It’s strange to imagine, but the roots of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida go all the way to the moon. In 1962, NASA acquired 140,000 acres of land, water and marshes adjacent to Cape Canaveral to establish the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Despite the massive undertaking of sending a man to the moon, not all the land was needed, so the wildlife refuge was established on the unused portions. Today, you can see manatees, tropical birds, turtles, otters, bobcats and yes, the occasional rocket launch. Photo by Jose Torres (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

City of Rocks National Reserve is an extraordinary encirclement of granite rising out of the gently rolling sagebrush country in south-central Idaho. This backcountry byway attracts rock climbers, campers, hikers, hunters and those with the spirit of adventure. There’s inspirational scenery, exceptional opportunities for geologic study and remnants of the Old West awaiting your discovery. Photo by National Park Service.

There’s more to Badlands National Park than gorgeous scenery. You can see bison and bighorn sheep roaming the grasslands near colorful, jagged rock formations. Rich fossil beds reveal the remains of ancient mammals like saber-toothed cats and rhinos. 244,000 acres of South Dakota badlands will make this one of your favorite national parks. Photo by Shawn Stackhouse (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Happy National Dog Day! Out on the trail or curled up on the bed, we love our four-legged friends. At Denali National Park in Alaska, sled dogs are important members of the team. Here’s Tephra, a 9-year-old Alaskan husky working her last season before she retires this month. Photo of Tephra posing with fireweed by Miles Leguineche, National Park Service.

Photo of Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone from Artist Point by Jeremy Stevens (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Photo of two bison at Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley by Aidan Busch (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

Photo of Beehive eruption and a rainbow by Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service.

Happy 101st birthday, National Park Service! 

For the last century, the National Park Service has protected America’s Best Idea, ensuring current and future generations can experience the country’s natural, cultural and historic treasures. Established 44 years before the National Park Service, Yellowstone was the world’s first national park and sparked a worldwide movement to protect special places.

When most people envision Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska, they think of bears. Katmai is one of the premier brown bear viewing areas in the world with over 2,200 brown bears estimated to live in the park. Every summer, many bears gather at Brooks Falls to fish for salmon and pack on the pounds before winter arrives. It’s also a great chance for young bears to learn how to fish from their mothers. Photo by Mark Burnley (http://ift.tt/18oFfjl).

At the National Park of American Samoa, you can see amazing tropical animals, learn about the culture of Pacific Islanders and enjoy snorkeling in gorgeous blue water. Or you can just find the perfect place to lay on the beach and do nothing. No judgment. Photo by National Park Service.

Did you see yesterday’s solar eclipse? People gathered in large groups at public lands across the country to witness this amazing natural phenomenon. Herd Lake at Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness in Idaho was in the zone of totality and visitors enjoyed a great show. Photo by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management (@mypubliclands).

mypubliclands:

Be part of the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse!

On Aug. 21, 2017, a rare phenomenon will hit North America. For the first time since 1918, a total solar eclipse will go coast-to-coast. Plenty of America’s iconic places fall within the path of totality, including BLM-managed lands in Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming. 

There are lots of ways to participate in the eclipse celebration, even if you can’t travel to the path of totality.

Keep reading

Sometimes the road less traveled leads to the best experiences. The rounded contours of the geologic phenomena called the Alabamas create an otherworldly landscape. California’s Alabama Hills Recreation Area is great for hiking, biking and climbing. Photo courtesy of Brian Stowell.