The National Park Foundation announced last week the winners of the 2012 Share the Experience photo contest, an annual competition to encourage exploration in Americas federal lands.
The grand prize winner was captured from her family’s tent in Bridger Teton National Forest by Katherine Hawkins of Hyde Park, New York. Her prize is $15,000 and a one-year free pass to every national park and property.
Second place went to Sue Cullumber of Chandler, Ariz., for her fly fishing photo on Salt River at the Phon D Sutton Recreation Site in the Tonto National Forest.
Third place went to Adam Jewell of Conshohocken, Pa., for his photo of a pair of kayaks at Isle Royale National Park. See their entries, along with seven other great photos on the website.
In total, 26,160 photos were submitted over the course of the contest, which ran from June 28, 2012 to December 31, 2012. See last year’s winners from 2011 and their photos here.
Start collecting your contest-worthy photos taken on any of the more than 500 million acres of federal lands across the United States. The 2013 Share the Experience photo contest is now accepting entries through December 31. This year’s prizes include cash, Air Wick Limited Edition National Park Collection scents, Columbia Sportswear backpacks and hotel packages courtesy of Historic Hotels of America. For a full listing of prizing and rules, or to submit a photo, please visit www.sharetheexperience.org.