From Alaska’s icy fjords to the towering peaks of Montana and Wyoming, the vast network of U.S. national parks continues to offer stunning glimpses into the country’s wildest and most awe-inspiring landscapes. A collection of images from across several National Park Service sites showcases the raw beauty and thriving wildlife preserved within these iconic American landmarks.
In Katmai National Park, Alaska, the annual salmon run draws brown bears to Brooks Falls, where young bears are seen tearing into their catch during the fall feeding season. Meanwhile, in the frigid waters near Seward, a humpback whale breaches dramatically in Kenai Fjords National Park, providing an unforgettable spectacle for observers.
Kenai Fjords is also home to dramatic glacial formations, where tourists aboard sightseeing boats document melting ice, and kayakers navigate past towering icebergs. Nearby, the rapidly retreating Exit Glacier offers a stark visual reminder of the accelerating impacts of climate change.
Further inland, the vast expanse of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park and Preserve — the largest in the National Park Service system — presents a blend of natural grandeur and historical remnants. Here, a guide traverses a glacier while the ruins of a once-thriving copper mining operation stand in silent testimony to the past.
Montana’s Glacier National Park bursts with life and color. Black bears, including cinnamon-colored variants, forage for berries while rangers monitor their movements to ensure safety for both wildlife and visitors. Bighorn sheep roam through parking lots and rugged terrain, often drawing crowds of curious tourists and diligent rangers managing close encounters.
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming also offers captivating wildlife experiences. Young grizzly bears are seen darting across roads, bald eagles perch in towering trees, and massive bison graze under the gaze of onlookers. A ranger monitors grizzly activity while rafters paddle along the Snake River, dwarfed by the majestic Teton Range.
Together, these scenes form a vibrant portrait of America’s national parks—a testament to their ecological richness, historical depth, and the critical role they play in conserving the nation’s natural heritage.
