While most visitors to the National Park System view the parks as incredibly beautiful places, or places rich in culture and history, there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes within the parks, and with the National Parks Service.

Traveler editor Kurt Repanshek has closely followed the parks and the Park Service for more than 18 years. Over that timespan, he's seen a lot of changes in the parks, and the agency itself. In today's show we are going to offer a sort of "State of the Parks" with you. After all, as much as you enjoy the park system, you have a vested interest in their oversight and management.