Vibrant colors from the day’s last light at Joshua Tree National Park gives us pause. The park protects nearly 800,000 acres of the California desert and is home to extensive stands of Joshua trees, rugged canyons and mesmerizing rock formations. The Joshua trees, the park’s namesake, are actually the world’s largest Yucca in the world and their unique shapes dance across landscape. Photo by Emily Haskell, National Park Service.

The mountains in @guadalupe.mountains rise sharply from the surrounding desert floor to form an island of outstanding diversity. At first glance, the desert may seem barren and nearly devoid of life. A closer look, however, will reveal that this Texas landscape actually supports an amazing diversity of wildlife and plants. Pic by Kelly Feeney (Sharetheexperience.com).

There are few birds that are more iconic than the snowy owl. With its round head and plump white body, these efficient predators stay well camouflaged when cloaked against the frozen backdrop of their breeding grounds in the Arctic. Some of the owls choose to stay near their breeding grounds year-round, while others migrate south into parts of Canada and the US. The frosty feathered friend pictured above chose a sandy beach at Assateague Island National Seashore to spend part of its winter. Beginning in April and into May, these owls will begin their journey north and back to the frozen tundra to create the next generation of “snowies.”

Have you been lucky enough to see one of these rare visitors from the north? Pic by Earl Blansfield (Sharetheexperience.com)

Visitors to the Atlantic Coast of South Florida who want a break from the hustle and bustle of this mostly urbanized area will find a welcome respite in northern Palm Beach County. The 120-acre Jupiter Inlet Outstanding Natural Area in Florida packs in a remarkable array of natural and historical resources in addition to its spectacular namesake lighthouse. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management.

Located just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers 195,000+ acres to those looking for a different kind of adventure. With a 13-mile scenic drive, more than 30 miles of hiking trails and hundreds of climbing routes, Red Rock is considered one of the finest rock climbing areas in the world. Photo by Bureau of Land Management.

Often referred to as the “American Alps,” North Cascades National Park in Washington is filled with jagged peaks and more than 300 glaciers. The diversity of geography creates very different habitats on the west and east side of the crest, as well as fostering a great array of plants and animals. Photo courtesy of Scott Kranz.

Located close to the Canadian border, Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge is nestled in the corner of northern Maine. Providing lovely wide trails for walks or snowshoeing, the refuge holds the intriguing beauty of a northern hardwood forest. With gorgeous skies and forested habitats interspersed with streams, ponds, wetlands and grasslands, the refuge is 7,750 acres of vital wildlife habitat. Look for moose and moose tracks along the 13 miles of foot access trails. Enjoy tree cover of black and red spruce, balsam fir, white cedar, aspen and red maple. Find calm and quiet comfort in the beauty of this place. Photo sunset over beaver pond by Keith Ramos, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

For 105 miles, Skyline Drive curves along mountain crests through Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Those Blue Ridge Mountains provide some of the most majestic scenery in the country. With 70 overlooks and a 35 mph speed limit, you can take your time. As one of the most beautiful drives, we aim to keep it safe and enjoyable. Through funds from the Great American Outdoors Act, the National Park Service will invest in pavement preservation along Skyline Drive. This will ensure we can keep road-tripping through this incredible park. Photo by Saurabh Ray (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Fall is a great time to visit Zion National Park in Utah. The crowds get smaller and the temperatures cool. Along the Virgin River, cottonwoods turn golden yellow and bigtooth maples add splashes of scarlet to the canyons and trails. These streaks of color enhance the already magnificent landscape. Photo by Bryanna Plog, National Park Service.

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States. With many miles of hiking, biking trails and a three-mile auto tour, the refuge has plenty of areas to explore. Originally established to help with redhead ducks, the refuge supports the largest nesting population east of the Mississippi River. Tom McDonald took this photo and describes what brings him to this place, “I’m always looking for waterfowl, wading birds, especially swans, pelicans, sandhill and whooping cranes. I try to arrive at the refuge before sunrise to capture the golden hour. Fall is a busy time at the marsh, with waterfowl migrating through and summer visitors getting ready to head south for the winter. ” The refuge offers many birding, fishing and photography opportunities and a peaceful place to take in the start or end of any day. Photo courtesy of Tom McDonald.