Jocelyn Dugan

It’s hard to choose just one, but if I had to choose I’d start with Glacier National Park. There is so much to explore, from lakes and rivers to different forest types. I’d love to visit all of the glaciers and rock glaciers, especially knowing that they continue to erode as climate change takes its toll. Understanding that human actions have impacted our natural world in such a short period of time is so important and witnessing it firsthand at this park would be a sight to behold.

Solo camping in the Grand Canyon. The energy in that park is surreal. It’s so important to understand what your body is capable of when you’re on your own and hiking a trail like rim to rim, with the Arizona sun beating down on you. Looking at the textured canyons as I made my way down the trail and to the Colorado River with only my thoughts to keep me company gave me a level of peace that I’ve been chasing in every adventure I’ve been on since.

Keep exploring and invite people to come along. I have friends and family who don’t feel comfortable going out into nature and exploring. I’d love to give them the opportunity to experience something new and realize how easy it is to just pick up a backpack, make a camp spot reservation, get out and explore.