Oh yes this is a great answer!

I can’t tell you how many times I had seen pictures of The Grand Canyon only to be completely overwhelmed when we walked through the parking lot and bam! there it is in all its glory.

I live in Seattle and thus near-ish to Mount Rainer National Park. I love seeing “the mountain out” on sunny days in the city, but being right next to it in the park is unbelievable.

Here’s hoping I have the opportunity to see many others.

I was going to nominate the Appalachian Trail in a top-level thread, but I'll just leave it here since it's outdoors-related. Also, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is an org that totally lives up to the hype and one which people who are interested in preserving the outdoors and natural beauty of America should support.

Absolutely. I grew up surrounded by nature but it was mostly flat and not very varied. I went to my first park (Mt. Rainier) at over 30 years old and it honestly completely changed my outlook on nature. Try to get a chance to get away from the crowds however you can and just stop and be surrounded by one of the most majestic natural places in the world. It can very much be a spiritual or at least very meditative experience. I can’t wait to camp out once the kids are older.

FWIW, both times I camped in Yellowstone, I just showed up early and got a spot. One was even over 4th of July.

Sometimes you have to be careful with your timing.

I went to Yosemite once mid-summer and it was crowded. Slightly off-season (after school starts for example) and it's a much different experience.

Seconding Capitol Reef, what a unique place, if a bit hard to get to.