De Soto National Memorial

08/25/2026

Happy 110th Birthday to the National Park Service! 🎉 Established on August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed the NPS Organic Act, the agency has been dedicated to preserving the natural and cultural treasures of the United States for generations. From its humble beginnings, the NPS has grown into the world’s premiere land management agency, with 63 National Parks and 433 sites including battlefields, monuments, memorials, seashores, and parkways. Did you know California leads with 9 National Parks and 33 NPS sites? Alaska boasts the largest—Wrangell-St. Elias—and Pennsylvania is home to the smallest, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial. Here’s to 110 years of adventure, education, and inspiration!
ALL NATIONAL PARKS ARE FEE FREE TODAY!!

08/24/2026

Continuing with National Parks Week our next stop is down South to the largest National Park East of the Mississippi River, Everglades National Park! Everglades NP, created in 1947, protects 1,508,976 acres of fragile wetlands and forest covering the southern tip of the State of Florida. This wetland plays a vital role in feeding Florida's aquifer that supplies water to the entire state. Millions of diverse species call the Everglades home, from unique moths, rare orchids, endangered Florida panthers, to beautiful egrets and herons. It is one of the only places that American alligators and crocodiles live side by side. The park offers three visitor stations and unique tours through the many different wetlands and forests. It is also one of few places that visitors can experience true Dark Skies.

08/24/2026

It’s Motion Monday for National Park Week—let’s get moving at De Soto National Memorial! Hit our one-mile nature trails for stunning views and refreshing breezes, or dive into adventure by kayaking the waters that surround us. Fishing fans, grab your gear and reel in some fun! There are endless ways to stay active and celebrate the great outdoors. Who’s ready for an adventure?

08/23/2026

It’s National Park Week and we’re celebrating BIG! 🎉 This year marks 110 years of the National Park Service, and what better way to honor it than spotlighting Yellowstone—the first national park! Signed into existence by President U.S. Grant in 1870, Yellowstone’s 3,468 square miles are packed with jaw-dropping sights like the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful. From elk and wolves to massive bison herds, it’s a wildlife wonderland that draws nearly 5 million visitors every year. Let’s celebrate our parks together!

08/23/2026

It’s National Park Week and Safety Sunday at De Soto National Memorial! Ready for adventure? Pack your sunscreen, water, and bug spray—Florida’s summer is no joke! Watch out for surprise storms and stay cool while exploring. Come prepared and let the fun begin!

08/22/2026

It’s National Parks Week! Join us as we celebrate 110 years of America’s National Parks and the nation’s 250th birthday. All week, we’ll spotlight parks that share the stories of our country’s journey and heritage. Stay tuned for inspiring stories, special programs, and ways to connect with our parks. Plus, admission to all National Parks is FREE on Tuesday—don’t miss your chance to explore and celebrate!

08/21/2026

Ready for a summer adventure? Join us on Saturday, August 29 for our Ranger Led Kayak Tour and paddle through the scenic waterways of De Soto National Memorial. Discover the beauty of the Mouth of the Manatee River, spot local wildlife, and hear fascinating stories from our rangers—all while enjoying the great outdoors. This two-hour tour is perfect for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. Spots are limited, so reserve your seat today: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/10089289/ticket/10089290. Don’t miss your chance to explore Florida’s natural wonders from a whole new perspective!

08/11/2026

Heads up! Due to frequent rain and high tides, we are experiencing some minor flooding. The trails are still open but take caution as there may be standing water in some areas.

08/01/2026

Ah, camping. Humanity’s ancient tradition of leaving a perfectly good house to sleep in a nylon bag surrounded by wildlife.

Sometimes spending a day in the wilderness isn’t quite enough to capture the feeling of a special place. Sometimes it’s exactly what you need. But if you’re ready to extend your adventure beyond sunrise to sunset, there’s a park campsite waiting for you.

From sleeping beneath towering trees to waking up beside desert landscapes, camping offers a chance to slow down, unplug, and experience parks in a whole new way.

Learn more about camping in parks: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/camping

P.S. The spider is also reconsidering its vacation choices.

Image: Screenshot of text that reads: “Whoever said ‘out of sight, out of mind’ never had a spider disappear inside their tent.”

07/31/2026

On World Ranger Day, we celebrate the dedication, courage, and commitment of rangers who protect and care for national parks and protected areas around the world. Rangers serve in countless roles, from law enforcement and search and rescue to conservation, fire management, interpretation, and education, helping safeguard the places, stories, and communities entrusted to their care.

The day also recognizes the power of collaboration among rangers worldwide, including efforts by the National Park Service to share knowledge, exchange expertise, and advance innovative approaches to protecting our natural and cultural heritage.

Today, we honor the rangers who answer the call to serve and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting these special places for generations to come.

Image: A close-up of a classic park ranger flat hat bathed in sunset light, resting on a rocky surface at Acadia National Park.

07/29/2026

Us reading 306 replies of two strangers arguing in the comment section…

Grab some popcorn, folks, because this comment section is about to get wild! Well, more wild? Always observant, prairie dogs often sit upright on their haunches, on or near their burrow mounds, to scan for predators and monitor nearby prairie dogs as well as incoming internet chatter. Wow, Steve really went there. Allan said what?

Nix the popcorn though, grasses and leafy vegetation make up 98 percent of a prairie dog’s diet. For a bit of crunch, they occasionally eat grasshoppers, cutworms, bugs, and beetles. Nice. Well, not for the grasshopper.

Image: A group of small prairie dogs, looking out from the top of their burrow Badlands National Park. NPS/Nickie Wheeler

07/29/2026

Lunch break status: 10% eating, 90% wondering if anyone will notice you fell asleep.

Is it only Wednesday? Rocky Mountain elk are experts at the midday reset. After grazing in the morning, elk often spend their afternoons resting, chewing their cud, and conserving energy for the rest of the day. Until they hear the ring of a Teams call or an elk bugle…two very different sounds, but equally effective at turning a peaceful moment into an immediate state of alertness.

NPS Video showing and elk sitting, chewing, and closing eyes at Grand Canyon National Park. /R.Lane

07/28/2026

This quilt has crossed the prairie, passed through generations, and now has a new home in the park's museum collection.

Family tradition says Harriet Waldron made this quilt for her brothers, Andrew and Oren Smith. In 1870, they packed it in their covered wagon for their journey from eastern Iowa to southeast Nebraska.

The brothers established homesteads in Saline County, Nebraska, bringing with them the necessities of pioneer life, including this handmade reminder of family. Quilts like this one offered warmth, comfort, and a connection to loved ones.

The goose tracks pattern was a fitting choice for pioneers setting out across the prairie. Much like geese, homesteaders traveled long distances in search of a new home.

Over the last 156 years, this quilt has traveled across the country and preserved the story of a pioneer family. It was recently donated to Homestead National Historical Park by a descendant living in Hawaii. The quilt is now back in Nebraska, where its story will be shared with future generations.

Do you have a family heirloom with a story to tell? We'd love to hear about it!

NPS Photo/Hannah Boaz

07/28/2026

In 1866, Congress established six all-Black Army regiments (later consolidated into four) to help rebuild the nation after the Civil War and serve on the Western frontier during the Plains Wars. The nickname “Buffalo Soldier” is thought to have originated among Native peoples of the Great Plains, who compared the Black cavalry troops’ hair to the buffalo’s coat and their fighting spirit and endurance.

Buffalo Soldiers served with distinction for nearly nine decades, carrying out military duties across the American West. Their legacy is also deeply connected to the history of national parks. In the late 1800s, Buffalo Soldiers became some of the first park protectors, serving as early guardians of places that would later become part of the National Park System. They patrolled and protected areas including what are now Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park, enforcing regulations, protecting natural resources, and helping establish the foundation for today’s park ranger tradition.

For many Black soldiers, military service was a pathway toward full citizenship and equality, though their service also placed them within U.S. military campaigns that displaced Native peoples across the West. Their history reflects both the complexity of America’s past and the many stories woven into the landscapes preserved by the National Park Service.

Learn more about the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers across national parks and historic sites at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/buffalosoldiers/visit.htm

Image : Buffalo Soldiers in the 24th Infantry carried out mounted patrol duties in Yosemite in 1899. NPS

07/27/2026

On July 27, 1953, the Korean War Armistice was signed, bringing an end to three years of fighting on the Korean Peninsula.

Today, we remember the more than 1.8 million Americans who served during the Korean War and honor the more than 36,000 U.S. service members who gave their lives. At the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., 19 stainless steel soldiers stand among etched images of those who supported them. Dedicated on July 27, 1995, the 42nd anniversary of the armistice, the figures reflect the courage, sacrifice, and shared experiences of those who served in “The Forgotten War.”

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/kowa

Image: The Korean War Veterans Memorial on the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

07/26/2026

07/26/2026

When someone asks if you can carry a coconut and you’re trying to remain professional…

We regret to inform you that a barn swallow is not strong enough to carry a coconut. After extensive scientific analysis (also known as looking at the size of the bird compared to the size of a coconut), we have determined the numbers are not in the swallow’s favor.

A barn swallow weighs about 20 grams. A coconut can weigh 1,000+ grams. That’s roughly 50 times its body weight. European swallow? African swallow? Barn swallow? Either way, the coconut is going to need a different ride.

Fortunately, this tiny bird has other talents: incredible aerial agility, a forked tail built for precision turns, and the ability to catch insects midair like a feathered fighter pilot.

Final thoughts: Please do not ask the barn swallows to transport your coconuts. No coconuts. No regrets.

Image: Closeup of barn swallow at White Sands National Park who has heard this joke 10,000 times. NPS/Paige G.

07/21/2026

This past weekend, we held our much-needed debris cleanup event. We successfully removed debris from our trails that had remained since the 2024 hurricane season. A special shoutout to our wonderful partners who made this project possible: the Young Leaders Council from the National Parks Conservation Association and Good Teammates Inc.

07/14/2026

Reminder that our debris Clean-up event is less than a week away!

Saturday, July 18th at 9am
8300 DeSoto Memorial Hwy
Wear closed-toed shoes and clothes you do not mind getting dirty.
We will provide sunscreen, bug spray, and a water refill station (bring a reusable water bottle).

We would love to have you volunteer!!