national parks
acadia
arches
Big bend
american
samoa
biscayne
Badlands
black canyon
of the gunnison
bryce canyon
canyonlands
capitol Reef
carlsbad caverns
channel islands
congaree
crater lake
cuyahoga valley
death valley
denali
dry tortugas
everglades
gates of the arctic
gateway arch
glacier
glacier bay
grand canyon
grand teton
great basin
great sand dunes
great smoky mountains
Guadalupe Mountains
haleakalā
hawaii volcanoes
hot springs
indiana dunes
isle royale
joshua tree
katmai
Kenai Fjords
kings canyon
kobuk valley
lake clark
lassen volcanic
mammoth cave
mesa verde
mount rainier
new river gorge
north cascades
olympic
petrified forest
pinnacles
redwood
rocky mountain
saguaro
sequoia
shenandoah
theodore roosevelt
virgin islands
voyageurs
white sands
wind cave
wrangell-st. elias
yellowstone
yosemite
zion
Click the cover photo of each park we've
visited to see more about our experience there!
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est. 1971 • utah
...
09.23.20
Park No. 15
Our last of Utah's Mighty Five, and even after visiting all the impressive others, Arches didn't disappoint! Our final hike this day was to the iconic Delicate Arch, and seeing it at golden hour was a perfect exclamation point at the end of our experience in Utah's National Parks.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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Est. 1978 • south dakota
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09.12.20
Park No. 8
Our first of 10 National Parks on our 10th-anniversary trip, and unlike anything we'd ever seen in the Midwest! The rock formations were great, but our best Badlands views were our first-ever bighorn sheep, as well as a big bison who was hanging out with a little prairie dog.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1980 • florida
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05.02.21 & 05.03.21
Park No. 18
Our first National Park visit involving a boat ride. With this park being almost entirely underwater, we took a cruise to its iconic Boca Chita Key in order to see some of the small bit of Biscayne that is on dry ground. And the next day, we saw more of it from its main entrance.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1999 • Colorado
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09.24.20
Park No. 16
Our first time seeing a big canyon from both its bottom and its top. Upon arriving, we descended 2,000 feet to the base of the canyon in a steep 5 miles, then had a picnic lunch beside the Gunnison River before driving back up to explore viewpoints along the canyon's rim.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1928 • utah
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07.06.18
Park No. 4
Our first of Utah's Mighty Five and still a favorite, even many parks later! Those red rock spires against a sunny blue sky were such a striking sight. We were so enamored, in fact, we lost track of time and accidentally missed the last scheduled shuttle out of the park!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1964 • utah
...
09.22.20
Park No. 14
So incredibly vast. Even in the moment, standing at the edge looking out, it's hard to fathom just how far in front of you the canyons stretch. In a relatively short time there, we experienced both storms and sun — which somehow made Canyonlands seem even wilder.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1971 • utah
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09.22.20
Park No. 13
The only one where we've eaten pie made with fruit from the park's orchards. We did that to fuel up for a hike to Hickman Bridge, one of Capitol Reef's most famous spots. And we had it all to ourselves — a benefit of hitting a less-visited (but still stunning!) park.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1992 • florida
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05.07.21
Park No. 20
Something else! Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, this park takes more than two hours to reach by ferry, which makes it one of the most remote. And where else can you tour a massive historic fort, then swim in the Gulf of Mexico outside its walls?
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1934 • florida
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05.03.21 & 05.04.21
Park No. 19
A dream for seeing animals we never before had in the wild — most notably, alligators! We felt like we were on safari, first on a tram and then on hikes where we were always on the lookout for exotic creatures. Taking walks at home (sans gators) just wasn't the same after this!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 2018 • Missouri
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02.23.20 & 05.16.23
Park No. 7
Different than any other by being in an urban center and by being the world's tallest arch! We visited it just before COVID shutdowns came in 2020, then again on the other side, three years and three months later.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1919 • arizona
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07.09.18 & 07.10.18
Park No. 6
Where we spent the night at the edge of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World! Thanks to a cancellation that let us get a last-minute booking at Bright Angel Lodge, we stayed just yards from the canyon's rim and were able to see the sun rise over it.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1929 • wyoming
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09.18.20 & 09.19.20
Park No. 12
Where I finally realized my dream of seeing moose — and not just one, but seven! The Teton Range was amazing, too, even in heavy wildfire haze. And an all-time favorite travel memory is our impromptu portrait session with the Cathedral Group as a backdrop.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 2004 • colorado
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09.25.20
Park No. 17
National Park No. 10 on our 10th-anniversary trip, and it's a special one for holding that spot — simply because it was way different than anywhere else we'd been together. Hiking up mountains of sand was so grueling but so fun, and coming down was even better.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 2019 • indiana
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06.25.21
Park No. 21
Such an unexpected find: Sand dunes in the heart of the Midwest, at the shore of a vast lake beside a major city. We walked through way more sand here than we had in Florida the month before, and standing beside Lake Michigan felt a lot like another ocean experience.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1994 • California
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01.14.18 & 01.15.18
Park No. 2
The one that really lit up our hearts for National Parks. It wasn't our first — and we'd loved others we'd visited together and apart — but something about our January days in Joshua Tree was just magical and made us want to experience more of these one-of-a-kind places.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1906 • Colorado
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07.05.18
Park No. 3
The first National Park we each visited, when we were growing up. Maybe that's a sign that we and our shared National Parks quest were meant to be! And it also made it that much more special to visit this park together, surrounded by so much beauty and history.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1915 • Colorado
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09.02.12 — 09.04.12 & 08.16.19 — 08.18.19
Park No. 1
Our first National Park together and the destination of our first long road trip. We've been back once more with my parents, and I (Erin) have been three times total. It's a favorite I'd visit again and again if only time allowed!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1978 • north dakota
...
09.14.20
Park No. 10
Where we spent Seth's 39th birthday (which, fittingly, is the same date as Theodore Roosevelt's presidential inauguration). We loved seeing wild horses and bison here, as well as the Missouri River, so far from Missouri. Definitely worth the drive to North Dakota!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1903 • south dakota
...
09.13.20
Park No. 9
A surprise! I (Erin) didn't realize how much being in the Black Hills would feel like being in the mountains (Although they are a mountain range, I had to see to believe.) The park's namesake cave was closed, so we hiked to its highest point to see the views from there.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1872 • Montana, Wyoming & Idaho
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09.16.20 — 09.18.20
Park No. 11
Worthy of all the hype. Seriously, is there anywhere else on Earth like America's first National Park? Standing beside the thermal features is like being on another planet, and even areas that do seem of this world — like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — are so stunning.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1919 • utah
...
07.07.18
Park No. 5
The home of one of our most memorable hikes. Zion's scenery is stunning, but what we most anticipated — rather than sweeping views — was hiking The Narrows. And this hike in the Virgin River through the narrowest part of Zion Canyon truly was a first of its kind for us!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1934 • Tennessee & North Carolina
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09.14.21 — 09.16.21
Park No. 22
A perfect spot for Seth's big birthday! As the National Park that's by far most visited, it was an exciting one to see for ourselves. Its mountains, waterfalls and wildlife didn't disappoint, and we were even able to hike the highest point of the Appalachian Trail while there.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1941 • Kentucky
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09.17.21
Park No. 23
Our first time touring a cave together, and I'd say the world's largest cave was a great pick for our inaugural experience! We explored two distinct areas of Mammoth over the course of an afternoon and were struck by its incredible vastness and its awe-inspiring formations.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1921 • Arkansas
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10.12.21 — 10.14.21
Park No. 24
Quite a history lesson, complete with a quaint spa city nestled between mountains. We loved exploring Bathhouse Row and hiking some of the trails around it — and of course our visit wouldn't have been complete without soaking in water from the springs ourselves!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1944 • Texas
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02.28.22 & 03.02.22
Park No. 28
A desert dream! From the banks of the Rio Grande to the top of the Chisos Mountains to the canyon views in between, we were wowed at every turn in this park. And although we didn't see bears, we did (photographically) capture roadrunners, javelinas and burros – oh my!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1930 • New Mexico
...
02.24.22
Park No. 26
Unbelievable just in its existence. Even after hours exploring, it was hard to get used to the idea that all the limestone formations had occurred as an act of nature, rather than at the hand of an abstract sculptor (My favorite one was the gnome-like Rock of Ages).
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1972 • Texas
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02.25.22 & 02.26.22
Park No. 27
Where we were on top of Texas, after summiting Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in the state! This park will always hold a special place in our hearts due to that hike – and the next day, we loved looking up at the summit in satisfaction, knowing we'd stood there.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 2019 • New Mexico
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02.22.22 & 02.23.22
Park No. 25
One of the most otherworldly places we've seen, with sand that looks like snow and sunsets as colorful as the dunefield is white. I delighted in wearing a red jumpsuit here – and while sledding in biting winds was perhaps not quite as delightful, it was definitely an experience!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1890 • California
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05.04.22 — 05.06.22
Park No. 29
An icon in my mind ever since I first saw it as a teen. This return trip exactly 20 years later didn't disappoint, with the scenery just as spectacular as I remembered! And it was extra special for Seth to see the park's river and waterfalls at powerful peak flow, just as I first did.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1940 • California
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05.07.22 & 05.09.22
Park No. 30
A beautiful place that seemed a Sequoia + Yosemite hybrid, with a grove of giant sequoias on its west side and a gorgeous mountain valley on its east. We felt fortunate to be able to visit the latter the first day it reopened after a rockslide, on the last day of our trip!
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1890 • California
...
05.08.22
Park No. 31
Incredibly dreamy and awe-inspiring, all in one. We started our day here with fog, which made the Giant Forest look magical. And the mind-blowing stature and lifespan of these ancient sequoias made for a perpetual sense of wonder our whole time in the park.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1961 • Hawaii
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01.26.23 & 01.27.23
Park No. 32
Otherworldly! From the volcanic beauty of its Summit District to the verdant lushness of its Kīpahulu District, its variety is astounding. We saw a sunrise above clouds, hiked into the heart of a volcano, stood at the ocean's edge and trekked through rain forest – all in one park.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1916 • Hawaii
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01.31.23 & 02.01.23
Park No. 33
Our first experience with lava bubbling up from an active volcano, filling the sky with smoke. We felt fortunate to visit during an eruption and also loved exploring the park's coastal area, with its ancient petroglyphs and towering lava-formed sea arch.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
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est. 1994 • Arizona
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02.26.23 — 02.28.23
Park No. 34
A desert wonderland! The mammoth saguaros truly seemed almost like mythical creatures, and given that they exist nowhere else in the world outside of the Sonoran Desert, they actually almost are! We were wowed by their majesty and missed them when we left.
We'VE VISITED 21 OF 63 AND MADE
GREAT MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY!
