Western National Parks

Western National Parks WNP enriches the national park experience at 72 national park sites across 12 Western states.

Open roads, summer light, coastal trails, historic stories, and unforgettable public lands experiences—the newest editio...
06/02/2026

Open roads, summer light, coastal trails, historic stories, and unforgettable public lands experiences—the newest edition of American West Monthly is here. Read it now at wnp.org/plan-your-trip/trip-ideas/park-stories/summer-starts-in-a-national-park .

This month, discover:
✔️ A 5-day itinerary through Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands National Parks
✔️ Stories connected to the anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
✔️ A journey through Salt Lake City and Timpanogos Cave
✔️ Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail travel inspiration tied to America’s 250th anniversary
✔️ Thoughtful ways to celebrate Independence Day without fireworks

Start planning your next summer adventure across the American West.

Channel Islands National Park Visit California Ventura Discover Los Angeles Visit Utah Visit Salt Lake Timpanogos Cave National Monument Visit Southeast Montana Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Cool off in a cave in a national park this summer! In honor of Cave and Karst Week, here’s five parks to visit if you wa...
06/01/2026

Cool off in a cave in a national park this summer! In honor of Cave and Karst Week, here’s five parks to visit if you want to experience an underground world. Learn more at wnp.org/things-to-do/caving.

Some caves may require reservations or special permits to tour. Check with the park to learn about the cave experiences available and how you can visit with respect.

📍Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico
📸NPS/Peter Jones
📍Lehman Caves at Great Basin National Park in Nevada
📸NPS
📍Lava Bomb Cave at El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico
📸NPS/Kern
📍Timpanogos Cave National Monument in Utah
📸NPS/Andrew Shirey
📍Bear Gulch Cave at Pinnacles National Park in California
📸NPS/Chris Symons

New Mexico True Travel Nevada Visit Utah Visit California

Don’t miss our June events at The National Parks Store!🍿Experience a screening of “Finding Nemo” and hands-on activities...
05/30/2026

Don’t miss our June events at The National Parks Store!

🍿Experience a screening of “Finding Nemo” and hands-on activities about coral reefs. This is the first event in our family-friendly Junior Ranger Summer Film Series!
❤️Learn about the legacy of Nicodemus National Historic Site through a collection of short films.
📖Enjoy an author talk and book signing with Phil Hedrick, writer of “Aravaipa Canyon: A Natural and Cultural History."

Get advance notice of these special events when you sign up for our email list at wnp.org/newsletter. Check out upcoming events at the wnp.org/tucsonevents.

Visit Tucson Visit Arizona I Love Ov Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce Discover Marana Town of Oro Valley - Government

Congratulations to our four 2025 James E. Cook Nature’s Classroom Grant awardees! These grants provide opportunities for...
05/29/2026

Congratulations to our four 2025 James E. Cook Nature’s Classroom Grant awardees! These grants provide opportunities for underrepresented K–12 youth to experience the wonder of the national parks, through immersive lessons, park ranger school visits, or field trips. This year’s grants provide funding for

⭐Arroyos del Norte Elementary School students to visit Bandelier National Monument and connect with the history and heritage of the area.
⭐Peñasco Elementary School students to visit Petroglyph National Monument and learn about the importance of this cultural heritage site.
⭐Tularosa High School students to learn about the history and heritage of Salinas Pueblo Missions NM.
⭐Students enrolled in the Native American Advancement Foundation After School Program to participate in a citizen science project at Saguaro National Park.

Read more about these grants, and the other recipients and awardees at wnp.org/about-wnpa/newsroom/western-national-parks-announces-2025-2026-award-honorees-and-grant-recipients .

📸 Unsplash/Dulcey Lima

New Mexico True Visit Gallup Visit Santa Fe, New Mexico Visit Arizona Visit Tucson Visit Albuquerque

☀️ Check out these fast facts and start planning your trip to Canyon de Chelly National Monument!🗺️ Where is it? This pa...
05/28/2026

☀️ Check out these fast facts and start planning your trip to Canyon de Chelly National Monument!

🗺️ Where is it? This park is on the lands of the Navajo Nation, near Chinle, Arizona. It is managed jointly by the National Park Service and the Diné (Navajo) people. The landscapes protected here are significant to more than 20 Tribal Nations.

🤔 Why go? With thousands of years of history and heritage protected here, including many cliff dwellings built by the ancestral Puebloans, these landscapes are both strikingly beautiful and stunning. The Diné continue to reside, farm, and raise livestock on the canyon floor, so it is important to visit with respect.

🥾 What can you do? Drive the North and South Rims of the canyon and take in the beautiful views and geology. Learn about and connect with this living cultural landscape. Book a visit to the canyon floor with an authorized guide to see and learn more about the many cultural sites preserved here.

Learn more at wnp.org/explore-parks/canyon-de-chelly.

📍 Canyon de Chelly National Monument
📸 kojihirano/Shutterstock

Visit Arizona Discover Navajo Discover Flagstaff

We’re so excited to partner with Arizona Highways Magazine to bring you this helpful guide to some of Arizona’s lesser k...
05/28/2026

We’re so excited to partner with Arizona Highways Magazine to bring you this helpful guide to some of Arizona’s lesser known, extra special national park sites. Read it here and bookmark for next spring (and summer and fall travel as well)! https://www.arizonahighways.com/article/spring-break-guide-canyons-culture

From awe-inspiring canyons to unique Indigenous cultural heritage sites to stunning desert hikes, this family-friendly guide has something for every traveler who wants to visit

⭐Saguaro National Park
⭐Montezuma Castle National Monument and Tuzigoot National Monument
⭐Walnut Canyon National Monument
⭐Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site

Start planning your next trip today.

1. 📍 Saguaro National Park 📸 NPS/Hannah Schwalbe
2. 📍 Montezuma Castle National Monument 📸 NPS
3. 📍 Tuzigoot National Monument 📸 NPS/ P. Santellan
4. 📍 Walnut Canyon National Monument 📸 NPS
5. 📍 Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site 📸 WNP/Brad Sutton

Visit Arizona Visit Tucson Discover Navajo Discover Flagstaff

Did you know that Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park protects one of the last coastal prairies in the United...
05/27/2026

Did you know that Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park protects one of the last coastal prairies in the United States? Less than one percent of what was once 8 million acres of this habitat remains, making it a critically endangered ecosystem.

Palo Alto Battlefield preserves where the first major battle of the US–Mexico War took place. But this place is more than just a historic site—it continues to be a thriving and crucial ecosystem for many species of plants and animals. If you visit this Texas park, keep an eye out for wildlife as you are learning about the park and its history.

📍Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
📸 Texas tortoise. Black-necked stilt. Queen butterflies. NPS

Travel Texas

📸 Special author event and book signing at White Sands National Park! Step into the shifting dunes through the lens of a...
05/27/2026

📸 Special author event and book signing at White Sands National Park! Step into the shifting dunes through the lens of acclaimed photographer and author Craig Varjabedian at White Sands National Park Visitor Center on Sunday, May 31, at 1 PM. More details at wnp.org/things-to-do/events/author-and-photographer-presentation-White-Sands!

Hosted by White Sands National Park and Western National Parks, this special presentation will explore Craig’s years photographing the park’s remarkable landscape and the experiences that inspired the newly released second edition of his book. Following the program, Craig will sign copies available for purchase—with proceeds supporting the park!

The free program takes place in the visitor center theater and seating is first come, first served.

All images courtesy of Craig Varjabedian

Visit Las Cruces, New Mexico Visit Alamogordo New Mexico True Craig Varjabedian Photography

Congratulations to Natalie Teboul, winner of the 2025 Stewart L. Udall Award! This Western National Parks (WNP) honor re...
05/26/2026

Congratulations to Natalie Teboul, winner of the 2025 Stewart L. Udall Award! This Western National Parks (WNP) honor recognizes individuals who work to boost park interpretation programs, carry the park message to popular audiences, or rally broad public support for parks.

Natalie’s interactive STEAM educational materials allow learners to “travel” to the national parks without ever leaving the classroom. As an educator and creator of Traveling Miss T.’s Math Maps©, she has created math maps of more than 50 public lands sites, including Cabrillo National Monument, Denali National Park and Preserve, and Joshua Tree National Park.

Congratulations, Natalie! Your work helps grow the next generation of environmental and park stewards.

Read more about Natalie and her work, and WNP’s other 2025–2026 award winners and grant recipients at wnp.org/about-wnpa/newsroom/western-national-parks-announces-2025-2026-award-honorees-and-grant-recipients .

Wishing all a meaningful Memorial Day as we pause to reflect on and honor the many who have served and sacrificed.📍Littl...
05/25/2026

Wishing all a meaningful Memorial Day as we pause to reflect on and honor the many who have served and sacrificed.

📍Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
📸 NPS

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12880 N Vistoso Village Drive
Tucson, AZ
85755

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Friday 10am - 5pm
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