Unwired: Making space for pronghorn in Wyoming’s Red Desert

Last week, Grand Teton National Park posted a blurb on social media about the epic 100+ mile migration that pronghorn take each fall. Part of that post included a link to a documentary film called, Unwired: Making space for pronghorn in Wyoming’s Red Desert. According to the Youtube description:

In the Red Desert of Wyoming, outdated sheep fences have excluded pronghorn from prime habitat since the 1950s. After record snowfall in 2022-2023 caused thousands of animals to perish along the fences, a group of wildlife professionals discovered an area of more than 100,000 acres that excluded pronghorn. Within a year’s time, a diverse group of partners banded together to rebuild 23 miles of new, wildlife-friendlier fences, which restored a portion of access for pronghorn — roughly 10,000 acres of inaccessible habitat and an additional 8,000 acres of restricted habitat. Now pronghorn in this part of the Red Desert have a better chance at surviving an uncertain future. To learn more or to help visit https://thewyldlifefund.org/

You can also visit: https://migrationinitiative.org/resources/unwired-making-space-for-pronghorn-in-wyomings-red-desert/





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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Department of the Interior Announces Modernized, More Affordable National Park Access

Yesterday, the Department of the Interior announced the most significant modernization of national park access in decades, delivering new digital America the Beautiful passes, updated annual pass artwork, expanded motorcycle access and a new resident-focused fee structure that puts American families first. These improvements, launching on Jan.1, 2026, reflect President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to making national parks more accessible, more affordable and more efficient for the American people.

Under the new system, the America the Beautiful passes – including Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade and Access – will be available in a fully digital format through Recreation.gov. Visitors will be able to purchase and use their passes instantly, store them on mobile devices and link them to physical cards for added convenience. Digital validation tools and updated training for field staff will ensure faster entry and a smoother visitor experience across the National Park System.

“President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

The Department also unveiled new, modernized graphics for all annual passes, featuring bold, patriotic designs that honor America’s landscapes, heritage and outdoor legacy. These refreshed visuals will appear on both digital and physical passes.

As part of the Administration’s commitment to enhancing access for American residents, the Department is also implementing America-first entry fee policies. U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable pricing, while nonresidents will pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America’s parks.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the Annual Pass will cost $80 for U.S. residents and $250 for nonresidents, ensuring that American taxpayers who already support the National Park System receive the greatest benefit. Nonresidents without an annual pass will pay a $100 per person fee to enter 11 of the most visited national parks, in addition to the standard entrance fee.

The Department also highlighted resident-only patriotic fee-free days for 2026:

* President’s Day (February 16, 2026)
* Memorial Day (May 25, 2026)
* Flag Day/President Trump’s birthday (June 14, 2026)
* Independence Day weekend (July 3–5, 2026)
* 110th Birthday of the National Park Service (August 25, 2026)
* Constitution Day (Sept. 17, 2026)
* Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27, 2026)
* Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2026)

In addition, the National Park Service is expanding affordability and access for motorcycle riders. All America the Beautiful passes will now cover two motorcycles per pass, making national park adventures more accessible for riders and families who travel on two wheels.

Revenue generated from new fee policies will be invested directly back into America’s national parks, supporting upgrades to visitor facilities, essential maintenance, and improved services nationwide.

For more information on digital passes, pricing updates, and how to prepare for the 2026 changes, visit https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

The Dark Side of the Rainbow

With Christmas and Black Friday just around the corner, I wanted to remind everyone about a book I published earlier this year. While "slightly" off topic from the normal content on this blog, The Dark Side of the Rainbow examines the synchronistic relationship between The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wizard of Oz.

For the uninitiated, the “Dark Side of the Rainbow” theory (also known as "The Dark Side of Oz”) asserts that Pink Floyd purposely synchronized The Dark Side of the Moon to The Wizard of Oz. For those who have seen it, the mashup produces dozens of striking coincidences between the film and the album, where actions on the screen seemingly correspond to the lyrics, chords and musical moods of the Dark Side tracks.

In addition to a complete viewing guide for the synchronicities, the book explores an explanation for their existence:

* Pink Floyd absolutely had the means: they already had ample experience scoring films.

* Pink Floyd also had the motivation: the band continuously sought visual presentations of their songs during concerts.

* In the late 1990s, mainstream media outlets published reports that Pink Floyd had been threatened with a lawsuit by MGM if they used clips of The Wizard of Oz during concerts.

* Did Pink Floyd leave veiled clues on subsequent albums?

So, the question that must be answered: is it real, a cosmic coincidence, an ingenious marketing ploy, or just another conspiracy theory?

The Dark Side of the Rainbow. is currently available in both paperback and eBook on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0DXVND79V

Eleven people injured in grizzly bear attack

Eleven people were injured in a grizzly bear attack in the remote coastal town of Bella Coola in British Columbia, Canada yesterday. The attack involved students (4th and 5th graders), and has left two people critically injured and two others seriously hurt. British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service said the bear attacked a group of school students as they and teachers were having lunch on a trail near town. According to Inspector Kevin Van Damme from the Conservation Officer Service, three children and one adult were among the most seriously injured in the attack. Here's a fairly detailed report from the CBC earlier today:



I can't confirm this (I haven't found anything to dispute it), but this might be the most people attacked by one grizzly bear in one incident.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Trails opening at Black Canyon

The Oak Flat and Uplands Trails are now open to the public at the South Rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park after being closed since July 10, 2025. This summer, the Superintendent closed Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park to all public use while wildland firefighters battled lightning-caused fires in the park. The full park closure began on July 10. The North Rim closure was rescinded on July 30. Partial opening of the South Rim began on August 29, and as park crews continued to address hazards, more of the park opened throughout the fall.

As of November 19, the trail crew completed the necessary repairs to the entirety of the Oak Flat Trail (roundtrip from the visitor center 1.56 miles [2.5 km]) and to the portion of the Uplands Trail (approximately 0.75 mile [1.2 km]) between the Oak Flat trail’s junction with the South Rim Road near the campground. Closures of those areas are now rescinded by Superintendent’s Order, and they are now open to the public. Be aware that the trails may close again temporarily in spring due to run-off conditions. Additionally, all previously closed burned-over areas are now open to the public.

Due to damaged facilities, unstable rock, and falling trees, the following public closures remain in effect:

* The Rim Rock Trail
* The Uplands Trail between the Rim Rock Trail and the South Rim Road junction
* East Portal Campground
* South Rim Campground
* The Gunnison and Tomichi wilderness routes

Use caution while visiting Black Canyon after the summer fires as soils may be unstable and/or muddy from newly fallen snow. Footing can be unstable and uneven. Check weather conditions before travelling to the park and bring food, water, and weather specific gear.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Rocky Mountain National Park Announces Plans For Prescribed Burn on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 if Conditions Allow

Based upon the potential for favorable weather and conditions, fire managers at Rocky Mountain National Park are planning to conduct a prescribed burn on Wednesday, November 19. Firefighters plan to burn up to 294 acres. This burn area is located inside Rocky Mountain National Park, west of Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and near Upper Beaver Meadows Road. Because of the fuel type that will be burned, which includes mainly grasses and small shrubs, heavy and prolonged smoke is not expected from this operation.

Due to the proximity of burn operations near the road, U.S. Highway 36 inside Rocky Mountain National Park will be temporarily closed from Deer Ridge Junction to Bear Lake Road Junction from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beaver Meadows Entrance and Bear Lake Road will remain open. Interested in taking a scenic drive to Many Parks Curve? Visitors should plan to enter the park via Fall River Entrance/U.S. Highway 34.

The primary goal of the project is to reduce the threat of wildland fire to adjacent communities and NPS infrastructure by using prescribed fire to reduce the amount of fuels available in this area. When fighting the East Troublesome Fire in 2020 and the Fern Lake Fire in 2012, firefighters were able to take advantage of previous and existing prescribed fire and hazardous fuels treatment areas that provided a buffer between the fire and the town of Estes Park. Prior hazard fuels projects were instrumental in stopping the fire from jumping Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road.

If conditions are favorable, ignitions are planned to occur on Wednesday, November 19. "With the anticipated weather this week, conditions are right to complete another section of the Front Country Prescribed Fire," said Nathan Hallam, Fuels Specialist for Rocky Mountain National Park. "Winds are expected to be enough to disperse smoke but not put containment lines at risk and precipitation later in the week will help extinguish any lingering heat after operations are complete." Firefighters will be on scene for the duration of the operation and will be patrolling the burned area. Smoke from the prescribed burn will be visible throughout the day of the burn, mostly during the warmest part of the day. With cooler temperatures in the evening, smoke may linger and accumulate in low-lying areas.

Additional information may be shared on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cormp-front-country-prescribed-fire, on www.nps.gov/romo and on Rocky Mountain National Park’s official social media channels.

Smoke may be visible both inside and outside the park. Every effort will be made to minimize smoke impacts on visitors and the adjacent community; however, some smoke is anticipated to disperse east of the park. Smoke may affect your health: For more information see https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health. For the safety of visitors and firefighters, park visitors will not be allowed to stop along U.S. Highway 36 near the burn area or walk within or near the burn area.

Safety factors, weather conditions, air quality, personnel availability and environmental regulations are continually monitored as a part of any fire management operation.

Fire managers on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests are also preparing for pile burning season this winter. Current and forecasted weather conditions may create favorable pile burning conditions over the next several months. For a detailed list of pile locations, please click here.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue surcharge fee increases to better support local search-and-rescue volunteers

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is increasing the Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue Program (BSAR) fee on wildlife licenses and boat, snowmobile and off-highway vehicle (OHV) registrations to $1.25 to increase funding support for county search-and-rescue teams and local volunteers.

The previous BSAR fee was set at 25 cents and has not changed since 1987. The newly increased fee, now adjusted to $1.25, is a necessary step to reflect the current customer price index, taking into account inflation, as well as the increase in search-and-rescue incident responses and the number of highly challenging and risky rescues over the last 15 years.

In response to significantly more calls for help, the cost of search-and-rescue administration, training and equipment has also increased over the years, necessitating this fee increase. Current law dictates that CPW has one opportunity to increase the BSAR fee to a base level, after which point this fee may only be increased by the Consumer Price Index.

Colorado is home to around 50 search-and-rescue organizations, which are 100% volunteer-based and provide search-and-rescue services free of charge to individuals lost, injured or stranded in the backcountry. While these organizations are county-based and coordinated through county sheriffs or county governments, CPW provides support and funding from the statewide level.

CPW sells products that incorporate funding for search-and-rescue teams, including the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue Card and the Keep Colorado Wild Pass. These are crucial as the demand for outdoor recreation increases in Colorado, directly impacting the need for search-and-rescue services. Outdoor enthusiasts from various recreational communities, who hunt, fish, boat, hike, snowmobile and drive OHVs in Colorado, all contribute to the Colorado BSAR fund.

CPW BSAR funding is distributed through incident reimbursement forms and a county allocation application process. Counties may use funds to purchase equipment, training, vehicles, small capital improvement projects, mental health services, communications, computer software, maintenance and some fixed costs.

For more information on CPW’s Backcountry Search and Rescue Program, visit cpw.state.co.us/backcountry-search-and-rescue-program.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Trail Ridge Road closed for the season

Rocky Mountain National Park posted this blurb on their social media yesterday:

Today, Friday, November 14, 2025, Trail Ridge Road (U.S. Highway 34) inside Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) officially closed to through travel for the winter season. Trail Ridge Road is closed on the east side of the park at Many Parks Curve and on the west side of the park at Colorado River Trailhead.

With 11 miles of road located at elevations above 11,500 feet, few guard rails, and no shoulders, Trail Ridge Road is not designed to be an all-season road. Winter conditions of drifting snow, high winds and below- freezing temperatures occur above 10,000 feet. Trail Ridge Road normally closes in mid-October and opens to thru travel during the last week in May, weather permitting. In 2025, Trail Ridge Road opened on Friday, May 30.

Interested in taking a scenic drive inside the park this winter? There are several popular scenic driving destinations open this time of year, including Bear Lake Road, Endovalley Road, Trail Ridge Road on the west side of RMNP from Grand Lake Entrance to the Colorado River Trailhead and Trail Ridge Road on the east side of RMNP to Hidden Valley and Many Parks Curve.

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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

President Trump pardons runner who cut a switchback in Grand Teton National Park

You may recall this story from a couple of months ago, but professional mountain runner Michelino Sunseri was found guilty of cutting a switchback in Grand Teton National Park in 2024. Just before Judge Stephanie A. Hambrick was to hand down her sentence last month, the DOJ offered to dismiss the case if Sunseri would agree to 60 hours of community service and take a wilderness stewardship course. However, earlier this week, the White House announced that President Trump had pardoned Sunseri, which apparently came as a complete surprise to the trail runner. Normally, cutting a switchback is a misdemeanor that comes with a fine of up to $5,000 or six months in jail.

According to a press release published by Sunseri's legal counsel, the Pacific Legal Foundation, a group that fights government overreach:

"We are thrilled that Michelino’s nightmare is over, but we’re not done fighting against unconstitutional regulations that give low-level park officials the power to criminalize harmless conduct,” said Michael Poon. “We are ready to help other Americans who face criminal prosecution for breaking park rules that were illegally created."

They also stated:

On September 2, 2024, Michelino set a new Grand Teton speed record, ascending and descending the mountain in 2 hours, 50 minutes, and 10 seconds—almost three minutes faster than the previous record. This accomplishment drew admiration across the climbing and trail-running world. But just days later, federal prosecutors charged him with a crime for running on a “restricted” social trail—one that other record-holders had used without consequence.

The Pacific Legal Foundation's website made note of this:

Michelino chose to take a “social trail,” a commonly used path that is not formally designated as a trail. This decision was not uncommon. Many of the previous FKT record holders used this same trail, but no action was taken against them. Nevertheless, local national park employees chose to pursue criminal charges against Michelino, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Wyoming agreed to bring the case.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide has additional details on this case, if you would like to read more.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Celebrating National Hiking Day

Mark your calendars: next Monday is National Hiking Day! This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or take a family member out on a hike, especially those that have never really experienced the joys of traipsing through the woods. For those of you who might be asking; yes, this is a relatively new "holiday." In 2015, the American Hiking Society officially designated November 17th of each year as National Hiking Day, also known as “Take A Hike Day,” to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors.

To help celebrate National Hiking Day, I wanted to remind everyone about the trail guide I published just over a year ago, Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains: Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico.

With Christmas just around the corner, this guide will also make a great gift for all your hiking friends. As a bonus, now's a great opportunity to get ahead of the Black Friday madness!

 

What exactly is in this trail guide?

* Detailed descriptions for 75 day hikes that lead to tranquil backcountry lakes, roaring waterfalls, deep canyons, alpine meadows and placid glaciers. Many ascend to high mountain passes and summits. All of them will lead you to extraordinary places that offer breathtaking scenery.

* Hikes range from easy strolls to all-day adventures. Many include notes on shorter options, side trips to other nearby destinations, as well as locations of backcountry campsites for those wishing to create a backpacking trip.

* Hikes span across four national parks (Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton and Rocky Mountain), thirteen national forests, two national monuments and one national preserve.

* Each hike covered in this guide includes a detailed trail description, key reference points, specific information you need to be aware of, color photographs, trail maps, and driving directions to the trailhead.

* Each hike also includes key stats that can be reviewed at a glance. This includes key features along the route, roundtrip mileage, total elevation gain, highest elevation, difficulty ratings, and GPS coordinates for the trailhead.

* Tips for planning your trip, safety considerations, and trail access information where applicable.

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains is now available on Amazon.

Bull moose attacks woman in Boulder County

Another moose has attacked an individual while walking with a dog. Unfortunately, this type of wildlife encounter seems to happen at least a few times each year.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a reported moose attack west of Jamestown in Boulder County around 1 p.m. Wednesday. A woman was walking her dog off-leash near her home when a young bull moose knocked her to the ground, stomping her multiple times. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital with head and back injuries.

CPW officers responded to the area, but officers were not able to locate the moose. Signs warning of aggressive moose behavior have been placed near the scene.

A majority of reported moose attacks involve dogs, as moose view them as predators or potential threats. Pets should be kept on a leash when recreating outdoors, especially near riparian habitats where moose prefer to live.

Moose should be given ample space and not approached when encountered. They are large and very fast, able to run up to 35 miles per hour. Use rocks, trees or vehicles as barriers between people and moose if spotted while recreating outdoors.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Veterans and military get free entry into Colorado state parks on Nov. 11

On Nov. 11, 2025, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) will offer veterans, active-duty military personnel, and the National Guard free entry into Colorado state parks as a thank you to U.S. military members.

Veterans and military members, residents and non-residents, can visit any Colorado state park for free by showing proof of military service. Vehicles displaying a Colorado Disabled Veteran or Purple Heart license plate receive free entry to all state parks year-round.

The free day pass offers an opportunity to explore Colorado’s world-class state parks and experience the diverse wildlife and landscapes they showcase. Whether you're a nature lover, an outdoor adventurer, or just looking for a peaceful retreat, there's something for everyone at Colorado state parks.

All other state park fees remain in effect, including camping reservations, boat and off-highway vehicle registrations, and hunting and fishing licenses.

CPW offers additional military benefits for outdoor activities to active-duty military, veterans and disabled veterans. These programs include free admission to state parks in August, free lifetime small game and fishing licenses for qualified disabled veterans, and a free specialty Independence Pass to visit Colorado state parks.

CPW offices and call centers will be closed on Nov. 11 to observe the state holiday. Call CPW offices ahead of your visit to confirm if Visitor Centers are open.

Colorado residents with any applicable fee-exempt military license plates, Colorado Disabled Veterans or Purple Heart license plates may access Colorado state parks for free; if you renew your vehicle registration online, stay opted in and get the Keep Colorado Wild Pass at no cost.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

Keep Colorado Wild Pass Program advances Colorado’s outdoor recreation and conservation goals

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has published a 2025 Keep Colorado Wild Act Report to share how revenue generated from the Keep Colorado Wild Pass is being used to fulfill outdoor recreation and conservation needs in Colorado.

As part of the Keep Colorado Wild (KCW) Act of 2021, CPW and the Department of Revenue — Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) created an optional $29 annual state parks pass for Colorado residents, which can be added when registering passenger vehicles, light trucks, motorcycles and recreational vehicles. The Keep Colorado Wild Pass offers a 60% savings compared to a traditional annual state parks pass, and provides one-year entry into all 43 Colorado state parks by car, bike and foot.

The pass's purpose is to provide consistent, reliable financial contributions that allow the state parks system to continue growing with Colorado’s population while motivating and accommodating increasing demand for outdoor recreation opportunities. Since becoming available to purchase in January 2023, the Keep Colorado Wild Pass has raised approximately $100 million through June 30, 2025.

This funding supports CPW’s mission and goals to ensure affordable park access, increase staffing and resources for state parks, support search and rescue operations, enhance avalanche safety, develop new state parks, expand outdoor recreation capacity on federal lands, boost state trail programs, conserve vulnerable wildlife species, promote equity and inclusion in the outdoors, and fund regional outdoor partnerships.

In the most recent fiscal year, approximately 1.5 million Keep Colorado Wild Passes were obtained by Coloradans, generating $41 million to help protect public lands, a 3% increase in sales from the prior year.

Initial Keep Colorado Wild Pass revenue (the first $32.5 million) is dedicated to making the pass accessible and to state park maintenance and staffing. Remaining funds "spill over" to support $2.5 million allocated to the Colorado Backcountry Search and Rescue Program, $1 million to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC), and nearly $2.6 million in fiscal year 2025 (FY25) to both the Wildlife Cash Fund and the Parks and Outdoor Recreation Cash Fund for broader wildlife and outdoor recreation initiatives.

KCW funds are used in combination with several other funding sources to accomplish activities related to KCW Act goals. Key progress highlights include:

* CPW’s Recreational Trails Program continued efforts to fund trail maintenance, enforcement, planning and construction, awarding over $14.8 million in grants and supporting over 157,600 hours of trail crews in FY25.

* The annual funding of $1 million to the CAIC supported significant increases in FTE staff avalanche forecasts through a new forecasting software platform.

* CPW continued development at Fishers Peak State Park, expanded Sweitzer Lake State Park, and opened a new 20-site campground at Highline Lake State Park.

To learn more about the Keep Colorado Wild Pass at cpw.state.co.us/keep-colorado-wild-pass



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

‘SNL’ alum Kevin Nealon wants you to take a hike

To help celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has teamed up with comedian and hiking enthusiast Kevin Nealon to change the way we think — and talk — about the phrase “Take a Hike.” Long used as a rude dismissal, the campaign reclaims it as a powerful call to reconnect with nature and raise awareness for the protection of the Appalachian Trail.

At the heart of the campaign is a petition calling on major dictionary publishers, including Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary, to add a modern, positive definition of “Take a Hike”: A friendly invitation to reset, recharge, and reconnect with the outdoors.



The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is calling on the public to join the movement by signing and sharing the petition, helping shift how we talk about hiking, wellness, and the positive power of being outdoors.

“Look, I’m not saying hiking solves everything,” said Kevin Nealon, known for his Saturday Night Live tenure and YouTube series Hiking with Kevin, “but I’ve never seen anyone come back from the woods angry. Hungry, maybe, but not angry. That’s why I love this campaign, it’s a reminder to reset, breathe, and take a hike.”

The campaign is launching at a time when mental health challenges are increasingly widespread. Recent studies show that nearly half the global population will experience a mental health disorder by age 75, and more than 50% of Americans with a mental illness do not receive treatment (Mental Health America). The “Take a Hike” campaign champions the proven benefits of spending time in nature as a simple, accessible way to support mental and physical well-being.

“For 100 years, the Appalachian Trail has been a place of refuge, discovery, adventure, and connection,” said Sandi Marra, President & CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. “Now more than ever, we all can benefit from taking a hike. With this campaign, we’re not just celebrating a century of stewardship, we’re inviting everyone to experience the restorative power of the Trail and help protect it for the next century.”

To learn more or support the campaign, please visit www.takeahikepetition.org.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com