America Just Got Its 64th National Park, but Is Your Fall Trip Still On? | October 21, 2026

It's official: Chiricahua National Monument in southeastern Arizona is now Chiricahua National Park. President Trump signed the Chiricahua National Park Act on Tuesday, October 20, making it Arizona's fourth national park and the 64th in the country. The boundaries stay the same, and hiking, camping and the scenic drive carry on as before. In this Wander With Milford national parks roundup, Milford explains what the new designation means for your visit, then heads to the Outer Banks, where a long-lasting nor'easter has closed Hatteras Island to visitors and damaged N.C. 12 near the Pea Island Visitor Center. He shares his tip of the week for barrier-island trips: think tides, not days. You'll also hear about Kīlauea's 720-foot lava fountain, winter road closures out West, the Gulf Islands National Seashore comeback after Hurricane Isaias, the latest on Grand Canyon lodging, and where the fall color is running late. This week's updates include: Chiricahua National Park: signed into law October 20; about 12,000 acres of rhyolite spires and balanced rocks; scenic drive limited to vehicles 24 feet or shorter with no trailers Outer Banks nor'easter: Hatteras Island visitor evacuation still in effect; N.C. 12 closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe since Monday evening, with about 800 feet of pavement damage near Pea Island; flooding risk through Thursday, October 22 Cape Hatteras National Seashore: campgrounds, several ORV routes and Bodie Island Lighthouse climbing closed; Cape Lookout visitors evacuated October 17; Assateague's Maryland OSV zone closed by overwash Kīlauea: episode 55 fountained about 720 feet on October 17; USGS's preliminary forecast for episode 56 is October 27 to November 6, with uncertainty Yosemite: Dome Fire fully contained; Tioga Road temporarily closing at 5 p.m. October 21 for forecast snow; no overnight parking on Tioga or Glacier Point roads Glacier and Mount Rainier: Going-to-the-Sun Road closed for the season at Avalanche Creek and Jackson Glacier Overlook; Rainier's White River, Sunrise and Paradise Valley roads closed for winter; Nisqually Entrance closed overnight October 23–24 (use Stevens Canyon) Gulf Islands National Seashore: Perdido Key, Fort Barrancas, the Mississippi District, Opal Beach and Fort Pickens (day use) are open again; Fort Pickens Campground and Naval Live Oaks still closed Grand Canyon: South Rim lodges and Phantom Ranch closed to overnight guests through November 19; part of the Bright Angel Trail still closed; no fuel, water or services on the North Rim Fall color and more: Smokies color running behind schedule; Blue Ridge Parkway drivable from Virginia to Little Switzerland with a James River Bridge detour; fee-free day for U.S. residents on October 27 Want to be one of the first to visit Chiricahua as a national park, or need a backup plan because the nor'easter washed out your Outer Banks week? Wander With Milford helps you sort out routes, lodging, timing and the real overall value. Book your next adventure at wanderwithmilford.com.