National Park Alerts

Fire restrictions are in place at Mojave National Preserve and Castle Mountains National Monument. Wood and charcoal fires are not permitted. Most camp stoves are. See fire restriction order for additional details.

No building, maintaining, attending or using a fire or campfire in all areas of the monument, including charcoal fires. Properly shielded gas or liquid-fueled portable camp stoves are allowed. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle. Discharging or using fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices are always prohibited on all federal public land.

Visitors are restricted to the designated trails within the Gold Mine Tract in the Great Falls area. This location is generally defined as that area bordered by MacArthur Boulevard and Berma Road and depicted on the Great Falls Maryland Hiking Map.

DC Water is managing a sanitary sewer overflow from the Potomac Interceptor near Lock 10. Anyone with questions or in need of support can reach out to DC Water’s 24-Hour Command Center at (202) 612-3400 or visit https://www.dcwater.com/about-dc-water/media/potomac-interceptor-collapse.

From 8/3/26 to 8/28/26, contractors will be repairing and replacing the waterline at Devils Kitchen Picnic Area and parking lot. The restrooms, water, and parking area will be closed throughout the duration of the project. Access to Serpents Trail will remain open at the Devils Kitchen Trailhead.

Guardrail repair will take place from 8/24- 8/28 and from 8/31- 9/4. There will be no full road closures, but delays of up to 30 minutes are possible. Delays will be minimized from 6- 9am and from 3:30- 6pm. Work on the east side is between Devils Kitchen and Red Canyon Overlook. West side work is between the west entrance and Redlands View overlook. Please be alert for construction workers and flaggers.

Fire danger is extremely high. No fires (charcoal or wood) are permitted anywhere in the park, including in the campground. No smoking outside of your vehicle. Fireworks are always banned. Check vehicles for dragging chains. Be safe and fire aware!

GPS is necessary on backcountry trails: Oakridge, Boggy Gut (formerly River), and Kingsnake. These trails may be difficult to follow.

Congaree can be hot & humid from late spring through early fall. Be sure that you & your party (including pets) have adequate water & choose activities that fit your level of physical fitness. Consider visiting early in the morning when it is cooler.

Trees down across Cedar Creek between Bannister's Bridge and South Cedar Creek may require significant portages depending on water levels & paddlers should plan accordingly. All paddlers should have necessary equipment, including the 10 Essentials.

Smuggling and/or illegal entry is common in this area due to the proximity of the international border. Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and do not travel alone in remote areas.

Visitors should exercise caution when hiking areas of the park that have opened since Hurricane Helene. Hazards on trails and in forested areas such as hanging tree limbs, debris on the ground, and washed-out sections of trails and bridges are possible.

To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, fire restrictions are in effect until further notice.

Please do not rely upon GPS digital navigation systems to find your way to Craters of the Moon. Please note that the Robert Limbert Visitor Center at 1266 Craters Loop Road is located just off U.S. Highway 20/26/93 and is not accessed via any unpaved roads.

Valid ferry tickets can only be purchased through the website www.cumberlandislandferry.com. Check site carefully before purchasing. Only valid tickets will be honored.

Until further notice, the following are prohibited in all park areas: (1) Building, maintaining, attending, or using wood or charcoal fires anywhere but within campground- or picnic area-provided grills or grates. (The use of gas grills and camp stoves is permitted.) (2) Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren of all flammable materials. (3) Discharging or using any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic devices.

Wildfires are occurring in the region. Water scooping airplanes are using the reservoir. Please use caution and stay clear of areas where water scooping operations are occurring.

Car break-ins in Cuyahoga Valley have tripled since 2022, resulting in theft of personal items like credit cards. Do not leave valuables in your car. As a last resort, lock items in your trunk before arriving. Thieves target parking lots regularly.

Limited Parking at the Visitor Center is monitored by the use of a Stoplight. This light helps meter traffic so that parking spots are available for visitors. Stoplight generally in effect from 10 am to 4 pm. Wait times vary daily.

Vessel operators - the Garden Key Harbor Light is undergoing repairs and is extinguished. At this time it is unknown when the light will again be illuminated.

Repaving of the El Malpais Visitor Center parking lot will occur in early August. The visitor center will remain open, but slight delays are possible. Please follow construction signage and directions.

Current roadwork is ongoing along the park's northern boundary on US Highway 41/Tamiami Trail to raise the road for Everglades Restoration benefits. Drivers may experience up to 15-minute delays and should watch for personnel, equipment and slow downs.

West Nile Virus has been detected at the William Floyd Estate from mosquito samples collected on July 25 and July 31, 2026. Increased surveillance of mosquitoes in the area will continue. It is recommended visitors limit or forego outdoor activities between dusk and dawn.

While planning your visit to the site please note that we are currently experiencing some high temperatures in the Visitor Center. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause as we work to alleviate the issue.

You can prevent vehicle break-ins in parking lots and scenic overlooks. Before leaving your car for even a short period of time: 1) Remove all valuables, 2) Lock your doors. 3) Take your wallets, purses, backpacks, keys, key fobs, cell phones, and electronics with you. Read article for more details.

The crossover trail through the center of the historic area, near the flagpole, is temporarily closed for safety. The remainder of the main park trail is open.

There is ongoing construction due to roofing project. Please practice caution on the grounds and do not enter marked areas.

Just a reminder as the weather is starting to get nice, and people are thinking about where to take graduation, wedding, prom or formal, pregnancy, birthday, and any other type of photography or filming! We do have rules and regulations on what is or is not allowed and whether or not you need a permit. Violations may be ticketed. Please check our website under Plan Your Visit, Permits and Reservations!!! https://www.nps.gov/frhi/planyourvisit/permits.htm

On August 13, 2026 a brown bear entered camps and food caches in the Arrigetch Peaks area, obtaining food from a soft-sided, bag-type Bear Resistant Food Container (BRFC). At this time, we strongly recommend hard-sided BRFCs for all visitors to the Arrigetch Peaks area. Hard-sided BRFCs can be checked out at the Bettles Ranger Station. Backpackers in the area should maintain a high level of bear awareness and continue to follow best practices for camping in bear country.

Access to the lower crypt area of the Mausoleum is subject to closure during wet and or low light conditions in the late afternoon. The main floor and the two reliquary rooms remain open during these conditions.

Smoke from regional wildfires is affecting air quality in the park. When air quality is a concern be sure to: 1) monitor air quality and smoke forecasts 2) assess your own sensitivity to poor air quality, and the sensitivity of others in your group and 3) adjust outdoor activities as needed. Find out current air quality conditions at https://fire.airnow.gov.

The upper loop of the Lees Ferry Campground is closed through September 30th for renovations. Large equipment will be paving at the Lees Ferry campground. Upper loop construction will continue until September 30, 2026. Do not enter construction area.

Any time that you do recreational activities (swimming, water skiing, making sand castles, etc.) on the beaches or in the waters of Lake Powell you are strongly encouraged to follow basic hygiene practices. A number of conditions can cause potential water quality issues on Lake Powell, at Lees Ferry, and on Colorado River tributaries.

You can prevent vehicle break-ins in parking lots and scenic overlooks. Before leaving your car for even a short period of time: 1) Remove all valuables, 2) Lock your doors. 3) Take your wallets, purses, backpacks, keys, key fobs, cell phones, and electronics with you. Read article for more details.

Visit this link for the inner canyon weather forecast, current trail closures, today's heat risk, and drinking water availability.

Stage 1 fire restrictions in effect as of July 31, 2026. Use of portable gas stoves is permitted. Prohibited Actions: No open fires, No smoking outdoors within 3 feet of vegetation, No welding or similar devices, No flares, fireworks, etc.

Construction projects underway. Moose-Wilson Road between Murie Ranch and LS Rockefeller Preserve open with delays of 45 minutes in both directions. No roadside parking on Moose-Wilson Road. Expected to close 9/7. Taggart Trail detour in place. Menor's Ferry Road closed weekdays. Mormon Row area open with some construction activity.

Construction underway on North Park Road between Leeks Marina and Lizard Creek Campground. 15-min delays both directions 6am-9pm / 1-hour delays both directions 9pm-6am. The section of road is about 7 miles north of Colter Bay and 11.5 miles south of Yellowstone.

Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect at Great Basin National Park. Due to extreme fire danger, campfires, charcoal grills, and outdoor smoking are prohibited throughout the park. Gas and liquid-fueled stoves are permitted.

There currently is no water available in any campground in Great Basin National Park.  Water is available at the RV Fill and Dump Station, the Great Basin, and the Lehman Caves Visitor Center as well as some local businesses.  

Speed limits for the park include 30 MPH near the park boundary and Great Sand Dunes Sign, and as low as 10 MPH near the Headquarters and Entrance Station. Speed limits are in place to protect park visitors, pedestrians, and wildlife in the park. Please drive carefully and responsibly.

The hike to Devil's Hall is rated as strenuous. The portion of the route in the wash requires rock scrambling and is dangerous when wet or if water is present. The wash surface is loose gravel and rocks and may be unstable.

Review rip current status prior to visiting the park.

Phase II of the Davis Bayou Bicycle and Pedestrian Path is in process. Visitors may encounter minor traffic delays and flaggers on Eagle Point and Park Road.

Facilities staff are doing repair work on several buildings in Lower Town. Please follow signs for alternate entrances and heed temporary closures.

Volcanic ash, rock and glassy strands (tephra) is present at Kīlauea summit and can irritate your skin, eyes and respiratory system. For your safety, do not handle it. Eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, a hat, closed-toe shoes and a dust mask are recommended.

The park may have delayed openings or closures in the event of severe weather. Travel may not be recommended during these times. Please check local forecasts. We appreciate your understanding.

Flooding may occur between Mill Rd. and Nuclear Rd., especially in spring or after heavy rain. A bypass is available via CTH‑B between CTH‑BB and Nuclear Rd. For maps and additional details from the Ice Age Trail Alliance, follow the link below:

After recent storms, E. coli levels are likely to reach above safe swimming standards. Entering the water after heavy rainfall is never recommended. Know before you go and always check our Beach Safety page before heading to park beaches.

Closed portion of Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk Trail along Burns Waterway due to unsafe conditions from erosional damage. This trail portion will remain closed while funding is sought for repair work. Pier access remains open on either side of closure.