National Parks | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

January 16, 2014March 9, 2018

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States (the second deepest in North America) at nearly 2,000 feet and is the only national park in Oregon. It’s a caldera lake that was formed when the ancient volcano Mount Mazama collapsed over 7,000 years ago allowing rain and melting snow to accumulate in its cavity. Well known for its incredible crystal clear waters and deep blue hue, it is also one of the purest bodies of water in North America with a record clarity of 142 ft. The local Native American Klamath tribe has long considered it a spiritual place and it’s easy to see why.

Wintertime adds a new dimension to the landscape here when the predominant blues are contrast with a blanket of white. The average snowfall is over 500 inches a year although the lake rarely freezes (the last time was in 1949) allowing for a very unique photographic experience.

December 13, 2013November 6, 2015

Canadian Rockies Redux

Dawn light on Mount Edith Cavell reflected in Cavell Lake, Jasper National Park, Canada

Near the northern end of the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park, Mount Edith Cavell is one of the most spectacular peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Although it is visible from the town of Jasper, a trek to the high glacial lakes and alpine meadows surrounding the peak should be mandatory for anyone visiting this special park.

Named after a British nurse who was executed during World War I for her part in helping Allied prisoners escape, the sublime beauty of this mountain rising above the still waters of Cavell Lake rivals any of the great peaks of the world. A winding 9 mile road climbs steadily from the Icefields Parkway through sub-alpine forests to a parking lot directly below the looming north face. From there a short walk leads to this tranquil scene at Cavell Lake, and a slightly longer hike traverses the moraine to the iceberg filled meltwater at the base of the Angel Glacier.

For those with more time and energy, the trail to Cavell Meadows is a photographer’s paradise. As you climb up a series of switchbacks to the meadows the views of Mount Edith Cavell, Angel Glacier, Cavell Glacier and Cavell pond are stunning. Like many of the lakes in the Canadian Rockies glacial silt (also known as rock flour) gives the water its incredible blue hue. Wildlife is abundant in the area and hoary marmots and pikas call out their warnings on the rocky slopes and ridge lines above the lake.

The Canadian Rockies offer a wealth of hiking and photographic potential within four national parks. For the first time visitor it can be a challenge taking it all in, but this is one alpine experience that should not be missed.

November 26, 2013August 26, 2015

10 Hidden National Parks That Will Surprise You

Giant sequoia amid young pines in the Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California

Today’s entry is a guest post by James Sermons with the National Park Foundation. As the official charity for America’s National Parks they play an integral part in preserving our incredible national heritage, and I encourage you join me in supporting their efforts. Take it away James.

The National Park System was founded in 1916 and has served as an opportunity for every American to access hundreds of the most treasured places in the United States. While many national parks and their campgrounds—Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon—are household names, there are hundreds more underrated national parks that also offer life changing experiences.

Individuals who enjoy Yosemite National Park will be thrilled to visit Kings Canyon National Park in California. The canyons bear similarities to those in Yosemite and offer breathtaking scenery. Kings Canyon offers groves of sequoia trees, including its most famous resident, General Grant, the third largest tree in the world. California is also home to other underappreciated national parks including Channel Islands National Park and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Channel Islands National Park includes five of the Channel Islands and offers several stunning examples of independent island evolution, as 145 species on the islands cannot be found elsewhere. Also a favorite for whale-watchers, blue whales visit the islands occasionally and can be sighted from aboard a boat. Lassen Volcanic National Park boasts the most southern of the volcanoes in the Cascades range and showcases evidence of the volatile activity below the surface in numerous gas vents and boiling pools.

Further south, Saguaro National Park is a survivalist’s dream with the rugged and desolate landscape of the Sonoran Desert. This park cannot be reached by public transportation, but is easily driveable from Tucson. Traveling north, one cannot help but be drawn to the colorful red landscape of Utah. Visually stunning, and an undiscovered treat for photographers, Capitol Reef National Park contains a 100-mile long wrinkle in the landscape known as a geologic monocline. Some of the tallest sand dunes in the nation are located not far from here in awe-inspiring Great Sand Dunes National Park. Sandboarding and sand sledding offer a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for young children and those young at heart.

For photographers, artists, or those seeking something more scenic and relaxed, Big Bend National Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park are good destinations as they both offer great opportunities to view wildlife and enjoy backcountry trails. For individuals interested in astronomy or weather phenomena, Great Basin National Park is a must-visit. And finally, while Wrangell-St. Elias National Park in Alaska is unknown by most Americans, this park is larger than many small countries and offers air taxis into the remote areas of the wilderness.

Though relatively unknown, each of these parks showcase stunning visual elements, exciting adventures and incredible travel experiences. For more information on America’s more than 400 national parks, including those which are less-traveled, visit the National Park Foundation and download their free Owner’s Guide to discover all of the hidden gems in the National Park System.