Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado gets its name from the fantastic remains of extinct animals embedded in the rocks. Petroglyphs tell the stories of ancient cultures. Later, homesteaders and outlaws found refuge here. Today, the mountains, desert and untamed rivers flowing in deep canyons support an array of life. Whether your passion is science, adventure, history or scenery, Dinosaur National Monument offers much to explore. Photo from the Cub Creek road by National Park Service.

A new day starts at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming as the moon sets behind a mountain shining with alpenglow. It’s just another magical moment from this remarkable natural treasure. Photo by Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service.

Standing head and shoulders above the crowd, “the Mountain” dominates the of landscape Denali National Park and central Alaska. On clear days, Denali can be seen from as far away as Anchorage and Fairbanks. While clear skies are common in deep winter, with intense cold locking up moisture, summer skies are often cloudy. This photo taken in late summer shows Denali looming large. If you look closely, you can even see a moose on the tundra. Photo by Jay Elhard, National Park Service.

The forested wetlands of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina provide excellent habitat for migratory birds. Large numbers of waterfowl concentrate on this relatively small area in the winter with peak numbers of well over 100,000 gathering in December and January. It is also home to the only population of wild, free roaming red wolves in the world and supports several clusters of endangered red cockaded woodpeckers. Here, a large flock of tundra swans fly over the refuge at sunset. Photo by Ginny P. Gillam (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

On this day in 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado officially became a national park. Even in cold weather, you can explore the park’s spectacular mountain environments by snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sledding and wildlife watching. In fact, winter is an especially good time to look for elk, mule deer, moose and other large mammals. Sunrise photo of Dream Lake in 2014 by C. Brindle, National Park Service.

One of nature’s most social and playful creatures, river otters have big personalities and even bigger appetites. Often seen in groups, they can be observed hunting and frolicking year round at Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge in Missouri. In winter, you might even catch them sliding across the ice on their bellies. Photo courtesy of Kenny Bahr.

Wide expanses of land make Southwest sunsets some of the best in the United States, and the view from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is no exception. Straddling the border of Utah and Arizona, this desert gem is a perfect place to explore golden cliffs, lush hanging gardens, narrow slot canyons and the brilliant blue paradox of Lake Powell. Photo by Jeremy Stevens (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Icy water reflects the sunset at Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. More than 80 percent of the refuge’s 47,000 acres is wetlands. The quiet tidal waters serve as nurseries, spawning and feeding grounds for fish and shellfish, which are important in the diets of many wildlife species – particularly the migratory birds who live and visit here. Photo by Kris Orr (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

From snow-blanketed mountains to evergreen forests dripping with rain to ocean beaches pounded by winter storms waves, there are many ways to experience winter in Olympic National Park in Washington. Hurricane Ridge is the epicenter for snow and winter recreation, with opportunities for snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Be sure to check conditions before you go, as heavy snows can lead to road closures. Photo by John Robinson (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

While Acadia National Park in Maine is famous for its sunrises, stay after dark to view incredible night skies and experience Acadia’s rocky coastline by starlight. Dark night skies are great for stargazing and serve as a crucial resource for nocturnal plants and animals. Photo of the Milky Way over Boulder Beach courtesy of Manish Mamtani.