Looming Under a Lunar Sky at National Parks

July 20, 2017NPF Blog
Theodore Roosevelt National Park – Richard Boatti, Share the Experience

Your national parks offer incredible opportunities for lunar photography. With unforgettable landscapes and some of America's clearest, darkest night skies, the moon is the perfect subject for your next photo project, and a national park near you is the perfect setting.

Antietam National Battlefield

Maryland

Within a blue and purple sky, the moon stands above the Antietam National Battlefield.
Patricia Lupoli, Share the Experience

The harvest moon—the full moon closest to the autumn equinox—rising over Piper Farm at Antietam National Battlefield.

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Utah

Half of a yellow moon glows at the horizon of Cedar Breaks National Monument.
Richard Cozzens, Share the Experience

Moonlight illuminates Cedar Breaks National Monument during a super moon, when a full moon coincides with when the moon is closest to earth during its orbit.

Chiricahua National Monument

Arizona

Past the trees and cliffs of Chiricahua National Monument, the moon shines white and bright alongside twinkling stars.
Jack Suman, Share the Experience

A setting moon casts an otherworldly glow over Chiricahua National Monument, home to a spectacular array of hoodoos and balancing rocks.

Denali National Park & Preserve

Alaska

A crescent moon hovers over the snow-capped mountains of Denali National Park & Preserve.
Marilyn Teeter, Share the Experience

The moon shines faintly next to the snow-capped peak of Mount Denali, America's highest point, in Denali National Park & Preserve.

Devils Postpile National Monument

California

An outline of the moon shows through the bright blue sky over the cliffs of Devils Postpile National Monument.
Jennifer Lagace, Share the Experience

The moon looms over the rugged rock formations of Devils Postpile National Monument, where visitors are humbled by the unique symmetry of columnar basalt towering 60 feet high.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Utah

An orange moon stands just above the Tower Butte of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Michel Hersen, Share the Experience

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area's 1.25 million acres of rugged lanscape of canyons, cliffs, buttes, and more, creates a beautiful backdrop for moon-watching.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

California

The moon shines brightly over the orange lit Golden Gate Bridge with distant clouds hovering just above the waters.
Sean Peck, Share the Experience

Watching the evening fog rolling into San Francisco behind the beautifully illuminated Golden Gate Bridge during the full moon makes Golden Gate National Recreation Area the perfect date night out.

Mount Rainier National Park

Washington

A setting sun casts a red hue over the clouds surrounding Mount Rainier with a yellow-orange moon above.
John Lyrenmann, Share the Experience

The full moon can illuminate the trail for mountaineers on Mount Rainier, an icon in the Washington landscape boasting the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States.

White Sands National Monument

New Mexico

The moon stands alone with pink-hued clouds over White Sands National Monument.
Lana Gramlich, Share the Experience

Visitors can experience the serenity and peacefullness of the unique dunes of white gypsum at White Sands National Monument on a full-moon hike through the park.

National parks across the country offer opportunities for some amazing lunar photography. Arm yourself with a camera and a lunar calendar, and your next national park visit could result in the photo of a lifetime!

Start a Conversation

View the Terms of Use
Stay Inspired
Connect with the parks you love. Sign up to receive the latest NPF news, information on how you can support our national treasures, and travel ideas for your next trip to the parks. Join our community.
Connect