Half the park is after dark when the night skies come alive with dazzling stars. In the winter, skies are filled with a whole new catalog of stars, making the experience even better. Derek Culver took this amazing photo in December of Zion National Park in Utah. That’s the Virgin River, the Watchman, and in the sky, you can see the Orion Constellation with Barnard’s loop and Orion Nebula. Photo courtesy of Derek Culver.

Sunset at Death Valley National Park in California is a magical time. The retreating sun mutes the shadowed ripples and graceful curves of the sand dunes while the day’s last light focuses on the mountaintops. Here, a rogue white cloud wanders in to enjoy the view. Photo courtesy of Sandra Slead.