Nine Breathtaking Photos of National Parks From Space

A picture captured from space is a special kind of photograph. Taken for perspective, posterity and probably some spying for the U.S. government, snaps of the planet offer a vantage point encountered by a highly trained, precious few. The rest of us can only look on in wonder. Check out some of America’s best national parks below.

Death Valley National Park, California

Death Valley National Park (NASA Earth Observatory)

Mount Denali National Park, Alaska

Mt. Denali National Park, Alaska (NASA Earth Observatory)

Everglades National Park, Florida

Everglades National Park (NASA Earth Observatory)

Volcano National Park, Hawaii

Hawaii’s Volcano National Park (NASA Earth Observatory)

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah (Jeff Williams/NASA)

Katmai National Park, Alaska

Katmai National Park (Jeff Williams/NASA)

Mount St. Helens, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Gifford Pinchot National, Forest, Washington (Jeff Williams/NASA)

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park (NASA)

Niagara Falls State Park, New York

Niagara Falls State Park (NASA Earth Observatory)

This last one obviously isn’t a national park, but it was too interesting from space to keep off the list. Do you agree with our round-up? What did we miss? Join the conversation on our Facebook page.