Horseshoe Bend National Military Park

11/06/2026

Across the National Park System, memorials, monuments and historic landscapes preserve the stories of those who served and sacrificed. From the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and World War II Memorial to the Korean War Veterans Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the newly dedicated Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial, these places invite us to reflect on the people behind the history.

Beyond the memorials, historic battlefields, military forts and other sites across the country help tell the stories of generations who served. On Veterans Day, take time to visit a place of remembrance, discover a story you didn't know, and honor those who served.

Explore places that commemorate America's military history: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/veterans-day.htm

Image: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial Raptors in Flight. NPS/Brodsky

11/06/2026

11/05/2026

The histories, cultures, and living traditions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander communities are an important part of the stories told across our national parks.

Throughout the year, and during November’s Native American Heritage Month, explore the stories, places, and cultural heritage preserved and shared in national parks and communities across the country: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/native-american-heritage-month.htm

NPS Photo

11/04/2026

It’s leaf-peeping season. The trees have made an effort, so the least we can do is go outside and stare at them.

Leaf peeping is the ancient human tradition of traveling long distances to look at leaves, take photographs, and stand in the middle of roads while saying, “Oh, wow, look at that one.”

Nobody knows exactly when this became a major event, but the trees seem okay with the arrangement. So get out there and see what all the rustle is about.

NPS photos

11/04/2026

As Veterans Day approaches, take a moment to honor those who have served our country. One way to celebrate their service is by helping them discover the places and stories that make our nation's public lands special.

U.S. military veterans and Gold Star Families are eligible for a free America the Beautiful Military Lifetime Pass, providing free access to federal recreation lands where entrance or standard amenity fees are charged.

From the quiet beauty of a mountain trail to the stories preserved at historic sites, our public lands offer opportunities to explore, reflect, learn, and connect with the places that help tell America's story.

Learn how to get your pass and start planning your next adventure: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

Image: Korean War Veterans Memorial at National Mall & Memorial Parks /NPS

11/02/2026

Hello darkness, my old friend. Now you start at 5:00 pm.

With daylight saving time behind us, the sun is clocking out a littler earlier. Just as before, if you’re heading to a national park, make sure and check park hours, trail conditions, weather forecasts, and sunset times.

Fun fact: admiring fall foliage is much more enjoyable when you’re not trying to navigate a trail in the dark while wondering which tree looks familiar.

NPS photo

11/02/2026

11/02/2026

🦋 Imagine flying thousands of miles to make it home for a family reunion. Monarch butterflies do it every year.

Every fall, two journeys come together. As millions of monarch butterflies travel south on one of nature's greatest migrations, families gather to honor loved ones during Day of the Dead or Día de los Mu***os.

For many communities, the arrival of the monarchs is more than a sign of the changing season. These butterflies are seen as messengers, symbolizing the return of loved ones in spirit and serving as a beautiful reminder of the enduring connections between generations.

Traveling thousands of miles across North America, they depend on healthy habitats, including in parks, to rest, feed, and continue their journey.

What animal makes you feel connected to your family or community?

Several parks across the country host cultural Day of the Dead programming, including San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, among others.

NPS Photo taken at Amistad National Recreation Area

11/02/2026

Día de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a centuries-old tradition that honors the lives of loved ones who have passed. Its roots stretch back to Indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica, where ancestors were remembered through ritual, art, and celebration. When the Spanish arrived in what is now Texas, these native customs merged with Catholic traditions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day; creating the vibrant holiday we know today.

At San Antonio Missions, you can see this cultural fusion come to life. From colorful altars adorned with marigolds and candles to music, food, and stories, the park reflects how Spanish and Indigenous traditions shaped communities along the San Antonio River.

Come explore mission descendant ofrendas/ Day of the Dead altars while they are still inside the Mission San Jose granary for a few more days!

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

10/31/2026

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Pumpkins* scream in the dead of night!

Happy Halloween!

*No pumpkins have been observed screaming in national parks. You may be hearing a coyote, bobcat, fox, owl, or that marmot looking for Alan…or was it Steve?

Image: Boo! Carved jack-o’-lantern with ranger hat at Hartwell Tavern at Minute Man National Historical Park

10/10/2026

NOTICE: Horseshoe Bend National Military Park will be closed today, October 10, 2026 for condition assessment and clean up due to power outages, storm debris, and downed trees caused by Hurricane Isaias.

Park staff will continue to assess park conditions and expect to reopen tomorrow, October 11, 2026.

📸Photo Credit: SCA Intern, T. Laney & NPS, M. Miller

10/09/2026

UPDATE: The boat ramp will be closed today through Sunday, Oct. 11th. The park will reassess water conditions on Monday, Oct. 12th.

10/08/2026

NOTICE: For the safety of our visitors, we will be closing the boat ramp at 3PM on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026 as we prepare for inclement weather caused by Hurricane Isaias.

Updates about Horseshoe Bend National Military Park's operations during Hurricane Isaias will be uploaded to this page and our website: nps.gov/hobe .

📸Photos by SCA Intern, Teddy Laney

09/30/2026

✨Summer Colors of Horseshoe Bend✨

Before the leaves turn and we're left with orange and red, we want to take a moment to celebrate the park's summer colors from this season.

📸 Photo Credit: Teddy Laney, SCA Intern

09/26/2026

Thank you, AmeriCorps!!! 🛠️🌿

Thanks to their hard work and the leadership of our maintenance staff over the last 10 weeks, this crew completed many projects around the park to protect and preserve our natural resources.

We wish them best of luck on their next mission up north! 🎉

📸Photo Credit: Kit Fleming & Piper Graham, AmeriCorps

09/17/2026

"Everyday is a good day for a picnic!" - Yogi Bear 🐻🍽️

Did you know that Horseshoe Bend NMP has picnic areas? Now that the weather is finally getting below 90 degrees soon, we'd highly recommend a good picnic in the shade!

More info about picnicking and other outdoor activities at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park: https://www.nps.gov/hobe/planyourvisit/outdooractivities.htm

If you'd like to bring a large group (20+ people) to the park to picnic, or to reserve the picnic area, you can see the following link for a Special Use Permit application:
https://www.nps.gov/hobe/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

📸 Photo Credit: Student Conservation Association Intern, Teddy Laney

08/29/2026

TOMORROW, Sunday, August 30, 2026, join us for Junior Ranger Day of !

In addition to our usual Junior Ranger books, we will also have a nature hunt guide and coloring sheets available.

Junior Ranger programs are designed for kids and their families, but people of all ages and abilities are welcome to participate!

You can learn more about Junior Ranger programs here:
https://www.nps.gov/kids/become-a-junior-ranger.htm

08/28/2026

The National Park Service may be closer than you think!

For today’s Freedom Friday, we’re celebrating 250 years of the United States by highlighting the many different places and stories protected by the National Park Service.

Many people think first of the 63 national parks, but the National Park Service manages 433 sites across all 50 states. These places have many different designations, but we often refer to them collectively as “parks.”

Since declaring its independence 250 years ago, the U.S. has unique stories of surviving hardships, celebrating wins, and sharing cultures. Unearth these stories at a NPS park near you!

Pictured below is a display of other NPS sites in Alabama accompanied by their Junior Ranger badges.

Check out the link below to
https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm?v=map

Want more info on the different types of National Park Service units? We have links for that too ;)
https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/national-park-system.htm
https://www.nps.gov/articles/nps-designations.htm

Photo Credit: SCA intern, Teddy Laney

08/27/2026

We’re thankful for the stories, not just the ones found in books.

The stories of the people who shaped our nation. The battlefields, homes, trails, rivers, and landscapes that hold clues to the past. The wildlife and natural processes that show us how connected we are to the world around us. From those preserved at Independence Hall and Gettysburg to the cultural traditions of the Great Smoky Mountains, the landscapes of Zion, and the living history found in parks across the country, your national parks are full of stories waiting to be explored.

Most of all, we’re thankful that we get to share them with you. Because every national park has a story, and there’s always another one waiting to be discovered.



NPS Photo

08/25/2026

Happy 110th Birthday to the National Park Service!

We may be biased, but we think Horseshoe Bend is a 10/10 park. Between our beautifully maintained grounds and the ongoing commemoration of what happened here, Horseshoe Bend endures to tell our story. Comment below what makes your favorite park a perfect 10.


Photo Credit: NPS, Ranger Barclay Smith