Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia May 17, 2026

Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

How high is high enough for a great view? In the eastern United States, it doesn"t take much. Hawksbill Mountain is the highest point in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, at 4,050 feet, showing how these older mountains rely on openness, not elevation. The park"s establishment in 1935 involved reforestation after extensive farming and logging. Today, much of that land has returned to forest, supporting mixed hardwoods, mountain laurel, and rhododendron. What else? Some of the rocks found here date back over 1 billion years, among the oldest in the state. The park shelters over 200 bird species and 32 species of fish and remains dog friendly, allowing pets in campgrounds and on most trails.

© John Baggaley/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

May 17, 2018Celebrating Norwegian Constitution Day
May 17, 2019Work out on your way to work
May 17, 2020My my, it s Syttende Mai
May 17, 2021Happy Syttende Mai!
May 17, 2022Salt ponds of Maras, Peru
May 17, 2023Natural Bridges State Beach in Santa Cruz, California
May 17, 2024Endangered Species Day
May 17, 2025A delta in the Venetian Lagoon, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Dec 4, 2024Wildlife Conservation Day
Jul 8, 2022Preveli Gorge
Jun 30, 2020We re gonna need a bigger birdhouse
Aug 28, 2019Florentine garden brings generations together
Mar 21, 2020It s World Poetry Day
Mar 26, 2021The wild heart of Tasmania
Jan 14, 2021Summer huts in winter
Apr 23, 2022World Book Day
Nov 5, 2019Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
Aug 17, 2022Freshwater plants in Aquário Natural, Brazil
Aug 11, 2021Everyone s watching the Perseids
Nov 8, 2020Languid life on the Lakes
May 11, 2018Celebrating Minnesota’s statehood
Oct 24, 2021Bavljenac Island
Jan 23, 2026Þorrablót, Icelandic midwinter festival
Nov 23, 2023Happy Thanksgiving!
Dec 28, 2020Wildcat in a winter wonderland
Oct 10, 2020Birds of a feather
Aug 10, 2018Assembling the Smithsonian
Jun 4, 2023Waiānapanapa State Park, Maui, Hawaii
Nov 3, 2022International Day for Biosphere Reserves
Apr 19, 2021Rays on parade
Feb 7, 2024St. James Tidal Pool, Cape Town, South Africa
Jan 13, 2026Hen Galan
May 19, 2022Glass footbridge in Zhangjiajie, China
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messenia, Greece
Apr 13, 2026International Dark Sky Week
Sep 9, 2022Belize Barrier Reef
Feb 14, 2020Two rocks and a heart spot
Dec 17, 2020Pining for spring