Meet the Team: Our Favorite National Parks

From Joshua Tree’s sunny desert, to the lush forest of the Great Smoky Mountains, there is something for everyone to enjoy! In celebration of Earth Month and National Park Week, we asked some of our staff members to share which national park they enjoy the most. If you haven’t already, check out some of these parks and add them to your next trip!

Katherine Everett: Senior Director of Product and Planning
National Parks Visited: 11
Favorite National Park: Mineral King (Sequoia)

“It's near impossible to pick a favorite since I have such strong feelings tied to visiting each: sledding in White Sands was epic, and learning about the Petrified Forest as a kid with my dad is a core memory for sure… but as and adult really nothing compares to the backcountry in Sequoia, specifically Mineral King. It has a little of everything, giant sequoias, grassy meadows, granite peaks, glacier lakes and waterfalls, a charming little cafe and a great ranger station and its mostly backcountry vs developed camping with one dirt road in and out, so for a backpacker it is paradise.”

Gretchen Braulick: Content Producer
National Parks Visited: 23
Favorite National Park: Denali

“It’s difficult to choose 1 out of 23 parks I’ve visited, but I’m fortunate enough to have family in Anchorage which allowed me to visit Denali & Kenai Fjords. Getting into the park itself is an experience while driving on what feels like a one way dirt road on a school bus. No guide rails, steep drops, deep curves in the road, and passing other vehicles at points, for 90 miles. The park is 6.1 million acres long so if you’re looking to visit a park that feels endless, any Alaskan park really capitalizes on the word. Denali ties with Canadian parks for the most amount of animals I’ve seen while visiting a national park. We saw about 15 bears just in a small portion of the drive into the park and in total maybe 20? Mount Mckinley was mostly behind the clouds but the fact we were able to see it peek through was very lucky. I’m hoping to get back to explore the other Alaskan Parks someday and I hope you can too!”
 

Lucas Alfonso: Accounting Manager
National Parks Visited: 8
Favorite National Park: Zion

“I have visited 8 national parks, and my favorite national park that I have had the pleasure of visiting a few times now is Zion National Park. The park is otherworldly, there is nothing else like it in my opinion. My favorite part of the park is being able to stand in the Virgin River and look up right at Angels Landing, it is a beautiful landscape with the green trees and massive red rock faces. Additionally, there is nothing like wading through the narrows, it is breathtaking and one of the coolest hikes I have ever done. Zion is so unique and offers so many different adventures that to me it is one of the best National Parks to visit and explore!”
 

Jenna McLoughlin: Social Media Specialist
National Parks Visited: 25
Favorite National Park: Great Smoky Mountains

“I’ve been to 25 national parks and it’s so hard to pick a favorite! They are each so different with iconic features and unique ecosystems, from the granite giants of Yosemite to the rushing white waters of New River Gorge. One of my all time favorites has got to be Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The park is right in my backyard, I’ve visited 5 or 6 times, and each time I’ve seen a new part of the park. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, and keep an eye out for salamanders!”

Avi Villa: Web UX/UI Specialist
National Parks Visited: 13
Favorite National Park: Yosemite

“It’s hard to choose a favorite but I have the best memories of Yosemite. I went to college in San Francisco and met two really good friends, one of which was into climbing. Since Yosemite is so close to San Francisco, we spent a lot of our weekends out in the park climbing! Apart from the beautiful valley floor, great hiking, and awesome camping, there’s something about getting far above the tree line on the wall that makes you appreciate the phenomenal views so much more!”
 

Tom Gilmour: Design Director
National Parks Visited: 5
Favorite National Park: Joshua Tree

“Being from the UK and traveling out to Joshua Tree, when I first arrived it felt otherworldly and as if time stood still. Watching the sunset and it lighting up all the rocks and canyons was as if I was on Mars, truly mesmerizing. A cowboy at heart I feel so at home in Joshua Tree which is why I wanted it to be the setting for a story line in my life. While at Hidden Valley, I pretended to take a timer photo and whilst my girlfriend was waiting I proposed to her!”
 

Marcos Contreras: Brand Marketing Intern
National Parks Visited: 9
Favorite National Park: The Grand Canyon

“Each national park has something special to offer and I can’t wait to visit more, but the Grand Canyon is definitely one of my favorites! I’ve been there 3 times and each time I always found something new to marvel at. Seeing it for the first time as a little kid I was amazed at its grandeur. My second time visiting I was really into the science of the canyon’s formation and stared into the canyon in wonder. My third time there I got to explore the north rim and discovered the bison that live there! Visiting the Grand Canyon growing up has led to some of the best memories with my family which is what makes it such a special place for me.”