River Raisin National Battlefield Park

10/05/2026

Today’s homework: thank a teacher.

National parks are places where students can learn about history by standing where it happened, explore science by observing nature, and discover stories that help us better understand the people and places that shaped our world.

Behind those experiences are teachers helping students ask questions, make connections, and learn about the world around them.

On World Teachers’ Day, we celebrate the educators who inspire curiosity, encourage exploration and remind us that learning can happen just about anywhere. (Including places with a really good view.)

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm

NPS Image

10/05/2026

Every day from October 12 to November 5, 2026, visit Mission San José's granary during park hours (9am-5pm) to view the mission descendant community's family ofrendas.

Ofrendas are an essential part of Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead. The word ofrenda means offering in Spanish. They are also called "altares" or altars, but not for worship. These altars are not only full of family pictures, but of symbols and meaning, honoring the ancestors who have passed, and offering them items of the celebration such a "pan de mu**to" and marigold flowers.

NPS Photo

10/04/2026

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

And we’re rather glad there are national parks to experience them in. Fall is a great time to get outside and enjoy the spectacular spectacle (say that five times fast) of changing leaves. There is plenty of room for imagination when you find yourself surrounded by forests painted in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold. In our experience, you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will. So consider this your invitation to find a little wonder, a little enchantment, and perhaps a kindred spirit among the trees.

Forests, woods, and shrublands in national parks put on their autumn colors from September through December. There’s a whole world of beauty waiting to be explored!

Image 1: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Image 2: Great Smoky Mountains NP
Image 3: Great Sand Dunes NPP
Image 4: Rocky Mountain National Park
Image 5: TheodoreRooseveltNPS

10/03/2026

“On October 3rd, he asked what day it was.” — Cady Heron

It’s October 3rd.

October is kind of a big deal around here. The autumn months splash many national parks with a rich array of fall colors, while cooler temperatures have wildlife getting ready for winter. Some are migrating. Some are gathering food. Some are putting on extra layers.

Same, honestly.

So whether you’re here for the foliage, the wildlife, or simply to judge the leaves on their color palette, national parks are a pretty fetch place to experience fall. Fetch? We’re making it happen.

And if you want to keep up with what’s happening in parks this season, you can find more ways to connect with your national parks at the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/fall-season.htm

Image: Red Osier Dogwood leaves stand out against aspen trunks at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. NPS/Patrick Myers

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Wherever military life takes you, there’s likely a park adventure nearby.

Active-duty military members, Veterans, and Gold Star families can get a free America the Beautiful Pass, providing access to national parks and federal recreation sites across the country.

Active-duty military families can also find free events, nearby outdoor opportunities, and resources for exploring national parks, public lands, and waterways through the Military Families Outdoors Program, wherever military life takes them. Visit: go.nps.gov/mfo

Whether you’re PCSing, exploring near your duty station, or looking for a weekend adventure, your next park visit may be closer than you think.

NPS Photo: Rangers at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park recently teamed up with Blue Star Families and community partners for a day of fishing, outdoor fun, and family time at Fletchers Cove.

Blue Star Families Defense Public Health

10/01/2026

Fat Bear Week has officially lumbered to a close.

What a week. As they say, a journey of roughly 3,000 to 4,500 calories begins with a single salmon. Something like that. There might be some steps involved too.

In the end, 16 bears entered. Bear 89 “Backpack” became champion. Talk about the hunger games. And several ate their way into our hearts. Figuratively. And thousands of us humans spent an unreasonable amount of time judging bears for being excellent at being, well, bears.

It was a week of big bellies, bigger appetites, and absolutely no regrets. We shared some science, learned about the Alaskan ecosystem, stood around for hours watching large mammals eat, and found multiple way to incorporate “chonk” in everyday vocabulary.

Now the bears have more important things to do, such as eating then sleeping, a bit more eating, sleeping, and finally preparing to sleep after eating. As for the rest of us, we all return to our regularly scheduled programming.

Must we?

We must.

We will miss you, Fat Bear Week. Until next year: stay chunky, stay hungry, and remember: there’s always room for one more salmon.

NPS Images

10/01/2026

10/01/2026

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, it's time for Chunky Puppy Day! Tune in to the Puppy Cam tomorrow, Thursday, October 1, at 2pm AK time to find out how big the America's Best Idea litter got this summer.

How much do you think they weigh now? Share your guesses in the comments below.

NPS Photo: Graupel from the Weather litter during a weigh-in last year.

10/01/2026

Updated fall hours start today!

Visitor Center & Exhibits: Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Park Grounds & Trails: Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Planning an autumn visit? We invite you to explore our museum exhibits, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, or chat with a ranger before heading out to walk the historic battlefield trails. For more details and upcoming fall programs, visit nps.gov/rira. We look forward to seeing you!

09/30/2026

This is the ideal marmot body. You may not like it. You may not understand it. But this is what peak performance looks like.

Now that Fat Bear Week is over, we’re returning to our regularly scheduled programming: other fat mammals.

The tundra-dwelling yellow-bellied marmots have been preparing for hibernation for the last couple of months. Since marmots spend more than half their lives hibernating, they’ve developed some impressive adaptations for surviving the winter:

✅ First, they’ve been building up healthy fat reserves (sound familiar? Bears. Us too, but that’s another post) to sustain them for up to eight months. Basically, a nice winter savings account.

✅ When they finally enter hibernation, they become true hibernators, slowing their heart rate from around 200 beats per minute to as low as 30. It’s an impressive energy-saving strategy.

✅ Speaking of saving, they also save on utilities by cuddling up with the colony in a communal burrow. Because heating is expensive, and roommates are the answer. Was that on the lease?

NPS Photo: A rotund marmot standing on a rock at Rocky Mountain National Park

09/24/2026

Planning an autumn trip to the battlefield? Take note of our updated fall hours starting October 1st!

Visitor Center & Exhibits: Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Park Grounds & Trails: Open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Planning an autumn visit? We invite you to explore our museum exhibits, pick up a Junior Ranger booklet, or chat with a ranger before heading out to walk the historic battlefield trails. For more details and upcoming fall programs, visit nps.gov/rira. We look forward to seeing you!

09/23/2026

Seasonal Update: Fall Hours Begin October 1st

With fall in full swing, our facility schedule is transitioning to our autumn/winter operating hours starting October 1st.

Fall/Winter Visitor Center Hours: 10:00 am until 5:00 pm

Grounds remain open daily from dawn until dusk.

The cooler temperatures make it an ideal time to walk the battlefield grounds, spot migrating waterfowl along the river corridor, and dive into regional history inside our warm galleries.

Plan your visit today!

Photo: Acrylic painting by Fran Maedel, courtesy of NPS

09/18/2026

On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor and remember all American service members who were prisoners of war or are still missing in action.

Back in January 1813, the Battles of the River Raisin led to the largest capture of U.S. troops during the War of 1812 with over 500 American soldiers taken prisoner. The heartbreak and courage of those who endured captivity inspired the powerful rallying cry: “Remember the Raisin!”

Today and every day, we keep our promise to remember those who served, those who suffered, and those who never came home.

09/06/2026

Last Day for the River Raisin Historic Trades Fair

Step back in time and meet the tradesmen and women of early America! Learn how their hard work, craftsmanship, and essential skills helped shape history.

All demonstrations are indoors!
They Include: Gunsmithing, Woodworking, Medicine, Shoemaking, Sewing & Tailoring

Dates: Sept. 5 & 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: River Raisin NBP Education Center (333 N. Dixie Hwy., Monroe, MI)

Bring the family for an interactive weekend of living history demonstrations. Come engage with historical artisans as they showcase traditional tools and techniques.

09/05/2026

Come inside from the rain today and visit the River Raisin Historic Trades Fair

All demonstrations are indoors!
Including: Gunsmithing, Woodworking, Medicine, Shoemaking, Sewing & Tailoring

Dates: Sept. 5 & 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: River Raisin NBP Education Center (333 N. Dixie Hwy., Monroe, MI)

Bring the family for an interactive weekend of living history demonstrations. Come engage with historical artisans as they showcase traditional tools and techniques.

All photos courtesy of NPS staff

09/05/2026

Come out today to the River Raisin Historic Trades Fair

Step back in time and meet the tradesmen and women of early America! Learn how their hard work, craftsmanship, and essential skills helped shape history.

All-Day Demonstrations Include:
Gunsmithing, Woodworking, Shoemaking, Sewing & Tailoring

Dates: Sept. 5 & 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: River Raisin NBP Education Center (333 N. Dixie Hwy., Monroe, MI)

Bring the family for an interactive weekend of living history demonstrations. Come engage with historical artisans as they showcase traditional tools and techniques.

09/02/2026

River Raisin Historic Trades Fair

Step back in time and meet the tradesmen and women of early America! Learn how their hard work, craftsmanship, and essential skills helped shape history.

All-Day Demonstrations Include:
Gunsmithing, Woodworking, Shoemaking, Sewing & Tailoring

Dates: Sept. 5 & 6, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: River Raisin NBP Education Center (333 N. Dixie Hwy., Monroe, MI)

Bring the family for an interactive weekend of living history demonstrations. Come engage with historical artisans as they showcase traditional tools and techniques.

08/31/2026

In honor of Labor Day, join us for River Raisin's Historic Trades Fair! September 5th & 6th, 2026
Meet the tradesmen & women of early America who built, stitched, and forged our nation into what it is today.

Living History Demonstrations 10:00am to 4pm each day:
-Gunsmithing
-Woodworking
-Shoemaking & Leatherworking
-Sewing & Tailoring
-Bookbinding
-18th Century Medicine

River Raisin NBP Education Center
333 N. Dixie Hwy.
Monroe, MI 48162

Call for more info: 734-243-7136