"Faces and Places of Wilderness"contest received nearly 600 photos. Narrowing down to the winners was a challenging task. We thank everyone who entered and hope Americans continue to celebrate and cherish our Wilderness Area.

Click on each photo for a bigger view.

Over the next several weeks, we'll be sharing more of our favorite entries on Facebook

"WIldlife" Category

1st Place - "What are you looking at?"

*'What are you looking at? ' by Carol McCallion of Wyoming. Taken in the Sequoia National Forest, Monarch Wilderness*

2nd Place - "Icon of the American West, Bison Bull"

*'Icon of the American West, Bison Bull' by Dorothy Graves of California. Taken in the Teton National Forest, Teton Wilderness*

3rd Place - "Fortress of the Bear Wilderness"

*'It's the 'Fortress of the Bear Wilderness' By Ehren Epperson of Oklahoma. Taken on the Tongass National Forest, Kootnwoowo Wilderness*

"People" Category

1st Place - "Robert Marek, Camp 3"

*'Robert Marek, Camp 3' by Ehren Epperson of Oklahoma. Taken on the Tongass National Forest, Kootnwoowo Wilderness.*

2nd Place - "Morning light on the way to the summit of the Mount of the Holy Cross"

*'Morning light on the way to the summit of the Mount of the Holy Cross' by Christopher Benda. Taken on the White River National Forest, Holy Cross Wilderness*

3rd Place - "Chugach Children's Forest participants float across the waters of Prince William Sound during a kayak-based youth stewardship expedition"