Mount Rainier National Park has reopened public access to the Carbon River area of the park, reversing an emergency closure issued on November 15, 2021. However, you'll have to walk or bike in and be prepared to navigate around road and trail washouts and expect to encounter normal late winter hazards, including downed trees, snow, and changing weather conditions.

Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson joined the ranks of others escaping to the national parks in 2021 and returned with enough written and photographic material for a year’s worth of photo columns. In this 2021 Year in Review, Rebecca shares her favorites with you.

There are many faces to winter in a national park. Some park units have no snow, while others host feet of the fluffy white stuff. On sunny days, the atmosphere is clear and sharp, producing saturated colors for your camera. On not-so-sunny days, your camera’s LCD lens might be filled with varying shades of gray and white. Contributing photographer Rebecca Latson provides examples of what you might see through your camera’s lens and how to prepare for winter photography in a national park.

How many of you have your own Instagram account, or follow national park Instagram accounts? You can learn all sorts of interesting things. As a matter of fact, this National Parks Quiz and Trivia #39 was created using facts learned from other park units’ Instagram accounts.