A hike through alder branches, thick vine maple stands, stinging nettle, devil’s club and a moss-covered gully is all worth it to reach this gem-colored lake. Bright and inviting, that first cold plunge into the icy lake re-invigorates like nothing else can. That’s what a trip to North Cascades National Park in Washington is all about. Photo from Trapper Lake courtesy of Crystal Brindle.

The first eastern national park, Acadia’s rugged coast has beckoned visitors for ages. Today people from all over the world come to Acadia National Park in Maine to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery. Photo of the Bubbles from Jordan Pond by Kristi Rugg, National Park Service.

Labor Day is called the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate. Take advantage of cooler days to explore public lands across the country. You can see birds migrate, take pictures of changing leaves and enjoy sitting by a campfire. The parks, refuges and wilderness are always there for you. Photo of Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska by Saurin Munshaw (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Labor Day is called the unofficial end of summer, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate. Take advantage of cooler days to explore public lands across the country. You can see birds migrate, take pictures of changing leaves and enjoy sitting by a campfire. The parks, refuges and wilderness are always there for you. Photo of Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska by Saurin Munshaw (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Summer makes for some epic thunderstorms. Case in point: this dramatic pic of a lighting strike at Badlands National Park in South Dakota from earlier in August. Photo by Badlands’ Seasonal Park Paleontologist Phil Varela, National Park Service.