Our Favorite National Parks

America's National Parks are some of the most breathtaking geological marvels in the world (in our humble opinion). This week, during National Park Week, we celebrate these treasured places with the National Park Foundation and the National Park Service. In addition, we hope to raise awareness to help support and protect the national parks that we all know and love. 

At MPOWERD, we feel a bit antsy to get outside and get closer to nature after a long winter. So, to get back into adventure mode, we decided to share some of our MPOWERD employee's favorite National Parks and why they love them so much.

  

Seungah Jeong, President & CEO

Favorite National Park: Mesa Verde National Park, CO

I went with a friend of mine in college who was a tour guide for the summer there. The ancestral Pueblo people had carved entire communities out of the rock face. It was incredible to witness the combination of stunning natural beauty with the ingenuity of the people who embedded themselves so thoroughly with the land.

 

Katie Johnston, Domestic Sales Manager

Favorite National Park: North Cascades National Park, WA

Whether I'm hiking, skiing, climbing, or mountain biking, North Cascades National Park is my absolute favorite destination. The views are mind-blowing, the recreation possibilities are limitless, the crowds are scarce, and it's only a couple of hours away from my hometown of Seattle.

  

Sebastian Jacobo, Senior Product Designer and Art Director

Favorite National Park: Sequoia National Park, CA

I have always loved big trees. When you see them in person, it's inevitable to feel humbled by their size and age. However, driving and walking through this park, you feel transported to a different time. You also see trees that have died in fires caused by firestorms and trees that are being reborn thanks to these same fires. It's a fascinating natural process. I would highly recommend coming here and hugging one of these trees... or all of them!

 

Jake Chapin, Senior Analyst, Supply Planning & Business Analytics

Favorite National Park: Zion National Park, UT

Zion was the last stop on my RV road trip last year, and I definitely would say that I saved the best for last. It remains the coolest place I've ever been to, and there is such a wide range of things to see and do, from hiking Angels Landing to wading through The Narrows. I can't recommend it enough!

 

Bekah Conti, Marketing Communication Associate Manager

Favorite National Park: Glacier National Park, MT

Mountains and lakes call my name, and Glacier is a spectacular place for both. The Going-To-The-Sun Road is an absolute must! The scenic overlooks at every hairpin turn, stunning views of some of the last glaciers on Earth, and of course, the glimpses of wildlife dotting the valleys and cliffs are breathtaking. Lake McDonald is nothing short of majestic, with a glass surface and multi-color rocks that blanket the lake floor. After a long day of hiking, all you need is a rocking chair and a refreshing beverage on the porch at the Lake McDonald Lodge. 10/10 would recommend it!

 

Daniel Queiroz, eComm & Digital Marketing Director

Favorite Park: Delaware Water Gap, PA*

*Not a National Park, but State Parks are important too!

Even though it's not a National Park, this is my favorite place to visit! Only a short drive from the city, the Delaware Water Gap is my go-to hiking spot for a bit of nature time. The park has it all - rivers, waterfalls, plenty of hiking trails, and a few beaches! If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend a visit!

 

John Salzinger, Founder & CBDO

Favorite National Park: Acadia National Park, ME

When I was young, I used to go camping up the coast every summer with my mother and stepfather. Acadia National Park was a favorite spot where I have some great memories of hiking, picking blueberries, and enjoying the park’s beautiful coastal scenery and wildlife.

 

LJ Cottrell, Director of Sales

Favorite National Park: Glacier National Park, MT

I was fortunate enough to experience this natural beauty in person that I had only previously seen in pictures. Getting out of New York City, away from the noise and crowds, experiencing the fresh air, the peace and quiet, and actually getting to see the stars in the sky were unlike anything.

 

Kevin Beach, Controller

Favorite National Park: Haleakala National Park, HI

I love this park because of the breathtaking views and the variations in climate it offers. We were lucky enough to be above the clouds before sunrise. The weather was chilly at about 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wind was fierce. We watched the sun peak through the clouds and experienced a fantastic sunrise. We biked down the mountain, and by lunchtime, we enjoyed the 70-degree weather on the beach.

 

Maggie Sun, Operations & Product Development Manager

Favorite National Park: Big Bend, TX

My favorite part about my Big Bend trip was being able to see all the stars at night! I was also lucky enough to go on a day where there was no moonlight, so it was perfect. It was really hot, but the views on the hikes were beautiful. I would definitely go again in the future!

 

Scott Klimcke, Creative Director

Favorite National Park: Yosemite, CA

In 2017, I went to Yosemite for the first time on a photoshoot with MPOWERD, where we met up with photographer and Yosemite local, Damian Riley. Born and raised in the area, Riley is a Miwok Native American, and we were fortunate enough to have him show us the hidden gems, tell us about the history of the area, and just generally be an awesome unofficial tour guide! With the time of year we visited (Fall) and the spots away from the crowds, we felt like we had the park to ourselves! I slid down through a crevasse to see a waterfall up close, stood on the edge of a cliff face overlooking the valley, and soaked up the epic beauty of the place whenever I had the chance. It's kind of hard for me to create a description of Yosemite that would do it justice, so I'll just end it here....

---------

We believe in preserving our planet, taking care of the gifts that nature has provided, and celebrating the beauty of our Earth. So get outside this year and soak up the beauty of our National and State Parks!