2024 National Park Photo Contest Winners

Updated November 14, 2024 08:53AM

National Park Trips received 2,100 spectacular photo entries to the annual National Park Photo Contest presented by Tamron. It was a difficult task to choose the 2024 winning photos because of the high quality of entries, but the judges have selected this year’s top photos. The best photographers in each category, Landscape, Night Skies and Wildlife, were awarded their choice of a Tamron camera lens including the Tamron 150-500mm (Model A057), Tamron 150-600mm (Model A022) or Tamron 50-400mm (Model A067), and are featured in the National Park Journal magazine.

In addition, 30 honorable mention winners receive certificates and are featured on our national park websites.

Landscape Photography Winner

“I have lived in an RV exploring the West for the last 3 years and was able to visit Yellowstone for the first time in July of 2023. I thought that seeing one of Old Faithful’s clockwork eruptions would be good to see once during the trip. I didn’t realize that every geyser eruption would offer the same excitement, sense of awe and a new opportunity for photography each time. I ended up visiting every day to get another angle, a different time of day – even some of the geyser eruption with Bison browsing in front of it. This image was taken on the very last day of my trip, after an afternoon hike out to Morning Glory pool. When I returned to Old Faithful, I decided to wait for one last show from the geyser. It was cold, and mosquitoes were as thick as clouds around the few spectators. I chose to frame the setting sun behind the steam and spurting hot water, and shot this before the geyser reached its full height and obscured the light completely.”

Wildlife Photography Winner

“Early one February morning, we crossed the Seven Mile Bridge in Yellowstone National Park, where we encountered two bison herds in the fields to our right. Without warning, the bison, numbering 400-500, charged eastward, crossing the Madison River and joining the road just yards in front of our snowcoach. We navigated alongside them, occasionally finding gaps in the herd where we could disembark and capture images of their powerful movement. Aware that our window of opportunity was limited as they approached, we would get back in the snowcoach and move on.

Repeating this sequence of driving, stopping, taking photos, and driving again, we shared this awe-inspiring journey through Yellowstone’s winter landscape with the bison for an exhilarating six miles. The herds continued eastward at Madison Junction, while we turned south along the Firehole River. We speculated that a recent wolf attack on one of the bison, which bore signs of a bloody wound, might have triggered the stampede. Whatever the cause, this thrilling experience remains etched in our memory as a true highlight of Yellowstone’s winter magic.”

Night Skies Photography Winner

Milky Way over Delicate Arch. “This image to me signifies that even in the vastness of the universe, being both delicate and resilient will help keep you grounded.” – Clint Hunt

Landscape Honorable Mentions

2024 Honorable Mention Landscape Photos by Sameer Dave, John Moses, Trygve Skogseth, Sabrina Leviton, Randy Yost, Isabel Guerra Clark, Geoffrey Prior, Jay Huang, Scott McBride and Norman Lathrop.

Wildlife Honorable Mentions

2024 Honorable Mention Wildlife Photos by Christopher Johnson, Jennifer Fordyce, Kristie Dickinson (2), Alan Lovelidge, Dennis Gingerich, Danielle Morimoto, Rachael Curtin, Lucy Schultz and Amy Glotfelty.

Night Skies Honorable Mentions

2024 Honorable Mention Night Skies Photos by Erick Garza, Ryan McGinnis, John Vermette, Bruce Herwig, Tim Jones, Mathew Nichols (2), Steven Kelly, Alex Mauro and Randy Yost.