Celebrating 54 years of Capitol Reef National Park Dec 18, 2025

Celebrating 54 years of Capitol Reef National Park

Rock layers formed over millions of years and a massive bend in the Earth"s crust give this desert a rare window into geologic history. This is Capitol Reef National Park in Utah, where sandstone cliffs and canyons preserve a striking record of the planet"s past. December 18 marks the anniversary of its designation as a national park in 1971. Today"s featured image highlights the sandstone monoliths of Cathedral Valley, including the Temple of the Sun, part of this extraordinary, protected landscape.

© Austin Cronnelly/TANDEM Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Dec 18, 2018A hit ballet, long after its debut
Dec 18, 2019It’s Weihnachtsmarkt time!
Dec 18, 2020A towering view of the Pale Mountains
Dec 18, 2021Full moon
Dec 18, 2022South Beach in Miami Beach, Florida
Dec 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Dec 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 24, 2020Trunks stick together
Sep 9, 2020Where the bearded reedling sings
Nov 24, 2024Sonoma Coast State Park, California
Apr 15, 2024World Art Day
Nov 17, 2018A bird of beauty
Feb 5, 2024Western Monarch Day
May 5, 2021The birthplace of Cinco de Mayo
Oct 3, 2025Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Apr 3, 2019Dark skies over New Mexico
Oct 10, 2018Space is for everyone
Jun 5, 2019Happy trees = Clean air
Nov 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Mar 29, 2020The borrowed days are here
Jan 30, 2026St. Michaels Mount in Marazion, Cornwall, England
Feb 14, 2021An oceanic valentine
Apr 13, 2019Feelin groovy on Record Store Day
Dec 23, 2021Festivus
Aug 21, 2018Ingenuity in action on the Santa Monica Pier
Jan 26, 2021It s Australia Day
Oct 24, 2019Bridge of Hillsborough County
Oct 19, 2025Apples ready for harvest in Minnesota
Aug 28, 2023Dubrovnik, Croatia
Feb 20, 2024Kinder Scout, Peak District National Park, England
May 8, 2018Raise your hand for Teacher Appreciation Day
Jun 18, 2018Here, fishy!
May 9, 2026Skradinski Buk Waterfall, Krka National Park, Croatia
Dec 23, 2022Gentoo penguins in Antarctica
Jun 29, 2024Tour de France 2024 begins
Mar 2, 2023Negratín Reservoir, Granada, Spain
Mar 23, 2023World Meteorological Day