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Grand Canyon National Park will be focusing on astronomy in June as it celebrates two heavenly events for visitors.

On the afternoon of June 5, 2012, there will be public telescope viewing of a rare Transit of Venus event at the South Rim’s Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Then, from Saturday, June 16 through Saturday, June 23, the 22nd annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held on both the South and North Rims.

On June 5, park rangers and astronomy volunteers will gather at 3 p.m. in front of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (located on the South Rim) to view our sister planet, Venus, as it passes in front of the Sun.

Telescopes, eclipse glasses, and projected images of the sun will be used to show park visitors this rare sight. After the Visitor Center closes at 6 p.m., public viewing will continue at nearby Mather Point.

Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity as it will be the last chance to see Venus transit across the Sun until Dec. 11, 2117.

Visitors are reminded by rangers that they should never look directly at the sun with the naked eye or through sunglasses, camera viewfinder, or any form of unfiltered magnification. Solar viewers may be available for sale at Grand Canyon Association bookstores in the park.

The 22nd annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 16 through Saturday, June 23, 2012 on both the South and North Rims of the park.

This event is sponsored by the National Park Service, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim), with funding from Grand Canyon Association. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their telescopes and their expertise.

National parks are protective harbors for some of the last remaining dark skies in this country. During the Grand Canyon Star Party, numerous telescopes will be pointed at planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies at night, and the sun by day, weather permitting. There will also be special slide programs each evening.

South Rim Observance

The nightly slide show will begin at 8:10 p.m. in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center theatre and will be followed by free telescope viewing behind the building.

Parking is available in lots 1 through 4, or visitors may take the freeVillage Routeshuttle bus, which runs until 11 p.m. To guarantee a seat at the slide show, arrive early.

Visitors may arrive at the telescopes any time after dark, but the best views are after 9 p.m., when the sky is darkest. On a clear night, telescope viewing continues well into the night.

Visitors to the South Rim Star Party will need a flashlight for the walk to the viewing area, but are asked to keep flashlights pointed down to protect everyone’s night vision. A red flashlight is best, and can be made by covering any flashlight with red cellophane, nail polish, or magic marker.

North Rim Observance

Telescopes will be set up on the porch of the Grand Canyon Lodge every evening. Check the Visitor Center and park bulletin boards for additional information regarding daytime and evening programs and viewing opportunities.

Nighttime temperatures on both rims can be quite cool, even in summer. Those attending the star parties are encouraged to bring warm layers of clothing.

For additional information on either of these events, check the park Web site at www.nps.gov/grca .

For additional questions about the Transit of Venus or the South Rim Star Party, contact Marker Marshall at (928) 638-7830.

For the North Rim Star Party, contact Robin Tellis at (928) 638-7739.

For more on visitingGrand CanyonNational Park, you can download park newspapers and a trip planner www.nps.gov/grca .

Rocky Mountain National Park

Park’s famous road opens early this year
By Jenn Fields
ColoradoDaily.com

Though it often opens on Memorial Day, Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road opened Monday morning under warm, sunny skies.

The road climbs to 12,183 feet — well above treeline — and connects Estes Park and Grand Lake. It is closed through the winter.

This is the third earliest date that the road, which was completed in 1932, has opened, according to a release from the park. In 2011, the road opened late, on June 6, due to record snowfall.

Road conditions can change rapidly; call 970-586-1222 or go to nps.gov/romo to check conditions.
Read more: http://www.coloradodaily.com/outdoor-recreation/ci_20619703/rocky-mountain-national-parks-trail-ridge-road-opens?source=most_viewed#ixzz1utx7USgO
Coloradodaily.com

Here we have another list of exciting parks that offer boating opportunities for your vacation this year. Check out all the rest of the information on these park pages and see all the activity options available in each park.

Gates of the Arctic, AK- There are wild rivers in this park just begging to have you kayaking, canoeing or rafting down there spectacular scene-filled surroundings.

George Washington Carver National Memorial-Diamond, MO- the surrounding areas of this park has Chain-O-Lakes, Table Rock Lake and Grand Lake of the Cherokees that offer numerous boating opportunities.

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, AK- Sea kayaking and wilderness river rafting are the main boating opportunities found here. All water is very cold.

Glacier National Park, MT- White water canoeing, kayaking, or rafting can be enjoyed on the Flathead River which forms the south and west boundary of Glacier. You can also use fishing boats and motor boats on some of the lakes. Again the waters are very cold.

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ- This park offers whitewater rafting on the Colorado River, but it is better to go with an outfitter. The permits for floating the river can be difficult and take a long time to obtain.

Grand Portage National Monument, MN- Canoeing and kayaking are available in this unique historical park, well worth seeing.

Grand Teton National Park, WY- There are lots of opportunities for enjoying water in Grand Teton National Park. The Snake River flows through the park and features world-class fishing, unparalleled wildlife viewing, and mild rapids. Many of the more accessible lakes are open for a variety of activities. You can run motorboats on the Jenny and Jackson lakes. There is also kayaking, sailing, rafting and scenic cruises available. There is a fee charged for boating.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN- This park offers whitewater rafting through some beautiful scenery. There are also opportunities for tubing the rivers.

Isle Royale National Park, MI- This park also has a number of boating opportunities. It is a maritime park that offers a remote and primitive wilderness archipelago that is 45 miles long and 9 miles wide at its widest point. You can go canoeing, kayaking, cruising and motorboating around this island, but be careful and have good charts.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, LA- Take a moonlight canoe trip in the cypress swamp and fresh water marsh in the Barataria Preserve which is part of this park. You can also take a tour of the Bayou in traditional Louisiana wooden boats.

Jefferson Expansion Memorial, MO, surrounding area-This park is right on the Mississippi River. That opens up a large amount of opportunities. There are riverboat cruises, houseboats, motorboats of all kinds, canoeing, kayaking, and inflatables. Just be sure to pay attention to the water levels and other traffic on the river.

Katmai National Park and Preserve, AK- The Savonoski Loop is an 86 mile canoe/kayak trip through the scenic Katmai backcountry. It offers a wealth of outdoor adventure.

Kenai Fjords National Park, AK- There are several boat charters to take whether you wish to fish or just see the calving glaciers, you can find one that suits  your desires. You can also kayak the frigid waters.

Kobuk Valley National Park, AK- The Salmon River in Kobuk Valley is classified as a national wild and scenic river where motorboats, kayaks, canoes and rafts are all used for a variety of floating experiences. The Kobuk River also offers some of  North America’s finest waters for wilderness expeditions.

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, AK- There is white water rafting and kayaking available in this wild park with its diverse and unrivaled scenery.

Little River Canyon National Preserve, AL- The Preserve offers World Class whitewater kayaking or rafting, (late fall/winter/early spring 3+ to a 6 in difficulty).

Mammoth Cave National Park-KY -Over 30 miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers trace through the park and offer a wealth of recreational opportunities and carry boaters past dramatic bluffs and large trees. Canoe the rivers and camp along their shores.

Noatak National Preserve, AK- You can chose from float-trip opportunities, whether canoeing, kayaking, or rafting where you can find it all in some of the most beautiful scenery and wildlife to be found in northwest Alaska.

Voyageur National Park-MN - Nearly all the park’s shoreline is by watercraft, offering numerous boating and fishing opportunities. Canoeing, kayaking and numerous motor boats can be used. Some of the areas are very rocky so be sure to have a navigation chart.

Wrangell-St.Elias National Park and Preserve, AK- There are sea kayaking opportunities in Icy Bay, but due to the fact that you have to be flown in, you will need to use an inflatable. The rivers of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve offer visitors adventure and solitude. It is possible to travel for days at a time without seeing another person, trail, sign or bridge.

Yellowstone National Park-WY –There are river kayaking options at this park as well as scuba diving in one of the largest fresh water lakes in the world.

Yosemite National Park-CA - Canoe on Tenaya Lake and raft along the Merced River, a popular summer activity. Kayaking and other non-motorized boating is allowed.

Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, AK- Rafting, kayaking and canoeing are popular on the Yukon River. The Charley River is suitable for rafting only with a classification from class II to class IV in high water times. Jet boats have been the preferred mode of transportation by many hunters accessing the Kandik, Nation, Tatonduk, and lower Charley Rivers.

Boating in Biscayne National Park, Photo NPS

There are several national parks that offer great boating opportunities. A lot of them you don’t even need to own a boat as you can rent them. Whether your preference is for sailing, kayaking, canoeing, motor boating, or rafting, we’ve got you covered with our list of parks and what’s available.

Acadia National Park, ME- A number of lakes and ponds onMount Desert Island permit boating. It is a great location for ocean kayaking, but only for experienced people. Beginners can take guided tours. Canoes, kayaks, sailboats, and motorboats can be rented in surrounding communities.

Alagnak Wild River, AK-This wild river offers superb rafting, kayaking and boating opportunities for a great wilderness experience.

Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve, AK- Whitewater rafting and kayaking are the big boating opportunities in this park. It will not be an easy trip however as it is pricey and difficult to fly into this park, but it offers some of the most exciting river runs you can find.

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, AK- This park offers costal boating with spectacular scenery.

Big Bend National Park, TX- The Rio Grande River offers opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, motor boating or rafting in this giant park.

Big Cypress National Preserve, FL- This park offers a chance to canoe a couple of marked trails that take anywhere from four to seven hours to traverse.

Big Thicket National Preserve, TX- The Neches River offers canoeing, kayaking and boating opportunities where you can get some wild river action.

Biscayne National Park, FL- This park is part of the Florida Keys and offers beautiful coral reefs with canoeing, kayaking and sailing opportunities.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO- This special park offers wild kayaking and Class V whitewater rafting. It is definitely not for the timid of heart.

Buck Island Reef National Monument, VI- Any boat that will go on the ocean is good for this park, but be aware of the regulations around the park.

Cape Krusenstern National Monument, AK- Kayaking is possible on several large lagoons; however prevailing westerly winds often bring wind chill factors near below freezing, even in summer.

Channel Islands National Park, CA-This park offers exciting sea kayaking and larger boating opportunities.

Congaree National Park, SC- Kayaking and canoeing are the travel of choice in this unique “water” park.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH- Canoeing in this park can be done on one of the numerous ponds or the Cuyahoga River. It is not really advisable to canoe the Cuyahoga as it is a contaminated river from sewage dumping, but some people have chosen to canoe it anyway.

Dry Tortugas National Park, FL- Boats suitable for the ocean can be used around the park and moored over night at one location for those camping on the island.

Everglades National Park, FL- Just about any type of boat can be used in this park depending on where you are. The biggies are canoes, kayaks, pontoons, fishing boats and airboats. Motors are not allowed in some areas so know the regulations before you go.

San Francisco,CA(PRWEB) May 07, 2012

Beginning this week, the estimated 10 million annual visitors to the Golden Gate Bridge will enjoy an even more robust and remarkable experience when visiting San Francisco’s most iconic landmark.

As part of the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75th anniversary year-long celebration, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy—in cooperation with the National Park Service, Presidio Trust, and the City & County of San Francisco—have made significant enhancements to how visitors experience and enjoy the much-loved span. The new facilities and services open officially to the public on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

“These visitor services improvements are unprecedented in the Golden Gate Bridge’s 75-year history,” noted Greg Moore, President and CEO, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “While the incredible views of the surrounding national parklands and the experience of walking, biking or driving across the Bridge have always been among the ‘musts’ of any San Francisco visit, until now visitors did not get a chance to experience and connect with the historical, cultural, and human context behind this incredible monument.”

Thanks to its partnership with the nonprofit Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service, the Bridge District was able to assemble a team of historians, artists, architects, exhibit designers, and naturalists to enhance theGolden GateBridgevisitor experience.

“In 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge opened to worldwide acclaim and became synonymous with the American ideals of innovation, imagination and ingenuity,” commented Denis Mulligan, General Manager of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District. “Seventy-five years later, we are honored to join our partners in unveiling these dynamic new visitor programs that will support the Bridge’s legacy of invention and inspiration for generations to come.”

“The Golden Gate Bridge is the centerpiece of the Golden Gate National Parks,” added Park Superintendent Frank Dean. “At last, visitors will have an experience commensurate with the importance of this breathtaking location.”

Designed to showcase the Bridge and all its stories, the new visitor experience includes the following elements:

• The Bridge Pavilion, located in the renovatedBridgePlazaon the southeast side of the span, is a 3,500-square-foot “green” building designed to serve as a visitor orientation and welcome center.RareBridgeartifacts and photographs are complemented by interpretive panels and exhibits presenting the Bridge in its many contexts, while a new museum store further engages visitors through a wide offering of unique educational and commemorative items. The Bridge Pavilion is open daily, year-round from 9:00am-7:00pm.

• The Art Deco Round House has been renovated to serve as the starting point for new guided public tours of the Bridge. Incorporating the latest audio broadcasting and listening technology, visitors may sign up for 45- or 60-minute guided walking tours on the Bridge, including the first-ever night tours. Offered daily spring through fall, adult ticket prices start at $12.95 per person; reservations may be made online at goldengatebridgetour.com or by calling 877-349-7625.

• Also in the Round House, visitors will discover the Bridge Photo Experience, where they can take a virtual photo placing themselves in daring Bridge backdrops, such as the top of theBridgeTower. Experience photos are available daily year-round; package cost is $20 per person plus tax.

• With both ends of the Bridge anchored by the Golden Gate National Parks—and the Bridge itself serving as a connector for major trails—a key part of the visitor improvements project has focused on the surrounding landscape. Improvements include enhancements to the Coastal and Bay trails; significantly better bicycle access to the Bridge; creation of the new Golden Gate Overlook in the Presidio offering spectacular panoramic views; and new way-finding and interpretive signage to encourage appreciation and exploration of the national parklands on both sides of the span.

• Reinforcing the National Park Service’s Healthy Parks, Healthy People nationwide initiative, a new menu in the Bridge Café offers healthy, affordable grab-and-go fare and beverages featuring locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients.

• Visitors can prepare for their trip to the Bridge with the newly-launched GoGGBridge app, available for iPhone and coming soon for Android devices. This free app is packed with maps, tips, fun facts, and more. Download works best with an existing wireless network.

The 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge is a project of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in collaboration with the National Park Service, Presidio Trust, and the City & County of San Francisco. The year-long celebration and visitor experience improvements are funded by private contributions, with major underwriting provided by Wells Fargo, Genentech, HP, and Kaiser Permanente. In addition to the improvement projects, anniversary events include the Golden Gate Festival along the San Francisco waterfront on May 27, 2012 and 75 Tributes to the Bridge, a year-long series of public programs by community organizations presented throughout the Bay Area in 2012. For additional information and all public inquiries, please visit http://www.goldengatebridge75.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Shaw, 415.564.3064
dshaw(at)parksconservancy(dot)org

Mary Currie, 415.923.2222
mcurrie(at)goldengate(dot)org