There is something very special about being able to reconnect with nature. Even a short hike through a heavily wooded city park can reduce stress levels. Forest bathing is the practice of immersing oneself in a forest atmosphere, intentionally engaging all five senses with the natural environment surrounding you. Studies show that forest bathing has profound benefits for mental and physical health.
Spending time among trees and greenery can significantly reduce stress by lowering levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Just 20 minutes in this type of environment has been found to help decrease blood pressure and heart rate, while enhancing overall relaxation. The experience of mindful walking, breathing in the fresh air, and listening to the sounds of the forest promotes a state of calm that’s often impossible to achieve in urban settings.
Beyond its immediate calming effects, forest bathing also strengthens the immune system. Trees and plants release phytoncides, natural compounds that protect them from insects and disease; when inhaled, these compounds have been shown to increase the activity of human natural killer (NK) cells, which play a vital role in immune defense.
This immune boost can last up to a week after time spent in nature, supporting the body’s resilience to illness. Additionally, forest bathing improves mental clarity and mood by increasing levels of serotonin, often called the "feel-good" neurotransmitter. By enhancing both physical well-being and mental clarity, forest bathing offers a holistic approach to health, making it an ideal practice for those seeking rejuvenation and balance in their lives.
Visiting nature preserves can extend the benefits of forest bathing by allowing people to experience pristine, biodiverse ecosystems that amplify the positive effects of time spent in nature. Unlike city parks or small green spaces, nature preserves offer expansive, untouched landscapes that allow for deeper immersion and a stronger sense of connection to the natural world. Studies show that exposure to diverse natural environments, such as those found in preserves, enhances mental well-being by reducing anxiety, improving mood, and fostering a sense of awe.
These benefits are linked to the richness of biodiversity, as encountering a variety of plants, animals, and landscapes can increase feelings of vitality, boost creativity, and foster a greater appreciation for the environment. Walking through a nature preserve can thus feel rejuvenating and inspiring, creating a lasting sense of peace and grounding that can have long-term positive impacts on mental health.
Here we will explore ten of the most popular nature preserves around the world and look into the various experiences each wonderful place offers. All images © by author.
The Galápagos Islands, isolated in the Pacific Ocean about 1,000 kilometers off Ecuador’s coast, are famous for their incredible biodiversity and role in the study of evolution by Charles Darwin. Designated Ecuador’s first national park in 1959, this volcanic archipelago is a paradise for animal lovers. You’ll encounter species that evolved without human interference—like the giant tortoises that can live over a century and marine iguanas that swim in search of algae. Fun fact: these iguanas have specialized glands that remove salt from their blood and drain into their nasal passages. When the plasma osmotic concentration is high, the iguana will forcefully expel the salt through its nostrils in a giant sneeze.
Galápagos offers limited access, typically by boat, to minimize ecological impact. Adventurers can snorkel with sea lions, dive with hammerhead sharks, and hike on paths where blue-footed boobies nest along the trails. The landscapes are as fascinating as the wildlife, from lava fields to pristine white-sand beaches.
Be forewarned though, the Galápagos imposes some very strict regulations to preserve the preserve so to speak. These measures include:
Wildlife: Visitors must keep a distance of at least 6.5 feet (2 meters) from all wildlife, including with their camera.
Litter: Visitors should recycle and dispose of trash in designated containers. They should not throw trash on the beaches, trails, or anywhere in nature.Â
Souvenirs: Visitors shall not take souvenirs from the islands, including products made from flora or fauna.Â
Smoking and alcohol: Visitors cannot smoke or drink alcohol on the islands.Â
Fishing: Fishing is prohibited in the Galapagos National Park's marine reserve.Â
Single-use plastics: Visitors are not allowed to bring single-use plastics, such as plastic straws, bags, containers, and bottles.Â
Shoes: Visitors should clean their shoes' soles before disembarking to avoid introducing seeds from one island to another.Â
The world’s first national park, Yellowstone covers nearly 2.2 million acres and sits atop a massive super-volcano, creating the park’s famous geothermal features like geysers, mud pots, and hot springs. Beyond Old Faithful, there’s the Grand Prismatic Spring, a surreal hot spring with a rainbow-like ring of colors caused by thermophilic bacteria. Yellowstone also boasts a Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with stunning waterfalls and unique rock formations.
Wildlife thrives here: herds of bison roam freely and visitors frequently spot elk, wolves, and bears. I have gone camping there a few times and one foggy morning awoke to several bison just a few meters from my tent. The Lamar Valley, often called "America's Serengeti," is one of the best places to observe the park’s predators and large mammals in their natural habitat. Every season brings something different, from wildflower blooms in spring to vibrant foliage in fall, offering year-round appeal.
By all means enjoy the amazing beauty around but be respectful of both the inhabitants and the geology. Tourists have been injured by the wildlife when they tried to get that perfect selfie, and several have drowned or been burned by straying off the wooden pathways and getting too close to the highly acidic hot springs.
Located in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park is Canada’s oldest and most iconic national park. Lake Louise and Moraine Lake are among the most photographed lakes in the world, thanks to their intense turquoise waters fed by glacial runoff. For adventure seekers, the park offers a range of activities—paddle on its crystal-clear lakes, embark on scenic gondola rides, or hike through alpine meadows blooming with wildflowers.
Be sure to explore the nearby Johnson's Canyon located about halfway to Lake Louise from Banff. This hike is one of Alberta’s most popular trails, known for its dramatic canyon scenery and striking waterfalls. This family-friendly trail features a series of catwalks that cling to the canyon walls, offering close-up views of the rushing waters below and limestone rock formations. The trail winds through dense forests and leads to two main viewpoints: the Lower Falls, a short 1.1 km hike, and the Upper Falls, 2.7 km from the trailhead. The Upper Falls plummet an impressive 130 feet into the canyon below and the lower falls have a small accessible cave that takes you right near the waterfall and yes, you will get soaked if you go in!
Further up the trail from Johnson Canyon, hikers can venture to the Ink Pots, a series of vibrant, aquamarine-colored mineral springs nestled in a peaceful valley. The Ink Pots are reached by continuing past the Upper Falls on a moderate 5.7-km hike, which takes visitors through dense forests and open meadows with breathtaking mountain views. Each of the seven pots has its own unique hue, with water that bubbles up through the sand, giving them a mesmerizing quality.
The Ink Pots are a tranquil destination, offering a beautiful, secluded spot to rest and take in the natural scenery, making the longer hike well worth the effort for those seeking a more immersive experience in Banff’s wilderness. If you are lucky you may even spot the rarest type of Swift in North America (no it's not Taylor). I'm talking about the Black Swift (Cypseloides Niger Borealis) which breeds in small, isolated populations across the western United States and Canada and are considered an endangered species.
In winter, Banff transforms into a wonderland of snow sports, with world-class skiing at resorts like Lake Louise and Sunshine, ice skating, and hot springs to soothe the aching bones after a day of falling down a mountain (a.k.a. skiing). Wildlife watchers might see grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. Many an elk have been spotted strolling around the townsite of Banff and hearing a wolf cry out in the night is an amazing and eerie experience. The park is also culturally rich, with Indigenous heritage sites and historic landmarks like the Banff Springs Hotel, known as the "Castle in the Rockies."
Stretching over 5,700 square miles, the Serengeti is a vast grassland that’s synonymous with Africa’s iconic wildlife. It’s renowned for the Great Migration, an annual event where over a million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey from the Serengeti to Kenya’s Maasai Mara in search of water and fresh grazing. This dramatic migration involves dangerous river crossings, where crocodiles lie in wait. Who hasn't seen one of those National Geographic videos (don't click the video if you are squeamish) of hungry crocs feasting on those poor gazelles?
Aside from the migration, the Serengeti is a prime destination for big cat sightings, including lions lounging on rock outcrops and cheetahs sprinting across open plains. Guided safari tours in open-top vehicles or hot air balloon rides offer unique vantage points to view the park’s rich ecosystem. Visitors also have the chance to learn about Maasai culture through village visits and local crafts.
You'll also get to see the famed "tree of life", otherwise known as baobabs (Adansonia). These trees are known for their massive, swollen trunks that can store thousands of liters of water, allowing them to survive in arid environments. Baobabs can live for thousands of years and are culturally significant, providing food, medicine, and shelter for wildlife and local communities. Their unique appearance and longevity have made them symbols of resilience and adaptation in Africa's savannas and dry landscapes.
Located in Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park is a dramatic landscape shaped by glaciers, rivers, and winds. The park’s centerpiece is the Paine Massif, a cluster of jagged peaks that includes the famous granite spires, the "Torres" (Towers). The W Trek and O Circuit are among the world’s most iconic hiking routes, offering a close-up view of the park’s lakes, glaciers, and valleys.
The park’s wildlife is also notable, with guanacos, Andean condors, and even pumas. Visitors can trek to the Grey Glacier, kayak on glacial lakes, or simply take in the breathtaking views from scenic overlooks. Torres del Paine’s landscape changes dramatically with the seasons, with colorful autumn foliage and frosty winter peaks enhancing its natural beauty.
One of Africa’s largest game reserves, Kruger National Park covers over 19,000 square kilometers and is famous for its diverse habitats and high density of wildlife. Established in 1898, Kruger is home to the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo. The park’s extensive road network makes it accessible for self-drive safaris, while guided tours offer deeper insights into animal behavior and conservation.
Kruger’s ecosystems range from savannas and woodlands to riverine forests, attracting over 500 bird species, including rare and migratory birds. Visitors can stay in lodges, tented camps, or campgrounds within the park, each offering different levels of comfort and access to safari experiences. Night drives, bush walks, and photographic safaris allow for a variety of ways to explore Kruger’s wildlife-rich landscapes.
Covering 4,600 square miles, Fiordland National Park is a region of fjords, mountains, and rainforests on New Zealand’s South Island. Milford Sound, the park’s most famous fjord, was famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth Wonder of the World." Visitors can explore the fjord on scenic cruises, spotting dolphins, seals, and occasionally, rare Fiordland penguins.
I know, penguins in New Zealand, right??? It's true, check out this street sign I took a photo of while visiting there.
The park also features iconic hiking trails, such as the Milford, Kepler, and Routeburn tracks, which showcase waterfalls, glacial lakes, and lush forested valleys. Fiordland’s weather is famously unpredictable, with frequent rain that only enhances its mystic beauty, causing waterfalls to swell and mist to shroud the mountains.
The Sundarbans is a labyrinth of tidal waterways, mudflats, and small islands covered with mangrove forests. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest mangrove forest in the world and spans both India and Bangladesh. Known for its endangered Bengal tiger population, the Sundarbans are one of the few places where tigers swim between islands and occasionally hunt in the water.
Apart from tigers, the Sundarbans are home to saltwater crocodiles, spotted deer, and a range of bird species. Exploring by boat is the best way to navigate its maze-like waterways, offering a chance to witness the unique adaptations of plants and animals to this saline and often flooded environment. The Sundarbans also play a crucial role in protecting coastal regions from cyclones.
Not all nature preserves are landlocked and while it may not constitute forest bathing there is definitely something both serene and humbling about letting the ocean swirl around you and carry you in the current. The Great Barrier Reef is a massive ecosystem made up of thousands of coral reefs and islands stretching over 2,300 kilometers along Australia’s coast. It supports a staggering variety of marine life, including over 1,500 species of fish, 400 species of coral, and iconic animals like green sea turtles and clownfish.
Snorkeling and diving are popular ways to experience the reef’s vibrant underwater world, but scenic flights and glass-bottom boat tours offer alternative perspectives. The reef is also home to unique habitats such as mangrove forests and seagrass meadows, vital for the survival of marine species. Threatened by climate change and coral bleaching, conservation efforts are critical to protect this delicate ecosystem and ensure future generations can witness its beauty.
You can't have a blog that talks about forest bathing without including a walk through the magical environment that is the Muir Woods. Located just north of San Francisco, California, Muir Woods National Monument is a sanctuary for one of the world's most ancient tree species: the coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). These towering trees, some reaching over 250 feet tall and over 1,000 years old, create a cathedral-like atmosphere within the park's misty, shaded groves.
The forest’s dense canopy and serene ambiance make it an ideal destination for nature walks, with trails winding along Redwood Creek and through diverse plant life. Muir Woods offers accessible boardwalk paths, as well as longer, more challenging trails that connect to Mount Tamalpais State Park for those seeking more extensive hikes. A visit here immerses travelers in the majesty of California’s redwoods, providing a peaceful escape and a powerful reminder of nature’s enduring beauty.
Conclusion
Each of these nature preserves offers an unforgettable glimpse into the world’s rich biodiversity, awe-inspiring landscapes, and unique ecosystems. They’re not just destinations for sightseeing but also vital areas for conservation, educating visitors on the importance of preserving our planet’s natural heritage. If you want to explore coral reefs, mangrove forests, or perhaps you prefer glaciers and volcanic islands, these preserves offer a lifetime’s worth of adventure and discovery. Not only do they contribute to your physical and mental health they will give you a fresh perspective on how fragile our planet actually is.
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