How National Parks Changed My Perspective on Travel

As a  Los Angeles, CA native, I grew up with smog, traffic, and the dangers of city life. I've always used my annual 23 days of paid time off (PTO) to escape the city and visit national parks in the United States. Visiting national parks has definitely changed my perspective on travel.

Appreciation of Nature

The first national park I visited was Joshua Tree, two hours from L.A. It was great exploring the expansive park and trails, while taking photos of the changing geography. On this trip, it was my first time spotting a coyote, a rabbit, lizards, and a road runner. (I only saw them in cartoons). Having only seen squirrels roaming freely in the city, it was great to add a new collection of animals to my list.

Also, visiting the Grand Canyon was amazing and it really made me appreciate how nature could be so beautiful and it was like staring at a painting.

Knowing it took millions of years for the geographical area to form, was eye-opening. While driving through the park, we saw deer, horses, bull elk, and mountain goats. 

We also escaped to Sedona, where we learned about vortexes. It was so cool to learn about this strange anomaly.  

During my trip to Sequoia National Park, my brothers and I drove through the forest and we were reminded of the E.T. ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. We laughed as the forest smelled exactly like the ride from our childhood and it was nostalgic. The elevation and the long Tokopah Falls hike we completed, made us proud of what we accomplished. Seeing the largest tree was something we'll never forget. 

Watch my video below of our hike to the General Sherman tree. 

My brothers and I loved visiting Olympic National Park in Washington state. This was my favorite national park so far. 

Promotes Self-Care

Having visited several national parks, there's always been sections of the park with no cell service. Having no cellular bars, while terrifying, has forced me to disconnect and put my phone down. It felt so good to go off-grid and not check social media or emails. Not having to constantly check my phone to see who liked my photo or video felt like an escape. However, my goal is to get one of those Garmin satellite devices in case (God forbid), we ever get lost on a hike.

There's something about being surrounded by nature that relaxes me. "Nature Therapy" exists and I always love trading the sounds of helicopters flying overhead for birds chirping. I always love breathing in fresh crisp air and not dealing with traffic or the cons of living in a dense area.  

Reframed My Purpose of Travel

Visiting national parks offers a different type of slow travel. I always love visiting the surrounding towns and exploring all that is has to offer. Without a doubt, leaving your hometown offers adventures where you get to try new food, see a different perspective compared to what you're accustomed to, and make new memories with friends and family.

Sometimes, it's like we're "City Slickers" who've stepped into a small-town reminscent of a Hallmark movie. 

I always love stopping at national park visitor's centers to pick up practical souvenirs like tote bags, socks, hoodies, and a water bottle. 

One of the best hikes I've been on was at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah. The views of the bright orange hoodoos were awesome.

Fosters Preservation and Historical Significance

When I visited Joshua Tree National Park, I came across some petroglyphs and all along the park there were signs to stay on trails, pick up trash, and preserve the petroglyphs. Learn about them in my video below:

Looking back, I'm glad I started visiting national parks. My goal is to visit more using the cost-effective "America the Beautiful" annual parks pass. 

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Trip Resources

If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!

Booking.com - Anytime we need a rental car, we use this site to find deals. 

Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals. 

GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food. 

VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities. 

TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site. 

Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.