Monday, May 12, 2025

American Hiking Society Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of the America the Beautiful Act, Legislation to Extend National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund

American Hiking Society and the 59 million-strong hiking community applaud the bipartisan leadership of U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tim Sheehy (R-WY), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) for introducing the America the Beautiful for All Act, which would extend the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) for an additional eight years.

“American Hiking Society and the hiking community applaud the introduction of legislation by Senator Daines and Senator King to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund,” said Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director of American Hiking Society. “This legislation will continue the success of the program, which has restored access to our public lands across 1,500 projects, generated $4.5 billion in economic impact, and supports 20,000 jobs annually. The Legacy Restoration Fund both enhances the hiking experience across public lands and drives economic growth. It’s a win for all.”

This critical bill would extend the National Parks and Public Lands Legacy Restoration Fund for an additional eight years. In 2020, Congress passed and the President signed into law landmark legislation creating this program that unlocked a new way to address the extensive backlog of maintenance across our public lands. This backlog resulted in cut off access to trails, visitor centers, campgrounds, roads, and other critical resources that are needed to ensure that everyone has access to our nation’s public lands.

Over the last five years, the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF), across 1,500 projects and 11,300 improved assets, the LRF is setting out to accomplish what Congress intended it to do. The work can’t stop here though and this critical program needs to continue!

American Hiking Society encourages hikers, trail users, and all who care about public lands to urge their senators to co-sponsor the America the Beautiful for All Act. Take action here.



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Friday, May 9, 2025

Glacier Park updates for Mother’s Day weekend

Going-to-the-Sun Road will be open to vehicle traffic to Avalanche Campground starting Saturday, May 10, 2025, just in time for Mother’s Day weekend. The park’s road crew is still clearing snow farther up the road and, as of Wednesday afternoon, were working between Triple Arches and Rim Rock. The entire road typically does not open until sometime in mid to late June.

Also starting this weekend, the Apgar Visitor Center will be open daily.

The hiker/biker shuttle may operate later in the season. The park will provide future updates regarding when this free shuttle begins operating.

This summer, starting June 13 through September 28, sections of Going-to-the-Sun Road which are open to motor vehicles are closed to bicycle use between Logan Pass and the Apgar turnoff at the south end of Lake McDonald during the following times: eastbound (uphill) cycling between 12:00 p.m. and 6 p.m. and westbound (downhill) cycling between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Visitors can hike and bike Going-to-the-Sun Road past the gate closure on the weekends as far as the posted pedestrian closure. During the week, the road crew sets the closure based on where they are working and existing hazards.

The park sends out text alerts, notifying the public about where the road crew and avalanche closures are set every week and general road opening and closure updates. Be the first to know by signing up for text alerts by texting the message “GNPROADS” to the number 333111. For information about additional text alerts available from the park, visit the park’s website.



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Glacier National Park preserves more than a million acres of some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. With more than 740 miles of trails meandering throughout this vast park, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Exploring Glacier National Park takes all the guesswork out by focusing on the most amazing hikes, and provides you with handpicked recommendations that will allow you to make the most of your trip to Glacier:


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Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Man gored by bison in Yellowstone

On May 4, 2025, a 47-year-old man from Cape Coral, Florida, was injured by a bison in Yellowstone National Park.

At approximately 3:15 p.m. in the Lake Village area of the park, a man was gored by a bison after he approached it too closely. The individual sustained minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel. The incident is currently under investigation, and no further details are available at this time.

This is the first reported incident of a person injured by a bison in 2025. There were two reported incidents in 2024 and one in 2023.

Learn more about safety tips while visiting Yellowstone, including how to behave around wildlife.



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Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Grizzly bear struck by vehicle and killed in Grand Teton National Park

On Tuesday May 6, 2025, Grand Teton National Park law enforcement rangers found a deceased grizzly bear along Highway 26 within the park east of the Buffalo Fork River. Law enforcement and wildlife rangers then initiated an investigation in coordination with US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The investigation indicated the bear was hit by a vehicle and made it to a patch of willows about 125 yards from the road where it succumbed to its injuries. The bear may have been deceased for several days.

Using ear tags and a PIT tag, wildlife rangers identified the bear as GB1058. GB1058 was a 5-year-old male bear when he was killed. The bear appeared to be in good condition for his age and the time of year. The bear’s remains were put back onto the landscape in Grand Teton National Park.

GB1058 was one of four offspring that emerged with GB399 in May 2020. GB1058 had occasionally been observed in the park since he was weened in 2022, but no confirmed sightings of him this spring had been reported.

Bears, elk, deer, moose, foxes and other wildlife are often near park roadways, difficult to see, and can cross the road unexpectedly. The park asks that you obey the posted speed limit and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. Use caution and slow down, especially at dawn, dusk and at night when visibility is reduced.



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Monday, May 5, 2025

American Hiking Society is Celebrating Their 33rd Annual National Trails Day

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, American Hiking Society invites trail lovers across the country to celebrate the 33rd annual National Trails Day® by giving back to the trails and public lands that give us so much.

National Trails Day® is a powerful call to action for all outdoor lovers to give back to the places that give us so much. Thousands of people across the country will lace up their boots, grab their trail work gear, and head outdoors to explore, enjoy, and share these natural spaces with their local communities.

With the 2025 theme, “Any Trail, Anywhere, Leave It Better,” American Hiking Society invites everyone — whether it’s your first hike or your hundredth — to join the nationwide movement of trail stewards committed to protecting and improving trails and public lands to ensure everyone has access to enjoy these natural spaces.

“Trails give us so much — mental wellness, physical health, and a sense of connection to the outdoors and to each other,” said Heather Klein Olson, Executive Director of American Hiking Society. “On National Trails Day®, we honor that by giving back. Everyone deserves safe, welcoming, and accessible trails, and as trail users, we all have a responsibility to care for these spaces. National Trails Day® empowers everyone to take meaningful action in their communities, turning their love for the outdoors into lasting impact. Let’s ensure these places remain protected and cared for, now and for future generations.”

In 2024, thousands of volunteers improved more than 450 miles of trails in a single day. In 2025, American Hiking Society is calling on even more people to step up, pledge to leave the trails better than they found them, and take action in their communities. For more information, please click here.



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