A magnificent and mysterious landscape, San Rafael Swell Recreation Area features badlands of brightly colored and wildly eroded sandstone formations, deep canyons and giant plates of stone tilted upright through massive geologic upheaval. Established by Congress as part of the John D. Dingell. Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019, the Swell offers endless amounts of recreational experiences including: hiking, biking, four wheel driving, horseback, canyoneering and river running. Historic sites and ancient petroglyphs give clues to the area’s fascinating human history. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management.

The Chisos Mountains contain some of the most rewarding day hikes at Big Bend National Park in Texas, especially during the summer months when it is too hot to hike at lower elevations in the park. It is not uncommon to see tracks and scat of black bear, mountain lion and gray fox along Chisos Mountains trails. Carmen Mountain white-tailed deer, rock squirrels, whiptail lizards, spotted towhees, tufted titmice, and Mexican jays are also common in these mountains. Getting out to the Lost Mine Trail at sunrise offers cooler temperatures and stunning morning views of the rugged mountains. Photo by National Park Service. 

Roam, bison style, under a gorgeous sky. The magnificent Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma includes 8,570 acres of designated wilderness and beautiful places to roam. Home to approximately 650 American bison, this stunning prairie land also provides habitat for bison, white-tailed deer, elk, Texas longhorn cattle, and more than 240 bird and 50 mammal species. Photographer Debra Gail explains why this photo means something to her,  "I am overwhelmed by the emotions I feel when having the opportunity to photograph in this extraordinary place. I love the bison’s symbolism because they are the largest land animal in the United States, and the refuge is on the Great Plains, a land on which I feel most connected.“ Photo courtesy of Debra Gail.

Often heard but not seen, American pika sing out with what sounds like a squeaky and adorable “meep.” Related to rabbits but resembling a hamster, you may hear them as you hike in higher elevations on western mountains near rock piles. In late summer, pika will gather mouthfuls of vegetation to build “haystacks” for winter food and defend them vigorously. This pika was spotted at Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska along the Savage River Loop Trail, resting on the top of a rock. Have you ever seen this mountain floof? Photo by David Turko (www.sharetheexperience.org).

These fall colors at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia are mostly gone now. Their temporary splendor covered the rolling mountains and sumptuous valleys, mesmerizing the visitors who strolled the trails and cruised Skyline Drive. The joy to the eyes is now a thrill to the ears as the leaves crunch and crinkle underfoot, soon to be covered with a dusting of snow. Photo by N. Lewis, National Park Service.

It turns out, the golden views at Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge are what you find at the end of the rainbow. This Colorado wildlife refuge offers glimpses of both the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Great Sand Dunes National Park in the distance. The auto-tour route between April and early fall allows a drive, in solitude, amongst wetlands home to dozens of bird species. Along the Rio Grande River Trail, you will see a wide variety of habitats, from lush grasses to dense stands of willow, to towering cottonwood trees. Photo courtesy of Patricia Henschen.

Happy birthday to the Wilderness Act! Wilderness designation now protects over 111 million acres of pristine wild places, providing all Americans a chance for soul-stirring adventures in nature. The Wilderness Act states that wilderness areas “shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people” - and they’ve provided us that and so much more. Wilderness areas continue to inspire us and are vital to our physical and mental health. Photo of rainfall over Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve in Alaska by Neal Herbert, National Park Service.

Walk alongside wild roses in bloom and watch summer unfold at Willapa National Wildlife Refuge in Washington. Explore the freshwater marshes, grasslands, coastal dunes, old growth forests and beaches – and get to know one of the most pristine estuaries in the United States, Willapa Bay. Wet fields and soggy forests provide incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.   Visitors may spot residents such as Roosevelt elk, long-tailed weasels, black bears, shorebirds, and spawning salmon. Walk the Art Trail boardwalk with friends and take in the sounds and sights of summer. Photo by Andy Zahn (www.sharetheexperience.org).

On October 2, 1968, President Johnson signed the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the National Trails System Act into law – creating a system of rivers and one of trails for current and future generations to enjoy. 

We’re celebrating these landmark acts all week with photos from some of the amazing rivers and trails that have been protected over the years. First up is the Flathead Wild and Scenic River in Montana – where the philosophy of river protection was born. In response to a proposed dam on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in the late 1950s, naturalists and researchers John and Frank Craighead asserted the idea that some rivers should always remain free-flowing. Their thinking, activism and writing eventually resulted in passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Today, all three forks of the Flathead River are protected. Flowing along the southern boundary of Glacier National Park, the Middle Fork serves up Class II-III whitewater. #FindYourWay to solitude and sweeping views on its North Fork, which intersects the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail – one of the most recent scenic trails designated in 2009. Experience true wilderness water adventure on its South Fork, which flows out of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. What is your favorite river adventure? Photos by Daniel Lombardi, National Park Service.

Located between Monticello and Moab, Utah, is Canyon Rims Recreation Area. The exposed rock layers of the buttes, canyons and spires are 150-300 million years old and have been formed by erosion and weathering. It’s the perfect place for hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping and wildlife watching. While visiting, keep an eye out for mule deer and pronghorn antelope that live in the area. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management, @mypubliclands