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  • Ranger fired for hanging transgender flag in Yosemite

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    A Yosemite National Park ranger was fired after hanging a pride flag from El Capitan while some park visitors could face prosecution under protest restrictions that have been tightened under President Donald Trump.Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a ranger and biologist who studies bats, said they hung a 66-foot wide transgender pride flag on the famous climbing wall that looms over the California park’s main thoroughfare for about two hours on May 20 before taking it down voluntarily. A termination letter they received last week accused Joslin of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” in their capacity as a biologist and cited the May incident.“I was really hurting because there were a lot of policies coming from the current administration that target trans people, and I’m nonbinary,” Joslin, 35, told The Associated Press, adding that hanging the flag was their way of saying, “We’re all safe in national parks.”Joslin said their firing sends the opposite message: “If you’re a federal worker and you have any kind of identity that doesn’t agree with this current administration, then you must be silent, or you will be eliminated.”Park officials on Tuesday said they were working with the U.S. Justice Department to pursue visitors and workers who violated restrictions on demonstrations at the park that had more than 4 million visitors last year.The agencies “are pursuing administrative action against several Yosemite National Park employees and possible criminal charges against several park visitors who are alleged to have violated federal laws and regulations related to demonstrations,” National Park Service spokesperson Rachel Pawlitz said.Joslin said a group of seven climbers including two other park rangers hung the flag. The other rangers are on administrative leave pending an investigation, Joslin said.Flags have long been flown from El Capitan without consequences, said Joanna Citron Day, a former federal attorney who is now with the advocacy group Public Employees For Environmental Responsibility. She said the group is representing Joslin, but there is no pending legal case.On May 21, a day after the flag display, Acting Superintendent Ray McPadden signed a rule prohibiting people from hanging banners, flags or signs larger than 15 square feet in park areas designated as “wilderness” or “potential wilderness.” That covers 94% of the park, according to Yosemite’s website.Park officials said the new restriction was needed to preserve Yosemite’s wilderness and protect climbers.”We take the protection of the park’s resources and the experience of our visitors very seriously, and will not tolerate violations of laws and regulations that impact those resources and experiences,” Pawlitz said.It followed a widely publicized instance in February of demonstrators hanging an upside down American flag on El Capitan to protest the firing of National Park Service employees by the Trump administration.Among the climbers who helped hang the transgender flag was Pattie Gonia, an environmentalist and drag queen who uses the performance art to raise awareness of conservation issues. For the past five years, Gonia has helped throw a Pride event in Yosemite for park employees.She said they hung the transgender flag on the iconic granite monolith to express that being transgender is natural.This year, Trump signed an executive order changing the federal definition of sex to exclude the concept of gender identity. He also banned trans women from competing in women’s sports, removed trans people from the military and limited access to gender-affirming care.Gonia called the firing unjust. Joslin said they hung the flag in their free time, as a private citizen.“SJ is a respected pillar within the Yosemite community, a tireless volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond,” Gonia said.Jayson O’Neill with the advocacy group Save Our Parks said Joslin’s firing appears aimed at deterring park employees from expressing their views as the Trump administration pursues broad cuts to the federal workforce.Since Trump took office, the National Park Service has lost approximately 2,500 employees from a workforce that had about 10,000 people, Wade said. The Republican president is proposing a $900 million cut to the agency’s budget next year.Pawlitz said numerous visitors complained about unauthorized demonstrations on El Capitan earlier in the year.Many parks have designated “First Amendment areas” where groups 25 or fewer people can protest without permits. Yosemite has several of those areas, including one in Yosemite Valley, where El Capitan is located.Park service rules on demonstrations have existed for decades and withstood several court challenges, said Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers. He was not aware of any changes in how those rules are enforced under Trump.

    A Yosemite National Park ranger was fired after hanging a pride flag from El Capitan while some park visitors could face prosecution under protest restrictions that have been tightened under President Donald Trump.

    Shannon “SJ” Joslin, a ranger and biologist who studies bats, said they hung a 66-foot wide transgender pride flag on the famous climbing wall that looms over the California park’s main thoroughfare for about two hours on May 20 before taking it down voluntarily. A termination letter they received last week accused Joslin of “failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct” in their capacity as a biologist and cited the May incident.

    “I was really hurting because there were a lot of policies coming from the current administration that target trans people, and I’m nonbinary,” Joslin, 35, told The Associated Press, adding that hanging the flag was their way of saying, “We’re all safe in national parks.”

    Joslin said their firing sends the opposite message: “If you’re a federal worker and you have any kind of identity that doesn’t agree with this current administration, then you must be silent, or you will be eliminated.”

    Park officials on Tuesday said they were working with the U.S. Justice Department to pursue visitors and workers who violated restrictions on demonstrations at the park that had more than 4 million visitors last year.

    The agencies “are pursuing administrative action against several Yosemite National Park employees and possible criminal charges against several park visitors who are alleged to have violated federal laws and regulations related to demonstrations,” National Park Service spokesperson Rachel Pawlitz said.

    Joslin said a group of seven climbers including two other park rangers hung the flag. The other rangers are on administrative leave pending an investigation, Joslin said.

    Flags have long been flown from El Capitan without consequences, said Joanna Citron Day, a former federal attorney who is now with the advocacy group Public Employees For Environmental Responsibility. She said the group is representing Joslin, but there is no pending legal case.

    On May 21, a day after the flag display, Acting Superintendent Ray McPadden signed a rule prohibiting people from hanging banners, flags or signs larger than 15 square feet in park areas designated as “wilderness” or “potential wilderness.” That covers 94% of the park, according to Yosemite’s website.

    Park officials said the new restriction was needed to preserve Yosemite’s wilderness and protect climbers.

    “We take the protection of the park’s resources and the experience of our visitors very seriously, and will not tolerate violations of laws and regulations that impact those resources and experiences,” Pawlitz said.

    It followed a widely publicized instance in February of demonstrators hanging an upside down American flag on El Capitan to protest the firing of National Park Service employees by the Trump administration.

    Among the climbers who helped hang the transgender flag was Pattie Gonia, an environmentalist and drag queen who uses the performance art to raise awareness of conservation issues. For the past five years, Gonia has helped throw a Pride event in Yosemite for park employees.

    She said they hung the transgender flag on the iconic granite monolith to express that being transgender is natural.

    This year, Trump signed an executive order changing the federal definition of sex to exclude the concept of gender identity. He also banned trans women from competing in women’s sports, removed trans people from the military and limited access to gender-affirming care.

    Gonia called the firing unjust. Joslin said they hung the flag in their free time, as a private citizen.

    “SJ is a respected pillar within the Yosemite community, a tireless volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond,” Gonia said.

    Jayson O’Neill with the advocacy group Save Our Parks said Joslin’s firing appears aimed at deterring park employees from expressing their views as the Trump administration pursues broad cuts to the federal workforce.

    Since Trump took office, the National Park Service has lost approximately 2,500 employees from a workforce that had about 10,000 people, Wade said. The Republican president is proposing a $900 million cut to the agency’s budget next year.

    Pawlitz said numerous visitors complained about unauthorized demonstrations on El Capitan earlier in the year.

    Many parks have designated “First Amendment areas” where groups 25 or fewer people can protest without permits. Yosemite has several of those areas, including one in Yosemite Valley, where El Capitan is located.

    Park service rules on demonstrations have existed for decades and withstood several court challenges, said Bill Wade, executive director of the Association of National Park Rangers. He was not aware of any changes in how those rules are enforced under Trump.

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  • Trans park ranger who hung Pride flag from El Capitan has been fired

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    A transgender National Park ranger claims they were terminated for flying a 55-by-35-foot transgender Pride flag on El Capitan in Yosemite.

    Shannon Joslin, a biologist and former park ranger, posted on Instagram Monday saying that they were fired from their job as a permanent park ranger last week “for practicing my First Amendment right.”

    www.instagram.com

    Joslin said that they were fired after they hung a large transgender Pride flag from El Capitan, a large rock face in Yosemite National Park in California.

    In the post, they explained that they raised the flag in their free time, “off-duty, as a private citizen,” and that many other protest flags have been displayed on the geographical feature without anyone being punished. Joslin detailed that the flag “flew for a total of two hours in the morning, and then I took it down.”

    “El Capitan has had flags hung on it for decades, and no one has EVER been punished for it. Only me,” Joslin wrote. “I was fired by the temporary Deputy Superintendent for ‘failing to demonstrate acceptable conduct’ in my capacity as a Wildlife Biologist for the park. No part of hanging the flag was done on work time. NOTHING about it had anything to do with my work.”

    Joslin pointed out that they have volunteered overtime hours and worked as a wildland firefighter, a rescue technician, and a first responder, and have never “had negative comments” about their conduct before this incident.

    “Preservation has been my life’s work—of Yosemite, the wildlife, the land, recreation, of people’s rights and safety, of community and acceptance, and now the Constitutional First Amendment,” they said. “I want my rights, and I want my career back.”

    “First of all, this is a direct violation of your First Amendment rights,” drag queen and environmental activist Pattie Gonia commented. “To strip you of your position is not only an affront to your personal freedom but an attack on the very values of service, dedication, and community that you embody to the whole Yosemite community. This is about silencing those who oppose injustice, and we must not let that happen.”

    www.instagram.com

    In a statement to Out, Gonia reiterated that “firing SJ Joslin is a direct violation of their First Amendment rights. This unjust action is not just an attack on SJ, but a targeted move by the Trump administration to silence and punish anyone who practices free speech and dares to stand in defiance of the erasure of trans people. SJ is a respected pillar within the Yosemite community, a tireless volunteer who consistently goes above and beyond to aid in search and rescue efforts, ensuring the safety of visitors in one of the country’s most revered national parks. To strip SJ of their position is not only an affront to their personal freedom but an attack on the very values of service, dedication, and community that SJ embodies. This is about silencing those who oppose injustice and we must not let that happen.”

    Gonia was one of the lead organizers of the action to hang the flag in May with Joslin. “We flew the Trans Pride flag in Yosemite to make a statement: Trans people are natural and Trans people are loved,” Gonia said in a release at the time. “Let this flag fly higher than hate. We are done being polite about trans people’s existence.”

    When the flag was flown, the group Resistance Rangers published an Instagram post saying the banner is “an epic reminder that queer people belong everywhere” and that “nature is for all people.”

    “Within hours, authorities demanded this flag, which did not violate park regulations and was the third protest flag flown on El Cap in recent memory, be removed,” the post says. “References to gender and trans people have been scrubbed from NPS.gov. And they’re digging in deeper against any nuanced understanding of our nation’s history. (A recent secretarial order banned park signs that are negative about either past or living Americans or that fail to emphasize the beauty, grandeur, and abundance of landscapes and other natural features.’)”

    “We’ll continue to shout from the rooftops, hang flags from our iconic landmarks, and demand that public lands stay in public hands — and parks are for everyone,” it continues.

    Under President Donald Trump, the National Park Service has erased pages and information about trans activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera from its websites. Signs at the Muir Woods National Monument were also changed to remove historical context about racism and the role women played in the creation of the monument.

    Out has reached out to Joslin for comment.

    This article originally appeared on Out: Trans park ranger who hung Pride flag from El Capitan has been fired

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  • Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel, age 168, will close indefinitely for ‘intensive’ checkup

    Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel, age 168, will close indefinitely for ‘intensive’ checkup

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    Yosemite National Park’s historic Wawona Hotel is closing, and park officials are not saying when it will reopen. The hotel’s workers are being reassigned elsewhere.

    One of the last times this Victorian-era hotel closed in Yosemite National Park, the raging flames from the 2022 Washburn fire had encroached and encircled the institution.

    The hotel, which has the same name as the neighborhood in which it resides, was closed for two weeks that July, reopening that same month when the fires were extinguished and smoke and ash cleared.

    Unlike that quick turnaround, the hotel’s next closing may not be so brief.

    The National Park Service announced via Instagram on Wednesday that the 168-year-old hotel would close Dec. 2 for an unspecified period of time to allow the agency to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the hotel complex.

    Yosemite Hospitality, which has run the Wawona and other park hotels since 2016, confirmed that there is no estimated reopening date.

    (National Park Service)

    “The NPS recently undertook a roof replacement project on the main hotel building which revealed the need for more intensive investigation and assessment of the hotel,” the National Park Service wrote.

    A National Park Service spokesperson said the agency would not offer additional comment beyond its social media statement.

    The Wawona Hotel issued a message saying it would issue refunds to guests with a reservation for Dec. 2 or later. The hotel said there was no estimated reopening date.

    Yosemite Hospitality, which has run the Wawona and other park hotels since 2016, confirmed the indefinite closure and that hotel employees would be relocated to other positions within either Yosemite Hospitality or Aramark. Yosemite’s better-known Ahwahnee Hotel, which has welcomed guests since 1927, is open but still undergoing a $35-million earthquake retrofit.

    “We have been entrusted with managing concessions at Yosemite National Park since 2016, and we hold our role as stewards of one of America’s most beloved national parks in the highest regard,” the statement read.

    Yosemite Hospitality said that the hotel’s closure was necessary for the preservation of the historic building and that the group would continue to work with the National Park Service.

    The two-story Wawona Hotel, nearly encircled by a Spanish-style veranda, has 50 standard rooms with private bathrooms and 54 additional rooms with shared restrooms.

    While the hotel boasts of its nine-hole golf course, stables, swimming pool and lounge piano, the establishment and Yosemite Hospitality have come under criticism for safety issues in the last two years.

    A 2023 annual evaluation from the federal Department of the Interior, obtained by SFGate through a Freedom of Information Act request, noted that “no significant action was taken” to address mounting safety concerns at the facility.

    Yosemite Hospitality “has neglected to adequately address maintenance activities at the Wawona Hotel, which became particularly evident in 2023,” the report stated. “Extensive deterioration and damage to hotel facilities was noted on periodic evaluations conducted in 2023, in addition to Service condition assessments, including damage to railings, walkways, staircases, roofs, gutters and other physical assets.”

    In June 2022, a guest fell from a porch at the hotel’s Clark Cottage after leaning on a railing that failed, according to the report.

    A ceiling leak developed the following February at the Ahwahnee, also run by Yosemite Hospitality, the report said. Even though the National Park Service requested a patch, the report said, the room was still in service months later with the unfixed leak.

    In April 2023, water intrusion through the roof caused a piece of the ceiling in the Ahwahnee’s dining solarium to fall and strike an employee, according to the report.

    “The Service is extremely concerned about the risk to visitor and employee safety,” the report noted.

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  • ‘Bring a shovel’: Yosemite partly reopens after blizzard brings as much as 45 inches of snow

    ‘Bring a shovel’: Yosemite partly reopens after blizzard brings as much as 45 inches of snow

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    Yosemite National Park partly reopened on Sunday after a blizzard that brought as much as 45 inches of snow in some areas and high winds that toppled trees.

    The park reopened around noon, with officials urging visitors to certain campsites: “Be prepared for winter camping (bring a shovel!).” Weather officials say the likelihood of another closure in the next week is low.

    Although officials expected that 6 to 12 inches of snow could fall in Yosemite Valley — the most popular part of Yosemite National Park — the total turned out to be twice that, at about 25 inches, according to the National Weather Service office in Hanford.

    Typically, with some of the more common storms that move through the area, Yosemite sees somewhere between 6 inches and, at the higher end, 18 inches of snow, according to meteorologist Carlos Molina, with the Hanford office.

    “This actually was more like two times to almost four times what they would normally get with a more normal storm,” Molina said.

    Toward the entrance of the park, 33 inches of snow fell, the meteorologist said. Toward the east entrance, Tuolumne Meadows received 45 inches of snow.

    But the closure of the park, Molina said, had more to do with the high winds than the heavy snowfall. Winds hit between 50 and 60 mph during the storm, and visibility “was maybe 10 to 100 feet.”

    “A 50- to 60-mile-an-hour wind was actually strong enough to knock down some of the dead trees that Yosemite has right now,” Molina said. “The public was kept out because, as the storm was moving through … they didn’t want anyone in the park to get hurt.”

    Although weather officials are expecting clearer conditions on Monday, they are also anticipating more precipitation on Tuesday.

    From 3 to 6 inches of additional snow is expected that day.

    “It’s going to be the more typical, the more normal, storm that’s going to be passing through Yosemite,” Molina said. “Definitely less than what this storm produced.”

    Another storm is forecast to arrive in California closer to Wednesday, Molina said, but that one may affect Southern California more than the northern or central parts of the state.

    Clear conditions are expected by Thursday and Friday. Molina said the likelihood of the park closing again “is very low.”

    The Ahwahnee on Sunday posted on Facebook that the partial reopening of the park included the historic hotel and “all lodging, dining and retail locations throughout Yosemite Valley.”

    Hotel officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Visitors to Yosemite should enter the park via Highway 41/Wawona Road and Highway 140/El Portal Road. Officials said to expect snowy conditions.

    Depending on the weather conditions, Big Oak Flat Road, Badger Pass Road and ski area, and Hetch Hetchy Road will reopen on Monday at noon, Yosemite National Park posted on Facebook, along with the Hodgdon Meadow Campground.

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    Brittny Mejia

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  • A squatter, a shotgun and stolen items: How one man overstayed his welcome in Yosemite

    A squatter, a shotgun and stolen items: How one man overstayed his welcome in Yosemite

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    A man squatting in Yosemite National Park was sentenced to more than five years and three months in prison on Monday for breaking into a private residence and possessing a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition, according to the U.S. attorney’s office in Sacramento.

    Devin Michael Cuellar, 29, broke into the home on Koon Hollar Road in Wawona in 2021 and resided there for several months without permission from the owner, damaging and stealing property, according to federal prosecutors. Cuellar was previously convicted of carjacking and possessing controlled substances for sale and was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

    He is also a longtime gang member who is known to use narcotics such as heroin, prosecutors said.

    Cuellar, who had already been jailed for 11 months, asked to be sentenced to time served with 60 months’ probation and in-patient treatment for his drug abuse, according to a sentencing memo. But prosecutors requested a term of 63 months, noting he had received lenient sentences in the past but still “led his life from one bad decision to another.”

    The National Park Service was assisted in its investigation by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Forensic Services and the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

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    Roberto Reyes

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  • The Best National Parks To Visit In The Winter

    The Best National Parks To Visit In The Winter

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    When people plan their national parks vacations, they typically don’t target the winter season. But the low-traffic cooler months are actually a perfect time to visit many parks across the U.S.

    “Winter is such an underrated time of year to visit the national parks if you’re willing to put in some extra time planning around seasonal closures and packing those winter clothes,” Jim Pattiz, co-founder of the organization More Than Just Parks, told HuffPost.

    Of course, some parks are better suited for winter visits than others. We asked experts to share the national parks they believe are best to explore during the winter season.

    Sequoia National Park

    Digital Vision. via Getty Images

    “Without a doubt my favorite national park to visit in the winter is Sequoia National Park in California,” Pattiz said. “Walking through a grove of the park’s magnificent giant sequoias draped in feet of white snow is truly an awe-inspiring experience. The crowds and frequent wildfires of summer are long gone here and replaced by the serene quiet of snow dropping from overburdened branches and the wind gently passing through the giant trees’ upper canopies.”

    He noted that many of the park’s roads are closed seasonally, so it’s important to check the website ahead of time to ensure you can reach the specific destinations you want to visit.

    “Be flexible and bring your best winter clothing!” Pattiz added.

    Everglades National Park

    Douglas Rissing via Getty Images

    “So many people make Florida their summer vacation spot because it’s a convenient time for a family getaway. However, it is not a good time to visit Everglades National Park,” said national parks travel expert Mikah Meyer.

    This impressive wetlands ecosystem is located just outside Miami, and as Meyer alluded to, the area’s summer heat, humidity and swarms of mosquitos make it less enjoyable to visit during that time of year compared to other months.

    “Having spent time in every section of the park in January, I can confirm it is an entirely different ― and pleasant ― experience,” he said. “The lower temperatures make every activity more enjoyable, including it being more comfortable to wear long pants on a muddy ‘slough slog’ hike to a cypress dome.”

    Airboat rides feel less blistering in the sun during this time of year, and there’s a nice coolness in the air as you watch dolphins in the southwest section.

    “It also means you’ll be less dehydrated during a Shark Valley Tram Tour, and in general will make you want to spend more time admiring the park’s multitude of wildlife than rushing back to the AC of your car,” Meyer said. “While there are other nearby national parks to Miami, Biscayne Bay and Dry Tortugas, both of these are less enjoyable in the winter because they are so heavily reliant upon water activities. The ocean water is cold during this time of year, which also takes away recreation options at the beach.”

    Yellowstone National Park

    ferrantraite via Getty Images

    “Yellowstone is one of the best parks to visit in the winter because it offers a unique glimpse at the world’s first national park,” said Jack Steward, co-host of the “Rock the Park” TV series. “The park has a quieter, less active feel in the winter, and with the bears hibernating, you can really sense the stillness in the air.”

    The winter provides rare opportunities for exploration with fewer crowds and incredible snowy vistas, creating the sense that you’re the only people in the vast landscape.

    “You can’t drive through or [camp] inside the park in winter,” said Joe Yogerst, travel expert and author of National Geographic’s “50 States, 500 Campgrounds.” “But you can hop a snowcoach or snowmobile tour or join a guided snowshoe or cross-country ski trip in the parks. There’s nothing quite like seeing ― and photographing ― a herd of snow-mantled bison in Yellowstone.”

    Make sure you do your research, so you know how you’ll be getting around and which areas are accessible during the winter. You’ll be mentally and logistically prepared for a unique experience.

    “Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley are two locations that must be visited, both for the wildlife and to see the transformative nature of winter,” Derek Wright and Amy Beth Wright, outdoor enthusiasts and creators of Parks and Points, told HuffPost in an email. “Old Faithful blasts out steaming water, but then watch as it cools in the winter air. Ghost trees (trees covered with the frozen water spray), geysers where water turns from steam to ice, and bison whose exhales come with wisps of steam as well are just a few images of the natural world that are only visible at this time of year.”

    Although camping outdoors isn’t an option, they recommended exploring the lodging options inside and outside the park, like the gateway towns of West Yellowstone and Gardiner.

    “It is cold, but pack warm clothes and enjoy a hot cocoa at the end of the day, as you’ll never have a winter adventure quite like this,” the Wrights added.

    Big Bend National Park

    Rebecca L. Latson via Getty Images

    “Big Bend National Park in West Texas is a massive park that borders the Rio Grande River and Mexico, and makes for a great winter visit,” the Wrights said. “The summer temperatures will have abated, making it a perfect time to hike or stroll through a unique mountain landscape that formed from volcanic activity 35 million years ago.”

    Winter is part of the park’s high season, so make sure you plan ahead if you want to camp or stay at the lodge.

    “In particular, skygazing is perfect at this time of year,” the Wrights noted. “If you are into astral photography or simply enjoy being absorbed by the night sky in an amazing location, Big Bend National Park is an official International Dark Sky Park. With the timing of winter sunsets, stargazing can start before 8:00 p.m.”

    Travel blogger Renee Hahnel also advised taking advantage of the winter weather conditions in southwest Texas.

    “It can get really hot in Big Bend National Park, so visiting during winter is optimal,” Hahnel said. “There’s tons to do, including hiking, sightseeing, bouldering, scenic drives, and soaking in hot springs.”

    Bryce Canyon National Park

    Dana Michelle Allen / EyeEm via Getty Images

    “The hoodoo-spired landscape of Bryce Canyon National Park adds another dimension entirely when snow falls on its peaks,” said James Brockbank, founder of The Family Vacation Guide.

    Beyond the magical vibes, you won’t have to contend with crowds and struggle to find parking during the low winter season, and there are still plenty of activity options.

    “The red rock amphitheater remains open year-round, and families can head to popular lookouts such as Sunset Point or hike recommended routes including the Navajo Loop and Queen’s Garden trails,” Brockbank said. “There are a multitude of things to do ― from daytime hiking, ice fishing and snowmobiling to a nightfall stargazing and camping experience for families. Its photogenic landscape makes for a great excuse for sightseeing and plenty of photo opportunities to cherish for life.”

    Acadia National Park

    Patryce Bak via Getty Images

    “Acadia National Park is typically covered in 5 feet of blanketed snow during the colder months,” Brockbank said. “The park contains the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast of the U.S. Great for cross-country skiers that can enjoy a 45-mile stretch of carriage roads.”

    Parkgoers can grab a hot chocolate and explore the nearby Mount Desert Island town of Bar Harbor, Maine, before and after their Acadia adventures.

    “The park is rich in human history dating back 10,000 years,” Brockbank said. “Here you can include your kids of all ages, as there are a plethora of child-friendly excursions for educational purposes along with fun-filled activities.”

    From snowshoeing to snowmobiling to ice fishing, the options are vast.

    Death Valley National Park

    Death Valley National Park, California.

    Nikhil Nagane / 500px via Getty Images

    Death Valley National Park, California.

    “Winter is the prime time to visit Death Valley National Park,” said Janel Jensen, program manager for adventure travel at REI. “Temperatures are usually mild (for the ‘hottest place on Earth’), and there are good opportunities to still soak up some sun.”

    The snow-capped peaks and low-angled winter light make for some lovely views, and you can spend more time outdoors than is advisable during the hotter months.

    “Hiking is an ideal activity along with cycling the less-trafficked roads during offseason,” Jensen said.

    Yosemite National Park

    Provided by jp2pix.com via Getty Images

    “My favorite winter national park is Yosemite, mainly because the valley and the high Sierra look so gorgeous when covered in snow,” Yogerst said.

    He recommended snowy activities like snowshoeing through the redwood groves, family-style downhill skiing or snowboarding at Badger Pass, ice skating beneath the stars at Curry Village, and cross-country skiing along Glacier Point Road.

    “Yosemite National Park is one of the busiest national parks during the warmer months, so visiting during winter is a great time to escape the crowds,” Hahnel said. “I recommend traveling with tire chains, unless you have a 4×4 vehicle and winter tires. The roads can get icy!”

    Photography enthusiasts will also enjoy the season’s low lighting and easy wildlife spotting, added Jensen.

    “Yosemite National Park is a winter wonderland of iced granite peaks, snow-topped giant sequoias and snow blanketing the valley floor,” she said. “My favorite snowshoe trip is from Badger Pass to Dewey Point, where you are rewarded with one of the best views of the valley and El Captan and Half Dome on a clear day.”

    Zion National Park

    Taylor Reilly via Getty Images

    “Winters in Zion National Park are spectacular,” Jensen said. “The potential fresh snow on the landscape adds a dramatic contrast to the already unique scenery and the noise-dampening quality of snow makes this less crowded season that much more peaceful.”

    She touted the crowd-free solitude of Zion in the winter and variety of hiking options open year-round due to the low elevation and mild conditions.

    “Take in breathtaking views of snow-dusted cliffs contrasted against the warm orange tones of Zion Canyon,” Jensen recommended. “Hike to Observation Point, exploring slot canyons along the way and incredible views of iconic Angels Landing. It’s easier to see wildlife this time of year as they move to lower elevation. Wild turkeys, bald eagles, elk and bighorn sheep are a few of the resident wildlife.”

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  • Visited Releases List of Top 10 National Parks

    Visited Releases List of Top 10 National Parks

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    Travel App Visited Compiles Over 1 Million Users’ Data to Determine the Most Popular National Parks in the U.S.

    Press Release
    –

    Sep 20, 2022


    TORONTO, September 20, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    The travel app Visited by Arriving In High Heels Corporation has published a list of the top 10 most visited U.S. National Parks.

    Visited, available on iOS or Android, allows users to check off where they’ve been and where they’d like to go. Travelers can also set travel goals, see personalized travel stats, and discover new destinations using the app. The app features over 50 different bucket list including: popular hiking destinations, list of wonders of the world, popular cruise ports and beer destinations to name a few. 

    The top 10 most visited U.S. National Parks include:

    1. Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is the most visited park, offering the splendor of the Grand Canyon’s red rock ravines which date back millions of years. 
    2. Washington Monument in Washington, DC, attracts tourists for the purpose of seeing the nation’s iconic capital landmark that commemorates the first U.S. president.
    3. President’s Park (White House) in Washington, DC, is the third most visited park, which includes the White House, where every U.S. president after George Washington has lived.
    4. National Mall in Washington, D.C., includes the iconic Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. 
    5. Golden Gate National Recreation Area surrounds the San Francisco Bay area and features over 82,000 acres of natural areas that include 19 distinct ecosystems.
    6. Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California attracts visitors who come to see its majestic sequoia trees, granite cliffs, and breathtaking waterfalls. 
    7. Zion National Park in southwest Utah features stunning red cliffs, waterfalls, forests, and the Emerald Pools. 
    8. Boston National Historical Park in Boston, Massachusetts, includes eight historic sites highlighting Boston’s role in the Revolutionary War.
    9. Everglades National Park in south Florida has 1.5 million acres of wetlands in the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S.
    10. Yellowstone National Park spans Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and features majestic canyons, alpine rivers, hot springs, and numerous wildlife species. 

    To see the full list of the most visited National Parks and over 50 bucket lists of the most popular experiences and destinations in the world, download Visited on iOS or Android. 

    To learn more about the Visited app, visit https://visitedapp.com. 

    About Arriving In High Heels Corporation

    Arriving In High Heels Corporation is a mobile app company with apps including Pay Off Debt, X-Walk, and Visited, their most popular app. 

    Source: Arriving In High Heels Corporation

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