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These Are the Interior Department’s Most Popular Instagram Photos of 2014

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From Yellowstone to Acadia, the United States is filled to the brim with stunning national parks. It only makes sense, then, that the U.S. Department of the Interior, tasked with overseeing the country’s federal land and resources, has a pretty stunning Instagram page.

The profile, “usinterior,” shares a gorgeous mixture of work from park visitors and government photographers. It’s become a must-follow on Instagram, racking up some 385,000 followers who come for the alpine mountain ranges and stay for the feasting brown bears.

Above, check out a sampling of the Interior Department’s most popular Instagram photos of 2014.

“These photos were the most popular this year on the Interior Department’s Instagram account because they capture just how beautiful America’s public lands are from coast to coast,” said Tim Fullerton, Director of Digital Strategy at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Our public lands give some of the most spectacular views, like this one of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
Our public lands give some of the most spectacular views, like this one of Grand Teton National Park in WyomingChristina Adele Warburg— sharetheexperience.org
America's first national monument, Devils Tower is a geologic feature that protrudes out of the rolling prairie in Wyoming. David Lane (@drlane56) captured this amazing 16-image panorama of the monument illuminated by the Milky Way and green airglow. Of visiting Devils Tower, David says: "From ancient stories of the Pleiades taking refuge at the top to the generations of Native Americas that held it sacred, it had a deep sense of age and a stoic nature that impressed me. It's so unexpected, so large in person, so steeped in traditions." Courtesy David Lane
This bear is in Lake Clark National Park, a land of stunning beauty where volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes, and local people and culture still depend on the land and water of their home. Solitude is found around every bend in the river and shoulder of a mountain. Venture into the park to become part of the wilderness.Kevin Dietrich—— sharetheexperience.org
A gorgeous photo of the changing fall colors in Zion National Park (Utah). Kevin Roland captured this shot at one of the park's most popular areas -- the Narrows, a gorge with wall a thousand feet tall.Kevin Roland—— sharetheexperience.org
On October 8, 1964, this Colorado River lake area on the border of Nevada and Arizona became the first national recreation area in the U.S. With its gorgeous contrasts of desert and water, mountains and canyons, Lake Mead National Recreation Area offers year-round recreational opportunities. Cheryl Hobbs—— sharetheexperience.org
Winter has arrived at Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, and it is gorgeous! Christina Adele Warburg@christinaadelephoto took this photo last weekend at Mormon Row. Photographers from around the world visit this area of the park to capture the iconic barn with the Teton Range in the background. Courtesy Christina Adele Warburg
An amazing sunrise at Canyonlands National Park in Utah. This photo was captured by Ryan Engstrom on the Mesa Arch Trail -- a popular place to capture the sunrise over the park’s countless canyons and fantastically formed buttes carved by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Ryan Engstrom— sharetheexperience.org
The morning commute is a little different at Yellowstone National Park. Cameron Patrick captured this photo on a cold morning -- just after the bison herd had waded through a river along the side the road. The bisons' body heat caused the water to turn to steam in the cold air, creating mist around the bison.Courtesy Cameron Patrick
"If it isn't God's backyard, then he certainly lives nearby." - Robin Williams on Glacier National Park. Kim Hang Dessoliers— sharetheexperience.org
The Milky Way over Arches National Park in Utah.Jacob W. Frank

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