Pearl Harbor National Memorial

10/24/2026

From training military personnel to manufacturing essential supplies, communities across the country helped shape the course of World War II. 🇺🇸

The National Park Service has designated 10 new American World War II Heritage Cities, recognizing communities whose contributions to the home front helped support Allied victory and whose efforts to preserve this history continue today.

The 2026 designees are located in Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Oregon, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and West Virginia.

Their stories reflect the many ways Americans served during the war, through military training, industrial production, agriculture, medical care, and community support.

Learn more about the 10 new designees and the stories behind their contributions at: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/nps-designates-new-wwii-heritage-cities.htm

Image: Aerial photograph shows Oregon’s Pendleton Field, also known as Pendleton Army Air Base, in August 1941. Courtesy Oreg. Hist. Soc. Research Lib., 48789

10/23/2026

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10/12/2026

WWII Across America's National Parks: Fort Monroe National Monument

During World War II, Fort Monroe helped defend Hampton Roads by controlling access to the harbor and supporting coastal defenses. The Coast Artillery Command Headquarters at the fort directed an electronically controlled mine system and antisubmarine nets, strengthening protection of this vital waterway.

Fort Monroe also served as an Army recruitment center, enlisting many soldiers, including Ed Shames of Norfolk, Virginia. Shames later became a member of Company E, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division—the unit known as the “Band of Brothers.”

And, after Congress established the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1943, WACs at Fort Monroe served in a wide range of administrative, medical, technical, and support roles. Their work helped maintain the fort’s wartime operations, contributed directly to the effort, and expanded opportunities for women in the military.

The World War II Across America series continues with the theme of “The War at Home” highlighting national park sites connected to the rapid expansion of the war industry in the United States in the 1940s. Look for the next post brought to you by Denali National Park & Preserve, https://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm.

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Photo Source: Fort Monroe Authority Archives

10/09/2026

World War II Across America’s National Parks: Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial

During World War II, Port Chicago Naval Magazine played a vital role in supplying the Pacific Theater. On the home front, young sailors, many of them African American and serving in segregated units, loaded massive quantities of am******on around the clock, often without the training or safety measures this dangerous work required.

On the night of July 17, 1944, an enormous explosion shook the region. In seconds, 320 service members and civilians lost their lives, hundreds more were injured, and the nearby town of Port Chicago was devastated. The blast shattered windows miles away, rattling homes as far as San Francisco. Most of the men who died in the explosion were young Black sailors, leaving lasting grief within their families and communities.

In the weeks that followed, survivors were ordered back to the same hazardous conditions. Their refusal to return without proper training led to the largest mass mutiny trial in naval history. Today, these men are remembered as the Port Chicago 50, a reminder of how the war on the home front wrestled with issues of fairness, safety, and equality.

Today, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial preserves the site of this tragedy and honors the men whose lives were forever changed. Visitors can reflect on how the explosion reshaped local communities, influenced the movement toward desegregation in the military, and broadened our understanding of wartime at home.

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/poch/learn/historyculture/the-port-chicago-story.htm

Next, we travel across the country to Fort Monroe National Monument to discover how the war transformed a historic fortress into a vital hub of coastal defense.

NPS Photo: Black-and-white historical photograph of service members loading a ship at Port Chicago Naval Magazine. POCH 2.078

10/07/2026

World War II Across America’s National Parks: Mojave National Preserve

What do liberty ships have to do with the desert? The Kaiser Steel Company opened the Vulcan Mine, located nine miles south of Kelso in what is now Mojave National Preserve, in late 1942. It provided iron ore to make steel during World War II.

About 2500 tons of ore were shipped per day from Kelso to the Kaiser Steel Mill in Fontana, California. Steel produced at Kaiser's Fontana Mill was used in building liberty ships, a line of rapidly produced cargo ships dedicated to the war effort in WWII. Shipyards in Richmond, California and Portland, Oregon were some of the recipients of the steel made using Vulcan Mine iron ore.

The Vulcan Mine closed in 1948 due to falling ore prices and never reopened.

The Vulcan Mine shows how even the California desert became part of the wartime production effort. But producing the materials was only part of the story. Next, we head to Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial to explore another side of the war at home.

NPS Photo: Pig iron commemorative paperweight, donated to the preserve by Charles Severy, Vulcan Mine geologist from 1942-43.

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.

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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

World War II Across America’s National Parks: Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park

During World War II, Richmond, California became one of the nation’s most active home front manufacturing centers. Tens of thousands of people from across the United States came to the city to support wartime industries. Many women entered the workforce for the first time, taking jobs in shipyards, factories, and other essential industries. These workers contributed to welding, riveting, and assembly line production.

Richmond’s four Kaiser Shipyards were among the most productive in the country, ultimately producing 747 vessels during the war. With so many people arriving for defense work, the city’s population grew rapidly from about 24,000 residents to nearly 100,000. This rapid growth reshaped daily life for everyone living or working in Richmond.

Workers came from many different backgrounds, including African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and immigrants. Each person played a role in supporting the national war effort. Women, people migrating from other regions, and families seeking new opportunities all became part of a diverse and dynamic community.

Richmond’s story mirrors the wartime experience across the country, showcasing how ordinary people united to face extraordinary challenges. It stands as a lasting example of what can be achieved when working toward a common purpose.

World War II transformed life in America’s cities, factories, and shipyards, but the home front stretched far beyond them. Next, follow us to Mojave National Preserve to discover how the war reached the California desert.

NPS Photo: Kaiser Shipyard workers posing for a group photo in front of a WWII era ship.

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

World War II Across America’s National Parks: Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

In 1941, the U.S. Army Air Corps established a program in Tuskegee, Alabama, to train African American military pilots. Primary flight training took place at Moton Field, followed by basic and advanced flight training at Tuskegee Army Airfield. The program eventually produced 994 pilots who earned their wings, along with thousands of other men and women who served as mechanics, navigators, bombardiers, nurses, parachute riggers, and in other essential roles.

The Tuskegee Airmen served in units including the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group, which included the 100th, 301st, and 302nd Fighter Squadrons. They went on to serve overseas in North Africa and Europe, flying combat and es**rt missions during World War II. Their service challenged racial assumptions within the military and demonstrated what African American service members could accomplish when given the opportunity to serve.

But while the war was being fought overseas. The Tuskegee Airmen also faced segregation and discrimination at home. In 1945, members of the 477th Bombardment Group were stationed at Freeman Field in Indiana. That April, 101 African American officers refused to sign a statement acknowledging a regulation enforcing segregation at officers’ clubs and were taken into custody. The Freeman Field events became an important part of the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and their efforts to challenge segregation within the military. Their experiences reflected the World War II-era “Double V” campaign: victory against fascism abroad and victory against racial discrimination at home.

The World War II Across America's National Parks series continues with the theme of “The War at Home,” highlighting the people, places, and stories that show how World War II transformed life across the United States.

Look to the home front for the next post, brought to you by Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park.

Photo: Black-and-white historical photograph from left to right are R.M. Long (instructor), George Roberts, Bemjamin O. Davis Jr., Charles, Mac Ross, and Lemuel Curtis. (U.S. Air Force)

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