Bighorn sheep thrive at Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Grazing on the grasslands and rambling through the colorful canyons, these nimble animals are always an exciting sight for visitors. Here’s one resting up for the next winter adventure. Photo by Sam Stukel (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Good luck trying to put a star on top of this Christmas tree! 🎄 This time of the year, the towering trees at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are dressed in their winter best with a layer of snow. It is difficult to comprehend the immense size of the giant sequoias, but it is easy to let your mind and spirit rise as its trunk carries your gaze toward the skies. From all of us at Interior, Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Photo by Aaron Chen (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Did you know: Caribou and reindeer are the same species? (They are different subspecies, though.) Found in Alaska and Canada, caribou can reach 3-4 feet tall at the shoulder, and both males and females grow antlers. Their hooves act like snowshoes to keep them from sinking in the snow. We wonder if this one perfected here is getting ready for the big ride tonight. 🎅  Photo courtesy of Steve Forrest.

Snow flurries bring an eerie realism to the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Hauntingly beautiful, the 19 statues represent the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who fought in the “Forgotten War.” Visiting the memorial on the National Mall is a powerful and moving experience. Photo by National Park Service.

A nearly full moon rises over the snow-laden landscape of Alaska’s Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. It’s a magical park to explore no matter the time of year! Photo by W. Hill, National Park Service.

Happy first day of winter! ❄️☃️❄️

It is a magical time to visit Yosemite National Park in California. The silence and beauty of winter at Yosemite is an unforgettable experience as mesmerizing granite formations are dusted with snow and reflected in the glassy surface of the Merced River. 

Check out these amazing photos of public lands in winter: https://on.doi.gov/2Bt6ijV

Photo by National Park Service.

Fall snow drifts across Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. By now, Dream Lake, Bear Lake and Emerald Lake are frozen, but the frosty beauty of these areas still draw hikers throughout the winter. Swirling clouds and cracked ice make gorgeous pictures, but please be safe and carry the proper gear. Photo by Carlton Fuqua (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Two immature bald eagles battle it out in the skies above Llano Seco, which is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in California. Aggressive hunters and scavengers, these young eagles are fighting over a duck clutched in their talons. What an incredible sight! What’s your favorite eagle sighting? Photo courtesy of Steve McDonald.

America’s largest national park is also one of its most beautiful. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska is open all winter, and snowmobiles (Alaskans call them snowmachines) are a popular way to see this breathtaking landscape. Visitor centers and ranger stations are closed, so park goers should be well prepared and self-sufficient. Photo by National Park Service.

Here’s a spellbinding shot of this week’s snow at Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland. With 25 miles of hiking trails, popular trout fishing streams, great camping spots, horseback riding paths and beginner skiing areas, Catoctin is as fun as it is lovely. Photo by John Zuke, National Park Service.