America’s State Parks in partnership with ReserveAmerica is excited to share the winners of the ninth annual America’s State Parks Photo Contest. We received nearly 10,500 incredible entries from all 50 states showcasing the beauty and endless adventures found in state parks across the country in six categories: Scenic & Seasons, Camping, Wildlife, Friends & Family, Activities, and Fan Favorite.
The judging panel deliberated over the incredible submissions that showcased the beauty of state parks nationwide and selected seven winners. The Grand Prize winner is awarded $5,000 from this year’s sponsor Black Folks Camp Too. In addition, each of the six honorable mention category winners received a $500 REI gift card from Aspira.
All the winning images and stories below capture the heart of what makes state parks so special. We hope they inspire you to get outside and make your own memories at a state park near you!
Grand Prize Winner
Photographer: Dianalee Hirt
Location: Pawtuckaway State Park, New Hampshire
Dianalee took the grand prize-winning photo, “Sunset Fire,” on her first visit to Pawtuckaway State Park. Camping is a central part of her life and her love for it is a family tradition. Her journey as an avid camper began when she and her now-husband, Victor, embarked on a cross-country adventure to pick up a vintage Shasta teardrop trailer, which they named Eloise. Their love for camping has since led them to camp throughout New England, join vintage camping groups, and even host their own annual Vintage Camper Rally.
The story behind the winning photo is a beautiful testament to friendship and a shared love for the outdoors. Dianalee’s friend, Darnell, who is featured in the photo, introduced her to the park. Though Dianalee couldn’t stay for the full camping trip, she visited for the day and found the park to be the perfect, serene getaway. The photo, taken with her iPhone 12 Pro Max, captures a joyful moment from that day—a warm fire on a cool evening. This initial trip sparked a deep affection for Pawtuckaway, which has since become one of Dianalee’s top three favorite campgrounds. She now visits the park at least once or twice a year.
“State parks are so valued by our family. Our entire foundation and love were built on camping. I was asked to be Victor’s girlfriend at Myles Standish State Park while paddleboarding on a cute pond called Barrett Pond. Exactly five years later, with our baby, we got married at that very same state park!
We absolutely love the simplicity and beauty of our local state parks, and we love that it’s still affordable to be able to take a vacation and camp there. We are able to get away many times a year. When camping, we feel so liberated and like we’re in another world. It’s such important connection and recharging time for us.”
Wildlife Category Winner
Photographer: Daniel Sylvester
Location: Baxter State Park, Maine
Daniel Sylvester has been pursuing his passion for photography and the outdoors since he was a teenager. He prefers seeking out remote, less-traveled locations in New England and across the USA to create a more personal connection with nature and to increase his chances of spotting elusive wildlife. When he isn’t photographing, he enjoys spending time with family and friends while skiing, motorcycling, camping, hiking, and fishing.
His grand prize-winning photograph, “Bullwinkle,” captures a bull moose in the pouring rain, and it is a testament to his patience and knowledge of the outdoors. On a rainy October morning in Baxter State Park, Daniel and his brother used a topographic map and GPS to trek for miles to a remote area they knew moose frequented. After spotting a bull moose and losing track of him, they anticipated his next move and bushwhacked to a new location to wait for him. After about 45 minutes, the bull moose emerged from the dense brush just as a heavy rain began. The pouring rain and thick fog created a dramatic backdrop as Daniel took numerous photos before the moose gradually disappeared.
Scenic & Seasons Category Winner
Photographer: Peggy Schafer
Location: State Forest State Park, CO
Peggy is a retired dental administrator from St. Louis, Missouri. Her love for the outdoors began in childhood, influenced by her father and her time in the Girl Scouts. Now retired, she enjoys her free time with the Colorado Mountain Club, volunteering at Barr Lake State Park, and traveling with her husband, all while capturing beautiful moments with her camera.
Peggy’s winning photo titled “Glorious Morning” was taken during an RV camping trip to State Forest State Park with her husband. As they were taking their early morning walk from their campsite to the lake, they were struck by the beauty of the sunrise. With her Canon 6D SLR camera in hand, she captured the breathtaking moment, which she describes as an “amazing display.” For Peggy, state parks offer a refreshing escape from city life and are essential places for people to relax, unwind, and connect with nature.
Friends & Family Category Winner
Photographer: Brandy Dykes
Location: Huntsville State Park, TX
Brandy, a wife and mother of three from Texas, won the Friends & Family category with her photograph “Watching the Sunset.” Passionate about photography since high school she views state parks as places to escape the everyday and make lasting memories with loved ones.
The story behind her winning photo is deeply personal. Taken on New Year’s Day at Huntsville State Park, it features her mother and father-in-law watching the sunset over Lake Raven. They had recently returned to the U.S. after more than 25 years of missionary work in Zambia, and the transition was difficult for them. The family went to the park to spend a day in nature to help them ease into their new life. While watching them together, Brandy was struck by the moment, which felt like the sun was setting on that chapter of their lives. She used her Nikon D750 to capture the poignant scene. The family lives close to the park and visits several times a year.
Activities Category Winner
Photographer: Rebecca Wang
Location: Fort Stevenson State Park, North Dakota
Rebecca discovered her passion for photography 13 years ago and loves documenting her family’s daily life and travels. Due to her husband’s military career, her family has had the opportunity to live and travel all over the United States.
Rebecca’s winning photo “Trail Rides” was taken during her family’s first visit to Fort Stevenson State Park. They went to the park for its annual kite festival, which they had heard about after being stationed in North Dakota. After watching the various kites, they decided to explore the area on their bikes. The photo shows her children enjoying the trail by the lake with three kites in the distance. Since their first visit, they have returned to the park twice for kayaking and fishing and plan to return for a fall festival. For Rebecca, state parks are places of peace and inspiration, offering a wide range of activities that have inspired her family to make it a goal to visit as many state parks as possible.
Camping Category Winner
Photographer: Johnee Guizzotti
Location: Lake Wenatchee State Park, Washington
Johnee is a “journeyman wireman” and avid camper from the Pacific Northwest. She loves outdoor adventures, often combining her passion for geocaching with her explorations. She even has a collection of vintage canvas tents, each with a unique name, including the “Small Tent,” which is featured in her photo and is anything but small.
The story behind the winning photo titled “Piercing Cold. Piercing Beauty” is a fun one. Johnee took the picture during a frigid winter camping trip at Lake Wenatchee State Park. She had been “bugged” for months by a friend to go camping in the cold and, in a playful act of rebellion, found a beautiful snow-covered spot and didn’t tell her friend where they were going. Though Johnee woke up “freezing,” thanks to her over-packing, she survived the night, and the experience has since turned into an annual snow camping trip at the park. Her photo, taken with her Google Pixel 6 Pro, captures the cold but beautiful moment—a tent by the lake under a clear starry sky. While she has since visited the park in the summer, Johnee prefers the silence and views of the winter season.
Fan Favorite Category Winner
Photographer: Keith Gehlhausen
Location: Roads End State Recreation Site, Oregon
Keith Gehlhausen is an avid adventurer and Scout leader. Keith has spent countless hours exploring the country’s most beautiful landscapes with over 3,400 hiking miles, 1,500 paddling miles, and over 1,000 nights of camping experience. Whether it’s exploring desert canyons, backpacking to mountain summits, or paddling quiet backwaters, he’s constantly drawn to new landscapes and the chance to experience them at a slower, more intentional pace.
Keith captured this photo during a spring road trip across Oregon. While he didn’t find the hand-blown glass float he was searching for on the beach that day, he found something even better. As the sun began to set, a mysterious fog rolled in, blanketing the sea stacks and creating an enchanting coastal scene that he was able to capture with his Nikon Coolpix P950. The result is a truly special image that speaks to the beauty of the Oregon coast and the unexpected treasures found in nature.