National Park Week is a time to celebrate the incredible landscapes, wildlife, history, and outdoor adventures found across America’s national parks. From the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the sweeping coastlines of Acadia and the ancient forests of Great Smoky Mountains, these treasured places offer something for everyone. Visitors can hike scenic trails, explore historic sites, watch wildlife, camp beneath the stars, or simply enjoy the peace and beauty of the outdoors. National Park Week also provides an opportunity to recognize the important work that goes into protecting these special places for future generations.
Beyond the scenery and recreation, National Park Week reminds us that national parks are part of America’s shared heritage. They preserve remarkable ecosystems, important cultural sites, and stories that help connect us to the past. Whether you are planning a trip to a favorite park or discovering a nearby trail for the first time, the week is a great excuse to get outside and experience the natural world. National parks belong to all of us, and National Park Week is the perfect time to celebrate, explore, and appreciate these extraordinary places.
This year, National Park Week runs from August 22 through August 30 and in commemoration we asked our employees to share some of their favorite parks and park memories.
Denali
Sheri - Home Office
Denali in the distance.
Everyone we encountered told us that we were indeed lucky to see the peaks of Denali. They are only visible 30% of the time, and many people never get to catch even a glimpse of the mountain during their stay. Our guide shared a story about how the mountain was formed. He said, "Three giants had come to Alaska. They grew tired after their travels and laid down to sleep and became the mountain."
There is no way that one can see all that Denali has to offer in just a few days or even to get a good overview. From the many glaciers within the park to its wildlife, including grizzlies, ptarmigans, caribou, moose, Dall sheep, eagles, wolves, it's easy to understand what inspired Charles Shelton to advocate for this area to be designated a national park.
Denali National Park and Preserve does not allow personal vehicles far into the park. Your best bet is to take a bus to see more. There are two kinds of buses. One is driven by a knowledgeable guide who can spot wildlife that you would otherwise miss (our guide was amazing - I still have no idea how she saw what she saw and still managed to drive the bus). The guide-driven buses are equipped with cameras that allow them to zoom in on wildlife and show closer views on monitors throughout the vehicle. The second kind is a green bus that will drive you into the park and drop you off at a trailhead. It returns later to pick you up. If you have time, I recommend doing both!
Click here to visit the official Denali National Park website
Congaree National Park
Joey - Asheville Store
Congaree National Park.
It is probably not the first park anyone would pick to visit; it is a swamp. Growing up in Columbia, SC, I always viewed it as a gem; a place to lose touch with the concrete and picket fences of the city and suburbia and feel like you are somewhere else.
To some, it may even feel like another planet. While I haven't been back in a long time, I grew up hiking and birding there and, in my later years, paddling when the water was high enough. I still have a dream of getting out there during one of the flood stages that happens about ten times a year.
The only suggestion I have is to bring the bug spray and get ready for all kinds of reptiles, bugs, birds, and mammals. It's a wonderful ecosystem and def worthy of the National Park list in my opinion.
Click here to visit the official Congaree National Park website
Zion National Park
John - Roanoke Store
 |
 |
Zion National Park is one of my favorites. I say one because there are so many amazing parks in Southern Utah, it's hard to pick just one. Zion stands out for me because of its scenic variety and spectacular trails. It has everything; peaks, canyons, rivers, falls, forest, wildlife, desert and more. Finding these pictures again makes me want to go back.
Click here to visit the official Zion National Park website
Grand Canyon National Park
Karen - Original Store
Grand Canyon National Park.
I've been to the Grand Canyon South Rim in Summer and Winter, and in February of 2022, I decided to go to the West Rim.
Added to my excitement, our tour was offered, for a reasonable extra fee, a helicopter ride down into the Canyon, boarding a pontoon boat on the Colorado River, and then helicopter back up to the West Rim.
No hesitation on my part!
The Grand Canyon is Home to me. It's not a tourist destination but a Spiritual Return which fulfills a stirring of Wonder.
Returning to the roots of the Ancients.
Breathing in Magnificent colors!
Watching the mules rest in their corral while listening to the caws of pure Black Ravens.
I'll be going back. Will stand at the railing and whisper....I told you I'd return.
Click here to visit the official Grand Canyon National Park website
Grand Tetons
McKenzie - Home Office
I grew up with the Idaho side of the Grand Tetons basically in my backyard. I took this for granted and miss seeing them every day.
Every chance I get to be back in Idaho, we usually make it over to Grand Teton National Park on the Wyoming side. It’s one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been to and has my heart!
Click here to visit the official Grand Tetons National Park website
Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Park
Gina - Original Store
It is so difficult to choose a favorite, as I have many! But, one of my favorite trips was when Geno and I lived out of our prius-turned-camper, and drove cross country via the smallest roads we could find, and dispersed-camped in our national forests!
We visited many parks along the way, but one that really awakened the AWE was Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, in northern California, as well as every pocket of redwoods we could find.
Nature is such a place of sanctuary, healing, and wonder, and I certainly found all of this among the centuries-old trees. And yes, I am a tree-hugger!
Click here to visit the official Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park website
National Park Road Trip
Brianna - Original Store
Brianna at Hovenweep Castle at Hovenweep National Monument.
This summer I went on a road trip to visit 11 national parks and monuments throughout Utah and Arizona, choosing just one to be a favorite is a near impossible task so the most I can narrow it down is within the category of archaeologically significant sites.
Newspaper Rock, one of the largest collection of petroglyphs in the United States.
Throughout this trip I saw many petroglyph (an image or carving etched into a rock by an ancient people) panels at Dinosaur National Monument, Nine Mile Canyon, Canyonlands National Park and Capitol Reef National Park as well as structures and dwellings left behind by ancient peoples at Hovenweep National Monument and outside of Bears Ears and Natural Bridges.
Seeing these pieces of human history allowed me to feel more connected with myself, nature, and the past. It reminded me that we as humans have always wanted to be remembered or to at least leave our mark and say we were here, that we existed.
Just being able to exist in the same space as these individuals once had really puts everything into perspective.
So while I can’t say where was my favorite stop I can say that following in the steps of ancient humans was something I will never forget.
Click here to visit the official Canyonlands National Park website
Click here to visit the official Capitol Reef National Park website
Acadia
JD - Home Office
When I called to make a camper site reservation at Acadia the man on the other end asked how well I could back a trailer."Don't worry,"" he said "When you get here I'll meet you with a golf cart."
When we arrived, he kept his promise and guided as I backed the camper down a twisty dirt road to a perfectly isolated spot right on the bay with no others campers in sight.
There we spent the entire next week.
Acadia National Park is a place where mountains, forests, rocky coastlines, and the Atlantic Ocean come together in one unforgettable landscape.
Located along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia invites visitors to experience nature in countless ways, from hiking granite peaks to walking quiet trails through evergreen forests.
A view from the trail to the top of Cadillac Mountain.
One of the park’s most iconic destinations is Cadillac Mountain, where visitors can watch America's first sunrise each day.
Along the coast, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks provides a dramatic backdrop for exploring the park’s scenic roads and trails.
Every national park has its charms but Acadia truly tics every box, spectacular hiking trails, biking along 45 miles of motor-free crushed-stone carriage roads, historic sites, beaches, boating and lots of lobster.
Click here to visit the official Acadia National Park website
Visiting a national park is an opportunity to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience some of the most beautiful places in the country. From towering mountains and peaceful forests to stunning coastlines and breathtaking waterfalls, national parks offer something for everyone. A visit can provide opportunities for hiking, wildlife watching, photography, camping, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of nature. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or a chance to reconnect with nature, a national park offers an experience you are unlikely to forget.
For additional information on visiting national parks, a great place to start is the National Park Service website. It provides information about individual parks, including maps, entrance fees, operating hours, camping, hiking trails, wildlife, safety, and special events. Visitors can also check individual park websites and visitor centers for current conditions, closures, and recommendations. Local tourism websites, travel guides, and state park agencies can also provide helpful information about nearby attractions, lodging, restaurants, and activities.