Indian Origin Toddler On Mission To Become Youngest Person To Visit All 63 Us National Parks

The Indian origin toddler from Schaumburg, Illinois, is on a mission to become the youngest person to visit all 63 national parks in the United States.

“We thought that we could introduce her to nature and all the national parks, but we never thought that it will result in a record or something like that,” Akshay tells PEOPLE. “On the suggestion of the ranger, we said, ‘Why not? Let’s go for it.’”

Aarya has so far visited 34 of the 63 US national parks, and her parents hope to complete the journey within the next two years. For Aparajita, the aim goes beyond setting a record. She wants her daughter to grow up understanding and respecting nature.

“I think most babies are very curious little beings. They get intrigued by small things, maybe it’s wind blowing through leaves in a forest preserve, or just sitting and listening to the sound of waterfalls, or having the mist of the water on their face,” says Aparajita.

Recalling one special moment, she 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 parents admit that travelling with a toddler requires patience, planning and flexibility. Aparajita said it only works when the child enjoys the experience too.

“If she’s the one who is not really enjoying it, it’s almost a torture,” says Aparajita. “It requires so much planning, so your child has to really enjoy the same things as you do to continue it.”

The family is now planning a trip to Alaska this weekend to cover more parks. Akshay and Aparajita, both software professionals, usually plan their trips around long weekends.

“As a parent, and someone who really loves going outdoors, the idea was never to create a record,” says Aparajita. “We really wanted other people who have kids to understand that they can easily go out and really enjoy with their kids in nature.”

The parents are also in the process of registering the record with Guinness World Records.

Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.Read More