From sunset strolls, and artist receptions to a autumn festivals and fall foliage tours there is a lot going on in the National Parks this October.

October Autumn Fest - Fort Washington Park, Maryland

Summer is over, but that doesn't mean you have to stay indoors. Join the National Park Service at Fort Washington Park for Autumn Fest on October 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special programs include nature walks to identify fall foliage, a ranger scarecrow building contest, dance demonstrations by the Arlington House Victorian Dance Ensemble and an interactive performance of the "Trial of Captain Samuel Dyson."

Events will take place either at the Visitor Center or inside Fort Washington.

Schedule of Events: (subject to change)
9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. Fall Foliage Nature Walks
10:00 a.m. Scarecrow- a Ranger Competition 
11:00 a.m. Animal Puppet Show
12:30 p.m. The Trial of Captain Dyson
1:30 p.m. Victorian Dance Ensemble

Those interested in attending or volunteering can call 301-763-4600 or visit www.nps.gov/FOWA for more information and directions. Entry to Fort Washington Park is $5 per vehicle or $3 per individual, except for those with a valid pass. All activities are free of charge. Event will happen rain or shine.

Fall Foliage Excursions - Steamtown National Historic Park, Pennsylvania 

Autumn is here, and what better way to view Northeastern Pennsylvania's colorful fall foliage than from a historic train coach?

Steamtown National Historic Site plans to transport visitors through some of the most beautiful fall scenery that the nearby Pocono Mountains have to offer! A total of eight fall foliage excursions, all diesel-powered, are planned for this season.

Reservations for all fall foliage excursions open at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 1.??

This year, three trips are planned to East Stroudsburg that will depart at 9:00 a.m. on October 4, 11 and 25, arriving back at Scranton approximately 5:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $54, adults 16-61, $49, seniors 62 and older, and $32, children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a "no-charge" ticket.?

Trips to Moscow will depart at 12:30 p.m. on October 5 and 26, and at 1 p.m. on October 18; they are expected to return between 3:30-4:00 pm. Moscow excursion tickets are priced at $24.00 for adults 16-61, $22.00 for seniors 62 and older, and $17.00 for children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a "no-charge" ticket.??

A trip to Tobyhanna Station is planned for Sunday, October 12. This excursion is scheduled to depart at 11:30 a.m. and return to the Steamtown Boarding Platform at 3:30 p.m. Ticket prices for the excursion are $34.00 for adults 16 to 61, $29.00 for seniors 62 and older, and $22.00 for children ages 6-15. Children 5 and younger require a "no-charge" ticket.??

An excursion to Delaware Water Gap Station is scheduled to depart at 9:00 a.m. on October 19, returning at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are priced at $54, adults 16-61, $49, seniors 62 and older, and $32, children ages 6-15. Children to age 5 require a "no-charge" ticket.

The 30-minute "Scranton Limited" short train rides inside the park boundaries will operate with diesel locomotives on Fridays and Saturdays in September, Fridays in October, then continue on Fridays and anytime.

More Information Beginning on Tuesday, October 1, phone for fall foliage train reservations at (570) 340-5204, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; all major credit and debit cards are accepted.  

 

Yosemite, The Grand Experiment - Yosemite National Park, California

In commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of Yosemite Grant, Yosemite National Park will host a new exhibit entitled Yosemite, the Grand Experiment, which opens to the public on Tuesday, June 3. It will run through Saturday, October 18, 2014. The exhibit is located in the Yosemite Valley Museum (adjacent to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center) and features paintings, prints, artifacts, and ephemera from Yosemite’s early years. Photographs and paintings of visitors and the landscape from the park museum’s extensive collection, including some of the earliest Yosemite images, will also be on display. Survey equipment, notes, and maps will be included. 

Digital slide shows will include additional historic paintings, drawings and photographs. A video presentation will feature interviews with several scholars focusing on the importance of the Yosemite Grant, and the influence of painting and photography. An audio kiosk will feature quotes from various important individuals in the early years of Yosemite history. 

In addition to material from Yosemite National Park’s collection, the exhibit includes items on loan from the National Archives and Records Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, and several private collections. 

Dates:  There will be an opening reception on June 2, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., behind the Yosemite Valley Museum. Food and drinks will be served.  

The exhibit will be open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from June 3 through September 30, and from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. from October 1 through October 18, 2014. 

Location: Yosemite Valley Museum (adjacent to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center) 

Sunset Strolls - White Sands National Monument, New Mexico 

The Sunset Stroll Nature Walk is an easy (less than one mile) stroll through the dunes to look at the geology, plants and animals of the dune field. Some climbing on the dunes is involved.The walk is timed to end at sunset in order to provide good photographic opportunites.The Sunset Stroll is held every evening throughout the year, except when staff is not available. 

Location: Five miles up Dunes Drive at Sunset Stroll Sign., White Sands National Monument

Time: 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM 

Fee Information: No fee for program.

Contact: Rebecca Wiles, whsa_interpretation@nps.gov, 575-679-2599 ext. 236