There are few outward signs that Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is tucked into the middle of Macon, Georgia, surrounded by residential and commercial development. My family and I nearly drove past the entrance as our heads moved from the phone directions to the road and back again. But as soon as we followed the signature national park signs, it felt like a curtain of greenery wrapped itself around our car. We could hear sounds of the city, but all we saw were shades of emerald.

Traveler contributing photographer Rebecca Latson loves every single national park unit she’s ever visited, but she believes some parks are real standouts for certain categories of photography. In this month’s column, Rebecca lists some of those favorite parks.

We all need a little help with our directions from time to time, but what's up with this arrow? More specifically, where is it, and what's the story behind it? We'll have the answer tomorrow.

The mosquitoes pull out all the stops to welcome us as we arrive alongside Hog Island in a fisheries patrol-style boat and take turns donning hip waders to make our way through the ocean lagoon to the rocky shore. We’re the only humans around and as we take a rare tour of this densely forested island, the overly abundant resident mosquito population follows and feasts.