We are very fortunate to have protected National Parks throughout the United States. Having these preserved wilderness areas help the environment but also help us find our wild. These parks are accessible to everyone and are great places to begin your first road trip or mini adventure.

The idea of protecting our natural resources and creating public lands in the United States started with Abraham Lincoln in 1864 when he signed the Yosemite Grant Act to protect and preserve the ancient giant sequoias, a tree found only in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.  These trees have survived for thousands of years and are often hundreds of feet tall and lead to the creation of Yosemite National Park, arguably one of the most stunning parks with it’s famous granite cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, ancient forests and breathtaking vistas. Currently the National Park System boasts 63 preserved and protected wilderness areas with Yosemite National Park in California being the first. It is also the first National Park I visited and the one I visited most often.  Check out the National Park Website for some excellent information and resources on planning your trip to one or more of these treasured wilderness areas. I have only visited a handful of our national parks and I am curious.  Please let me know in the comments what your favorite National Parks are and why.  Pro Tip: Download the NPS app for all the features at your fingertips