At only 16 months old, Aarya Sharma, an Indian-origin toddler from Schaumburg, Illinois, is pursuing an extraordinary goal: visiting all 63 US National Parks. Accompanied by her parents, Akshay Sharma and Aparajita Rai, she has already explored 34 parks and is now more than halfway toward a potential record recognized by Guinness World Records.
The family hopes to complete the journey within the next two years while documenting every visit for official verification.
A Record Attempt Inspired by a Park Ranger
The family’s national park adventures did not begin with the intention of breaking records.
According to People, the idea emerged after the family had already visited 15 national parks. A park ranger suggested that Aarya might have a chance to become the youngest person to complete visits to all 63 US National Parks.
At present, the record belongs to Journey, a child from Texas who finished visiting all 63 national parks at the age of three in October 2023.
If Aarya successfully completes the challenge, she will become the youngest person to achieve the milestone.
Speaking to People, Akshay Sharma explained:
“We thought that we could introduce her to nature and all the national parks, but we never thought that it would result in a record or something like that. On the suggestion of the ranger, we said, ‘Why not? Let’s go for it,”
Aarya’s Love for Nature Drives the Journey
According to her parents, Aarya has shown a strong interest in the outdoors from an early age and enjoys discovering new environments during their travels.
Her mother, Aparajita Rai, believes curiosity plays a major role in how young children interact with nature.
She said:
“I think most babies are very curious little beings. They get intrigued by small things, whether it’s wind blowing through leaves, listening to waterfalls, or feeling the mist of the water on their face.”
A Special Moment at Yosemite National Park
One experience that stood out for the family occurred during a visit to Yosemite National Park.
Recalling the moment, Aparajita said:
“She was in Yosemite National Park, and there was this waterfall, and we were sitting in front of the waterfall, and I could see her being completely lost, in a good way, like kind of fully soaking it in and enjoying the moment.”
The family believes such experiences help foster a deeper connection with nature from an early age.
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Teaching the Importance of Conservation
Beyond the record attempt, Aarya’s parents hope the journeys will help her develop an appreciation for the country’s natural treasures.
The family wants her to experience a wide range of landscapes while understanding the importance of preserving them for future generations.
Aparajita explained:
“We want her to understand different landscapes and just be cognizant of the fact that these are treasures that you need to save for future generations. She’s really too young to understand all that stuff, but if we take her more out in nature, she will develop love and care for nature.”
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Family Adventures Shared on Social Media
The Sharma family documents their travels through their Instagram account, @eternalvoyager1001.
The account features photos and updates from Aarya’s visits to national parks across the United States, allowing followers to track her progress toward the ambitious goal.
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Challenges of Exploring the Country With a Toddler
Although the family’s travel experiences may appear seamless on social media, Aparajita says successful trips require significant planning and adaptability.
Traveling with a young child means ensuring that the experience remains enjoyable for everyone involved.
She noted:
“If she’s the one who is not really enjoying it, it’s almost a torture.”
Aparajita added:
“It requires so much planning, so your child has to really enjoy the same things as you do to continue it.”
Balancing Work, Family and Travel
Both Akshay Sharma and Aparajita Rai work as software professionals.
To make the trips possible, they often organize travel around long weekends and sometimes arrange journeys on short notice.
Reflecting on the importance of their adventures together, Aparajita said:
“We are trying to utilize our time in the best possible way, so we get to have family time with our child.”
Alaska Next on the Family’s Itinerary
The family’s next major destination is Alaska.
During the trip, they hope to visit seven remote national parks in the state, bringing Aarya significantly closer to completing her goal of visiting all 63 US National Parks.
Each new park moves her another step toward potentially securing a place in the Guinness World Records book as the youngest person to accomplish the feat.
Conclusion
What began as a family effort to introduce a child to nature has evolved into a remarkable record attempt. With 34 national parks already completed at just 16 months old, Aarya Sharma is steadily progressing toward her goal of visiting all 63 US National Parks. As the family prepares for its upcoming Alaska adventure, they remain focused not only on the record but also on creating meaningful experiences and nurturing a lifelong appreciation for nature.
