My husband and I plan to visit all 63 US national parks together—here’s why

From the time my husband and I made our first trip to a U.S. national park together, we were hooked. During that crisp October weekend, we explored Great Smoky Mountains National Park through two of its famous scenic drives: Cades Cove and the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. We also hiked to the top of Kuwohi, enjoying stunning views from the highest peak in the Smokies.

We naturally gravitated toward visiting another national park when planning our next trip. We ended up visiting three national parks on that trip, along with a national memorial and a national monument. Then it happened. “We should visit all the national parks,” my husband said. Out of that casual remark, our massive travel quest was born. Here’s why we’re trying to visit all 63 U.S. national parks together.

Experience American natural beauty

The National Park Service preserves large tracts of the astounding and diverse natural beauty of the United States. From the fiery eruptions at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to the craggy shores of Maine’s Acadia and from Alaska’s coastal glaciers in Kenai Fjords to the blue waters of Florida’s Dry Tortugas, there are so many spectacular things to see at these national parks that we don’t want to miss.

Through the national parks, we can explore deep canyons, dune fields, towering mountains, rushing rivers and waterfalls, old-growth forests, glacial lakes, and so much more. Beyond merely visiting the parks, each offers the opportunity to go deeper into nature through activities such as snorkeling, hiking, horseback riding, camping, biking, picnicking, boating and wildlife viewing.

Support park improvements

Less than one-third of the areas managed by the National Park Service charge an entrance fee, but we pay them gladly when charged because park fees support improvements to the visitor experience. These improvements might include installing more restrooms, reopening trails after rockfall damage, maintaining park roads, or improving accessibility at park facilities. 

According to the National Park Service website, 80% of the fees remain with the park where they are collected. The remaining 20% is shared with parks that do not charge fees or generate as much revenue. We love that the money we pay to experience the parks goes toward making the parks a better experience for the travelers who come after us.

Travel togetherness with a focus

My husband and I love traveling together, and having a shared bucket list goal we’re working toward helps focus our travel planning each year. We rarely struggle to choose our next travel destination, because we have such a long list of options we know we’ll enjoy. 

Are my husband and I certain we’ll reach our goal of visiting all 63 U.S. national parks together? Of course not. But we’re having fun pursuing a common travel passion while seeing the most beautiful natural sites America offers.

More articles about U.S. National Parks

• The best national parks on the east coast
• Amazing Southern U.S. national parks
• The perfect 7-day itinerary for Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park
• Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Easy hikes in Badlands National Park
• Hiking Congaree National Park
• Oops! Don’t make these national park tourist mistakes
• Perfect gifts for national park lovers
• Books about the national parks