Wildflowers bloom around a fallen aspen along the Kachina Trail, part of the Flagstaff area’s Kachina Peaks Wilderness, in afternoon light. Starting from its trailhead at the Arizona Snowbowl parking lot, this hiking route features an immersive look at the old-growth forest of the San Francisco Peaks. By Joel Hazelton

Wildflowers bloom around a fallen aspen along the Kachina Trail, part of the Flagstaff area’s Kachina Peaks Wilderness, in afternoon light. Starting from its trailhead at the Arizona Snowbowl parking lot, this hiking route features an immersive look at the old-growth forest of the San Francisco Peaks.

Joel Hazelton

CANON EOS 5DS R, 1/10 SEC, F/18, ISO 100, 41 MM LENS

 

A sun dog, an atmospheric phenomenon resembling a rainbow, punctuates a view of multicolored wildflowers on the rolling hills of Bonito Park, northeast of Flagstaff. This area, near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, is named for the Bonito Lava Flow, which erupted from the base of Sunset Crater some 900 years ago. By Claire Curran

A sun dog, an atmospheric phenomenon resembling a rainbow, punctuates a view of multicolored wildflowers on the rolling hills of Bonito Park, northeast of Flagstaff. This area, near Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, is named for the Bonito Lava Flow, which erupted from the base of Sunset Crater some 900 years ago.

Claire Curran

CANON EOS 5DS MARK III, 1/80 SEC, F/20, ISO 200, 30 MM LENS

 

Smooth sandstone and leafless vegetation anchor a view of Tower Butte (right) and other landmarks on the south side of Lake Powell. This view is looking south from a ridge on the Utah side of the reservoir, which covers more than 250 square miles when full. By Suzanne Mathia

Smooth sandstone and leafless vegetation anchor a view of Tower Butte (right) and other landmarks on the south side of Lake Powell. This view is looking south from a ridge on the Utah side of the reservoir, which covers more than 250 square miles when full.

Suzanne Mathia

CANON EOS 5D MARK III, 1/16 SEC, F/14, ISO 100, 32 MM LENS

 

The waterfalls of Elves Chasm, on Royal Arch Creek in the Grand Canyon, nourish greenery clinging to steep canyon walls. Located on the south side of the Colorado River, Elves Chasm is a popular stop for Canyon rafting trips. By Adam Schallau

The waterfalls of Elves Chasm, on Royal Arch Creek in the Grand Canyon, nourish greenery clinging to steep canyon walls. Located on the south side of the Colorado River, Elves Chasm is a popular stop for Canyon rafting trips.   

Adam Schallau

CANON EOS 5DS R, 3.2 SEC, F/16, ISO 100, 18 MM LENS

 

A hoodoo, evergreens, the Canyon’s buttes and a lightning strike form an imposing scene in a view from a little-explored area of the South Rim. Lightning strikes occur at Grand Canyon National Park about 25,000 times per year, according to park officials. By Claire Curran

A hoodoo, evergreens, the Canyon’s buttes and a lightning strike form an imposing scene in a view from a little-explored area of the South Rim. Lightning strikes occur at Grand Canyon National Park about 25,000 times per year, according to park officials.

Claire Curran

CANON EOS 5DS R, 0.3 SEC, F/22, ISO 100, 30 MM LENS

 

The sun illuminates sandstone walls at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, near Chinle. The monument is jointly managed by the Navajo Nation and the National Park Service, making it a rarity among Park Service sites. By Shane McDermott

The sun illuminates sandstone walls at Canyon de Chelly National Monument, near Chinle. The monument is jointly managed by the Navajo Nation and the National Park Service, making it a rarity among Park Service sites.

Shane McDermott

Nikon D800, 1/25 SEC, F/10, ISO 100, 35 MM LENS

 

Flowering yuccas catch the last light of the day beneath the sandstone buttes of the Navajo Nation, which makes up much of Arizona’s northeast corner. Covering more than 27,000 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, the Navajo Nation is the largest tribal land in the United States. By Bernhard Michaelis

Flowering yuccas catch the last light of the day beneath the sandstone buttes of the Navajo Nation, which makes up much of Arizona’s northeast corner. Covering more than 27,000 square miles in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, the Navajo Nation is the largest tribal land in the United States.

Bernhard Michaelis

CANON EOS-1DS MARK III, 1/100 SEC, F/16, ISO 100, 24 MM LENS