Why is this glacier ice at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska blue?

Glacier ice is blue because the red (long wavelengths) part of white light is absorbed by ice. The blue (short wavelengths) light is transmitted and scattered. The longer the path that light travels in ice, the more blue it appears! The more you know 🌈 🎵

Photo by National Park Service. Photo description: A blue iceberg sits in the water with a large glacier and mountains in the background. 

Access in Glacier National Park, Montana during the winter is limited, but there are still spectacular sights for those who are prepared for winter adventure. The view from this snowshoe hike to Apgar Lookout rises nearly 2,000 feet above the glacially-carved, Lake McDonald Valley. Photo by Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service.

Just a moment of calm and peace for your social media feeds.  

Enjoy this virtual escape to Glacier National Park in Montana. Photo by National Park Service.

Along the Continental Divide, Glacier National Park in Montana sparkles like a crown jewel of public lands. Established in 1910, this glorious park is famous for rugged mountains, pristine forests, spectacular lakes, sublime alpine meadows and wonderful wildlife. Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, Glacier has increased recreational access and services on a limited basis to the western areas of the park, including the stunning Lake McDonald. Photo by National Park Service.

Talk about eye candy! Words from Photographer David Rule sum up his photo, “Montana Rocks! Lake McDonald is just one giant bowl of fruity pebbles, part of a complete Glacier National Park breakfast. If only I were a rock-eating cave troll, I would’ve chomped down on these delicious looking stones. One of the most epic lake shores I’ve ever seen.” A visit to any spot in Glacier National Park is visual candy. Photo courtesy of David Rule.

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.

Photographer Nate Luebbe’s passion is taking gorgeous photos in public lands. This shot comes from Glacier National Park inMontana. Nate told us about how he captured this breath-taking image: “After an unusually strong storm in September closed all the roads into the park last month, I was forced to find new angles to work with. Thankfully, in a place like Glacier, there’s beauty around every corner, and we were treated to this spectacular twilight moonset over a partially frozen river. It’s moments like this that inspire me to keep exploring.” Photo courtesy of Nate Luebbe.

A hub of activity at Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska, the Exit Glacier area offers visitors a chance to witness up close the power and beauty of a massive river of ice. The nearby Exit Glacier Nature Center continues your education and the trailhead for the Harding Icefield Trail is your gateway to an incredible experience on a frozen landscape. Summer and fall are the best times to visit, as colorful streaks of wildflowers and changing leaves perk up your photos and memories. Photo by National Park Service.

With towering mountains, dramatic glacier-carved valleys and sparkling alpine lakes, Glacier National Park in Montana is one of the most beautiful places in America. Driving on park roads or hiking on remote trails, gorgeous views appear around every turn. Lake McDonald is a popular place to stop and cool your heels while you marvel at the vibrant colors of the rocks and the clouds at sunset. Photo courtesy of Mallory Wilson.

Sweet moments like this make you want to hit the paws button. While exploring Glacier National Park in Montana, photographer Seth Anderson witnessed this tender scene between a mother black bear and her cub. Between that and the staggering beauty of the mountains from the Lewis Range as a backdrop, it’s an experience he’ll never forget. Photo courtesy of Seth Anderson.