Back in 2019, I began photographing U.S. National Parks as a small side hustle. Little did I know this would set into motion an obsession for the next 6 years.

The Backstory

I never intended to photograph all 63 national parks. That idea was always too audacious. But as part of the creative process for a national park poster series I was working on, I knew I had to photograph as many as I could. Because, as an artist it’s always better to draw inspiration from real life rather than online image searches. You get a fuller understanding of your subject when you immerse yourself in it firsthand. So in November of 2019, I did just that. I armed myself with my DSLR camera and booked my first trip to California’s Joshua Tree National Park. It felt extravagant at the time—traveling across state lines to simply gather research for a side project. But after a jaw-dropping sunrise hike, I quickly became hooked. My trip to Joshua Tree went on to inspire subsequent trips to Death Valley, Arches, Great Sand Dunes, Yellowstone and many others within reach of home.

In a matter of a couple summers, I had a personal library of high quality images in my back pocket. While I was using them as reference material for my poster art, it seemed a shame to just let them gather dust. I needed an outlet to share my growing photographic expression of the national parks. But what would set them apart from all the other national park portfolios out there? Suddenly, it all became clear. If I wanted to publish photos of any national park, I would need to publish photos of all national parks. And thus my quest was born. Over the next 6 years, I spent every spare weekend, holiday, and vacation I could exploring the iconic landmarks of America—the heights of Denali to the depths of the Grand Canyon. What once seemed intimidating, slowly became more and more achievable. And on September 24, 2025, my goal became reality with a visit to my final park in American Samoa. Below is a “behind the scenes” sneak peek at my quest to photograph all 63 U.S. National Parks.

Overview

When I first started, I barely knew how many national parks existed in the U.S. I guessed maybe 20 or so? Well, in December 2020, Congress declared New River Gorge in West Virginia to be the 63rd (and currently most recent) national park rendering my estimate way off. This extensive collection of now 63 protected lands spans across 30 states, 2 territories, and 7 time zones, from north of the Arctic Circle to south of the Equator, which makes visiting all of them the ultimate travel goal. These national parks not only showcase the stunning landscape and historical significance of the United States, but also the incredible diversity found in a single country. From sea to shining sea and everything in between, the national parks take you through it all—giant fruit bats, fossilized tree trunks, ancient ruins, and so much more only found here in the American landscape.

As a resident of Monument, Colorado, I have the unique advantage of reaching nearly 20 parks within a day’s drive from home. This by far made all the difference in completing my quest. And with the burgeoning of what I’m deeming America’s “Golden Age of Travel”, flights, rental cars, and lodging have become more and more affordable over the years. There has never been a better time to travel than now.

Timeline

Here is a timeline of each park I visited during my time on the road. By combining neighboring parks into single trips, I was able to save time and money. During my first handful of trips I was not attempting to visit all 63 parks. So naturally, looking back I would have structured my travel schedule more efficiently had I started with this goal in mind.

By the Numbers

Over the course of this journey, it is no wonder I racked up a mountain of stats. Visiting all 63 parks is not for the faint of heart. I quickly learned it takes patience, commitment and a little chutzpah to chase this goal. An objective this daunting will inevitably come with its challenges. That’s the significance behind these stats. The red-eye flights, the hours of photo editing, the miles of wear and tear. It has all been worth it—worth the flightseeing and the stargazing, the tent camping and the trail chatting, the wildlife waiting and sunset chasing. That is the story these numbers tell.

Reflections

It’s true these stats represent a lot of sacrifice. Devoting nearly 7 years, $44,000, and over 100 flights to a single mission is staggering. That’s why I’m grateful I didn’t know the cost at the time. Sometimes I think we can do ourselves a disservice by setting an ambitious goal too soon that winds up frightening us away instead of inspiring us along. That was apparent in this quest. If I had known these stats going into the project—how much time and investment a goal like this would take—I probably wouldn’t have attempted it. I would’ve looked at Hawaii and Alaska and American Samoa and thought there’s no way I can afford that.

However, because I focused on the joy of each park before me, I began to check them off one by one, slowly and steadily. Like one of those moments when you’re climbing a mountain peak and if you stay focused on the path ahead of you, grinding it out one step at a time, then you can pop up your head and marvel at the progress you’ve made. That’s the approach I found successful. One step at a time. Having fun along the way.

So now it’s your turn. Whether you dream of diving into every national park or just want to dip your toes into one, take what I’ve learned and build on it. Shoot better pictures, follow longer trails, tell greater stories. The beauty and adventure out there is beyond what I have posted here. With a little travel creativity and organized foresight, the world of national parks is more accessible than you may think.