Fat Louie Diaries

There’s something magical about standing in a landscape so vast and untouched that it makes you feel simultaneously insignificant and deeply connected to the earth. The National Parks in the United States offer these transcendent experiences in abundance, and I’ve been fortunate enough to explore some of the most breathtaking parks our country has to offer. Here’s my personal guide to five national parks that have left an indelible mark on my soul.

Glacier National Park: The Ultimate Road Trip Destination

Nestled along the Canada border (something I did not know until we were planning the route), Glacier National Park is the ultimate road trip destination. A couple of years ago, my best friend and I planned a two-week long route across the continental U.S. for the sole purpose of checking this park off our list. We knew it would be beautiful, and we were not disappointed.

Here’s some of the highlights:

• The Skyline Trail is the park’s signature “big hike” and it doesn’t disappoint
• Along the trail, eleven miles of diverse terrain leads you through meadows, mountainsides, and breathtaking vistas to a charming chalet, selling peanut M&M’s and other snack goods
• Stunning aquamarine lakes reflect mountains still capped with snow even in summer months
• The elevation is such that mountain goats feature among the wildlife 

What sets Glacier apart is the raw, untamed beauty of its landscapes. After hours of navigating challenging terrain, there’s something uniquely satisfying about enjoying chocolate with a view that stretches for miles. The name “Glacier” isn’t just for show – the park’s magnificent glaciers are slowly disappearing, making a visit here not just spectacular but also increasingly meaningful.

Badlands National Park: A Lunar Landscape on Earth

The Badlands offer an experience unlike any other park in America. With its:

• Scenic drives at sunset that transform the already otherworldly landscape into a painter’s palette of pinks, purples, and oranges
• Otherworldly landforms that make it seem like you’re hiking on the moon, with striped sedimentary rocks creating formations that seem to defy gravity
• A serene feeling of peace that permeates the landscape (though this might have been because we took the road trip in 2020 when visitation was lower)

There’s something about the Badlands that speaks to the soul. Perhaps it’s the stark contrast between the rugged terrain and the vast open skies, or maybe it’s the sense that you’re witnessing earth’s history written in stone. The park’s ancient fossil beds remind visitors that these seemingly lifeless rocks once teemed with prehistoric life, adding layers of meaning to an already profound experience.

Walking through the Door Trail at sunrise, watching the first light illuminate the spires and buttes in golden hues, remains one of my most cherished travel memories.

Rocky Mountain National Park: My Temporary Home

My connection to Rocky Mountain National Park runs deeper than most, as I worked and lived in these mountains for a few months doing seasonal work. This extended stay allowed me to experience the park in ways most visitors never get to and share these highlights with you:

• The park is a year-round destination, with opportunities for snowshoeing in winter through silent, snow-draped forests
• Hiking to Dream Lake is unlike anything I’ve ever seen, with mirror-like waters reflecting the jagged peaks above
• Trail Ridge Road offers the ultimate trek during summer months, as you can climb to over 11,000 feet and traverse tundra landscapes that feel more like the Arctic than Colorado
• The wildlife viewing is exceptional with marmots, elk, beaver, wolves, and all kinds of incredible wildlife
• If you’re friendly, some of the nicest locals around will gladly explain the animals’ migration patterns, eating habits, and daily lives, while also letting you take a glimpse through their binoculars

Living near the park gave me the luxury of visiting during different times of day and in varying weather conditions. I learned that the mountains look different in morning light than they do at sunset, and that a dusting of fresh snow completely transforms familiar landscapes.

The sound of elk bugling during the fall rut, echoing across valleys in the early morning mist, is something that stays with you long after you’ve left the mountains behind.

Arches National Park: Desert Magic

The desert has a magic all its own, and Arches National Park captures this enchantment perfectly:

• Incredible sunsets cast long shadows through the arches, creating a photographer’s paradise – watching the sunset over the desert should be on your bucket list without a doubt
• Visiting during shoulder season makes it relatively easy to find camping sites within the park, allowing you to avoid the crowds while still enjoying pleasant temperatures
• The hikes are relatively short – the Delicate Arch hike is only 3.2 miles, though it can be challenging due to the heat and terrain
• One of my favorite parts of being in the desert is the red dirt on your shoes – it was in this park that I experienced this for the first time, and it made me fall in love with the desert for life
• If you’re not convinced to go, pick up a copy of Edward Abbey’s “Desert Solitaire” and you’ll be ready to book the trip immediately

There’s something about standing beneath a massive stone arch, carved by nothing more than water and time, that puts life into perspective. The landscape feels ancient and timeless, yet constantly changing through the slow erosion that created these magnificent structures in the first place.

The silence of the desert at night, with stars blazing overhead unmarred by light pollution, creates a sense of connection to the universe that’s difficult to find elsewhere.

Crater Lake National Park: A Hidden Wonder

Perhaps the most surprising entry on my list is Crater Lake, a place of ethereal beauty and unique features:

• You can swim in a volcanic lake – if that’s not enough for you, I’m not sure what else will be
• It’s truly like nothing I had ever seen before – there are lots of hikes in and around Crater Lake, and at some point they used to do boat tours as well (check their website for the most up-to-date information)
• Located in the middle of nowhere TRULY – if there was a time to splurge and get on-site lodging, this park is the place to do it
• Lots of scenic hikes around the lake, and the hike down to the lake offers some pretty spectacular views as well

The first glimpse of Crater Lake’s impossibly blue waters is a moment of pure wonder. Created when Mount Mazama collapsed after a volcanic eruption approximately 7,700 years ago, the lake is the deepest in the United States and one of the most pristine bodies of water in the world.

Standing at the rim and looking down at that perfect circle of sapphire blue, surrounded by steep caldera walls, is a reminder of nature’s power to create beauty from destruction.

Final Thoughts

What makes these National Parks so special isn’t just their natural beauty, but the way they connect us to something larger than ourselves. Whether it’s the ancient geology of the Badlands, the alpine wilderness of Glacier, the living ecosystems of Rocky Mountain, the sculptural desert of Arches, or the volcanic wonder of Crater Lake, these protected places offer us glimpses into the beauty of the natural world.

Every park has its own personality, its own rhythm, its own particular magic. The greatest gift we can give ourselves is the time to slow down and truly experience these treasures – to hike their trails, breathe their air, and let their landscapes work their transformative power on our spirits.

Whatever your travel style or physical abilities, there’s a national park experience waiting for you. I hope my personal journey inspires you to create your own connection with these remarkable places.

What’s your favorite national park? Have you visited any of these five parks? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!