Meet Aarya, the 16-Month-Old Indian-Origin Toddler on a Mission to Explore All U.S. National Parks

At just 16 months old, Aarya, an Indian-origin toddler from Illinois, is already on a travel journey that many adults only dream of completing: visiting all 63 national parks in the United States. Supported by her parents, Akshay Sharma and Aparajita Rai, the little traveller has reportedly explored 34 national parks so far and is now aiming to complete the remaining parks within the next two years. What began as a family love for travel and nature has slowly turned into an ambitious record attempt, with Aarya’s parents hoping she may become the youngest person to visit every U.S. national park. The idea gained momentum after the family had already taken her to several parks and realised that their outdoor adventures could become something much bigger than ordinary family vacations. From waterfalls and forests to mountain trails and wide-open landscapes, Aarya’s early childhood is being shaped around nature, movement and discovery, even if she is still too young to fully understand the scale of the journey. Her parents believe these experiences will give her a meaningful connection with the outdoors and create memories she can look back on when she grows older. The family is also documenting the journey on social media and working toward official recognition, though record verification can be a detailed process. Travelling with a toddler across national parks is not easy, as it involves careful planning, changing weather, long drives, flights, feeding schedules and constant adjustments, but Aarya’s story has already inspired many parents to think differently about family travel. Instead of waiting for children to grow older before exploring the world, her journey shows that nature can become part of childhood from the very beginning. Whether or not the record is officially confirmed, Aarya’s adventure has already become a heartwarming example of family bonding, outdoor learning and the joy of raising a child with curiosity for the natural world.