For nature and wildlife photographers, few locations are as conducive to a great shoot as America’s expansive variety of national parks. The stunning rivers, the gorgeous valleys, the majestic sunsets are some of the greatest natural wonders on Earth. It may be hard to believe, but the U.S. National Park service celebrated 100 years of operation last year.
National Park Week is just around the corner – this year, National Park Week will take place between April 15th and 23rd. On the weekends that bookmark this week (April 15th-16h and April 22nd-23rd), admission to every National Park is completely free. Take advantage of the complementary admission and get to know the parks in your area. Bring your new camera, your favorite lens, and a thirst for adventure.
Here are some of our favorite photos of U.S. National Parks.
Arches National Park, Utah
Bordered by the Colorado River, Arches National Park is located just north of Moab in Utah. The sprawling national park is home to over 2,000 varying sandstone arches like the one in the photo. It’s truly a “red rock wonderland,” as the National Park Service affectionately calls it. The contrasting landforms, colors, and textures found throughout the park present ample opportunity for some inspired landscape photography.
Drone photography is not allowed at the park, but the plentiful trails and mountain structures will provide you with plenty of vantage points to capture memorable photos. The website advises that the sunsets are worth a visit alone.
Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
If you want to feel truly separated from time, take a trip to Haleakalā National Park. This park on the island of Maui is infused with the symbols and stories of Hawaiian culture. The dormant Haleakalā volcano is the perfect backdrop for an ominous photo shoot, or you can get to know the wildlife, like endangered Hawaiian geese.
The freshwater pools and numerous waterfalls of Haleakalā National Park are nestled deep in the lush bamboo forest and constitute some of the most photographed locales in the park. While you’re there, trek up Crater Road for sweeping views from the Kalahaku and Leleiwi overlooks.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Home to more than 100 different caves, Carlsbad Caverns National Park provides spelunkers and daring shutterbugs with some first-rate lighting to photograph stalagmites, stalactites, and other natural cave formations. The many caverns underneath the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico formed as acidic groundwater wore through the limestone to create massive chambers and narrow passageways.
Rocky canyons, flowering cacti, and many species of desert wildlife can be found above ground, providing variety for your Carlsbad Caverns photo shoot. Just be sure to check with park officials regarding lighting and your equipment so you don’t damage the caves (or your precious camera).
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina and Tennessee
Straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, Great Smoky Mountains national park is home to a splendid variety of plant and animal life. The ancient mountains make any landscape photo look like a professional painting. The rustic mountain culture, intricate river system, and seemingly endless amount of hiking trails make Great Smoky Mountains national nark the most visited in the entire country.
The sunsets and sunrises near the Great Smoky Mountains are legendary. This particular photo was captured at the Oconaluftee Outlook, which is located between Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Cherokee, North Carolina. Pack your gear and go camping for a weekend – plan to come home with some extraordinary images.
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Covering an astounding 3.3 million acres (or more than 5,000 square miles), Glacier Bay National Park is home to rare wildlife like puffins and humpback whales. The bay is part of the lengthy Alaskan Inside Passage, providing pristine views of mountain peaks and glaciers on either side of the channel. The park isn’t simply a bay – from Bartlett Cove visitors can traverse miles and miles of riverside and forest trails.
Glacier Bay National Park is a dream come true for photographers itching to document the most serene and unspoiled areas in all of nature. Get lost in the temperate forest or snap a fog-filled photo of a fjord at sunrise – the possibilities are nearly limitless. Discover for yourself why it’s considered one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
The first national park is also one of the most recognizable. You’ve undoubtedly seen every angle and lighting combination in regards to their geysers, but the views and topography boast incredible variety. Just take this dynamic shot of a herd of bison migrating along the Firehole River. Coupled with the action of the Midway Geyser Basin in the background, this photo outlines the limitless photographic potential of Yellowstone National Park.
Located mostly in Wyoming, portions of Yellowstone National Park extend into Idaho and Montana. Technically a wilderness recreational area, the park sits atop a known volcanic hotspot and is rife with activity. Bring your camera along and follow the safety guidelines to capture some memorable images.
Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada
Located mostly in eastern California (but also spilling into Nevada), Death Valley National Park is as unforgiving and barren as its name suggests. That intensity, however, is an innate part of the park’s beauty. The hottest, driest, and lowest national park is a place of extremes, but that includes extreme contrast – atop the towering peaks are frosts of snow, and after the occasional rainstorm fields of wildflowers will bloom.
The Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes pictured above are approximately 100 feet high, and provide some of the best opportunities for sand boarding in the area. Pack an ample amount of water when you journey to Death Valley National Park, and protect your camera and gear from the troublesome sand.
Olympic National Park, Washington
Diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Several completely different ecosystems are contained within the million-acre park. With just a day’s hike and a moment’s set up you can take photos of glacier-capped mountain peaks, untamed coastlines, or heavy-growth rain forests. The ultimate “go explore” location, Olympic National Park is known to get a fair amount of precipitation, so check the forecast before you whip out your camera.
Olympic National Park is located (where else?) on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. If you’re not afraid of a little climbing, brave the summit of Mt. Olympus for unparalleled views of most of the park. The fog can create a mystical effect, like in the photo above.
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
A history lesson is always a welcome addition to a photo op. When you visit Mesa Verde National Park you can explore the well-preserved cliff dwellings of the Pueblo ancestors who lived there, and learn more about their lifestyle and influence through the educational opportunities at the park. The canyon views complement the rich archaeological sites with plenty of panoramic vantage points.
Spanish for green table, Mesa Verde housed the Pueblo people for nearly 700 years. When you walk through the park and take in the enormous, superbly crafted villages, you can’t help but feel the spirits of the people who made the dwellings their home. Fuse the past and the present together for some truly remarkable images.
Yosemite National Park, California
Nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is perhaps best known for its iconic sequoia trees that tower over the forest. The estimated lifespan of a giant sequoia tree is 1800 to 2700 years; they are among the longest-lived organisms on the planet. In the 1,200 square miles of the park you’ll also find rolling meadows, peaceful valleys, a huge wilderness area, and lush plant life.
As the photograph demonstrates, photographers willing to get their hands dirty (and their feet wet) can reveal many sides of the diverse national park. Terrific views and a winning mixture of natural elements are never in short supply, like the famous Horsetail Fall, pictured above, which looks like lava for ten days each February.
If you’re looking for the perfect photo for National Park Week, browse our collection of photographs from 50 of our most notable national parks. This National Park Week, roll up your sleeves, break out that new equipment, and find the inspiration and subjects you crave in a national park near you, at no cost.
