The national parks are ideal camera fodder: they’re inherently dramatic and gorgeous in any light. These three series stand out, whether you want an absorbing narrative, sumptuous visuals, or a little of both.
Informative: The National Parks: America’s Best Idea
Six episodes, 12 hours, 53 parks. is without peer in its scope, cinematography, and research, even if the breathless exaltations get a little repetitive as the hours grind on.
Beautiful: More than Just Parks
. Filmmaker brothers Will and Jim Pattiz intend to capture all 59 parks in this Web series. So far they’ve done six, presented in five-minute time-lapse segments set to a Zen soundtrack.
Informative and Beautiful: Rock the Park
Hosts Colton Smith and Jack Steward (pictured above) . (Season two is airing now on ABC.) They bumble through backpacking and ice climbing, and end each installment with the exhortation “If we can do it, so can you!”