Detailed pencil sketch of towering redwood trees, deer, and dramatic mountain peaks in a serene wilderness landscape.
A large American bison stands in golden grasslands with pine-covered hills in the background.
Young bull elk with velvet antlers stands in a frost-covered meadow with pine trees and rocky cliffs in background.
A wild cottontail rabbit sits camouflaged among dry golden grasses and shrubs in a natural desert habitat.
Towering ancient redwood trees with lush green ferns growing on bark, viewed from below in a dense forest.
Colorful directional signs on a wooden post in a forest pointing to big trees with humorous labels.
Colorful hot spring pool with orange mineral deposits at Yellowstone National Park under cloudy skies.
Sunlight filters through towering redwood trees along a narrow winding road in a lush green forest.
Sunlit gravel trail winding through a pine forest with golden autumn undergrowth and tall trees in a natural woodland setting.
Cracked mineral deposits with wavy patterns in shades of tan and brown at a geothermal hot spring.
Wooden boardwalk trail leading through lush green pine forest with rocky terrain in a scenic nature park.
A large bull elk with velvet antlers stands in a lush green meadow surrounded by pine trees in the wild.
Lush green meadow with a winding stream surrounded by dense pine forests and snow-capped mountains under a blue sky.
Steam rises from a colorful geothermal hot spring pool at Yellowstone National Park with forested hills in the background.
Yosemite Valley waterfall cascading down granite cliffs surrounded by lush green trees and dead branches in foreground.
Yosemite Falls cascading down granite cliffs, framed by tall pine trees along a forest path in Yosemite National Park.
Panoramic view of Yosemite Valley with granite peaks, snow-dusted cliffs, and dense pine forests under a blue sky.
Black and white aerial view of eroded badlands rock formations under dramatic cloudy sky.
Tall pine trees viewed from below reaching toward bright sunlight in a dense forest canopy.
Golden aspen tree with bright yellow autumn leaves and white bark branches against a blue sky in fall.
Snow-capped Grand Teton mountains rise behind lush green meadows and pine trees under dramatic cloudy skies.
Towering sequoia tree surrounded by lush green conifers in a sunlit forest with light snow on the ground.
Black and white mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks, pine trees, and dramatic clouds in a scenic wilderness setting.

Why National Parks?


Why wouldn't you want to support protecting nature?


Trees that are thousands of years old. Ecosystems that are even older. Places where you can watch wildlife in its natural habitat (no shade to AZA-accredited places). Fields where you can still look up and see the stars without a trace of light pollution. These are the pieces of magic that can be hard to find in the world today—and our National Parks help protect them for generations to come.


My husband and I started our journey to visit as many National Parks as possible during our travels in the first year we were dating. Our first trip took us to Washington, and we've been checking parks off our list ever since. We've made it to several, but we still have quite a few to go!


As always, be prepared to be in nature! Carry plenty of water, wear proper shoes, bring an extra layer just in case (especially if you're in the mountains), and most importantly, have fun. Take your time, look around, and leave these beautiful places just as you found them—or better.

Map of Greece highlighting travel destinations with text 'Where the journey took me.' on a teal illustrated map.

A few notes from our travels:


Places to Stay

  • Yosemite View Lodge sits just outside the entrance to Yosemite National Park. Our rooms were very clean, and we loved the view of the river. Address: 11136 CA-140, El Portal, CA 95318
  • White's City Cavern Inn is not far from Guadalupe Mountains National Park and sits just outside the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It has a water park, and you can tell the property is taken care of with love. Address: 6 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Whites City, NM 88268

Places to Eat

  • Mount Rainier Railroad Dining Company outside of Mount Rainier National Park. You dine in an old railroad car! It's very cool, and the food is yummy too. Address: 54106 Mountain Hwy E, Eatonville, WA 98328

Ready to explore the USA National Parks through my lens?