Traffic in Denali National Park in Alaska can sometimes look like this – a bear ambling along a winding road surrounded by incredible vistas of mountains and wildflowers. The park’s one ribbon of road runs through low-elevation taiga forest to high alpine tundra and snowy mountains, culminating in North America’s tallest peak – Denali – at 20,310 feet. Photo courtesy of Jacob Frank.

The variety of natural features and ecosystems found within Great Basin National Park in Nevada is surprising to many first time visitors. The Great Basin has often been called barren and uninteresting, but it doesn’t take long to discover that this rugged landscape – with its desert valleys and snow covered peaks – is more than meets the eye. Don’t forget to catch a sunset and see the ancient bristlecone pines. Photo by Thomas Sikora (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Spectacular sunrises are a fantastic way to start an adventure in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Photographer Elliott Cliborne captured this brilliant photo at the top of Mary’s Rock, where a 3.7-round trip hike along the Appalachian Trail leads to expansive views. Of the experience, says Cliborne: “It was by far the best sunrise I experienced in over 400 miles of hiking last summer.” Photo courtesy of Elliott Cliborne.

Happy American Eagle Day! As a national symbol, this majestic bird appears on everything from money to memorials, but decades ago, it almost disappeared completely. Because of the ban on the pesticide DDT and habitat protection, the bald eagle is now flourishing across the nation and no longer needs the protection of the Endangered Species Act. It’s a great Wildlife Win and one more reason to celebrate eagles and all they represent. #Merica Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest.