This is one of my favorite weeks! It’s National Park Week + Earth Day all in one neat little package! This post is dedicated to National Park Week, as my love for our National Parks and to our big, beautiful planet. Today, I’m sharing 22 unforgettable National Park experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have. National Park Week celebrates all the public lands run by the National Park Service, so there will be some monuments and other sites in this post as well! I hope that these photos and stories will inspire you to visit these amazing places or share your own favorite U.S. National Park experiences.
Staring Into a Glowing Caldera in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii
Matt and I visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 2016, before the Jaggar Museum Overlook was damaged by the earthquakes surrounding the 2018 eruption of Kilauea. We asked a park ranger for any tips to make the most of our visit, especially in terms of experiencing a volcano, and he recommended we come back before the sun rises, stand at the Jagger Museum Overlook and look down into the caldera. I’m so glad that we asked him because this was such an unforgettable experience. We got to see the glow of the lava gurgling below the surface and because we went in the wee hours of the morning, instead of just after sunset, we were essentially alone. This meant it was just us and Kilauea. We could hear the pops and crackles of the molten rock moving below the surface. It was other-worldly, powerful and gave me such a sense of awe.
Hiking Devil’s Garden in Arches National Park in Utah
Arches National Park is, simply put, special. It’s a large part of what makes Utah my favorite state. This park is small, but it packs a ton into this little package. Devil’s Garden, at the far end of the park, is one of the most interesting hikes I’ve ever done. The trail takes you up and over rock fins, to almost a dozen massive arches and overlooking some incredible rock formations. The overlooks are vast, the arches are magnificent and the trail has this beautiful sense of adventure to it. Matt and I did this hike when I was about 5 months pregnant so we shaved the primitive trail off the hike and I’m absolutely itching to go back and do this trail again. It’s so unique and just so much fun.
Watching the Waves at Beach 2 in La Push with My Dad in Olypic National Park, Washington
On one of our father/daughter trips, my dad and I made our way to Olympic National Park. Our first evening there, we hiked to Beach 2. The short trail leads hikers through a small section of rainforest. Trees tower overhead with moss dripping from their branches. It’s so lush that you can feel it. When we reached the end of the trail, we both audibly wow-ed as the trees opened up to this beautiful beach covered in driftwood. We sat on a big log there and just watched the waves crash against the shore with the view of sea stacks off in the distance. We loved this hike so much that when my brother flew into Seattle the next day, we brought him here very first thing.
Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from North Carolina to Virginia
The Blue Ridge Parkway is just amazing. It connects Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Matt and I drove the entirety of the Parkway in 2015, and we’ve been up on it probably 100+ times. The drive itself is absolutely stunning. It’s beautiful for just a leisurely drive – stopping at all the overlooks and taking in some stunning mountain views. But, it’s even better if you take the time to hit some of the trails along the way. There are all levels and lengths of hikes and hikes to mountain overlooks, waterfalls and more. Our favorites are Devil’s Courthouse, Black Balsam Knob, Crabtree Falls, Skinny Dip Falls and Waterrock Knob… so far, at least!
Hiking Around Buffalo National River in Arkansas
I’ve lived almost the entirety of my life only 2 hours from this National River, but it wasn’t until I was in my mid-20’s that we started to really explore it. There is just something so special about the Buffalo River and the surrounding Ozarks Mountains. Along the river are several stunning hikes waterfalls, beautiful overlooks, and the river itself to swim in and float. Since moving back to Missouri from Asheville, we’ve taken so many day and weekend trips down here to explore and the beauty is honestly unexpectedly unbelievable. We’ve made so many memories here and I know there are many more to come. Big Bluff is the show-stopper and Hemmed-in-Hollow is the largest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians.
Standing with Giants in Sequoia National Park, California
Sequoia National Park is such a special place. It’s home to trees that are over 2,000 years old, trees so old that the air feels sacred and reverent. In fact, the world’s largest tree (General Sherman) lives here. To put it simply, it’s a place that leaves you feeling small, but in a beautiful way. These trees are survivors. They’ve survived weather, fires and man’s destructive nature to grow to be up to 275-feet tall. Amazing!
Hiking to 4 Lakes in Rocky Mountains National Park, Colorado
When you only really have time for one hike in the Estes Park area of Rocky Mountain National Park, the hike to Emerald Lake is one that many people decide to take, including us! This trail leads you up into the mountains and gives you stunning views of the Rockies along with Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and ends at Emerald Lake. The landscape is breathtaking (literally and figuratively) and even though it’s very popular, there’s plenty of room to still feel the wildness of it along the trail – although it can be a little tight at Emerald Lake if you’re there in peak season.
Climbing to the Top of Angels Landing with My Favorite Guys in Zion National Park, Utah
Angels Landing is, to put it simply, iconic. Its sheer drop-offs and stunning views were a thing of legend before social media and since then, getting to the top has only become more and more sought after. This hike gains serious elevation over a short distance which makes it more difficult and therefore more rewarding. This precarious hike has recently started a permit program which will only make it less-crowded, more enjoyable and safer to complete, which was not the case when we were there. It’s a trail that feels like an adventure and truly leaves you marveling in the views at the top as well as all along the way.
Gazing at Colorful Pools + Wildlife in Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Idaho and Montana
Yellowstone was the first National Park, not only in our country, but in the entire world. That alone demands respect. This park is such an amazing place for just about any natural activity a person could want. You can hike, horseback ride, stroll, view wildlife, take photos and so much more all through this park. For me, it’s the geysers, geyser pools and wildlife that stole the show. The West Thumb geyser basin is one of my favorites because I had just never seen anything like it. These bubbling hot pools that are brightly-colored because of the microbial growth within them. That means, that these pools can change based on that growth. For instance, the “Black Pool” used to be black, but now it’s a bright turquoise. Nature is just amazing! Between both my visits I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of bison, grizzly bears, black bears, deer and more! The wildlife here is so rich, but also demands respect. Don’t get too close to or try to touch any of the animals; they’re wild and let’s keep them that way.
Hiking Through Deserts, Mountains + Canyons in Big Bend National Park, Texas
Big Bend National Park was a bit of a whim of a destination. My dad and I were searching for a new place for our father/daughter hiking trip. We discovered that Big Bend is only about 14 hours from us and it would be a new park to cross off the list. Little did we know, this park is freaking amazing! We had the best time here. The landscape is so varied: there are mountain trails, canyons to hike into, rock formations covered in petroglyphs, natural hot springs and so much more. In addition to the natural wonder of the park, it was a humbling experience to stand at the edge of the Rio Grande and realize that being born on one side of that river versus the other shaped my life in such a huge way. It puts things into perspective when we think about how so many people try to shut others out that something as simple as geography has created stereotypes, borders and policies that are just plain shocking when you’re simply standing across the river from another human being.
Standing in Awe of the Grand Canyon in Arizona
I first visited the Grand Canyon in 1998, then again in 2008, 2013 and 2021 and every single time it never ceases to amaze me. I’ve seen it in the heat of summer and even watched a snow storm roll through. Regardless of which rim I’m standing on or what season it is, the Grand Canyon is just that, grand. I have fond memories as a little girl here, a teenager on my first father/daughter trip, and, most recently, getting to introduce my husband and my daughter to one of the natural wonders of the world, with my parents alongside us. One of my bucketlist hikes is to do the rim to rim trail. I’d really love to do this with my dad.
Getting Up-Close-and-Personal with Glaciers in Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Seward, Alaska is the jumping-off point, both by water and by land to Kenai Fjords National Park. When my dad and I were there, we did both. We started on a whale watching/glacier viewing boat tour of Resurrection Bay to Northwestern Glacier. It was really beautiful to watch (and hear) the massive chunks of ice break away and crash into the ocean. Couple that with the amazing wildlife we saw, like humpback whales and orcas…. Let’s just say it was an unforgettable experience. On our way to Homer, we also got up close with Exit Glacier as well. The path leading to the viewing area of Exit Glacier was lined with signage marking how much larger Exit Glacier was by year. It was a sobering reminder of just how much of an impact global warming has had on this area. This is one example of the ways that the National Park Service enlightens and educates its visitors about global warming and environmental issues – I love it.
Being Dwarfed by This Continent’s Tallest Mountain in Denali National Park, Alaska
There’s nothing more humbling than staring up at a massive mountain, and Denali (also known as Mt. McKinley) is just that… massive. Although we didn’t go to the base of it, we did see it, staring majestically down over the other peaks in the Alaska Range. This peak rises over 20,000 feet into the clouds. We actually didn’t see the peak any of the days in the park itself (only the base of it), but we did get to see the peak from near Fairbanks. Denali is a stunner, even from afar.
Hiking to Springs and Floating on the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways in Missouri
Ozarks National Scenic Riverways is a hidden gem. Even many Missourians haven’t made their way to this amazing area. In fact, I didn’t truly explore this region until I was 27 and since I’ve fallen hard for this area. Most people who visit the area are here to float either the Jacks Fork or the Current River. In fact, my family floated the Current in ’17 and it was a blast. But there is so much more to see here that should not be missed. This National Riverway is also home to hiking trails that lead to springs in varying shades of the most brilliant blues. In fact, some of the largest springs in the country reside here. Along with the springs are mills, ruins of an old hospital, a cave you can tour and several scenic trails through woods that lead to the springs.
Hiking Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
We recently visited Petrified Forest National Park and I had super low expectations for it after things I had heard. But guys, this park is awesome! It isn’t huge, but it does have a lot of interesting historical, cultural and natural sites that are so worth seeing. There are so many impressive petroglyphs, I got to see my first Kiva and the Blue Mesa is one of the coolest sections of badlands I’ve seen in my entire life!
Hiking to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, Utah
Delicate Arch is the iconic arch not only of Arches National Park, but the entire state of Utah as well. This iconic landmark is even more beautiful in person than you can imagine. While the shape of the arch is absolutely delicate and intricate, it’s also massive. It’s amazing to marvel at. The hike itself feels barren and is difficult to get up over the slick rock, but the payoff is unforgettable. There are also petroglyphs just off this trail, which are just an added bonus to this amazing experience!
Staring Down Into Canyon After Canyon After Canyon in Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Park is perfectly named, It’s three individual sections of, you guessed it, canyons. I’ve only really explored that Island in the Sky section – the most visited section – but it’s well-trafficked for a reason. The elevation of this area means you get to look down into all these different canyons. The overlooks are insane, the 4-wheel drive roads are hair-raising and the hikes are unforgettable – each experience involving viewpoints of all kinds of canyons, large and small. This park holds the most absolutely iconic desert landscapes.
Rafting the Elwah River in Olympic National Park, Washington
When my dad, brother and I were in Olympic National Park, Washington my dad got this crazy idea to go whitewater rafting. It’s something none of us had done before, and I’m so glad that he suggested it. This was so much fun! It was a great starter for rafting. There were some good rapids, but it also wasn’t overwhelming. Plus, there was an opportunity to jump off a cliff into the river. Of course, my dad and I took that chance. It was a really fun extra adventure to a hiking trip!
Searching for Big Foot in Redwood National Park in California
This is one of my favorite family road trip experiences. On our Oregon Coast trip, we dipped down into Northern California so we could visit Redwood National Forest. I was 13 and this was the first thing like this I had ever seen. I saw moss dripping from limbs and branches, saw my first banana slug and just had an all-around amazing experience out in nature with my family. We had a lot of really good laughs as my dad would run ahead on the trails and hide behind trees then either do the iconic “Bigfoot walk” or pop and and roar like a yeti. I loved those family road trips and those first exposures to the national parks that have helped to shape who I am today.
Summiting the Beehive in Acadia National Park in Maine
Acadia National Park is a stunner with hikes through forests, along the rugged coastline and up mountains. The Beehive Trail climbs up steep, granite cliffs to get you some super-stellar views. This is such a fun hike because it has an element of adventure to it. It’s a very vertical trail. You go up steps, up iron rungs that have been driven into the rock face and scramble up and over rock. When you reach the top, there’s a decent-sized, slightly rounded summit. It’s the perfect place to sit and soak up the views of your work. The trail is pretty short, just under 1.5 miles, but it’s a trail that will leave a lasting impression. (Check out those instagram edits, haha!)
Getting a Taste of the Sierra Nevadas in Kings Canyon National Park, California
The same trip that took me to Sequoia National Park, also took me to Kings Canyon National Park. My cousin and I drove up from LA it was a side of California I’d never seen before. Yosemite has always been, and still is, on my list of places to visit, but I had no idea just how vast the stretch of the Sierra Nevadas truly is. We only had enough time to do one hike in Kings Canyon, so we chose the 8-mile Mist Falls Trail which gave us some seriously stunning viewpoints of the mountains and, of course, brought us to a beautiful waterfall. I loved getting to experience even this small introduction to a mountain range that has inspired so, so many.
Strolling through the Monuments and Memorials in the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
The National Mall is a spectacular example of humankind’s ability to create. The monuments and memorials here are each uniquely designed, beautifully made and there are some that are so impactful. My favorites are the FDR Memorial, the MLK Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. I love the FDR Memorial because it depicts all the amazing things he did for the American People through tough times along with quotes he said throughout his life and presidency. The MLK Memorial is of a similar design in the fact that it displays quotes taken from throughout MLK’s life. It’s a very powerful monument to walk through and is also distinguished as the first monument to a black person on or near the National Mall. The Korean War Veterans Memorial is a favorite because of the pure art of it. This is such a hauntingly powerful depiction of the experience in this war.
The National Parks are often said to be “America’s Greatest Idea”. It wasn’t always done perfectly, or flawlessly, but I am beyond thrilled that we have 85 million acres of protected parklands that are set aside to enjoy and explore. Each one varies greatly to offer up unforgettable experiences to those who make the effort to visit.
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