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Tourism

U.S. Government Releases 1,300 Stunning Park Photos Before Shutdown

  • Samantha Shankman, Skift
    • Skift Take
    The recent shutdown has demonstrated that taking national parks out of the mix can devastate both local and state finances. On top of that? They’re amazing to experience.
    — Samantha Shankman, Skift
    View on Skift.com
    This photo of a man hangliding over Yosemite National Park was taken with a GoPro camera. Paul Voight / U.S. Department of the Interior
    A campsite sits beneath the stars at Death Valley National Park in California. adreamwithinweddings / Flickr
    A part of Mormon Row a line of homes in the southeast corner of Grand Teton National Park, is seen in Wyoming. adreamwithinweddings / Flickr
    A visitor in Yellowstone National Park was out practicing wildlife photography when he saw an amazing cloud formation above Firehole River. The photo is composed of 5 images merged to HDR in Photomatix Pro. Brandon Kopp/Flickr
    A visitor checks out the Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park. Dana Wilson / Flickr
    The sun sets behind the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn and Cabins in Glacier National Park in Montana. Brandon Kopp/Flickr
    Young Zuni hunter dancers participate in a Cultural Art Fair at the community center inside Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Petrified Forest / Flickr
    The “Wave” at Coyote Butes in a major attraction inside Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona. warfie35 / Flickr

    If there is any silver lining to the partial government shutdown that closed 401 U.S. parks, monuments, and cultural sites, it is the public reawakening and appreciation for the beauty in America’s backyard.

    This summer the Department of the Interior launched a summer photo project called “Summer in America’s Great Outdoors.” The campaign asked visitors to post their favorite pictures from trips to national parks and public lands.

    Just four days before the shutdown closed the attractions, the Interior posted a video to YouTube with the best images. The campaign brought in more than 1,3000 photos from across the country. The photos were also posted to Flickr.

    The U.S. government announced on Thursday that it would consider states’ requests to pay to reopen the parks. Utah was the first state to reopen its parks on Friday after the governor wired $1.7 million to the capital.

    Click through the slideshow above or watch the Interior’s video below for an inspiring view of some of the nation’s most beautiful attractions…that you still can’t visit.

    Photo Credit: A part of Mormon Row a line of homes in the southeast corner of Grand Teton National Park, is seen in Wyoming. adreamwithinweddings / Flickr
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