Sky-high airfares will likely fuel another huge season for America's national parks as travelers seek cheaper getaways.

• They may find huge crowds, long waits and understaffed facilities.

The New York Times reports: "This year, staffing remains sharply reduced, and some parks have scrapped their reservation systems, already leading to gridlock at popular sites."

• "In addition, steep new fees for foreign visitors have caused confusion at entry gates, resulting in delays."

✂️ The Trump administration cut permanent Park Service staffing by 25%, part of its broader trims across the federal government.

• That's left some parks with fewer staff to manage traffic and parking, clean up facilities, and help distressed hikers.
• It could also affect long-term park management.

🏔️ Some popular parks — Arches, Glacier, Yosemite — recently scrapped timed entry systems meant to reduce crowding.

• That makes them easier to enter, but good luck getting a parking spot.

🦞 Our thought bubble, from Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick: I'm visiting Acadia soon, where overcrowding has been a huge issue.

• My plan: Get up early for the most popular hikes, and explore some of the lesser-visited areas later in the day.

Another idea: Pick an under-the-radar national (or state!) park to visit this summer.

• Some to consider: Isle Royale (Michigan), Badlands (South Dakota), North Cascades (Washington).

N.Y. Times gift link.

A "heat dome" is forecast to bring dangerously high temperatures to much of the eastern half of the U.S. next week.

• The extreme heat could last through July 4 celebrations.

NOAA forecasters write: "Widespread temperatures into the 90s to low 100s, combined with high humidity, will result in heat indices approaching or exceeding 105-110 in many places."

• "Overnight lows will also be quite warm, with some record high minimums possible, bringing little to no relief from the heat in the nighttime hours."

⚠️ Cities from Minneapolis and Chicago to Nashville and Atlanta will be under extreme heat risk next week, NOAA says.

• Such conditions affect "anyone without cooling/hydration as well as health systems, industries, and infrastructure."

🥵 Meanwhile: The heat wave baking Europe this week wouldn't be possible without climate change, a World Weather Attribution rapid study found.

1. 🕯️ The death toll has risen to nearly 600 after a pair of extremely strong earthquakes rocked Venezuela. Rescue crews have arrived from around the world in an effort to save those still trapped in the rubble. Get the latest.
2. 🇺🇦 Ukraine launched a major overnight attack on a dozen Russian regions, Russian-held Crimea and the surrounding seas. It looks like one of Ukraine's biggest drone assaults since Russia invaded more than four years ago. Go deeper.
3. 🗂️ Former Trump administration national security adviser John Bolton pleaded guilty to illegally retaining classified information, sealing a deal that could allow him to avoid prison. Go deeper.

Miami will always remember the Tartan Army invasion, Axios' Martin Vassolo and Sommer Brugal write.

🕺 The Scots — in town for the World Cup — looked like locals scarfing down Cuban sandwiches, sipping on cafecito and partying at local clubs.

• They cheered on the Marlins and the Heat, gave bars and restaurants much-needed business, and created cross-cultural memories that will live on in our hearts forever.

👋🏻 Many Scots are leaving Miami as their team's World Cup hopes fade.

• But they'll always be welcome back.

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