It’s National Parks Week! A time when we come together to celebrate the breathtaking beauty and magnificence of America’s most beloved treasures. This year’s theme is the “Power of Moments,” reminding us of the life-changing experiences that these parks offer.
As the original company that coined “adventure travel,” we’re thrilled to be a part of this tradition, and we invite you to join us as we relive our most cherished memories and share our inspiring stories.
Read below for a hand-pick of our staff’s most memorable experiences and ignite your wanderlust. You will surely be itching to pack your bags and hit the road.
Inspired? Experience the magic of America’s National Parks for yourself! Check out our popular MT Sobek-guided U.S. National Park adventures here>>
Best Staff Picks for National Park Week
Mike A., Travel Advisor from Mountain Travel Sobek
“Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds a special place in my life, as my family has been traveling there for generations.”
— Mike A. MT Sobek Staff
What’s your favorite U.S. National Park?
Mike: Great Smoky Mountains National Park
What’s your favorite memory from Great Smoky Mountains?
Mike: Great Smoky Mountains National Park holds a special place in my life, as my family has been traveling there for generations. My grandparents vacationed there in their early years, my parents honeymooned there, my brothers and I traveled there with our family as kids, and we’ve taken our families there as adults. It’s the first National Park I visited as a kid, and the one where I gained my love of our amazing National Parks System, hiking, and the splendor of nature. It’s the first place I ever saw a bear in the wild!
My favorite hike there as a kid was the Laurel Falls Trail in autumn, which concludes at the gorgeous cascading waterfalls. As an adult I now seek out autumnal hikes to waterfalls every chance I get. There’s no place I’d rather be to disconnect from the noise of the world and reconnect with family, myself, and the tranquility of nature.
Courtney D., Systems Manager from MT Sobek
“Yosemite National Park is an escape for whenever my friend and I need to stop and catch our breath.”
— Courtney D. MT Sobek Staff
What’s your favorite U.S. National Park?
Courtney: Yosemite National Park
What’s your favorite memory from Yosemite?
Courtney: Yosemite National Park is an escape for whenever my friend and I need to stop and catch our breath. Over a backpacking trip, we found ourselves completely alone on a panorama overlook of Half Dome. There was no one in any direction for miles and only the sounds of the river behind us, the birds above us, and our laughter echoing through the valley below us. Turns out that sometimes all you really need to get a room with a view is a single pair of good boots.
Related MT Sobek-Guided Trips:
California Yosemite National Park Hiking Adventure – Only 6 days!
California John Muir Trail Southbound to Mt Whitney Trek – 17 days!
California John Muir Trail Northbound to Yosemite Trek – 13 days!
Anne W., Trip Development and Operations Senior Director from MT Sobek
“I realized I didn’t need to travel far to see THE most beautiful place on Earth”
— Anne W. MT Sobek Staff
What’s your favorite U.S. National Park?
Anne: Yosemite National Park
What’s your favorite memory from Yosemite?
Anne: I have been fortunate and blessed to have traveled all over the world, and I’ve gone to some of the most beautiful places on Earth, but the first time I ever hiked in Tuolumne Meadows in the eastern part of Yosemite National Park, I realized I didn’t need to travel far to see THE most beautiful place on Earth.
Imagine being on the moon, with 360 views of the universe around you, but with blue skies, fresh air, a cool breeze, and the promise of a cool lake to soak your feet in. This is heaven on Earth.
Lou L., Trip Consultant from MT Sobek
“I was blown away by the scale, grandeur, and relative solitude of Capitol Reef compared to other National Parks.”
— Lou L. MT Sobek Staff
What’s your favorite U.S. National Park?
Lou: Capitol Reef National Park
What’s your favorite memory from Capitol Reef?
Lou: I was blown away by the scale, grandeur, and relative solitude of Capitol Reef compared to other National Parks. A highlight is picking fruit from the orchards in the ‘town’ of Fruita, located within the central part of park, where there are over 3,000 fruit, berry, and nut trees.
Tara B., Trip Consultant from MT Sobek
“We often find ourselves reminiscing about the giggles, moments of bliss, bonding, and pure fun that we shared together on that trip.”
— Tara B. MT Sobek Staff
What’s your favorite U.S. National Park?
Tara: Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park
What’s your favorite memory from Zion and Bryce?
Tara: I feel fortunate to have enjoyed many incredible experiences at our beloved National Parks. I also consider myself very lucky to be a twin! For our 30th birthday my wonderful sister and I planned an epic road trip, renting a campervan and exploring many of the great National Parks of the Southwest – including Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Arches (with many stops in between). Autumn was a lovely time to visit, with the hills awash in golden glow. While it was just us two peas in a pod for most of the adventure, our partners and group of best friends met us at the Grand Canyon to finish out the trip.
So many amazing memories were made on this adventure… the ones that stand out the most include hiking through the magical Narrows at Zion NP in amazement, catching sunrise overlooking the Bryce Canyon NP hoodoos while making breakfast out of the van, and hiking to Angel’s Landing at Zion NP – making it to the top right as the sun started to peek out from behind the Navajo Sandstone. We often find ourselves reminiscing about the giggles, moments of bliss, bonding, and pure fun that we shared together on that trip.
We are so blessed to have access to our National Parks; their natural wonders have a way of providing us all with a sense of awe and humility that the world needs more of!
Related MT Sobek-Guided Trips:
Utah Cataract Canyon Colorado River Rafting Adventure – Only 5 days!
Utah National Parks Multi-Adventure – Explore The Mighty Five!
Arizonia Utah Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion Adventure – Great for Private Groups!
Julie M., Program Director for Asia and the Middle East from MT Sobek
“This is where we took our kids on their first backpacking trip when they were 4 and 6 years old.”
— Julie M. MT Sobek Staff
What’s your favorite U.S. National Park?
Julie: Grand Teton National Park
What’s your favorite memory from Grand Teton?
Julie: We have spent a lot of time as a family in Grand Teton and my father has a named route climbing the Grand! This is also where we took our kids on their first backpacking trip when they were 4 and 6 years old. We did the short, flat hike to Leigh Lake and Trapper Lake, then back to Leigh Lake. It was lovely and our kids carried their own clothes, sleeping bags and pads.
Our 4-year old daughter, Erin, complained that her pack was too heavy, so my husband and I tag teamed in carrying it in addition to our own. Her older brother Conor got mad because “she was being a baby!” In the end it was a successful introduction to backpacking for our kids and one that’s led to many more family trips on much more difficult routes and the best part: now they carry the heaviest packs allowing their parents to go light.
Related MT Sobek-Guided Trips:
Wyoming Yellowstone & Grand Teton Multi-Adventure – Only 7 days!
In Conclusion
We hope our staff’s most cherished moments inspire your travel to visit our U.S. National Parks. Whether you’re making your list of must-see sights or simply want to relax and take in the stunning scenery – our travel experts will love to help plan your trip!
Join a group departure or work with our trip consultants to craft a custom adventure, and create National Park memories to last a lifetime!
View our MT Sobek-Guided National Park Trips>>