Whether you have the wondering soul of a nomad, or you just like to get away from the city for a week, these places will truly change you. Traveling has always been more than a hobby for me, it was a time of exploration not only in finding my destination, but finding myself along the way. I have been traveling and exploring ever since I was a kid. The list below is a combination of places I have gone, and places I want to go. Traveling is an experience like no other, I think it should be enjoyed and shared while we are still on the earth.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

I have been to the Grand Canyon with my family. If you want to see the entire canyon, you will have to spend about a week there, there is so much to see and explore, it is amazing! My family and I went rafting in the Colorado river, in the Grand Canyon. Only about 1% of tourist who visit the Canyon actually end up swimming in it. Seeing the canyon from the ground up gives you a different perspective, you can see all the little details that you wouldn't normally see from the top. The day we went rafting, it was a boiling 110 degree heat index, but the water was a chilling 42 degrees. I would highly recommend if you are into, rafting, hiking, kayaking, or sightseeing.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

My family and I have also visited Bryce canyon as well. We were no there very long sadly, but we got to drive around the park and see the main figures. We saw natural bridge and the highest point of the park that looks down and onto the canyon. It was absolutely astonishing! I would highly recommend if you like climbing, hiking, and sightseeing.

The Pacific Crest Trail

The trail is approximately 2,650 miles long. I have never hiked it before, but I am planning to. This trail goes from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada on the west coast of the United States. It is a very rugged hike and can take several months to complete. I think that this total isolation from society would be recharging and mind opening. It would be a challenge, but it would be worth it.

Rocky Mountain National Park

The park is mainly in Colorado, but the Rockies extend from British Columbia, Canada, all the way down to New Mexico, US. I have visited Pikes Peak in Colorado, and I have traveled along and through the mountains, but I have never hiked them extensively. The mountains are incredibly beautiful and worth the trip! I would love to go and explore.

The Appalachian Trail

I have never hiked this trail either, but once again, I would like to. It's a 2,190 mile hike though the Appalachian mountain chain on the east coast of the US. It is more of a mountainous, forested hike than anything else. The trail extends from north Georgia to Maine. This trail is actually easier than the PCT because it is mainly in the mountains and valleys, not in the desert and in the Cascades. This trail would be great to explore, even for a month.

These are only a few of the trails and national parks that are on my bucket list, there are so many more. I hope that you have a spirit of adventure and now want to at least look into traveling to these beautiful places. Get out and explore!