Perched on a cliff above the cold waters of Lake Superior, the summer colors of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in Wisconsin are on full display. Breathe in a remarkable combination of forest and water scents as you explore trails that lead to lighthouses, abandoned quarries, old farm sites, historic logging camps, beaches, campsites and scenic overlooks. Established in 1970, the park celebrates 50 years of outdoor adventures this year. Recreational access is expanding through June, so check out the park’s website for current information: www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/conditions.htm Photo by National Park Service.

Tall trees are a reminder to take time to marvel at the sky. At Everglades National Park in Florida, Long Pine Key Trail explores the Pine Rocklands and weaves through majestic trees and palmettos. From sawgrass prairie and marsh to freshwater sloughs and mangrove habitat, Everglades National Park has an enchanting array of habitats and is one of the world’s most extensive wetlands. Kayaking, birding, biking, boating, camping and hiking offer ways to enjoy Florida’s sunshine and are popular activities – especially during the dry season. Photo by Luis Garcia Flacon (www.sharetheexperience.org).

City of Rocks National Reserve is an extraordinary encirclement of granite rising out of the gently rolling sagebrush country in south-central Idaho. This remarkable landscape has attracted and intrigued people since they first entered this region. The Shoshone camped here as did the emigrants traveling along the California Trail, marveling at the fascinating results of erosion on the rocks. The great variety of textures, colors and shapes in the natural landscape contributes considerably to the reserve’s scenic quality. The cotton candy clouds are just a bonus. Photo by National Park Service.

Over 200 million years ago, fallen trees washed into an ancient river system and were buried quick enough and deep enough by massive amounts of sediment that oxygen was cut off and decay slowed. Minerals, absorbed into the porous wood over thousands of years, crystallized and replaced the organic material forming what we call petrified wood. These fascinating remains in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona are made up of almost solid quartz. Each piece is like a giant crystal, often sparkling in the sunlight as if covered by glitter. The rainbow of colors is produced by impurities in the quartz, such as iron, carbon and manganese. Photo by Larry Lindahl, National Park Service.

The American alligators at Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida are hard to miss. Growing up to 15 feet long, they’re a sight most visitors won’t forget after exploring this amazing 729,000-acre freshwater swamp. With their long tails, scales and giant jaws with sharp teeth, these predators are often a symbol of fear in the swamp. About those teeth, alligators have around 80 in their mouth at a time. As the teeth wear down, they are replaced. An alligator can go through as many as 3,000 teeth in its lifetime. Photo by Robert Sullivan (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Sunset sparks the sky on fire above the rugged winter beauty of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. While the Teton Range dominates the landscape, it is the interplay of mountains, faults, glaciers, forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands and geologic features that create the overall grandeur of the park. Taken individually, each feature is fascinating and worthy of protection, but when combined as they are in Grand Teton, they create a mosaic that is inspiring beyond compare. Photo courtesy of Travis O’Brien.

The world’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, was established on this day in 1872. Passed by Congress and signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act says “the headwaters of the Yellowstone River… is hereby reserved and withdrawn from settlement, occupancy, or sale… and dedicated and set apart as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” With incredible geothermal features, amazing wildlife and stunning scenery, there’s no wonder why Yellowstone continues to fascinate us after all these years. Help protect it for future generations by taking the Yellowstone Pledge. Photo by Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service.

Everyone has seen a tree. Their branches and bark are familiar to us. We know what to expect when we look at them, touch them and smell them. Maybe that’s why visiting the towering giants at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California is so overwhelming. The sequoias are trees, but somehow more than trees. You can expect them to be tall, but seeing them for the first time is a jarring experience. How can something so familiar feel so astounding? It’s just something you have to experience for yourself. Photographer Antonina Pattiz remembers her visit well, “The scene felt like pure magic because we were the only ones on the trail. In the quiet chill of the January air, we felt like we had the world at our feet.” Photo courtesy of Antonina Pattiz .

On this day, 101 years ago, Grand Canyon became a National Park. Carved and sculpted over deep time, the park introduces visitors to the geologic and cultural history of this incredible landscape in Northern Arizona. The journey to reach Toroweap Overlook, photographed here, helps us imagine what it was like before the Grand Canyon attracted massive crowds of admirers. Here a 3,000-foot sheer drop provides breathtaking views of the North Rim of the canyon and the Colorado River. But be warned – the area can only be reached by using vehicles with high clearance that can drive difficult roads. Photo of Grand Canyon National Park by Shu Xu (www.sharetheexperience.org). 

Relishing the burst of sunlight and blue skies after many dark days and rain at Olympic National Park in Washington. The sunshine is well worth the wait. 🌞😎 Winter brings unique beauty and challenge to Olympic’s mountain views, rugged coastline and majestic forest. It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast and current road conditions before you head out, as conditions can change quickly at any time of year. Here’s hoping you catch a sunny day to break up any gray winter tones. Photo courtesy of Matt and Karen Smith.