Assateague Island National Seashore protects sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays along a strip of barrier island that stretches across the Maryland and Virginia border. In this dynamic coastal environment, the island is continuously being reshaped by wind and water. Explore life on the edge of the sea by crabbing, clamming, kayaking, biking and camping – be sure to plan ahead, as campsites for the summer start filling up in March! Sunrise photo by Jake Breach (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

The waters of Leigh Lake at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming reflect the deep green of the surrounding trees. Photographer Dennis Liew enjoyed this perfect moment with his girlfriend. “We canoed to the eastern side to watch the sun light up the mountains. It was a serene moment; the air was calm and not a soul there disturbed the peace.” Photo courtesy of Dennis Liew.

Lightning rips through the sky over White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. Photo courtesy of Donald Palansky. 

Is there a better way to fight the summer heat than getting out on the water? Kayaking Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan offers amazing views of unique rock formations and endless blue water. Oh, and there are beaches, waterfalls and hiking trails to explore, too! Photo by Courtney Kotewa (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).