National Parks Traveler Shuts Down After 21 Years

The nonprofit news organization National Parks Traveler halted publication at the end of June 2026. Kurt Repanshek, the founder and editor, ended the 21-year venture after it failed to secure sustainable funding through grants and private donations. Repanshek, who is now transitioning to retirement, noted that the publication never employed a full-time development person and lacked sufficient support from the outdoor recreation industry.

Repanshek attributed the closure to the broader decline of the American media industry and increased difficulties in reporting. He described the current state of the National Park Service as "a mess," citing a "tragic derailment" of the agency's mission. He linked this decline to pressures from the Donald Trump administration to shrink national monuments, remove exhibits, and cut staffing.

While Repanshek's efforts to find a new operator to take over the publication were initially fruitless, he stated that conversations about reviving the site have not entirely ceased. The website remains online despite the lack of new updates. The National Parks Friends Alliance previously regarded the publication as a go-to resource for national park news.