When you think of U.S. military history, you probably imagine battlefields, forts, or national cemeteries. But what if I told you that some of your favorite national parks, places known for their towering waterfalls, lava fields, or moonlike landscapes, also have hidden military connections? Across the country, the National Park Service protects not only natural wonders but also the stories of American defense, conflict, and innovation. From parks once guarded by Buffalo Soldiers to Cold War missile sites hiding in plain sight, here are 15 national parks with a surprising military history. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho Long before the National Park Service was created in 1916, Yellowstone was protected by…

Each Thursday in the National Park Trip Planning Facebook Group, we will be testing your National Park knowledge with our fun and tricky Emoji Challenge! 🎉 From soaring mountains 🏔 to winding rivers 🚣, each puzzle gave you three emojis to decode the name of a U.S. National Park. Be sure to put your your guess in on the post in the Facebook group to lock in your answer before checking out the answer. NO CHEATING. Puzzle 16 – Jun 5, 2025 Puzzle Answer Puzzle Answer Puzzle 15 – May 29, 2025 Puzzle Answer Puzzle Answer Puzzle 14 – May 22, 2025 Puzzle Answer Puzzle Answer Puzzle 13 – May…

I’ve delayed writing this article for about a week and a half due to illness and wanting to give myself a chance to calm down. But this issue has me hot under the collar, and I have a lot of opinions. North America’s tallest mountain is named DENALI, and it will stay that way in this blog, all communications, and social media posts. History of Denali’s Name Indigenous History of the Name Denali has had a fair number of names over the 10,000 years of human inhabitation in Alaska. While the written word didn’t arrive in Alaska until the late 1700s with the European explorers, the names are recorded in…