Extraordinary Experiences

With many wide-open spaces and locations across the United States, the national parks offer unbeatable opportunities to view and experience natural phenomena.

The aurora borealis dances across the night sky of Alaska and northern parks in the continental United States. Bioluminescence lights up the waters of ocean parks along the coasts. Solar and lunar eclipses are viewable in parks across the county.

Experiencing these and other natural phenomena first-hand can transform an ordinary park visit into something extraordinary!

A white light image of the solar corona during totality
Eclipses

Learn more about the different types of lunar and solar eclipses and how they occur—and how to stay safe while viewing them.

Last updated: August 9, 2018