THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKPERMANENT NPS STORY ARCHIVE
Organized by publication date and destination. Each story retains its permanent State & Nation address and official NPS source.
From October 16 to 18, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of the Cumberland Gap Tunnel by offering visitors a rare, behind-the-scenes experience.
Official NPS sourceBig South Fork NRRA will leave open Blue Heron Campground, located in Kentucky this coming winter season. This pilot project will provide the park an opportunity to determine if there is sufficient winter demand to keep the campground open year-round.
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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is offering a 10-year concession contract for the Charit Creek Lodge. Through Oct. 20, the National Park Service is accepting business proposals to operate rustic lodging, food and beverage, alcoholic beverages, retail and stabling at Charit Creek Lodge.
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The National Park Service (NPS) recently announced a new partnership with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and three local NPS units to train the next generation of leaders in the fields of outdoor recreation and public land management.
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As the nation commemorates America’s 250th anniversary, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park invites visitors to explore the enduring ideals of liberty, equality and self-government through its Freedom 250 Connections event series. On Saturday, Sept. 26, nationally acclaimed writer and performer Sean Dietrich, better known as "Sean of the South," will bring those themes to life through an evening of music, storytelling and humor. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. EDT at the park's Birthplace Unit.
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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area invites craft vendors, artisans and food vendors to take part in the Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Sept. 19. This annual signature special event celebrates the traditions, stories, music, arts, crafts and food of the Cumberland Plateau.
Official NPS sourceAs America commemorates the 250th anniversary of its founding, Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park invites visitors to connect with the national commemoration through “Connections” events. One event in the series, the Building America challenge, invites youth to explore the people, places, ideas and innovations that have shaped the nation through creativity and brick-building.
Official NPS sourceBrewster Bridge Road in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will temporarily close for repair and re-pavement beginning on Monday, June 29th. The road was heavily damaged from significant rain events in 2022 and 2023.
Official NPS sourceAbraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park will host a special naturalization ceremony on July 4 at 11 a.m. EST as part of the park’s commemoration of Freedom250, the nationwide celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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The National Park Service will resume rehabilitation of the Fort Donelson Visitor Center this summer, advancing efforts to improve accessibility, safety and visitor services at Fort Donelson National Battlefield while preserving one of the park’s most historically significant buildings.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will celebrate the deeply rooted tradition of Decoration Day on the Cumberland Plateau with its sixth annual Cemetery Quest event. The event begins at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, May 2 at Bandy Creek Visitor Center. Following a guided booklet, participants can visit cemeteries throughout the region in search of site-specific information.
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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will feature a full day of music, historic demonstrations and Appalachian traditions for the 26th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on April 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend. A free shuttle bus will run throughout the day for those who prefer not to walk between festival locations.
Official NPS sourceBrewster Bridge Road in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will be temporarily closed for repair and repavement from May to mid-summer. The road was heavily damaged during significant rain events in 2022 and 2023.
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On April 11, Big South Fork NRRA will host a river-based cleanup in partnership with Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning and East Tennessee Whitewater Club. The park will determine which section of stream to paddle based on river flow levels and other factors.
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The National Park Service will host an annual public science meeting at Historic Rugby Visitor Center, in Rugby, Tennessee. The public is invited to spend the day with scientists who have been conducting research at Obed Wild and Scenic River, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and other areas on the Cumberland Plateau.
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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services are proud to partner in hosting an official naturalization ceremony on Thursday, April 23, 2026, where 150 individuals will take the oath of citizenship.
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Mammoth Cave National Park law enforcement officers will conduct periodic sobriety and safety checkpoints on park roads and riverways throughout the remainder of 2026.
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The Green River Ferry in Mammoth Cave National Park will reopen March 5 and resume daily operations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST.
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The National Park Service invites the public and seeks vendors for the 26th Annual Spring Planting and Music Festival on Saturday, April 25 in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
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In late February, the National Park Service will begin work to replace the Little Yellow Creek Bridge on Bartlett Park Road. Bartlett Park will remain open and accessible, but visitors will see and hear construction activities. The road and areas south of the bridge, including Marsee Cemetery, will not be accessible during construction.
Official NPS sourceThe National Park Service invites public comments on a proposed rule that would amend special regulations for riding bicycles and horses within Mammoth Cave National Park.
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Mammoth Cave National Park will host a star party for the Geminids meteor shower on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. This free family-friendly event is open to all, from seasoned astronomers to first-time star gazers.
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Every New Year’s Day the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area and the Big South Fork Bike Club invite all mountain bikers to ride the annual Big South Fork “Mail Run” event.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will be celebrating the participants of the GO BIG 2025 Challenge at the GO BIG Celebration on Saturday, December 6, at 10 AM (ET) at Bandy Creek Visitor Center.
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Mammoth Cave National Park will host the 46th annual Cave Sing celebration on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. CST. The free holiday event will feature musical performances inside the cave.
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An endangered freshwater mussel species in the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is showing signs of natural population increases for the first time. The tan riffleshell (Epioblasma walkeri) is an endangered mussel found in only a few locations within the Big South Fork of the Cumberland and the upper Clinch Rivers.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will present the 15th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum. This free evening of live music starts at 5:00 PM ET with storytelling beginning at 7:00 PM ET beneath the historic coal tipple.
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A new National Park Service report shows that 8,580 visitors to Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in 2024 spent $604,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported the local area.
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A new National Park Service report shows that 780,000 visitors to Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area in 2024 spent $28.5 million in communities near the park. That spending supported the local area.
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A new National Park Service report shows that 729,249 visitors to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in 2024 spent $23,973,000 in communities near the park. That spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $24,310,000.
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A new National Park Service report shows that 747,042 visitors to Mammoth Cave National Park in 2024 spent $73,238,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported the local area.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host the 15th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Saturday, October 18, 2025, celebrating Kentucky’s rich tradition of storytelling at the historic Blue Heron Mining Community.
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Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park benefits greatly from the dedication of staff and volunteers who keep the grounds beautiful and accessible. Since July, trail crews from the American Conservation Experience (ACE) have been working diligently to improve the Overlook Trail at the Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek.
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The 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival returns to the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area on Saturday, September 20, bringing with it a full day of stories, heritage, and music. From morning workshops to evening performances, music will be present throughout the festival grounds, offering opportunities for both participation and performance.
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 20, as the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival takes place from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET) at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
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Mammoth Cave National Park invites the public to attend Echoes of the Past, a special event designed to explore modern connections to the generations of people who once called the Mammoth Cave region home. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Rotunda Room of the Lodge at Mammoth Cave.
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On Saturday, September 20, the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival will feature a variety of demonstrations and exhibits that celebrate the culture, history, and traditions of the Appalachian region. Festivalgoers will encounter Revolutionary Period Long Hunters sharing the ways of frontier life, HAM radio operators highlighting their role in community connection, a quilting display that showcases a longstanding tradition, and Black Bear Education offering unique insights, along with many other presentations throughout the day.
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On Saturday, September 20 at 8:00 AM (ET), visitors are invited to experience the rich natural beauty of Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau on a guided bird walk led by noted ornithologist Dr. Charles Nicholson. The walk begins at the Bandy Creek swimming pool in Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area and offers an easy, enjoyable outing for participants of all ages.
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Next week, the school districts in the six counties that surround Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will welcome a talented lineup of storytellers who will engage students through interactive performances that celebrate culture, history, and creativity.
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The National Park Service and the Back Country Horsemen of Big South Fork have partnered to replace 10 existing metal horse tie-stalls with pipe panel horse corrals at Station Camp Campground at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area.
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The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host the Eleventh Annual Photo Contest reception on Friday, September 5 in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, located at 151 Stable Road, Oneida. The festivities will begin at 5:00 PM (ET).
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Deer hunting season opens in Kentucky on September 6, and September 27, in Tennessee. During big game season, wild hogs may be harvested with the appropriate weapon that is legal for that specific season.
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Aspiring and seasoned astrophotographers are invited to an Astrophotography Workshop at Mammoth Cave National Park on Friday, Sep. 19. The night’s activities will begin with a night sky evening program at 6:30 p.m. CDT in the outdoor amphitheater and then move to the bus loop behind the visitor center at 7:30 p.m. where participants will set up their astrophotography equipment.
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Storytelling bridges cultures, sparks imagination, and preserves traditions. In Appalachia, it’s a living thread connecting generations and shared history. On Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (ET), Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will host the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival at Bandy Creek Visitor Center area.
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Learn about our favorite flying creatures at Mammoth Cave National Park with a full day of activities at this year’s annual Bat Day event on Saturday, Aug. 30.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area invites you to mark your calendars for one of the region’s most cherished traditions, the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival, happening Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (ET) at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area.
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Are you a craftsperson, artisan, or food vendor looking for a great opportunity to share your work? We are currently seeking vendors to join the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area!
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will be observing the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Great American Outdoors Act on Monday, August 4, 2025, with 50 percent off backcountry camping permit fees.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area encompasses 125,000 acres of rugged terrain within the Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Kentucky and north-central Tennessee.
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A new species of ancient shark, named Macadens olsoni, has been discovered at Mammoth Cave National Park, adding to the park’s rich history of paleontological finds.
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Students from McCreary Central High School, Scott County High School, and Oneida High School worked on a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) project in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.
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Mammoth Cave National Park invites you to experience the Perseids meteor shower at an evening Star Party on Friday, July 18 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT.
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Blue Heron, an integral part of the history of Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is calling on surrounding communities to help preserve and showcase the region’s mining heritage.
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The superintendent has temporarily closed a gas well maintenance access road associated with a leaking well site near the Joe Branch area of Big South Fork NRRA.
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Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will observe Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19, 2025, by offering a 50 percent discount on fees for use of the Bandy Creek Pool and for backcountry camping permits.
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Two sets of Mammoth Cave National Park volunteers have been recognized by the National Park Service (NPS) Southeast Regional Office with Excellence in Volunteerism Awards. The Team Impact Award was given to Pam Saberton and Linda Bundy and the Innovation Award was given to the Mammoth Cave National Park Fossil Expedition Team.
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Bandy Creek pool and wading pool will open for the 2025 season on Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11:00 AM (ET). The hours of operation will be from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays through Labor Day.
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Beginning May 6, 2025, the National Park Service will initiate critical maintenance work on the Twin Arches Loop Trail in Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. Trail crews will rehabilitate all wooden stairs and ladders along the route to improve safety and enhance the visitor experience.
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Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area would like to experience your vision of the park. Use the park’s spectacular views in any season, historic sites, recreational opportunities, and diversity of life at Big South Fork and document your park as you see it. Images may show wildlife, plant life, natural landscapes, historic areas, weather, or people interacting with nature at the park. All photographs should accurately reflect the subject matter and the scene as it appeared.
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The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Patrick Malone as program manager of Region 6, 7 and 8 National Trails Office. In this role, Malone will administer the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, California National Historic Trail, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail, Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Oregon National Historic Trail, Pony Express National Historic Trail, Santa Fe National Historic Trail, Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, and the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.
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In a groundbreaking collaboration, Terrain360, the National Park Service’s (NPS) Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, and the Lewis and Clark Trust, Inc. is proud to announce a project that aims to map a portion of the Yellowstone River. The mapping will use state-of-the art 360° ultra-high-definition spherical imagery to capture 507 miles of river starting just south of Livingston, Montana to the confluence of the Missouri-Yellowstone Rivers. This monumental endeavor will generate over 1 million ultra-high-resolution images, providing an unparalleled view of this historically significant river.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2023 Annual Report. The report documents a year of work with partners across the U.S. to commemorate and protect the 4,900-mile-long historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is pleased to share its 2022 Annual Report. Highlights include a collaborative panoramic mapping project, the National Freeman Tilden Award, Lewis and Clark Trail resource documentation, web and NPS mobile app updates, and the yearly spending and projects report.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Specialist Caitlin Campbell has won the Freeman Tilden Award, the highest award presented to a National Park Service individual to recognize outstanding contributions to the profession of interpretation.
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A variety of National Park Service (NPS) employees, volunteers and partners were honored at a ceremony to Celebrate America’s National Parks and the Dedication of Those Who Serve.
Official NPS sourceA new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 2,187,125 visitors to national parks in West Virginia spent $108.9 million in the state in 2021. That spending resulted in 1,447 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $131 million.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2021 Annual Report. The report documents a year of work with partners across the U.S. to commemorate and protect the 4,900-mile-long historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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Each year, agencies and organizations engaged in public outreach submit publications, videos, digital campaigns, and exhibits for competition in NAI’s media awards. The Lewis and Clark Trail Junior Ranger Activity Journal was awarded first place NAI Media Award in the book category after receiving top marks for thoughtful messaging and innovative online components.
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Mulberry Bend Overlook will be closed temporarily while the park addresses accessibility issues at the overlook. The trail is being redesigned and reconstructed.
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(OMAHA, NE) July 19, 2021 — As travelers seek out more authentic ways to connect with people and places, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail unveils the ultimate online trip-planning portal, lewisandclark.travel. This website is designed to help visitors learn more about the host communities, local businesses, and attractions located along the 4,900-mile trail that runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the Pacific Ocean.
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Omaha, Neb. – Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will resume indoor visitor services at their visitor center in Omaha, Neb. starting July 1, consistent with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Department of Interior. All services will return to pre-pandemic levels, including issuance of the park passes, access to restroom facilities, and the reopening of Riverfront Books. Some exhibits will be modified or removed to reduce risks associated with COVID-19.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail announces the debut of a trailwide Junior Ranger program, which is now available at more than 30 locations in 13 states across the country.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will celebrate National Park Week April 17-25, 2021. We encourage you to participate in one of our virtual activities to help you celebrate National Park Week.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail has released its 2020 Annual Report. The report documents a year of partnerships and projects with the common goal of commemorating and protecting the 4,900 mile historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition from Pittsburgh to the Pacific.
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An expedition is only as successful as its preparation. On May 12, 2019, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail was extended to include eastern sites that played vital roles in the planning and supply procurement for the Corps of Discovery expedition. With a new historical trail head at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Trail now winds 4,900 miles to St. Louis, Missouri, along the Missouri River to the Great Plains, across the Rockies and on to the Pacific Ocean. This week, we celebrate the first anniversary of this 1,200 mile extension.
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The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail will celebrate National Park Week April 18-26, 2020. We encourage you to participate in one of our virtual activities to help you celebrate National Park Week while social distancing at home.
Official NPS sourceOmaha, Neb, – The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitor center is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 23, 2020 the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail visitor center in Omaha, Nebraska is closed until further notice.
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In partnership with the National Park Service, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association will work with Tribes to develop cultural heritage content and itineraries for the websites LewisAndClark.travel and NativeAmerica.travel.
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In the early 19th century, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led an ambitious expedition across the western United States. Lewis and Clark greatly expanded our knowledge of the country’s geography and biological diversity through their specimen collection, mapping of the landscape and detailed journal entries. This year NASA and the National Park Service encourage the public to follow in these explorers’ footsteps through a new citizen science challenge from June 1 to Sept. 2. Use your smart phone and the NASA GLOBE Observer (GO) app to map land cover along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and elsewhere to assist scientists studying environmental changes.
Official NPS sourceOmaha, Neb. –No trip begins without preparation and this is especially true for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. To commemorate the importance of preparation for the expedition, 1,200 miles have just been added to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management and Recreation Act signed on March 12, 2019 includes the trail extension, which adds an additional 1,200 miles to the national historic trail starting at the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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American Solar Challenge 2018 is starting from the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail in Omaha, NE.
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Western National Parks Association Selects Lewis and Clark Trail employees for the Stewart L Udall Award.
Official NPS sourceMISSOURI RIVER BASIN LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER NEW FEE PROPOSAL OPEN HOUSE
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