As autumn begins its annual display at Acadia National Park in Maine, the forests take on the shades of sunrise. Standing on the rocky shoreline above the Atlantic, the salty ocean breeze rustles the leaves, a rapturous dance of color and sound. More than a finale of summer or a prelude to winter, Fall is a defining celebration of nature at Acadia. For generations, artists and dreamers have come searching for the sublime. And they found it here. Photo by Bill Hinton (www.sharetheexperience.org).

At the most southern reaches of the continental U.S., the sun rises swiftly over calm Atlantic waters. The colorful light brings the surrounding area into focus. At Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuge, that means sandy beaches, mazes of mangroves, trails through forests, steamy wetlands and unique wildlife everywhere. Exotic birds discuss the day’s activities, snakes slither towards their next meal and miniature deer frolic to the delight of all. We could sit here all day. Photo by Kristie Killam, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A red sunrise colors the clouds above Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. Fierce storms predicted by such a sunrise have been memorable chapters in the 12,000 year-old story of this place. Since this hook of land was created by the edge of an ice age glacier pushing boulders, gravel and sand together, strong winds and waves have battered the land and then the people here. From Native Americans gathering shellfish to European colonists to whalers and sailors and sunbathers, this picturesque stretch of sand has been a place of gathering and resilience. Photo by John DeFoe, National Park Service.

Happy World Oceans Day! Oceans impact our weather, are home to marine life, provide us with food, and are a place to work and play for millions. Be a good steward of our oceans by recycling and properly disposing of trash, not releasing balloons, safely disposing of fishing lines, and volunteering for clean up days at beaches and wetlands. With everyone working towards cleaner and more sustainable oceans, we’ll be as happy as a horseshoe crab on the beach at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Delaware. Photo by Eric Hian-Cheong (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Let’s start the week with an Atlantic sunrise above the sandy beaches of Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina. A trip here is a memorable experience, no matter your activity level. You can enjoy walking along the nearly 70 miles of beach, sitting around the crackle and warmth of a beach fire in the evening, flying kites in the warm summer breezes, picnicking with your favorite food, searching for shells washed ashore, sculpting sand into works of art or just relaxing on the warm, golden sand. Photo by Eric Blankenship (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Did you know that there are five national wildlife refuges in Rhode Island? Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge features rocky shorelines, sandy beaches and a large salt marsh that provide habitat to amazing birds like the piping plover. In the winter, visitors can walk or cross-country ski on the refuge trails and enjoy sunrises and sunsets over the water. Photo by Chris Hunter (www.sharetheexperience.org).

With stellar views of sunrise, sunset and night sky, Acadia National Park in Maine is always welcoming. In the winter, visitors can ski, snowshoe, ride snowmobiles, camp, hike, ice fish and enjoy the park’s scenic views dressed in their snowy finery. Don’t forget to take a winter picture of sunset at Bass Harbor Head Light, an iconic Acadia experience. Photo by Kevin Davis (www.sharetheexperience.org).

The ocean mist floats on a breeze smelling of pine and birch. The sunset sparkles across the water as waves crash over the rocky shoreline. The views at Acadia National Park in Maine have inspired artists and dreamers for generations. Isn’t it time for you to see it for yourself? Photo by Nick Stasilli (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Dive into adventure at Biscayne National Park in Florida. Stretching out from a shoreline fringed with mangrove forest, the majority of the park covers the aquamarine waters of Biscayne Bay and extends into the Atlantic Ocean. Boating and fishing are popular activities, but some of the best views of Biscayne are found under the water, exploring the third largest coral reef in the world. Photo by Shaun Wolfe, National Park Service.

With Labor Day behind us, beach season is drawing to a close. If you’re looking for one more sunset stroll on the sand, check out Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts. With over 44,000 acres of beaches, wetlands, forests and grasslands, there’s a lot to explore. Photo by
Marisa Geraghty (www.sharetheexperience.org).