Little River Canyon National Preserve

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

08/04/2026

Don't forget about our National Photography Day Contest!

Do you enjoy capturing the scenic beauty of Little River Canyon? Would you like to share your photos with a wider audience? If yes, then you’re in luck!

📸 In honor of National Photography Day coming up on August 19th, Little River Canyon National Preserve will be having a photography contest. We invite you to submit your favorite photos that you’ve taken of the park.

📆 You can submit up to 5 photos per person, and you can submit photos that you’ve taken in the past year (July 2025-present). Submissions open on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, and close on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

🤳🏼 All photographs must be originals taken by the individual submitting the photo. While you may utilize techniques such as long exposure, please refrain from applying filters, heavy editing, or using AI to make edits or create photos. Please submit only scenic photographs, including, but not limited to plants, animals, waterfalls, insects, and sunrises/sunsets. DO NOT send in photographs that include people. We can’t wait to see your amazing photos!

🏅 The top 3 photographs will be displayed on our page and in the lobby of the Little River Canyon Center during National Park Week (August 22-August 30). Please email your photos to Angela Bates at [email protected] and include your name in the body of the email and image file name.


*All submitted photos will become the property of Little River Canyon National Preserve and, as such, will be in the public domain and not subject to copyright laws.*

📸Photo Credit: Brittney Nelson 2025 1st Place Contest Winner!

07/31/2026

Happy World Ranger Day!

On World Ranger Day, we celebrate the dedication, courage, and commitment of rangers who protect and care for national parks and protected areas around the world. Rangers serve in countless roles, from law enforcement and search and rescue to conservation, fire management, interpretation, and education, helping safeguard the places, stories, and communities entrusted to their care.

The day also recognizes the power of collaboration among rangers worldwide, including efforts by the National Park Service to share knowledge, exchange expertise, and advance innovative approaches to protecting our natural and cultural heritage.

Today, we honor the rangers who answer the call to serve and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting these special places for generations to come.

Image: A close-up of a classic park ranger flat hat bathed in sunset light, resting on a rocky surface at Acadia National Park.

07/29/2026

The park is going to be doing a lot of ranger programs in the future! Please help us welcome Daniel Bowles to Little River Canyon National Preserve!
Daniel is an American naturalist, artist, and writer from Knoxville, Tennessee. He graduated from Covenant College with a degree in Environmental Biology. His work combines scientific knowledge, fine art, and storytelling to inspire appreciation for the natural world. Following college, he became a park guide with the National Park Service at Little River Canyon National Preserve, where he leads interpretive programs focused on wildlife, botany, outdoor recreation, and nature journaling.

As an artist, Bowles creates nature-inspired paintings and illustrations, often emphasizing conservation and the beauty of Southern Appalachian landscapes. As a writer, he has authored fantasy novels and nature-related works that blend adventure, mythology, and environmental themes. Keep an eye out for many upcoming programs at Little River Canyon!

NPS Photos

07/21/2026

Do you enjoy capturing the scenic beauty of Little River Canyon? Would you like to share your photos with a wider audience? If yes, then you’re in luck!

📸 In honor of National Photography Day coming up on August 19th, Little River Canyon National Preserve will be having a photography contest. We invite you to submit your favorite photos that you’ve taken of the park.

📆 You can submit up to 5 photos per person, and you can submit photos that you’ve taken in the past year (July 2025-present). Submissions open on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, and close on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

🤳🏼 All photographs must be originals taken by the individual submitting the photo. While you may utilize techniques such as long exposure, please refrain from applying filters, heavy editing, or using AI to make edits or create photos. Please submit only scenic photographs, including, but not limited to plants, animals, waterfalls, insects, and sunrises/sunsets. DO NOT send in photographs that include people. We can’t wait to see your amazing photos!

🏅 The top 3 photographs will be displayed on our page and in the lobby of the Little River Canyon Center during National Park Week (August 22-August 30). Please email your photos to Angela Bates at [email protected] and include your name in the body of the email and image file name.


*All submitted photos will become the property of Little River Canyon National Preserve and, as such, will be in the public domain and not subject to copyright laws.*

📸Photo Credit: Brittney Nelson 2025 1st Place Contest Winner!

07/15/2026

Join us on Thursday, July 30 from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm for a Ranger-guided Plant Identification walk at the Beaver Pond Trail. The trail is rated easy and is a 1 1/2-mile loop. Free event! Please wear sturdy shoes and bring water!

NPS Photos

07/13/2026

Join us Saturday, July 25, from 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm for a Ranger Mini Weekend Bio Blitz program. Meet at the Little River Falls Picnic Area and the Little Falls Trail Head! We will welcome everyone to a trail-specific bio blitz as we seek to add observations of all species to our iNaturalist database. Advanced-level hike into the canyon, focusing on nature!
Moderate-Rated Trail. Free event. Please wear hiking boots and bring water!

NPS Photo

07/11/2026

Join us on Thursday, July 23rd at 10:00 am for a Ranger-led program: Field Sketching Above the Canyon at the Bridge Trail. Meet at the Little River Canyon Center and we will walk the Bridge Trail and draw as we go. All ages welcome. Easy trail! All supplies provided. Free Event!

NPS Photos