Visitors’ Experiences

Bear Essentials: How Donor Support Keeps Wildlife Wild and Visitors Safe

In North Cascades National Park, every visitor steps into a landscape where humans are guests in a thriving ecosystem. Thanks to donor support, the Bear Essentials program is helping ensure those visits are memorable and safe for both people and wildlife.

Summer 2026 in Washington’s National Parks: See Projects in Action

It's no secret that WNPF donors make a huge, lasting impact on Washington's national parks. Shadow a meadow rover, see glaciers up close, capture the night sky with a pro, and so much more! This summer, join us for a fun variety of park outings.

Science on the Slopes: Volunteers Help Study Pikas at Mount Rainier

Go behind the scenes of a donor-funded community science effort to survey Mount Rainier’s pika populations, led by Washington State University PhD student Allie Stift in partnership with National Park Service staff.

Restoring Paradise: Why Skyline Trail Needs Us Now

For first-time visitors and lifelong hikers alike, the Skyline Trail is often their first step into the alpine — a front-row introduction to wildflower meadows, glaciers, and sweeping views that define this iconic place. But that popularity comes at a cost. Today, the trail we love is under visible strain.

Ashes to Action: Rebuilding Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park

When fire destroyed Hurricane Ridge’s iconic lodge, the Olympic National Park community answered. See how donors turned loss into action — restoring access, funding recovery, and shaping what comes next for one of the park’s most beloved places, together.

The Power of Community: Supporting North Cascades National Park’s Mules and Trails

When North Cascades National Park’s stock program faced an uncertain future, the community answered the call. Discover how donors rallied to support mules, trail crews, and 400 miles of rugged backcountry — and why these partners matter more than ever.

A Trail for Everyone: Access for All at Mount Rainier National Park

The simple belief that all people should be able to experience Mount Rainier has inspired an extraordinary, multi-year collaboration at Mount Rainier National Park. Since 2023, the Access for All project has been working to make the mountain’s trails, facilities, and digital resources more accessible to people of all abilities.

Behind the Binoculars: What It’s Like to Train as a Marmoteer in Olympic

Ever wonder what it's like to volunteer as a marmoteer at Olympic National Park? Read about the training day here! From the gear, community building, to the wildlife research, WNPF donors make this citizen science project possible.

Swiftwater Rescue Training: Keeping North Cascades Visitors Safe

Famous for the rugged and unpredictable terrain, search and rescue teams at North Cascades must be equipt for the complex missions that come with the park. Thanks to our donors, rangers received swiftwater training to prepare them for water rescues.