Co-founder
Jim Pattiz
Jim Pattiz runs More Than Just Parks with his brother Will. It's an independent publication on America's public lands, with original reporting on what's happening to them and who's responsible, and tools built for the people working to defend them.
The work
He and Will came to this work as filmmakers for the agencies that manage these lands, and years in the field taught them how these places are run and who runs them. Today the work is reporting and tools. The reporting goes out almost every day. The tools include the Threatened Public Lands Map, which tracks active threats to federal land, and the Congressional Public Lands Scorecard, which grades every member of Congress on the votes that decide what happens to public land.
Everything he's written on this site is below. The story of how More Than Just Parks got here is on the about page, and how we check our work is in our editorial standards.
By Jim
Everything Jim has written here
Newest first. Pick a topic or search the titles.
National Parks By Season Winter in Redwood National Park: Rain, Solitude, and Ancient Giants
Winter in Redwood National Park means rain-soaked old growth groves, zero crowds, Roosevelt elk, and fog-draped trails. Plan your visit here.
National Parks Fall in Badlands National Park: The Best-Kept Secret Season
Fall is the best-kept secret at Badlands National Park. Fewer crowds, golden prairies, bison rutting season, and spectacular dark skies.
National Park Guides Gates of the Arctic National Park: America’s Last True Wilderness
Your complete guide to Gates of the Arctic National Park, the most remote park in America. How to get there, what to…
How to See Wolves in Yellowstone (A Lamar Valley Guide)
Where and when to see wolves in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. Best pullouts, scope rentals, winter advantage, etiquette, and the reintroduction story.
National Park Guides National Park of American Samoa: The Most Remote Park in the System
The National Park of American Samoa is the most remote park in the system. Explore three islands, pristine coral reefs, tropical rainforest,…
Best of National Parks The National Parks Nobody Visits in July (And Why They’re the Move)
Eight national parks that stay quiet in July, backed by official 2025 NPS data. What each offers in summer, plus the hot-weather…
National Park Guides Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Texas’s Best-Kept Secret
Your complete guide to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Best hikes, McKittrick Canyon fall foliage, camping, wildlife, and practical tips for visiting.
National Park Guides Rocky Mountain National Park Timed Entry in 2026, Explained
Rocky Mountain National Park requires timed entry permits again in 2026. Which permit you need, when to book on Recreation.gov, and how…
National Park Guides Theodore Roosevelt National Park: Where the Wild West Made a Conservation President
Our complete guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Painted canyons, bison herds, wild horses, and the conservation story that shaped America.
National Park Guides Arches Dropped Timed Entry for 2026. Here’s What That Means
Arches ended timed entry reservations for 2026. What changed, what still needs a reservation, how to beat the crowds, and whether the…
National Park Guides How to Plan a National Park Trip During Fire Season
How to plan a national park trip during fire season: the tools to check, how to read AQI, when to reroute or…
National Park Guides Paradise at Mt Rainier
National Park Guides Glacier National Park Reservations in 2026, Explained Simply
No vehicle reservations at Glacier in 2026. Here is what replaced them: the ticketed Logan Pass shuttle, the 3-hour parking cap, and…
Facts The 15 Largest National Parks in America (Ranked by Size)
The largest national park in the US is Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, over 13 million acres. The 15 largest ranked, plus the…
Summer in Virgin Islands National Park: An Honest Guide
Summer is the off-season in Virgin Islands National Park, and that's why we love it. Fewer crowds, lower prices, warm water, sensational…
Historic Sites The Top 10 Sites to See in Washington D.C. (Guide + Photos)
Our guide to the top 10 things to see in Washington D.C., from the Lincoln Memorial to the Smithsonian museums. All free,…
Itineraries Zion Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days
A flexible Zion itinerary for 1 to 5 days: the canyon, the Narrows, Angels Landing, Kolob, the 2026 shuttle, lodging, fees, and…
Historic Sites 10 Things To Do at Ocmulgee Mounds NHP
Ten things to do at Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park in Macon, Georgia, from the Earth Lodge and Great Temple Mound to…
National Parks All 63 US National Parks Ranked (2026 Update)
There are 63 US national parks. We rank every one best to worst for 2026, from Olympic and Mount Rainier at the…
9 Saguaro National Park Hikes
All of the best hikes and trails in Arizona's Saguaro National Park including hiking time, trail length, tips, photos, and more.
Best Time to Visit Haleakala National Park (Season by Season)
The honest guide to visiting Haleakala in every season. Sunrise reservations, crater hikes, whale watching, and what to wear at 10,023 feet.
National Parks By Season 60 National Park Gifts: Our Tested Picks for 2026
A curated guide to 60 national park gifts for every budget, grouped by recipient. Honest picks for the park lover in your…
Voyageurs National Park in Winter
Voyageurs National Park in winter averages 14 degrees by day in January, with ice roads on Rainy and Kabetogama lakes and 110…
Road Trips 15 Best USA Road Trips of a Lifetime
15 unforgettable USA road trips from Pacific Coast Highway to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
National Parks by State Maine National Parks: All 5 NPS Sites Ranked
Acadia is Maine's only full national park, the first east of the Mississippi. All 5 NPS units, from Katahdin Woods and Waters…
National Parks by State Utah National Parks: A Guide to The Mighty 5
Utah has five national parks, the Mighty 5, all in the southern third of the state. A printable map, our ranking, 2026…
Historic Sites 10 Things to Do in Harpers Ferry
What to do in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park: John Brown's Fort, the Lower Town, Maryland Heights, Jefferson Rock, and the rivers,…
National Parks By Season Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon
The best time to visit the Grand Canyon: a month-by-month look at South Rim weather, crowds, and shoulder seasons, plus the 2026…
Colorado National Parks: The 4 Parks Plus 8 Monuments
12 Colorado national parks and monuments ranked. From Rocky Mountain peaks to ancient cliff dwellings.
Acadia National Park in Spring
Spring in Acadia brings rain and foggy days as the park slowly breaks away from winter's grip. Late spring is the best…
10 Best National Parks to Visit in Fall
Fall is the best time to visit a national park & these are the best national parks to visit in the fall.…
Best Time to Visit Great Smoky Mountains: A Season-by-Season Guide
The honest guide to visiting Great Smoky Mountains in every season. Fall foliage, fireflies, wildflowers, and winter solitude.
What Is a National Park, Really?
What is a national park? There's a lot of confusion out there about what exactly qualifies as a national park, we're here…
Road Trips The Arizona Road Trip: Seeing the Best of Arizona
Arizona is without a doubt one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. with numerous national forests, parks, and monuments to…
10 Things to Do in Voyageurs National Park (2026 Guide)
10 things to do in Voyageurs National Park, from houseboating on pristine lakes to chasing the northern lights.
Things to Do 15 Things to Do in Sequoia National Park
17 things to do in Sequoia National Park, from walking among the world largest trees to summit hikes. Tested by a repeat…
15 Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
After 50+ visits to the Smokies, here are the 15 best things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park -- from…
10 Best East Coast National Parks, Ranked
The 10 best East Coast national parks ranked. From Acadia coastline to the Great Smoky Mountains.
Badlands National Park Guide
A Guide to Badlands National Park. What to know before you go, with photos and practical info.
15 Things to Do in Saguaro National Park
There are so many incredible things to do in Saguaro National Park like hiking, biking, backpacking, camping, and exploring historic sites.
Newfound Gap Overlook: The Best Easy View in the Smokies
Newfound Gap Overlook is a must-see. Here you can look out on the majestic Smoky Mountains and see what makes the area…
Things to Do 20 Things to Do in Yellowstone National Park
We've listed all the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park including epic geysers, incredible wildlife, waterfalls, and more.
Road Trips The Oregon Road Trip: Seeing the Best of Oregon
Oregon is without a doubt one of the most beautiful states in the U.S. with numerous national forests, parks, and monuments to…
Itineraries Yosemite Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days
A Yosemite itinerary for 1 to 5 days: the valley, Half Dome, waterfalls, Tuolumne, lodging, fees, and 2026 planning notes (no reservation…
Things to Do 20 Things to Do in Badlands National Park (2026 Guide)
20 things to do in Badlands National Park, from canyon hikes to bison sightings at sunrise.
Best of National Parks 25 Best West Coast National Parks (Ranked) + Map
National parks out west, ranked: 25 western parks from Olympic and Redwood to Zion and Yellowstone, with pros and cons and a…
Gift Guides 32 Camping Gifts They’ll Actually Use (2026 Picks)
A tested guide to 32 camping gifts for every budget, from cookware to sleep systems. Honest picks for the camper in your…
Itineraries Grand Canyon Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 3 Days
A South Rim Grand Canyon itinerary for 1 to 3 days: viewpoints, hikes, the free shuttle, lodging, fees, and 2026 trail closures…
Things to Do 15 Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
We've created an expert guide of the 15 best things to do in Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This underrated park will…
Road Trips Miami to Key West Drive Guide (Overseas Highway Stops)
The Miami to Key West drive via the Overseas Highway is one of the great American road trips and one of the…
National Park Guides Acadia National Park Guide
Acadia National Park is the only national park in the northeastern U.S. and a true monument to coastal New England's stunning beauty.
15 Things to Do in Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a coastal wonderland filled with amazing sights to explore. We've got the tips on how to do it…
Ocala National Forest Guide (Florida’s Springs)
The Ocala National Forest features breathtaking natural springs, a wide array of diverse wildlife, and majestic old forests.
National Park Guides How To Use The Grand Canyon Shuttle System
A practical 2026 guide to the free Grand Canyon South Rim shuttles: the Blue, Orange, Red, and Purple routes, the Hikers Express,…
National Parks The Best Maps of Grand Teton National Park (Updated 2026)
If you're looking for maps of Grand Teton National Park to plan your next great adventure then you've come to the right…
Things to Do 20 Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
20 things to do in Yosemite that go beyond the usual spots. Skip the crowds and see what most people miss, from…
Things to Do 15 Things to Do in Wind Cave National Park
Here's a quick expert list of the best things to do in Wind Cave National Park including beautiful photos from our extensive…
Things to Do 15 Things to Do at Congaree National Park
15 things to do at Congaree National Park, from boardwalk hikes through old-growth forest to kayaking Cedar Creek. Our guide to this…
National Parks Guide to Floating the Upper Missouri River Breaks
How to float the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Montana: BLM permits and fees, boat rentals, the Lewis and Clark…
National Parks Where to Stay in Yellowstone 2026
Where to stay in Yellowstone in 2026: in-park lodges plus West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Cooke City, Cody, and Jackson, with 2026 fees, booking…
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