THE GOVERNMENT NEWS DESKSTATE & NATION TRAVEL
National parks, historic sites and practical visitor updates, directly from the National Park Service.
NPS sources checked 10/3/2026, 3:07:20 PM Eastern
A Harmful Algae Bloom has been confirmed in recent water samples taken from the Nelson's Landing and the Cottonwood Cove areas on Lake Mohave. To reduce health risks, the National Park Service recommends recreators limit body contact with these waters when algae is present. Please click here for pictures of this dangerous cyanobacteria and contact the Park at 702-293-8990 for updates on this advisory.
Official NPS sourceThe Government Wash campground and 8.0 Mile Road will close on May 15th to vehicle access and overnight camping to assess and manage area improvements and protect visitors and staff from extreme heat risks. The campground is anticipated to reopen for overnight stays on October 15th. It will remain open this summer to non-motorized vehicle access for daytime, non-camping related activities.
Official NPS sourceFecal bacteria in water samples taken from Arizona Hot Springs frequently reach high levels, which can transmit human diseases. To reduce health risks, the National Park Service recommends recreators limit body contact in these waters, clean after use, and to never put your head under water at hot springs. Please contact the Park at 702-293-8990 for updates on this advisory.
Official NPS sourceThere currently is no water available in any campground in Great Basin National Park. Water is available at the RV Fill and Dump Station, the Great Basin, and the Lehman Caves Visitor Center as well as some local businesses.
Official NPS sourceThe South Unit of Tule Springs Fossil Beds is temporarily closed to visitor access south of Grand Teton Drive, between Tule Springs Parkway and North Fifth Street in North Las Vegas for visitor safety during construction activities.
Official NPS sourceGasoline is available at Panamint Springs Resort from 7am-9:30pm, daily. Gas is available at Furnace Creek and Stovepipe Wells 24hrs.
Official NPS source
Titus Canyon Road, one of Death Valley National Park’s most popular backcountry drives, will close Oct. 2, 2026, as work begins to repair and strengthen the road following extensive flood damage.
Official NPS sourceGreat Basin National Park will celebrate two major milestones Oct. 23: the park’s 40th anniversary and the completion of major improvements to the Lehman Caves lighting system and tour route. The all-day celebration will feature a 2 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Lehman Caves Visitor Center, along with guest speakers, ranger programs, free ranger-led cave tours, an Eskdale High School choir performance, and presentations by cave specialists and historians.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service reopened a portion of Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground on September 17. The burned area at Lower Springs is closed to public entry by order of the Death Valley National Park superintendent.
Official NPS source
Saline Valley Warm Springs Campground is temporarily closed due to a fire that occurred on September 15, 2026.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service urges commercial truck drivers to use caution when traveling State Route 190 through Death Valley National Park, particularly on the steep descent from Towne Pass. A tractor-trailer caught fire on SR-190 at approximately 7:45 p.m. Sept. 9 after its brakes overheated while descending about 5,000 feet from Towne Pass.
Official NPS source
Great Basin National Park will celebrate its dark skies with the 17th annual Great Basin Astronomy Festival from Thursday, Sept. 10, through Saturday, Sept. 12.
Official NPS sourceA 68-year-old French visitor died Monday, Aug. 17, after he and a traveling companion became stranded on a remote road in Death Valley National Park.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service announced today that Death Valley National Park will begin an $69.5 million infrastructure project this fall to modernize two critical water systems and a wastewater system. Funded through President Donald J. Trump’s Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund, the three-year project will improve essential infrastructure responsible for providing safe drinking water and reliable wastewater treatment for park visitors, employees, hotels, campgrounds and the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe.
Official NPS source
Firefighters responded to a vehicle fire on State Route 190 in Death Valley National Park on June 20, 2026. All six occupants escaped without major injuries, but the van and attached trailer were destroyed.
Official NPS source
On June 2, 2026, the National Park Service reopened Lower Wildrose Road, which was closed for nearly three years due to extensive flood damage. The narrow, unpaved road is restricted to vehicles shorter than 25 feet. Also known as Trona-Wildrose Road, it provides access to high-elevation areas of Death Valley National Park.
Official NPS sourceTitus Canyon Road, one of Death Valley National Park’s most popular backcountry drives, has reopened after an initial phase of flood repairs. The road will close again on October 1, 2026, for additional work, including improvements to reduce damage from future flash floods.
Official NPS source
Public tours of Great Basin National Park's Lehman Caves will resume on Friday, May 22, just in time for the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Official NPS source
Death Valley National Park welcomed more than 1.32 million visitors to the park in 2025. This was the park’s fourth-highest visitation year, despite extended closures of large sections of the park due to flash flood damage.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service is opening public comment on an evaluation of accessibility across Death Valley National Park. The “Accessibility Self‑Evaluation and Transition Plan” includes restrooms, walkways, interpretive exhibits, ranger programs, and other visitor services.
Official NPS sourceBeginning today through March 1, Great Basin National Park is planning to burn 23 acres of piled fuels, part of the park’s ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of wildfire and restore natural ecosystems.
Official NPS source
Death Valley National Park is pleased to announce the reopening of Salt Creek Boardwalk, three and a half years after it was destroyed by flooding. This wheelchair-accessible trail provides easy access to view Salt Creek Pupfish.
Official NPS sourceLake Mead National Recreation Area will reopen Government Wash at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, after completing a significant operation to remove long-term encampments and restore safety, environmental stability, and public access to Lake Mead.
Official NPS source
The National Park Service has reopened South Badwater Road as of Jan. 31 following months of closures due to extensive flash flood damage.
Official NPS sourceJoin the Meadview and South Cove communities to assist with a road cleanup. Volunteers will work closely with park staff to safely cleanup the Pearce Ferry Road. Registration is required. Space is limited. To register, please email LAKE_volunteer_coordinator@nps.gov .
Official NPS sourceLake Mead National Recreation Area is excited to be one of Leave No Trace’s Spotlight locations for 2026. The Leave No Trace traveling team will be at LAKE October 29-31. We’re kicking the Spotlight weekend off with a Trivia Night held at TBD from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm . Whether you are new to Leave No Trace or consider yourself an expert, join us for this interactive game night to gauge your knowledge of Leave No Trace practices and principles. Participants will also learn tips and techniques to help protect Black Canyon and all your favorite outdoor spaces. Don’t miss this chance to participate in fun stewardship trivia and win some cool prizes! Registration is preferred but not required. To register, please email LAKE_volunteer_coordinator@nps.gov or call 702-293-8711. Light refreshments wil be available thanks to Get Outdoors Nevada .
Official NPS sourceThe Death Valley '49ers Encampment is a multi-day event that focuses on Death Valley and Western history, lore, music, and art. The Encampment includes a vendor/exhibition fair, guest speakers about history and geology, Western music performances, cowboy poetry, star gazing, etc.
Official NPS sourceLake Mead National Recreation Area is excited to be one of Leave No Trace’s Spotlight locations for 2026. The Leave No Trace traveling team will be at LAKE October 29-31. Enjoying the holiday by going for a hike or passing through the area? Leave time to check out Leave No Trace and other park partners’ educational tables at the Arizona Hot Springs Trailhead. Take the time to learn about how you can stay safe and protect your public lands while recreating and learn about other stewardship opportunities and conservation initiatives in the area. For trailhead information, please visit the Arizona Hot Springs webpage .
Official NPS sourceLake Mead National Recreation Area is excited to be one of Leave No Trace’s Spotlight locations for 2026. The Leave No Trace traveling team will be at LAKE October 29-31. Come join us at the Boulder Beach Campground amphitheater for an evening outside around the campfire, enjoying the desert sunset over Lake Mead. Slow down to enjoy time building community, listening to stories and asking Park Rangers about what they do to help protect your public lands. Light refreshments wil be available thanks to Get Outdoors Nevada . This event is free, but registration is required. To register, please email LAKE_Volunteer_Coordinator@nps.gov. Space is limited, and there is limited ampitheater seating, so feel free to bring your own camp chair.
Official NPS sourceLake Mead National Recreation Area is excited to be one of Leave No Trace’s Spotlight locations for 2026. The Leave No Trace traveling team will be at LAKE October 29-31. Meet at Goldstrike Canyon Trailhead at 8:00 am to help with restoring Goldstrike Canyon and giving back to your public lands. Volunteers will be removing spray paint graffiti and picking up litter along the Goldstrike Canyon route while working alongside National Park Service Staff and Leave No Trace staff. Leave No Trace and other park partners will be tabling at the trailhead in support of this event and to help educate visitors about how they can respect and protect beautiful spaces like Goldstrike Canyon in the Black Canyon Wilderness. Be sure to pack the essentials you need for a morning of hiking, including 3 liters of water, snacks, appropriate layers and a good pair of hiking shoes. Tools, cleaner, trash bags and gloves will be supplied by the park. Light refreshments will be provided. Except for designated groups, volunteers will only be hiking to the first dry fall in Goldstrike Canyon, staying out of technical terrain for this restoration event. For trailhead information, please visit the Goldstrike Canyon webpage . This event is free, but registration is required. To register, please email LAKE_Volunteer_Coordinator@nps.gov . Space is limited.
Official NPS sourceJoin us to engage in a citizen science project where you’ll get to help NPS staff collect dragonfly larvae to be used for mercury analysis! Mercury is a global pollutant that, in large amounts, can be toxic to humans and wildlife. Data from this field study will help scientists and resource managers better understand and fight mercury contamination. Project requires wading in water. Space is limited. To register, please email LAKE_Volunteer_Coordinator@nps.gov .
Official NPS sourceJoin Death Valley Rangers and the Las Vegas Astronomical Society for a Star Party ! Drop by anytime 7pm-10pm to explore the night sky by telescope. To help you eyes adjust to the night sky, please limit white light use at event. Parking is located at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center with a short walk to Fiddlers' Campgound.
Official NPS sourceJoin Death Valley Rangers and the Las Vegas Astronomical Society for a Star Party ! Drop by anytime 6pm-9pm to explore the night sky by telescope. To help you eyes adjust to the night sky, please limit white light use at event. Parking is located at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center with a short walk to Fiddlers' Campgound.
Official NPS sourceNational Recreation Area
Experience outdoor thrills, striking landscapes, and brilliant blue waters. This year-round recreation area spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast reservoirs. Visitors come here for scenic drives, biking, hiking, boating, fishing, camping, and much more.
Arizona · NevadaNational Historic Trail
Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what are now six states to exchange for mules and horses.
Arizona · California · Colorado · Nevada · New Mexico · UtahNational Historic Trail
Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history. The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons.
California · Colorado · Idaho · Kansas · Missouri · Nebraska · Nevada · Oregon · Utah · WyomingNational Park
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life thrives in Death Valley.
California · NevadaNational Historic Trail
It is hard to believe that young men once rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in the unprecedented time of only 10 days. This relay system along the Pony Express National Historic Trail in eight states was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications before the telegraph.
California · Colorado · Kansas · Missouri · Nebraska · Nevada · Utah · WyomingNational Park
From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak to the sagebrush-covered foothills, Great Basin National Park hosts a sample of the incredible diversity of the larger Great Basin region. Come and partake of the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore mysterious subterranean passages. There's a lot more than just desert here.
NevadaNational Monument
Over the last ~570,000 years, water has transformed the Upper Las Vegas Valley. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument is an urban park that preserves the unique story of this ever-changing environment.
NevadaDestination directory sourced from NPS state listings, October 3, 2026. Official NPS directory