Are you and your friends excited for the weekend? Whatever you’re up to, we hope you have as much fun as these elk at Tule Elk San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. Once estimated to have a population of less than 30 individuals, these unique California Tule elk now number more than 4,000. See them – and other terrific wildlife – just two hours outside of San Francisco. Photo by Lee Eastman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Happy first day of Fall! Are you ready for the smell of campfires and the glorious transition of leaves to orange, red and yellow? We hope the change of season will take you to public lands across the country to experience gorgeous colors like these at Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area. The park buffers the Cumberland River as it runs across the Kentucky-Tennessee border, boasting miles of scenic views and lovely wooded trails. Photo by National Park Service.

As you enter Zion National Park from the east, Mt. Carmel Highway offers spectacular views and ever changing landscapes as you zig-zag your way down into the park’s canyon. Ian Barin captured this pic from above the winding road at sunset this past June. Photo courtesy of Ian Barin.