US Department of the Interior

May the 4th be with you. Be on the lookout. You never know what you might find. Find your own galaxy on public lands near you.

Rising above the plains of Oklahoma, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a rugged sanctuary where grasslands meet granite peaks. Known for its roaming herds of bison and Rocky Mountain elk, the refuge also offers quality opportunities for recreation. Photo by Steven Hunter

You wake up, unzip your tent, and find bear tracks leading straight to your campsite. 😲 A backpacking photographer captured this moment in Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. Photo courtesy of Matt Meisenheimer

This week, @SecretaryBurgum met with his royal majesty King Charles III to spotlight one of America’s crown jewels, the Shenandoah Valley. There they announced that the mountain range would officially be named a sister park to the Scottish Highlands.

Honored to be joined by His Majesty King Charles III yesterday at @ShenandoahNPS to celebrate the new partnership between Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and Cairngorms National Park in Scotland. Yet another testament to our shared culture, history and landscapes.

White Sands National Park offers a landscape like no other, with glistening gypsum dunes perfect for exploration, play and inspiration. Whether you're sledding with the family or soaking in the quiet beauty of the desert, unforgettable moments await. Photo by Stephen Leonardi

Parks and Rex! 🏕️ The King has spent time at Shenandoah National Park in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachian Highlands.   ⛰️ The Blue Ridge Mountains are among the oldest in the worldand the Appalachian Highlands were, remarkably, once connected to the Scottish Highlands as part of a single mountain chain.   Conservation efforts at Shenandoah include those aimed at preserving the iconic bald eagle, which was at risk of extinction in the mid-1900s. 🦅

🇺🇸⛰️🇬🇧 @ShenandoahNPS

Not every treasure is gold. Some are bright blue. 💙 This burrowing crayfish lives mostly underground, but after spring rains, it emerges onto the surface. As long as its gills stay wet, it can survive out of water for a time. Photo by @usfws

Today, at Federal Hall National Memorial, you can explore the site that served as the nation’s first capitol, where the first Congress met, the Supreme Court convened, and the Executive Branch began.

On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath of office from an open-air balcony at Federal Hall in New York City, becoming the nation’s first president and marking the start of the American constitutional republic.

If you see one in the road, slow down and give it space to cross. Only intervene if it is in immediate danger. Thank you for helping protect these ancient reptiles. 🐢💚 Photos by Brad Sutton / NPS

We all love desert tortoises, but if you ever encounter one in the wild, please leave it alone. If a tortoise is scared, it will void its bladder, potentially losing a year's worth of fluids that it needs to survive.

This week, we stand alongside the fire service community and the @NFFF_News to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. We take this time to recognize those we have lost and reflect on the dedication, service, and sacrifice that define the wildland fire community. During National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, we will take part in remembrance events and moments of reflection to ensure their legacy is never forgotten. We invite you to join us in honoring the fallen. Whether lighting your house or business with a glow of red lights, observing a moment of silence, or learning more about those who gave their lives, there are many ways to pay tribute. Learn more: weekend.firehero.org/events/memoria…

Wildland firefighters face some of the toughest, most relentless conditions out there. With grit and determination, they protect communities, families, infrastructure, and the public lands we all rely on. We’re grateful for their sacrifice and honor their service every day.

The 2027 @NFL Draft is coming to the National Mall! Thanks to @POTUS and @NationalMallNPS, Washington, D.C. will be Safe, Beautiful and READY to host the NFL and welcome fans from across the country for an unforgettable experience!

🚨 @USGS has found that the Appalachian region of the U.S. contains enough lithium to replace 328 YEARS of imports! Thanks to world-leading mineral science, permitting reform and renewed investment in domestic mining, @POTUS has reclaimed America's mineral independence.

Absolutely mesmerizing to witness the glowing lava fountains at Kīlauea's summit eruption in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Volcanoes are living monuments to Earth's fiery origins, a powerful reminder that our planet’s forces are still alive and at work. Video by @usgs

America’s public lands are places that offer quiet, healing, and connection. Whether it’s a sunrise over the Appalachian Mountains or the quiet of a remote desert canyon, these moments remind us of what service protects. To all who have served, thank you. May these lands continue to offer peace in return. As a small token of our gratitude, Military Passes provides U.S. service members, veterans, and Gold Star Families with free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks and wildlife refuges. Interior is proud to offer these passes to demonstrate our immense gratitude for those who currently serve and who have served our country. Start your adventure: nps.gov/planyourvisit/… Photo by Chris Mobley

The Teton Range is one of the youngest mountain ranges in North America. They have been uplifting for less than 10 million years, making them "adolescent" mountains, compared to the Rockies or the Appalachians. With less time for erosion, their jagged peaks still stand sharp.