A Fan's Guide to Our National Parks

by Jo-Anne Graham

As a college senior, Jo-Anne Graham, watching as many of her fellow students departed for travel adventures in Europe, asked herself, "Isn’t there a lot of America I still need to see?"

Soon thereafter, Graham set out with a friend on a cross-country trip that launched what she has called "a lifelong love affair with our national parks." Travel along with her via snapshot to experience some of her favorite parks. Read Jo-Anne's inspiring story from the February 2018 issue of Guideposts!

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In 2017, Jo-Anne and her Labradoodle Abi traveled cross-country, visiting a number of national parks

Jo-Anne and Abi

In 2017, Jo-Anne and her Labradoodle Abi traveled cross-country, visiting Saguero National Park in Arizona, Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Zion National Park

At Zion, Utah's first national park, Jo-Anne was inspired by the multihued rock formations and sandstone cliffs.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jo-Anne pauses by a small waterfall in a stream in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America's most visited national park.

Saguaro National Park

The giant cacti give southern Arizona's Saguaro National Park its name.

Yosemite National Park

Jo-Anne pays a return visit to Yosemite National Park, which she first experienced when she was in college.

Arches National Park

Utah's Arches National Park boasts more than 2,000 stone arches and hundreds of other red-rock formations.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park boasts stunning cliffs and other rock formations that inspire and amaze visitors to the park.

Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park comprises five islands off the southern California coast. There is plant and animal life here that can't be found anywhere else in the world.