
16 Reasons to Why Visit National Parks
The immediate reason. It’s nice to have something in the works to look forward to. Whether it be a long stint, or an extended weekend, it’s an undeniable truth that we all deserve a getaway.
When the green lights are given to visit National Parks. It’ll not only be the answer of where to spend a holiday. But also a beacon of light, that things are getting back to a somewhat familiar sense of normalcy.
Why You Should Visit National Parks
The most obvious reasons are vastly popular because they are so true.
Yes, visiting a National Park is:
- a hands on experience of learning history, vast ranges of ecosystems, conservation, wildlife, and natural topography.
- logistically are more favorable in comparison to an International trip.
- the cost is more affordable, the location is more convenient, and it takes less effort and hassle.
But most importantly,
National Parks are truly spectacular and fun places where everyone can enjoy, explore and relax.

Sensory Deprivation to Sensory Discovery
16 Reasons why Explore National Parks
1) Choose your adventure
Similar to the Choose Your Own Adventure book series. Where the reader takes on a role of an adventurous character, who is faced to choose two to three potentially precarious options throughout the book. Having the ability to create an adventure, is what National Parks are all about.
You’re the architect of your own adventure.
Each National Park has its own unique vasts amount of land, which provides different type of seasonal activities to choose from. These open spaces are so vast that allow all to enjoy and explore every angle of their individualism. Making them a favorable destination for any visitor to design their own trip based their own preferences.
You can also choose the length of time to spend in a National Park, with whom you go with and the activities you want to be involved in.
Many parks offer different type of accomodations you prefer. If you’re not RV’ing or living your best Van Life. Many parks offer nearby hotels, on location campsites, cabins, lodges, or even glamping (glamorous camping).
Eventually, by exploring numerous National Parks. You will discover which is your favorite and why. Thus, ended up being a wealth of information to pass along to others.

2) Nature’s Playground
Connect with your inner child.
One of my ultimate favorite Ted Talks is given by Mac Stone. A conservation photographer who combines his passion for photography with the Everglades. By default, many think of the Everglades as a spooky, critter infested kinda place. But Mac does an excellent job in introducing us to a multifaceted world of ecosystems and the resiliency of the swamplands.
In his talk, he touches on why it’s important for us to be in nature.
He says, “Before most kids are 12, they’ll have been to Disney World more times than they’ve been in a canoe or camping under a starry sky. And I have nothing against Disney or Mickey; I used to go there, too. But they’re missing out on those fundamental connections that create a real sense of pride and ownership for the place that they call home.”

3) Social Distancing
I know, I know!!! There are many terms associated with the ‘Rona and those terms are the last thing that most want to hear. Trust me, I’m rolling my eyes too!
To be fairly realistic. We may have to continue distancing for a while longer.
With that said. National Parks were made for social distancing and I’ll leave it at that.

4) The Opportunity to See More Nature Than Before.
On a good note: Now is a really good time to get out there.
Since human mobility has decreased, it has subsequently sparked wildlife to be the new tourists in towns.
Pictures and videos of wildlife roaming the streets in towns and cities are flooding the interwebs. Reports from San Francisco are showing coyotes coming closer to the city. Groups of mountain lions have been spotting in people’s yards in Boulder, Colorado.
Herds of goats in Llandudno, Wales have been seen eating their way through town. Dolphins have been swimming around where ferries and cruise ships no longer sail in the ports of Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy. And in the busy city streets of Barcelona, boars are treating the shrubbery along median streets as a full-on 24/7 FREE open buffet (those opportunists!).
It’s a great time to get into nature to possibly see more wildlife frolicking about.

5) For The View & Visibility
National Parks are well known for their jaw dropping and impressive landscapes.
These dramatic backdrops are all the drama one needs in life.
Alongside reports of curious creatures coming in to explore towns and cities. They are many reports that show improved air quality in notorious cities known for their pollution. With fewer vehicles on the road and factories and power plants at a halt. There’s less burning of fossil fuels that emit nitrogen dioxide (No2) into the air. Thus improving air quality.
India is one of the topmost polluted and populated (1.3B in population) countries in the world. CNN reported New Delhi measured a 60% reduction in microscopic particulate matter and emissions of nitrogen dioxide from vehicles and power plants.
NASA satellites measured the air quality over a section of the I-95 highway corridor that connects Washington D.C to Boston. Reports have indicated a 30% reduction in air pollution verses the ave. range of the last 5 years.
It should be noted that No2 levels measured at satellite versus readings at ground level. Do give different results because of nuances, such as clouds which are barriers to satellite readings.
IQ Air reported Los Angeles’s air quality has also improved significantly as well.

6) Connecting With Others
With fewer distractions, there’s a greater chance for connection.
While on a hike in Hawaii. A supposed, non-concerning, quick 3-mile hike with friends, unexpectedly turned into a 10 miler of wrong turns, lack of signs on the trail, and periods of rainfall without cover.
Not realizing at the time. This hike was the workings of building a connection that was needed for a later purpose.
What flourished from the calamity-of-errors-hike, was me sending an email introducing one of my friends from the hike, to my Dad.
During the hike, I learned my friend was getting into cheese making and was weeks away from moving to Honduras. She wanted to learn this new skill and take it with her to Central America. I shared with her, that my Dad has been a cheesemonger for years.
Right before her move. She and my Dad sent me pictures and a video of them making cheese together.
We tend to share and listen more when in nature, where our interactions end up having greater connections.

7) Discover a New Hobby
With so much around to explore. Time in nature can spark your curiosity and inspire a new hobby. Such as photography, birding, stargazing, or rock collecting.
It can also trigger the artist in you. Pierre Bonnard, a French painter who used intense colors in his work, simply said, ”Art will never be able to exist without nature.”
Many have been so inspired and intrigued by nature, that it leads them to a full time career (geologist, volcanologist, geochemist, herbalist, and biologist). While a career swap may not be an option. There’s always an opportunity to being a part-time enthusiastic hobbyist. And when you retire, the hobby can be enjoyed full time.

8) Nature and Human Health
There’s definitely a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature.
For centuries, researchers, scientists, therapists, etc. across many medical systems. Such as Western perspectives, Ayurvedic medicine, and Traditional Chinese medicine have all put emphasis on the value of nature to human’s well-being (physically, mentally, and socially).
Studies have found that areas of the brain respond to nature.
When our senses take in nature our brain’s activity, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex and the anterior insula brain regions, are triggered. These areas manage cognitive functions such as empathy, altruism, and decision making.
The biophilia hypothesis suggests humans are genetically predisposition to have an innate attraction to nature, according to Edward O.Wilson.
A professor in Japan, Miyazaki Yoshifumi has conducted many studies over the past 30+ years. In one of his experiments, he measured cortisol (the stress hormone) in the saliva of volunteers before and after they took a 20-minute walk.
He had one set of volunteers walk in nature and the other in an urban setting. His research found that cortisol levels from the nature walkers, dropped an average of 13% than those who walked in the urban environment. The nature walkers also reported a greater sense of well being and increase mood after spending time in nature.
Now if there’s a way to replicate this feeling when I walk around a gym rather than having to exercise in a gym….that would be spectacular. Nawwww… I’ll just go run around in nature;)

9) Outdoor Activities
For all levels. There are SO MANY options!
On the top of my head, there’s hiking (obvs!) bicycling, horseback riding, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, canyoneering, boating, fishing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, spelunking, rock climbing, tightrope walking. Of course, check with your destination if a guide is required.
Let’s not forget some National Parks are known for diamond hunting and fossil hunting.
It’s also great to be a spectator too. Everyone loves to have a cheering section.

10) Road Trip Adventures
Embrace the open road and enjoy the views along the way.
Road trips are little adventurous nuggets. They are the pre and post adventure. Think of the opportunities to make pit stops at landmark oddities, like the world’s biggest ball of yarn. Or a new general store that sells the best local foods.
If you need some ideas to help pass the time in the car and done with playing, “I spy with my little eye” car game. Have a listen to a podcast or Ted Talk about your destination. It will give you a better insight and appreciation when you get there.
Then, take turns being the DJ and listen to each others music. It’s a fun way to discover new songs and genres.
Or the ‘quiet game’ is good too. 🙂

11) Take the Doggo or Catto
There are adventure cats, too!
Pets are family and it wouldn’t be adventure without them. Besides, National Parks are the best at being pet friendly.

12) Camping Food
I’m not talking MRE (meals ready to eat), granola- bran type horse food, or smores (mmmm….smores). I’m talking meals cooked over an open flame on a grill. There are endless amounts of recipes specialized for camping. Some dishes take only a few ingredients.
Test cook these 52 camping food ideas from Fresh off the Grid before your head out.

13) Water
Seeing and feeling water in its natural setting is definitely a treat. There are so many National Parks that showcase stunning hot springs, beaches, waterfalls, rivers in caves, geysers, glaciers and much more.
One the most amazing National Parks I’ve experienced. Was sailing around islands in Komodo National Park. It was an epic adventure of watching komodo dragons, hiking island summits and swimming around beautiful coral and ocean life.
Check out Smithsonian’s 6 National Parks that can be explored by boat.

14) Caving
Caves are amazing and I’m not talking about a man/woman caves in homes (although some are pretty fantastic and necessary).
Natural caves allow us to be a guest into exotic ecosystem. It’s not everyday, we get to experience this.
One of the most exotic and diverse National Parks that I have experienced for is Gunung Mulu National park and Bako National Park in Borneo.
I discovered so many new lifeforms that I’ve never seen or knew existed. I also witnessed a spectacular experience of 3 million bats mass exodus from a cave for their night feeding. Mother Nature is truly remarkable.

15) Stargazing
Get away from the light pollution and gaze up towards the vast blanket of the cosmos.
Test your skills at identifying the Milky Way or Orion. Or better yet, bring or download books on stargazing and see if you can point specific planets and star patterns.
“There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on any beach, more stars than seconds have passed since Earth formed, more stars than words and sounds ever uttered by all the humans who ever lived”. – Neil Degrasse Tyson.

16) Sunsets, Sunrises and Natural Light
Ancient Egyptians (25th century BC -mid 24th century BC) believed the sun as a deity and called it Ra. Every morning, Ra was reborn and at night descended to the underworld. Only to loop back around to do it all over again.
The Aztecs (1300 -1521) believed in 5 sun gods, the previous 4 died at the end of each cosmic era. Their fifth sun god, Tonatiuh was also believed to be reborn each time at sunrise. Every day, Tonatiuh made a voyage across the sky to die each day at sunset.
Fast-forward to present day. Many campers see an opportunity when the earth orbits around the sun, as a way to use natural light (sunrises and sunsets) to reset their internal clocks.
No matter how you see it, sunrises and sunsets give us a little magic mixed in with romance. It’s a great way to break away from artificial light and receive some vitamin D.

Have a favorite National Park? Let us know in the comments.


72 Comments
Steven Morrissette
Those are all good reasons and I always try to go camping once a year in National park near where I live.
Sarah Emery
Thanks Steven. That’s a great goal to camp every year in a National Park. They are amazing for that 😉
Karen Smedley
Wonderful post, I agree with everything you say. You can’t be being out in nature and having the opportunity to roam a national park is fabulous.
Sarah Emery
Thank you Karen and I most certainly agree 🙂
Cherishingflo
Health was a really great reason and I love good views although I don’t remember the last time I went to a national park. Social distancing is actually a really good point though!
Sarah Emery
Yes to health and good views! Sounds like a trip to a National Park should be your next adventure 🙂
Jessica Collazo
I love consuming local tourism and I love to go national parks. They have so much history in them and they are so intresting.
Sarah Emery
Me too Jessica! They are a wealth of history, contributing to tourism and a great way to spend time 😉
Bill
Everyone should visit as many national parks as they possibly can in their lifetimes. It’s an awe-inspiring experience to see the beauty of nature on such a large scale.
Sarah Emery
I so agree with you Bill!
Matt Taylor
Traveling to National parks is awesome. I grew up 4 hours from Yosemite, I went there a ton. I loved that picture of that Volkswagon Bus, we had one growing up a 1974 Bus that looked like the one in the first Back to the Future. We travel to many destinations in that and several National Parks!
Sarah Emery
That’s amazing, Matt. I bet you have fantastic insight on Yosemite. I wish I had spent more time there when I lived in NorCal – which is a regret of mine. So, everytime I’m in close vicinity of a National Park. I make the time to visit. Right, aren’t V-Wagons so great!
Heather
We love to visit National Parks. I can’t wait until we are able to travel again.
Sarah Emery
I hope it’s one of the first places you guys go and visit (once we can get out again). Thanks Heather 🙂
knycx Journeying
Wow didn’t know there are so many reasons to visit a National Park and to me, there’s one reason – the wonderful mother nature and breathtaking scenery. Hopefully, the virus outbreak will be contained soon and everyone can travel freely soon – Knycx Journeying
Sarah m
National parks are good places to visit in our life.
Sarah Emery
Yes to Mother Nature!!! 🙂
Antonia | Sweet Passions
I love National parks and totally agree with your points. There are so many of them on my bucket list.
Antonia
Petra
There are so many National Parks still on my bucket list, and I intend to visit as many as possible, and hopefully very soon (again). Great article!
Sarah Emery
I hope you get to visit as many as possible Petra! They are all truly fascinating!
twuss
Visiting any USA natural park is on my bucket list!!
Sarah Emery
I hope you get to visit soon! There are plenty in the US and all around the world in fact!
Fiona Cambouropoulos
I’m all for the space and freedom of our national parks. We are lucky enough to live on the edge of bodmin Moor which I can reach by bike or foot. It’s been my lifeline in lockdown here.
Sarah Emery
Oh my goodness, Fiona- that’s amazing! What history and natural beauty you are lucky to be next to! I would love to meander about those lands. Fantastic!
Marysa
We love visiting National Parks. Such amazing and beautiful places to visit! I have been to so many parks, but we don’t have a lot of National Parks near us. I would love to travel out west to see some of the bigger parks.
Sarah Emery
I hear you Marysa! Being in Singapore, I understand not being near a National Park – but when I travel; they are the first places I look up and how close I am to one. I hope you get to visit some in the near future.
Ell x
You are so right… they’re incredible places I can’t wait until I can go and explore another national park again!
Sarah Emery
Thank you! I hope you can get out and explore soon Ell!
Nina
I can’t wait till the lockdown ends, I would love to travel locally and internationally.
Sarah Emery
Me too, Nina 🙂 Me too!
Cyndi Buchanan
I love visiting national parks. They are truly incredible.
Sarah Emery
Wonderful to hear, Cyndi 🙂
the joyous living
The photo you have posted under #6 is STUNNING. Is that from Hawaii? I’d love to know where each of your photos are from.
Sarah Emery
Yes, it’s from Hawaii. The girl on the left is the one who I email introduced to my Dad 🙂 Many are from parks in the US, but some are from Komodo National Park – Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
Ivana Mearns
What a beautiful place. I can totally see myself walking around and taking so photos, I agree that it’s a great place for hobbies such as amateur photography.
Sarah Emery
Nature is many people’s subject and muse 🙂
Stephen
Live quite close to Snowdonia and there’s nothing I love more than escaping there for a dose of true adventure, away from all the crowds
Sarah Emery
WOW! Snowdonia – castles, waterfalls, epic landscapes. That’s amazing Stephen. I feel, I would be there everyday wandering about.
Kenneth
Apologies as I find parks boring BUT after reading this, I am in awe on how amazing it is so thank you for sharing 🙂
Sarah Emery
Glad to hear Kenneth. I do hope you get to experience an incredible adventure in a National Park. They are truly invigorating plots of land full of life. Thanks for the read & comment 😉
siennylovesdrawing
Thanks so much for sharing this post with beautiful captures of the national parks 😀
Added all to my bucket list
cheers, siennylovesdrawing
Sarah Emery
Yeah! A bucket list isn’t complete without a visit to a National Park.
Dreams Abroad
The National Parks of the United States are so important. For the environment and history. Some of my favorite parks are in Tennessee.
Sarah Emery
Ooohhhh!!! I see there are 12 National Parks there and they all look stunning! I see why they are your favorite.
Sayed Williams
It has long been in my checklist to visit any national park. Unfortunately, I haven’t got the chance yet. Reading your reasons made me realize what I’m missing out.
Sarah Emery
I truly hope you get to experience one soon. They are so inspiring and a great way to get recharged 🙂
Life Mag Health
I miss nature so much. I miss travelling and indulging to its beauty! Your post is so great and wonderful tips, thanks for sharing!
Sarah Emery
Ahh Cheers! Nature is super key to have in one’s life. I hope you back into nature asap.
littlemisadvencha
I love visiting natural parks as well. it’s great way to be one with nature together with family and friends. <3
Sarah Emery
Isn’t it?! Parks are absolutely amazing!
Polly
I agree with all of these specially “Nature’s Playground”, sometimes people underestimate National Parks and would prefer to visit busy attractions. Whenever I’m out in another country, I make sure to visit at least one National Park.
Sarah Emery
Polly you speak to my traveler – national park side 🙂 I too, do the same thing.
blair villanueva
Once Australia relaxed its domestic travel restrictions, we are planning to visit more national parks! It is a great way to appreciate the nature and boost domestic tourism.
Sarah Emery
Australia is one of my favorite countries and I love Australia’s biodiversity. It’s so intense and stunning! And I cannot agree with you more- visiting national parks is also a great way to boost tourism.
Adventures with Shelby
I have a lot of National Parks on my bucket list!
Aanya
Oh! I love national parks! Would never miss the opportunity!
Sarah Emery
Me too & glad to hear Aanya!
Notesbycheeia
Thanks for sharing. Truly appreciate it
Sarah Emery
Cheers, glad you like it 😉
Neil Alvin
Gotta love National Parks.
You just gave me an idea, I’ll write down reasons why I love visiting UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Sarah Emery
YAY! Yes do it Neil! UNESCO World Heritage sites are equally amazing! Can’t wait to give it a read 🙂
Michele
In our family, we would choose a national park over a theme park any day. We love just walking and exploring for hours.
Sarah Emery
Your choices are right in line with mine, Michele 😉 I truly wish others would have the same priority. There’s SO much better things to do, see, and explore in National Parks. Just endless entertainment. Choose nature not artificial 🙂
GV Caplas | Wandering Good Vibes
Haven’t had the chance to visit a national park, as beautiful as your illustrations. This made me more excited to travel again! ❤️
Sarah Emery
Yeah and yes – get out there! There’s so much biodiversity to explore and enjoy 🙂
Trish
Definitely will love to visit a few
Sarah Emery
I hope you do so Trish, and let me know how it all goes 😉
Sumit | Instatravelstyle
Would love to visit these national parks soon.
Sarah Emery
I hope you do as well. Time spent outdoors, really is a game changer.
Steffi
I love national parks! There are quite a few on my bucket list to visit and I totally agree with the water and sunsets/sunrises points – there is something about being near to natural water sources that makes me feel so grounded and at home.
Sarah Emery
Natural water can have so many profound effects on us. To a powerful and magnificent waterfall to a soothing and calm stream. I hope you are getting to enjoy your town in Germany more these days Steffi!
Elizabeth O
I feel so relaxed when I am in a National Park. These reasons are true.