There are so many ways to explore the unbelievable beauty of Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska. Take a boat tour or kayak in a remote fjord to be surrounded by pristine scenery and abundant wildlife. Hike to the top of the Harding Icefield Trail or book a scenic overflight to get a sense of the park’s vastness. Cast a line into the icy cold waters for some outstanding fishing. Pictured here is one of the small islands in Aialik Bay. Photo by David Breslauer (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Propelled by relentless ocean waves and strong onshore winds, small grains of sand accumulated to form the impressive dunes of Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge in California. Stretching inland from the Pacific Ocean, the migrating dunes are home to a unique ecosystem of plants and animals, like the northern elephant seal, the western snowy plover and the California red-legged frog. Two remote hiking areas offer visitors a chance to explore this dynamic landscape in peace and solitude. Photo by Ian Shive, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Happy Independence Day! If you want to celebrate America’s history, culture or natural beauty, there’s no better place than public lands. From sea to shining sea, we hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July. Photo of fireworks at the Washington Monument on the National Mall by Nathaniel Gonzales (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

An eagle flies through a rainbow as a storm clears one of the many small islands on Lake Vermilion. The fifth largest lake in Minnesota, Lake Vermilion contains over 75 small public land islands covered with birch, pine and spruce. Some of the islands have boat-in campsites, and many are only large enough for one site, ensuring that you can have an entire island to yourself!    The Bureau of Land Management works with the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe (also referred to as Chippewa) to protect traditional-use areas and cultural sites on the islands. The lake is popular for fishing and contains a diversity of species including largemouth bass, muskellunge, northern pike and perch. Photo by Bob Wick, (@mypubliclands) Bureau of Land Management.

Olympic National Park’s rugged shoreline is rich with life. Invertebrates of countless shapes, sizes, colors and textures inhabit the tide pools along Washington’s coast. Pictured here is a starfish with Giant Green Anemones that opens its tentacles like flower petals in the tidal waters. Photo courtesy of Keith Ladzinski.

Descend into a fascinating underground world at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. With over 360 miles of mapped passages, the park preserves the longest cave system in the world. Each year, more than 2 million people visit Mammoth Cave. Some strolling through large chambers and past unique rock formations while others challenge themselves with a wild cave tour along drop offs and through tight spaces. Photo of a cave entrance by Eric Blankenship (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

On this day in 1864, President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant, protecting the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley – an area that would later become Yosemite National Park. It was the first time the government protected land because of its natural beauty so that people could enjoy it. Thanks to John Muir’s passionate writing to further protect the delicate ecosystem of the High Sierra, Yosemite became our nation’s 3rd national park 26 years later. Photo courtesy of Jonathan Basiago.

On this day in 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado to “preserve the works of man.” It was the first national park of its kind, created to protect not just the natural beauty of the area but also the priceless cultural treasures found there. Mesa Verde preserves nearly 5,000 archaeological sites, including Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the park. Visitors can explore these ancient buildings and imagine what life was like for the people who built them. Photo by Scott Reynolds (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Here’s a cute pic of a red fox seen at Maine’s Acadia National Park. If you are visiting the park, keep your eyes open along Park Loop Road, you may see foxes playing nearby! Please keep your distance when you spot cool creatures. Help us keep the wildlife wild. Photo by Matthew Lambert, National Park Service.

With massive granite towers stretching skyward and building-sized boulders scattered in valleys, there’s no need to ask how City of Rocks National Reserve in Idaho got its name. Dramatic geological features make for excellent nature study and even better climbing. You can also learn about unique plants, wildlife, and the history of Native Americans and early settlers at this fascinating park. Photo by National Park Service.