There are just some sights you’ll never forget. For a short time in February – if the conditions are perfect – Horsetail Fall at Yosemite National Park in California looks like lava falling down the side of El Capitan. Visitors flock to the park every year to see this phenomenon, which happens when sunset hits the waterfall at just the right angle, illuminating the water and mist in brilliant orange light. It’s a spectacular experience reminiscent of Yosemite’s historic Firefall. Photo from last year courtesy of Mark Bouldoukian.

There’s a haunting beauty to a misty sunrise at Everglades National Park in Florida. The wisps of fog floating above the water and drifting among the trees lend mystery to this amazing wilderness. You never know what’s lurking in the mist or under the water. A mind-boggling variety of fish, birds, mammals, insects and amphibians swim, fly, creep and hop throughout the Everglades. Just remember, you are guests in the homes of these animals. Please avoid disturbing sensitive habitats and wildlife. Photo by Juan Pena (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Happy Presidents’ Day (officially known as Washington’s Birthday)! What better way to celebrate the birthday of our first president– George Washington – than with this gorgeous photo of the monument built to honor him. A 555-foot marble obelisk, the Washington Monument towers over the National Mall & Memorial Parks in the heart of our nation’s capital and the city named after the man himself: Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Kaye.

Standing almost anywhere in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, you can see distinctive rock layers and striking colors. Each layer is a window into the past, preserving the fossilized remains of plants and animals, both familiar and strange. It’s unlikely that a more complete and well-preserved record of Cenozoic life exists anywhere in the world. Researchers from around the globe come here to Oregon to share in the wonder of studying these amazing fossils. Whether you’re interested in the science or the landscapes, you won’t be disappointed. Photo by Ann Hubard (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Frozen in winter’s icy grip, Glacier National Park in Montana is much quieter, but no less stunning. Much of Going-To-The-Sun Road is closed, but sections of the park are still accessible by car and much more can be explored with skis and snowshoes. A popular spot for visitors is Lake McDonald - at 10 miles long and 464 feet deep, it is both the largest and deepest body of water in the park. Covered in a patterned layer of ice and ringed by snow-capped peaks, it’s a sight that will make you shake with excitement. Or is that just the cold? Photo by National Park Service.

New River Gorge National River looks lovely with some winter frost shining under a bright blue sky. A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep and spectacular canyons, the New River is actually among the oldest rivers on Earth. Here in southern West Virginia, the New River has carved and continues to carve the deepest and longest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains. Impressive views and fantastic recreation opportunities keep people coming to the park all year. Photo by National Park Service.

Sunrise on the beach is a peaceful time. The breeze rustles the sea oats, the birds soar and call, and the sand feels cool under your toes. Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida and Mississippi offers 13 areas to relax and explore this lovely meeting of land and sea. Millions of visitors each year are drawn to the islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico for the white sandy beaches, the aquamarine waters, a boat ride, a camping spot, a tour of an old fort or a place to fish. Want to meet us there? Photo by National Park Service.

On January 26, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park Act, creating our country’s ninth national park. Covering 415 square miles of spectacular Colorado scenery, visitors can enjoy over 300 miles of hiking trails, winter recreation, summer wildflower meadows, majestic wildlife, starry nights and endless adventures. Photographer Drew Martin sums up how we all feel, “I’m grateful that I have access to such an amazing park, and glad that we will protect it for future generations to enjoy.” Photo of a sunrise over Longs Peak courtesy of Drew Martin.

There’s so much to experience at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. From the South Rim, a seemingly endless maze of cliffs and canyons stretch out to the horizon. Peering over the edge, not only are you looking down at the Colorado River a mile below, you’re also gazing back through almost 2 billion years of geologic change. Imagining the incredible forces at work, all the wildlife that has lived here and all the people who have been touched by this natural wonder and you might feel overwhelmed. Luckily, the Grand Canyon is also a wonderful place to take a deep breath, enjoy the sunset and just let the moment happen. Photo by National Park Service.

The stories of Devils Tower National Monument are as varied as the columns that form the massive monolith. The oldest stories are told by the rocks themselves, helping scientists unravel the geologic mystery of its formation. Others were passed down through American Indian culture. Sometimes called myths or legends, a more appropriate term would be oral histories, or in many cases, sacred narratives. Members of the Crow tribe tell the story of a group of girls attacked by a bear. They gathered together and prayed to the Great Spirit to save them. Suddenly, the rocks grew up from the ground, saving the girls and forming the tower. The angry bear could only claw at the sides of the rock, leaving deep scratches. That explains why it is also called “Bear’s Tipi” or “Bear Lodge.” Photo by National Park Service.