For the past decade, it’s been one man’s mission to go to every National Park System site across the country. And he just crossed number 400 off his list.
Pete Selleck visited Sitka National Historical Park on Thursday (8-27-26) to continue his quest to see all 433 sites. These places fall under an array of designations — parks, monuments, seashores, and battlefields to name a few. Most of the destinations Selleck has yet to visit are in Alaska.
“As you can imagine, logistically, it’s a challenge to get to all these places, to get the weather just right and get the outfitters that can fly you to the right places at the right time,” Selleck said.
The National Park Service has added 16 sites since Selleck started chipping away at the long list. He says this journey is a way for him to marvel at the country’s scenery and reflect on its complicated history.
“We made some mistakes, but at the same time, we have been trying to become a more perfect union, as we stated in the Constitution,” he said. “We’ve been trying to improve as time has gone on, and I think we’ve overcome a lot of things. We still have a long ways to go, but it does make me appreciate even more the opportunities that we all have being Americans.”
Selleck’s next stop is Glacier Bay, which will count for two — it’s a national park and a national preserve. Though that will help him reach his ultimate goal, he says he wouldn’t mind a change of pace.
“I’m kind of slowing down a little bit because I’ve really had a good time doing all this. And I’m going to miss the trips that I’ve taken with my brother, who’s been one of my co-travelers, and my wife,” he said.
Selleck may be nearing the end of his list, but his travels are far from over. He and his wife plan to take their two oldest granddaughters to Yellowstone next year. He hopes their trip to the nation’s oldest national park will spark the same wonder for the next generation.
