With a little planning, you can capture some amazing moments at national parks. After checking the weather, Eric Neitzel drove 3 hours to Tuolumne Meadows – the one place in California’s Yosemite National Park that’s flat enough for the perfect sunset. Braving the mosquitoes, he carefully laid down on the meadow grass to try and make sure the beautiful flowers of the meadow were shown as well as the the sunset and Pothole Dome. “For me, laying in the flowers of Tuolumne Meadows taking this picture made me feel like half John Muir and half Ansel Adams.” iPhone photo by Eric Neitzel. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 10/16/16.
“There’s just something about a winding road that ignites wanderlust,” says photographer Kathryn Dyer! At an impromptu stop in California’s Yosemite National Park, Kathryn captured this incredible shot of Half Dome shining golden from a beautiful alpenglow and framed by trees. When you visit public lands, you never know what amazing vistas you’ll find! Photo by Kathryn Dyer. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 9/25/16.
The stuff dreams are made of: A brilliant, fog-free sunrise at Golden Gate National Monument. Photo by Jeff Lewis. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 7/22/16.
Rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, Half Dome is a Yosemite National Park icon and a great challenge to many hikers. At least a 14-mile round trip through wilderness with an elevation gain of over 4,800 feet, this hike is not for the unprepared. Permits are required to reduce crowding – protect natural and cultural resources, and improve safety. But for those who make to the top, the view is indescribable. Photo by National Park Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 7/25/16.
Photo by Tom Hamilton. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 7/4/16.
An alternative, foggy view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Photo by Dave Gordon. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 8/23/16.
On August 24, 2016, President Obama designated Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument – our nation’s newest national monument and the 413th site in the national park system. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument will permanently protect north-central Maine’s awe-inspiring mountains, forests and waters for current and future generations. The approximately 87,500 acres that make up the new national monument is rich in biodiversity and known for its outstanding opportunities to hike, canoe, hunt, fish, snowmobile, snowshoe and cross-country ski. Photo by Scott Miller. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 8/24/16.
Evolution Lake in Kings Canyon National Park. With an elevation of 10,800′ and located 25 miles from the nearest road, few people are privileged to see thsi view in person. Photo by Christian Schaffer. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 5/25/16.
Similar to national parks, national conservation areas are designated by Congress and feature scientific, cultural, historical and recreational features. They’re places like California’s King Range National Conservation Area, where the dominate feature is a spectacular meeting of land and sea. Mountains seem to thrust straight out of the surf. King Peak, the highest point at 4,088 feet, is only three miles from the ocean. Showing dazzling spring colors, the unique landscape and abundant wildlife make this fascinating place perfect for everything from scientific study to extreme recreation. Photo by Bob Wick. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/16/16.
Wilderness areas are places untamed by humans. They protect America’s pristine wild lands from development so they will not disappear. Of Yosemite National Park’s 1,200 square miles, nearly 95 percent of it is designated as wilderness. Pictured here is Cathedral Peak along the John Muir Trail glowing with the setting sun. Photo by Vivek Vijaykumar. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/18/16.
The Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937. Sunrise photo by Bruce Getty. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 5/27/16.
Fresh snow, fog & pastels make for a magical sunrise in California’s Yosemite National Park. Photo taken in April 2014 by Matt Walker. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 5/20/14.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina will engage your senses. Shaped by the forces of water, wind and storms, these islands are always changing. The plants, wildlife and people who live here adapt continually. Whether you are walking on the beach, kayaking on the sound or climbing up the lighthouse, there is something for everyone to explore. Sunrise photo by Dennis Kowalewski. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 6/9/16.
A dreamy picture of a sunrise along the Ohio & Erie Canal at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. Last fall, photographer Wookie Kim went on an epic 45-day trail running road trip, driving to more than 30 national parks – from Cuyahoga Valley to the Grand Canyon – and running a trail each day. Wookie says: “In all, I ran almost 500 miles of trails, gained 70,000-plus vertical feet, hit 33 states and had one unforgettable experience. It was the trip of a lifetime.” iPhone courtesy of Wookie Kim. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 5/25/16.
Sunrise, as seen from the mouth of the Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park in Texas. An explorer’s paradise, Big Bend is a great place to paddle, hike and marvel at the 1,500 foot tall cliff walls. There’s also world class bird watching this time of year because of the park’s diverse set of ecosystems. Photo by Howard Lawrence. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 5/24/16.
Sunrise over Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park. Photo by Scotty Perkins. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 5/15/16.
Yosemite Falls at Yosemite National Park in California. Cascading more than 2,400 feet above Yosemite Valley, it’s the tallest waterfall in North America. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Nguyen. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/29/16.
When sunrises are this beautiful, it’s easy to get up early. Photo of California’s Yosemite National Park by Tiffany Nguyen. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/24/16.
Some moments are worth waiting up all night for in Yosemite National Park: rare double moonbows. Photo by Nick Steinberg. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 5/6/16.
When sunlight & water combine at just the right time at Yosemite National Park, it’s magical. Photo by Brian Foster. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 4/4/16.
Carrizo Plain National Monument. Photo by Bob Wicks, BLM. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/2/16.
Carrizo Plain National Monument. Photo by Bob Wicks, BLM. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/2/16.
Carrizo Plain National Monument. Photo by Bob Wicks, BLM. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 4/2/16.
