Valerie

I have never been to Yellowstone, so that's a must since it's a quintessential national park experience! While in the area, I'd obviously love to visit Grand Teton too. But... I also love the far-flung and lesser-visited parks, so rounding out my top 5 would be American Samoa, Voyageurs, Kobuk Valley, and Lassen Volcanic.

I spent 12 days on a pack-rafting trip down the Tatshenshini and Alsek rivers in the Yukon/British Columbia/Southeast Alaska. It was an amazing off-grid experience to unplug and relax, pushed my beyond my comfort zone in many ways, and helped me build confidence in taking more unusual adventures in the future. They don't all have to be in Alaska though!

I'd use part of it to pay for fuel to keep exploring including gas and food – especially local dishes and drinks along the way, since food is an integral part of culture and adventure. I'd also set aside a portion to cover the costs of staying additional nights in the amazing state parks I know neighbor some of the great national parks I want to visit. Lastly, I'd allocate some funds for supporting local businesses/artisans/tour guides since it's important to keep money in local economies.