2024 Nature's Best National Parks Glacier National Park © By Jason Weiss

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FINALISTS!

Since the 19th century, when photographer William Henry Jackson’s images helped establish the U.S. National Park system, visual storytellers have played essential roles in protecting and preserving our natural heritage. We hope these images will help raise awareness and encourage the protection of these vital ecosystems. Return home

winner | pro

Arches National Park, Utah © By Dr. Elliot McGucken of Los Angeles, California, USA

“To capture the sweeping glory of this scenic view as a storm was building, I quickly snapped a 12-shot panorama. The well-worn sandstone Park Avenue trail provides an elegant leading line into the distant light.”

winner | amateur

Osprey Landing, Everglades National Park, Florida © By Keith Kennedy of Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

“I set up about 130 feet from a snag where ospreys frequently perch, and waited. I tracked this juvenile bird with my camera as it came in for a landing. ”

winner | YOUTH

Brown Bear Cubs, Katmai National Park, Alaska © By Nanuk Schulz at age 13 of Anchorage, Alaska, USA

"I photographed these bear cubs from a safe distance while their mother caught salmon in the nearby river. One of the siblings stood guard to observe the area.”

highly honored

HIGHLY HONORED | Sunrise over Glacier N.P., Montana, USA © By Jason Weiss of Golden, Colorado, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Joshua Tree at Death Valley National Park, California © By joSon of Emeryville, California, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Howe Creek, Olympic N.P., Washington © by Scott McGee of Port Angeles, Washington, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Bull Moose, Sage Flats, Grand Teton N.P., Wyoming © By Brian Barton of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Raven, Colter Bay, Grand Teton N.P., Wyoming © By Amy Ames of Pittsboro, North Carolina, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | American Pine Marten, Canyon Junction, Yellowstone N.P., Wyoming © By Kevin Lohman of Santa Cruz, California, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Rhododendrons, Redwoods N.P., California © By Dr. Elliot McGucken of Los Angeles, California, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | West Rim Trail, Zion N.P., Utah © By Scott McGee of Port Angeles, Washington, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Sunrise, Bear Glacier, Kenai Fjords N.P., Alaska © By Michael DeYoung of Taos, New Mexico and Anchorage, Alaska, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Mitre Basin Tarn, Sequoia N.P., California © By Paul Lambie of Auburn, California, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Painting The Cathedral Group, Grand Teton N.P., Wyoming © By Jacqueline Burke of Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Sunrise over Glacier N.P., Montana © By Jason Weiss of Golden, Colorado, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Death Valley N.P., California © By Brian Clopp of Blaine, Washington, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Double Rainbow, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes N.P., Hawaiʻi © By Don Hurzeler of Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Brown Bears and Seagulls, Katmai N.P., Alaska © By Dr. Elliot McGucken of Los Angeles, California, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Sunrise at Monument Cove, Acadia N.P., Maine © By Christopher Baker of Madison, Alabama, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Wildflowers at Tatoosh Range, Mt. Rainier N.P, Washington By Dr. Elliot McGucken of Los Angeles, California, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Giant Forest, Sequoia N.P., California, USA © By Philip Richard of Aix-en-Provence, France
HIGHLY HONORED | Coastal Brown Bear, Katmai N.P., Alaska, © By Trevor LaClair of Cole Camp, Missouri, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Trail Maintenance Volunteers, Mount Rainier N.P., Washington © By Kevin Bacher of Eatonville, Washington, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Dusk at Arrigetch Peaks, Gates of the Arctic N.P. , Alaska, © By Jason Weiss of Golden, Colorado, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Grand Prismatic Spring Aerial, Yellowstone N.P., Wyoming © By Carol Polich of Bozeman, Montana, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Snowshoe Hare, Rocky Mountain N.P., Colorado, © By Deena Sveinsson of Estes Park, Colorado, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Great Grey Owl, Yellowstone N.P., Wyoming, © By Devon Pradhuman, Seattle, Washington, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Photographing Fall Colors, Denali N.P., Alaska © By Michael DeYoung of Taos, New Mexico and Anchorage, Alaska, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | Canyoneers in Upper Subway, Zion N.P., Utah, © By Michael DeYoung of Taos, New Mexico and Anchorage, Alaska, USA
HIGHLY HONORED | The Castle, Capitol Reef N.P., Utah © By Paul Lambie of Auburn, California, USA

Nature's Best Photography Awards. All Rights Reserved. No use of photographs and videos without the written permission of © photographers.

The National Parks finalists are featured in the 2025 Summer edition of Nature's Best Photography magazine, available with a subscription, or as a single issue, or call 1-703-467-9783.

ON THE COVER | Across top: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA by Paul Lambie. From top left, clockwise: Bengal Tiger by Mangesh Desai, Bald Eagle by Isaac Spotts, Longfin Bannerfish by Paul Humann, and Red Fox Kits by Donna Feledichuk.

Credits:

Top photo: © Jason Weiss. All rights reserved. Copyrights © by the photographers. No photos may be used without written consent from NBP or photographers.

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