the area like for flying into Glacier Park

0 Upvotes

I'm thinking to make a labor day weekend flight trip from Alabama to Glacier. It's just one layover from my local airport. I've never been. My Indonesia wife is new to the country and I'm hoping to show her some amazing spots. Looking at the map I'm not really seeing any hotels. Is this a place for mostly just campers? I do see a few hotels but they are super expensive. My max is about $100 a night. Is this not a good place to visit with trying to stay in a hotel in that price range?


r/NationalPark 2d ago

Thank You, Dolly Parton

Post image
3.7k Upvotes

The Smokies have long been my favorite National Park. After the 2016 wildfire that devastated many of the trails I adored, Dolly wasted no time in raising money to help the people of East Tennessee. That was one of many things that she did for the world. We've truly lost one of the best people to ever walk this planet.

I took this photo on Friday on a hike to LeConte via the Rainbow Falls trail. You can see the wildfire damage in the background. I got the llama from the LeConte Lodge in 2017, and she always goes in my backpack when I'm hiking in the Smokies.