2016 Winners

The 2016 photo contest, hosted by National Park Foundation and ACTIVE Network® and prizing courtesy of Celestron and Historic Hotels of America, received over 16,500 photos from amateur photographers sharing their favorite views, moments, and adventures from America’s national parks and public lands.

Grand Prize Winner

Close-up shot of a green frog on a green stem at Arkansas National Wildlife Refuge

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Craig McIntyre

For his winning entry, Mr. McIntyre receives $10,000, binoculars and an NPF Rechargable PowerPack and LED Flashlight courtesy of Celestron, a two-night stay at The Whitehall Hotel courtesy of Historic Hotels of America and a Federal Recreational Lands Pass. The winning picture will also be featured on the annual National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Second Prize

Two men canoeing down a peaceful, foggy river, with evergreen trees lining the banks at Superior National Forest

Superior National Forest

Gary Hamer

Mr. Hamer will receive $5,000, binoculars and an NPF Rechargable PowerPack and LED Flashlight courtesy of Celestron and a Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Third Prize

Boy hiking with a stick through a river running between towering red sandstone cliffs of a canyon at Zion National Park

Zion National Park

Christopher Regala

Mr. Regala will receive $3,000, binoculars and an NPF Rechargable PowerPack and LED Flashlight courtesy of Celestron and a Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Fan Favorites

Black tree branches silhouetted against the lit Washington Monument at night

National Mall and Memorial Parks 

Jack Hanton

Delicate waterfall surrounded by golden lit autumn forest of greens, yellows, and reds at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Rob Blair

Each of the 2 Fan Favorite winners received $1,000, a spotting scope courtesy of Celestron and a two-night stay at either The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa or The Omni Severin Hotel courtesy of Historic Hotels of America and a Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Honorable Mentions

3 Mountain Bikers on the sandstone rocky trails of San Ysidro Trails Area

Adventure & Outdoor Recreation: San Ysidro Trails Area

Raymond Lee

Illuminated structure of the Hoover Dam under a blue and pink-cloud evening sky.

Historical & Cultural: Hoover Dam

Michael McCook

Alien-like dimpled rock in the foreground of more funky formations under a blue sky at Fantasy Canyon

Scenic, Seasons & Landscapes: Fantasy Canyon

John Donofrio

Starry night sky with the milky way over the rocks on the coast at Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Night Skies: Oregon Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Matthew Hanna

Brown and white owl with yellow eyes sitting in a pine tree.

Wildlife: Yellowstone National Park 

Matthew Sorum

Young boy squatting on the ground at the edge of Oologah Lake holding a fishing rod.

Every Kid in a Park: Oologah Lake

Joshua Slezak

Each of the 6 Honorable Mention category winners received a complimentary two-night stay at a select hotel courtesy of Historic Hotels of America, one Celestron product and a Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Support the National Park Foundation
Your support is a vital part of our mission. Protecting our parks is something we can all do.
Support Our Parks