Explore some of the best national parks and monuments for dinosaur and fossil lovers! These eight amazing sites preserve and interpret the stories of the animals, plants, aquatic life, and insects that once called Earth their home. Click here to read more
Spotlights, Courtney Johnson
Within national parks, monuments, and forests, there are plenty of natural swimming holes offering striking and idyllic scenery and an opportunity for off-the-trail fun. Cool down in the summer heat or soak your tired muscles at these twelve gorgeous swimming holes, some of which are part of the National Park Service, and some part of the U.S. Forest Service.
Find out more by clicking here or on the banner photo.
"Most of us, generally, envision our visits to national and state parks occurring during daytime hours. However, most parks are accessible long after the sun goes down, creating a unique opportunity to be in park environs— desert, wilderness, and mountains—under dark and vast skies." Click to read more about contributor Courtney Johnson's exploration of the night sky programs in our national parks.
Contributor Courtney Johnson journeys to Bear's Ears National Monument to better know this controversial landscape, both as an outdoor enthusiast and public lands advocate—and to better make the case for its continued protected status. Continue reading Courtney Johnson's essay here
Over in the Rocky Mountains region, we are happy to present Courtney Johnson's take on Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park.
"When you approach the tallest sand dunes in North America at Great Sand Dunes National Park, you almost feel like you are on the set of Star Wars. From a distance, they appear much smaller than they are—the tallest point on the dunes is approximately 13,604 feet (4,146m) above sea level. When we got our closeup look from the visitor center in July, my four-year-old daughter Emma's mouth dropped open."
Click here to read the full guide!
