10. Share the Experience 2026 – America’s National Parks and Public Lands Photo Contest (USA)

Submission Deadline: December 31, 2026
Eligibility: Legal residents of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C. only
Entry Fee: Free
Grand Prize: US$10,000
Category Prizes: US$2,000 per category
Presented by: National Park Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton

About the Contest

Share the Experience is a national photography competition celebrating America’s national parks, federal recreation areas, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands through photography.

The 2026 edition marks the contest’s 20th anniversary. Amateur photographers are invited to capture their experiences on America’s federal public lands and waters, showcasing nature, wildlife, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation.

The contest is presented by the National Park Foundation and Booz Allen Hamilton in partnership with Recreation.gov and participating federal land agencies.

Important eligibility notice: This is not an international competition. Only legal residents of one of the 50 United States or Washington, D.C. may enter. Photographers residing in Türkiye are not eligible.

Contest Categories

1. Wildlife

This category celebrates wildlife found on America’s federal public lands and waters.

Photographs may feature birds, mammals, reptiles, marine life, and other wild animals in their natural habitats. Images should capture natural behavior and the relationship between wildlife and its environment.

Photographers must maintain a safe and respectful distance and follow all applicable wildlife regulations.

2. Scenery & Seasons

This category highlights America’s natural beauty and seasonal changes.

Eligible subjects include mountains, deserts, forests, lakes, rivers, coastlines, native plants, and scenic landscapes. Seasonal subjects such as fall foliage, spring blooms, winter snow, and summer skies are also welcome.

3. History & Culture

This category recognizes the people, places, and traditions that help tell America’s story.

Photographs may feature historic monuments, battlefields, historic buildings, cultural celebrations, reenactments, and heritage preserved on public lands.

4. People & Recreation

This category celebrates the activities and experiences available on America’s public lands and waters.

Photographs may feature hiking, camping, cycling, water sports, outdoor adventures, family activities, and people of all abilities enjoying nature.

Prizes

Grand Prize

One winning photographer will receive:

• US$10,000 cash
• Two-night hotel stay vouchers at two separate Historic Hotels of America properties
• An Annual Federal Recreational Lands Pass
• Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Telescope
• Celestron Nature DX 8×42 binoculars
• A YETI prize package

The grand prize-winning photograph may also be considered for the 2028 Annual Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Category Prizes

One winner in each of the four categories will receive:

• US$2,000 cash
• A two-night historic hotel stay voucher
• An Annual Federal Recreational Lands Pass
• Celestron Nature DX 8×42 binoculars
• A YETI prize package

Honorable Mentions and Monthly Awards

• One Honorable Mention in each category will receive an Annual Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
• Three Monthly Winners will be selected each month, and each will receive an Annual Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Eligibility and Entry Requirements

• The contest is open only to legal residents of one of the 50 U.S. states or Washington, D.C.
• Entrants must be at least 13 years old as of September 1, 2026.
• Entrants under 18 must have parent or legal guardian consent.
• This is an amateur photography contest. Professional photographers are not eligible. Individuals employed full- or part-time as photographers, earning the majority of their income through photography, or identifying as professional photographers may be considered professionals.
• Each entrant may submit up to 50 photographs.
• All photographs must be original images captured by the entrant.
• Photographs must have been taken between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2026.
• Photographs taken by someone else or previously selected as winners in this contest are not eligible.
• Images must be submitted in JPG format and have a minimum of 1,500 pixels on the long edge.
• Watermarks, signatures, writing, logos, borders, and added graphic elements are not permitted.
• Noticeably or excessively altered images may be disqualified. Photographs must accurately represent what the photographer witnessed.
• Synthetic or generative AI-created images are not permitted.
• Finalists may be asked to provide original camera files, such as RAW files.

Eligible Photography Locations

Photographs must be taken on federal public lands or waters managed by one of the following six agencies:

• National Park Service
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Photographs taken exclusively on state, city, local, tribal, or privately owned lands are not eligible. Images taken in state or city parks may qualify only if the underlying land is federally owned and managed in partnership with a federal agency.

Additional Grand Prize Requirement: To be eligible for the Grand Prize, a photograph must be taken at a location where the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass is accepted for entrance or standard amenity fees.

Judging Criteria

Photographs will be evaluated based on five criteria:

• Originality and unique perspective
• Artistic composition
• Technical quality
• Photographic technique
• How effectively the photograph showcases the natural beauty, wildlife, culture, and recreation opportunities of America’s public lands

All judging criteria will receive equal consideration.

Contest Timeline

• Submission Period: September 1–December 31, 2026
• Judging Period: January 1–April 30, 2027
• Winners Announcement: June 2027

Three Monthly Winners will be selected from eligible entries submitted during each month. During the annual judging phase, up to 250 photographs may be selected as finalists. The final awards will include one Grand Prize, four Category Prizes, and four Honorable Mentions.

How to Enter

Entries are free and must be submitted through the official contest website.

Participants must create a free account on the official submission portal, upload their photographs, select the appropriate category, and complete the online entry form.

Entrants should provide accurate information about the date and location of each photograph. Finalists may be asked to submit original image files or additional information to verify the photograph.

Copyright and Important Notice

Entrants represent that they own the copyright to their submitted photographs. However, by entering, participants grant the organizers a worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and sublicensable license to use the photographs.

This license includes the rights to reproduce, modify, publish, distribute, publicly display, and create derivative works for promotional, editorial, commercial, fundraising, and licensing purposes, without additional compensation, notification, or permission.

The official rules also contain a provision stating that submitted entries become the property of the sponsors and their designees. Entrants should carefully review the copyright terms before submitting their work.

Contact

Email: sharetheexperience@recreation.gov

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL COMPETITION WEBSITE