America’s National Parks tell the story of our country. They tell the story of our landscapes and what existed in years past. Filled with breathtaking mountains, roaring rivers, and the rugged terrains that wildlife call home. As our travelers criss-cross the country, many of them have found adventure visiting these unique places. In fact, many of our travelers are working to visit every park — and we think that’s a fantastic goal.
In honor of the National Parks Service turning 103, we want to share their experiences and favorite parks. So, without further ado, here are our travelers’ favorite spots and why they love them!
- Olympic National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Bryce Canyon National Park
- Grand Teton National Park
Olympic National Park: Anna, Med Surg Travel Nurse
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Best thing to happen to me: getting roped into this summer extension in Washington 💚
“We loved how Olympic has such diverse regions and even ecosystems, including a rainforest. We had such fun making our way there as well: you can board the ferry with your vehicle to get there quickly from the Seattle area. Once you’re near the park, they have a ton of things worth exploring like beach camping and berry and lavender farms. Plus, the blue waters at Lake Crescent blew my mind!”
Anna loved the region so much that she’s extended in Washington. Want to check out Washington jobs for winter, click here!
Yellowstone National Park: Laura, PACU Travel Nurse
“I spent 11 hours at Yellowstone. I drove the entire loop around the park, which is about 145 miles. I walked 4.2 miles. I was stopped by a Bison crossing the road which he, most assuredly, had the right of way. I saw elk grazing on the sides of the river and right outside of my car. I came upon a bear walking down the road, and when I pulled up next to him, I rolled my window down, and we looked at each other, and I said, “heller” to which he responded with a smile. It could have been gas, it could have been he found a morsel to eat, but I will go to my grave KNOWING he smiled at me. I saw hot springs with boiling mud and water that looked so inviting that I so wanted a hot soak but decided I looked better without a third-degree burn. I hiked up hills to see mud volcanoes that smelled so noxious that it made me nauseous, but I was glad I did it. I saw Old Faithful spew forth boiling water 200 feet into the air and realized he had been doing that long before I got there and would continue long after I leave this world. I ate at Roosevelt Lodge, where ole Teddy himself visited years before. I waited for a table for thirty minutes, sitting on the front porch, in a rocking chair with my feet up, staring at the mountains. No cell phone service, no texts, no calls, no Facebook, and for a brief moment, laid my head back and thought that this must be what being in Heaven will be like.”
Bryce Canyon National Park: Anna Marie, Med Surg Travel Nurse
“It’s so hard to choose just one! I’ve been to Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Badlands, Wind Caves, Olympic, and Mount Rainier. Each park is amazing for different reasons. If I had to choose just one, I would say Bryce Canyon. The vastness, the colors, and the hoodoos are incredible! I feel like people forget about it because of its proximity to Zion, the Grand Canyon, and Arches National Parks.” Don’t know what a “hoodoo” is? We didn’t either. Luckily, nps.gov is a fantastic resource that taught us that the spire-like structures formed over time from the limestone wearing away are called hoodoos.
Grand Teton National Park: Brittany, NICU Travel Nurse
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While Brittany has recently gone perm, you can read what makes her husband a great travel nurse recruiter here. “My favorite family-friendly spot would be any of the National Parks, because of the camping, beauty, and low cost! It’s so easy to enjoy the adventure and time with your family in any of our parks. Although Grand Teton is my favorite. It’s, in our opinion, the most beautiful park in our 60-park system.” Brittany’s family loves to camp and recommends it to everyone. But, before you go, be sure to check out nps.gov and find out seasonal options!
