Our obsession for National Parks sparked innocently enough at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, New York, in 2023. We were standing in front of a giant sliced wedge of a Sequoia tree, completely enthralled with its size. When one of the kids asked if it was truly real, Dev responded by saying “should we go see a live one?”. The rest is history.

I forget the total count of how many National Parks we have visited so far, but it is a lot; in all parts of this beautiful country. Enjoying nature is the most obvious benefit of this obsession especially with our children, but there is so much more to it. Seeing immense mountains disappear in fog as if not even there. Or standing in dessert when it once was an ocean. Or seeing lava flowing to make brand new earth. All these lessons of what time means, what size means, what change means, where I fit, what I control – all of this has been the best therapy one can ask for.

As we wrap up 2025 I feel so much gratitude for my husband who has sparked this love in me and our kids; for the National Parks Service; for the open lands and blue skies of New Mexico and West Texas; for life lessons and patience; for America the beautiful for all.

Every 4th grader in America gets a free National Parks Pass which otherwise costs $80. We buy ours at REI
Every Park has ranger books with activities for the kids. These have ranged from lots of sciency stuff, to sketching and drawing, scavenger hunts, bingo, haiku writing, and so much more, They are truly impressive. Once completed, we take them back to the park rangers who have all seemed like such amazing human beings. They usually chat it up some more with the kids, before giving them the ranger oath and the park badge.
Every single time, when driving in the national park I can’t believe how lucky we are to have paved roads that truly lead to paradise. My faith in America is restored every time I am in one of these National Parks seeing how well everything works and how well things are cared for.
Below are the 5 national parks w visited this time around in New Mexico (a totally underrated state) and West Texas (who’s artsy-ness caught me completely off guard)