Exciting wildlife news! Last year biologists found the first ocelot den in 20 years on Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in south Texas. At the den, researchers found a 3-week old male ocelot kitten (pictured here). Ocelots used to range from South Texas up into Arkansas and Louisiana, but today there are an estimated 50 ocelots that remain in the United States, Known as the “little leopard,” ocelots have a long, ringed tail and are recognized by their distinct spots and rounded ears. Learn more about this amazing #WildlifeWin: https://on.doi.gov/2hRc7w4. Photo by USFWS.

2017 is kicking off with some excitement at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Last week a 22-acre section of a lava delta broke apart and sank into the ocean causing the closing of a viewing area. Now, from the new viewing area, visitors can witness a “fire hose” of lava streaming into the ocean. The molten rock sends huge clouds of steam and gas into the air as it hits the Pacific. It’s a sight you’ll never forget. Photos by National Park Service.

Sometimes, the most remarkable moments in life are the simple ones. There will be 365 sunsets at Glacier National Park in Montana this year. Don’t you think you should see at least one? Photo by Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service.

Looking for a last-minute adventure? We’re waiving the entrance fees for all national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands on Monday, January 16, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We hope to see you out there! Photo of Turret Arch Framed by North Window at Utah’s Arches National Park courtesy of Jacob W. Frank.

Part of the most remote island archipelago on Earth, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument supports a reef ecosystem with more than 7,000 marine species and is home to many species of coral, fish, birds and marine mammals. This includes the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, the endangered leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles. A Hawaiian monk seal naps on the beach with a rainbow on the horizon. Photo by Mark Sullivan, NOAA/HMSRP, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

Along the Mississippi River Flyway in Iowa, Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge provides important habitat for migratory birds. Floodplains and forests are used by many wildlife species including migratory songbirds, waterfowl, hawks and eagles, deer, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. After a recent snowstorm, it’s also a stunning winter sight. Photo by Jessica Bolser, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Bring skis, snowshoes or sleds to enjoy snowy winters at Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. From January through April, ranger-led snowshoe walks are a great way to explore this volcanic landscape. Over 75 percent of the park is designated as wilderness, offering unparalleled opportunities for solitude and adventure. Photo by National Park Service.

Moonlight brightens snowy dunes at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado. Experience the park after dark by stargazing, listening for owls along the foothills or going for a full moon walk on the dunes. Cold temperatures are the norm in winter, so bundle up with warm clothing and sturdy footwear for an unforgettable nighttime adventure. Photo by Patrick Myers, National Park Service.  

Happy New Year! Just like this gorgeous sunrise at Canyonlands National
Park in Utah, we hope your new year is filled with beauty and adventure.
Photo by Greg Sager (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

americasgreatoutdoors:

Mother Nature shows her power with this dramatic lightning storm over the Needles District at Canyonlands National Park in Utah. Photo from last summer courtesy of Claudia Castillo. ⚡

Ending the year with our most popular post on Tumblr in 2016: This dramatic shot of a lightning storm over Canyonlands National Park in Utah.

From all of us at the Interior Department, have a safe and happy new year. And here’s to amazing adventures and exploring America’s great outdoors in 2017!