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 9, 2022Dolomites
May 18, 2023International Museum Day
Jun 23, 2018Commemorating peace in Antarctica
Oct 8, 2025World Octopus Day
May 24, 2023Old Fortress, Corfu, Greece
Feb 13, 2023El Valle de la Luna, Chile
Jul 21, 2020Belgium celebrates its independence
Nov 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Jun 26, 2020Beautiful baobabs
Apr 17, 2020It s a ruff life
Jul 14, 2020Under Parisian skies
Apr 4, 2018Mexican giant cardon cactus
Nov 15, 2018‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
Jan 15, 2020Harvest season begins
Jul 11, 2024World Population Day
Apr 20, 2026National Park Week
Jul 19, 2022National Bison Month
Jun 30, 2022Asteroid Day
Jan 24, 2019Lights, camera, Sundance
Jun 10, 2024The city of Osaka at night, Japan
Sep 5, 2026National Hummingbird Day
Apr 1, 2019Unbearable cuteness
Aug 17, 2026False clownfish off Cabilao Island, Bohol, Philippines
May 21, 2024International Tea Day
Dec 30, 2024Mount Field National Park, Tasmania, Australia
Apr 12, 2021In orbit for Yuri s Night
Dec 18, 2024English National Ballet performing The Nutcracker
Jul 5, 2022Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe
Jul 2, 2023Its Halfway Day!
Jul 1, 2020Canada s $20 view