We visited our first National Park as a family in August 2011. Until then, vacations had mostly meant seeing relatives or renting a condo with friends in Provincetown. Even though we loved biking the dunes and weaving through beach forest trails, Danny and I longed for something more adventurous.
The Grand Canyon began as a “what if” dream in 2010. We weren’t sure we could afford it, but after careful planning, we discovered we had just enough saved for a nine-day trip. That budget stretched to include Zion, Bryce Canyon, and both rims of the Grand Canyon.
We flew into Las Vegas, spent a night there, and drove to Zion the next day. By the time we grabbed lunch and caught the shuttle into the park, it was late afternoon. Our choices were limited, so we started up Angels Landing, promising ourselves we’d turn back before dark.
The timing turned out to be perfect. Most hikers had already finished, and the trail was unusually quiet. The three of us climbed steadily, stopping to catch our breath and take in the towering cliffs. When we reached Scouts Landing, nearly a thousand feet above the valley floor, the view was breathtaking. Standing there with Danny and Kevin, I felt a swell of pride—not just for making it up the trail, but for stepping outside our comfort zone together. Without saying a word, I think all of us knew this was the beginning of something.
At Bryce, a summer rainstorm had just cleared when we arrived. The trails were temporarily closed, so we walked the rim and marveled at the hoodoos glowing in the sun breaking through the clouds. Once the path reopened, we descended into the canyon. Our shoes were quickly coated in red mud from the still-wet sandstone.
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon was even more memorable. Because of its limited lodging, it was quiet—peaceful in a way the South Rim could never be. We stayed in a rustic cabin and hiked until sunset. The canyon itself is indescribable, vast and humbling, and yet I remember the tranquility most of all.
The South Rim, with its iconic views, was beautiful too, though crowded with buses and tour groups. Only after sunset, when the crowds thinned, did we feel again that sense of communion with the landscape.
When I learned that the North Rim had burned in July 2025, my heart sank. Lightning had started a wildfire that destroyed historic cabins, employee housing, and the lodge itself. It may well have destroyed the cabin we stayed in. What had felt timeless turned out to be fragile.
That’s why I’m posting this now—not only to remember, but to share a way to help. The Grand Canyon Conservancy has set up a disaster recovery fund to support the employees who lost homes and to rebuild what was lost.
That first trip set us on a path we’ve followed ever since. Over the next decade, we visited eighteen National Parks as a family: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Olympic, Mount Rainier, Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Acadia, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree, Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakalā, Everglades, Biscayne. Danny and I have also visited Mammoth Cave, Hot Springs, Cuyahoga Valley, Shenandoah, New River Gorge, and Great Smoky Mountains. (Danny had previously been to Big Bend and Carlsbad Caverns.)
The National Parks have given so much to us. Each one brought new experiences, new stories, and more moments of awe we carried home with us. They are not just destinations, but part of our family history—places where we tested ourselves, got wet, sweaty, and muddy, felt small under giant rock formations and big standing at the edge of fissures and canyons. The National Parks are treasures, and I hope they’ll still be here for Kevin and his family someday.
And yes, some of the parks can get crowded. Yosemite in the summer will test the patience of a saint. And, unfortunately, not all visitors respect and revere the parks. Entire Instagram accounts are dedicated to “tourons” (tourist + moron) doing harmful and idiotic things. I’ll admit: I’ve cheered for a bison or two to gore a touron.
Tourons of Yellowstone and Tourons of National Parks are worth it.
Here’s a video of some of the hikes and sites we’ve seen in National Parks
FAQs we’ve received about our National Park experiences:
What’s your favorite National Park?
Yellowstone. It’s vast, unique, and otherworldly, yet completely grounded by its natural beauty and free-roaming wildlife. Where else can you see the earth erupt, ooze, and bubble alongside bison, bears, and deer?
Which park would you revisit?
Zion. You never forget your first. There was so much more we wanted to do there. Plus, we never got a picture of the sign so we have to go back. And Yellowstone, because it is just that good.
What were your favorite hikes?
The Beehive Trail in Acadia. Its vertical climb was a little scary but ultimately invigorating and rewarding. The Pipiwai Trail in Haleakalā cuts through an amazing bamboo forest and ends at the base of Waimoku Falls. And, of course, Angels Landing.
Are there any parks you’d skip?
Each National Park has something that makes it unique. That said, Hot Springs could be skipped unless it’s on your way to somewhere else or you’re looking to check it off your National Park bucket list.
Any advice for avoiding crowds?
If possible, avoid the peak summer season. During Kevin’s school years, we couldn’t do this, so we had to find ways to work around the crowds. We discovered that visiting popular sites and hikes in the late afternoon was usually the best time of day. Additionally, seek out the lesser-known areas in each park. Even during peak season, these spots can be empty yet just as stunning. There’s always a place to find tranquility in the National Parks.
Here are two of my favorite photos. One from our frist trip as a family in 2011 and one from our most recent in 2022.
