The desert at sunrise seems so peaceful and still, but if you look closer, the sights and sounds of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona reveal a remarkable community of plants and animals. Human stories echo throughout this desert preserve, chronicling thousands of years of desert living. A scenic drive, wilderness hike or a night of camping will expose you to a living desert that beautiful and thriving. Photo by National Park Service.

Just 75 miles from the bustle of Washington, D.C., Shenandoah National Park is your escape to cascading waterfalls, spectacular vistas and one of the best drives on the east coast. There are 75 overlooks along the park’s Skyline Drive that offer stunning views of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to the west or the rolling Piedmont to the east. So roll down your windows, feel the breeze and experience every curve and turn of this beautiful drive. Photo from The Point Overlook at milepost 55 by National Park Service.

Every spring, the cherry blossoms at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. explode into a gorgeous display of white and pink. Blooming into flowering clouds that hover over the Tidal Basin, it’s an incredible natural event in the middle of an urban area. With peak bloom expected March 19-22, the National Park Service is getting ready to welcome over 1.5 million people to this annual festival. Photo from a previous year by Jesse Collins (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Many visitors to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve are mystified: Why is there a Sahara-like dunefield below alpine peaks that reach over 13,000 feet in Colorado? The answer is complex, but the two essential elements are here: Avast, arid, closed basin that lakes once covered and a mountain barrier with a low curve to funnel winds into this natural pocket. Learn more at https://on.doi.gov/2lU4nyW. Photo by Patrick Myers, National Park Service.

Within sight of downtown Miami, Biscayne National Park in Florida protects a rare combination of aquamarine waters, emerald islands and fish-bejeweled coral reefs. There’s also evidence of 10,000 years of human history, from pirates and shipwrecks to pineapple farmers and presidents. Outdoors enthusiasts can boat, fish, snorkel, camp, watch wildlife or simply enjoy a gorgeous sunrise over the ocean. Photo courtesy of Andrew R. Slaton.