National Parks Travel with Kim

05/22/2026

Jackson, Wyoming doesn't get nearly enough credit for its restaurant scene and if you're planning a Grand Teton or Yellowstone trip, what you eat there is worth planning ahead for.

I just published my full guide to the best restaurants in Jackson Hole, broken down by breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, and nightlife - from a James Beard-nominated sushi spot most visitors walk right past, to a mountaintop bistro you reach by gondola, to the deli I send every single client to before they head into the park.

I've built my list over years of visiting the Tetons (you should see my phone's Notes app), and it's the same one I share with every client I send there. Save it, share it with someone planning a trip, or use it as your excuse to finally talk to me about the Jackson Hole trip you've been putting off.

Jackson, Wyoming has one of the best dining scenes in the country. Check out my top recommendations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner near Grand Teton National Park.

05/20/2026

Is it too late to plan a National Park trip for 2026? While summer season is booking up fast, planning for the best national park season is just getting started.

From Larch Madness in Banff to elk ruts in the Tetons to fall foliage in Acadia, this fall has some of the most spectacular experiences I've seen — and lodging rates and availability that everyone loves to see.

I specialize in building custom itineraries for travelers who want to experience these places the right way, with the right properties and zero guesswork. Read the guide below and schedule a discovery call to talk about how to make it happen before the year is out.

Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Acadia, Banff, and Arizona are all stunning this fall — and still bookable. National Parks travel advisor Kim Magaraci breaks down why autumn is the best-kept secret in national park travel, and how she can plan yours.

05/05/2026

Thank you NDPC for the opportunity! I've spent my life showing and advocating for underrepresented breeds, currently showing my Paint mare, Lyla. Mustangs in particular hold a special place in my heart as living symbols of resilience and the untamed spirit of the West.

Sponsoring this award is a way to honor that legacy and celebrate the connection between horse, rider, and the landscapes that have inspired me for my whole life.

04/06/2026

If you’ve ever tried to figure out the best time to visit a national park and ended up more confused than when you started… this one’s for you.

I just published a full region-by-region guide breaking down when to go to places like Yellowstone, Yosemite, Banff, Alaska, the Southwest, and beyond, including the real tradeoffs worth considering (crowds vs access, weather vs wildlife, summer vs shoulder season).

There’s no one perfect time… but there is a right time for the experience you want.

Read it here:

Best time to visit US and Canadian national parks by region, including Yellowstone, Banff, Yosemite, Alaska, and more seasonal travel tips.

03/27/2026

Calling all riders! Are you planning a trip out west or an equestrian vacation abroad and don't know where to start?

Join me at Rick's Saddle Shop on April 11 for Trails, Trips & Travel: Q&A with Kim Magaraci of Winkaffe Global Travel. Let's talk luxury dude ranches, rides along the Irish coast (including Game of Thrones rides!), and other fun destinations and trip ideas.

Stop by, ask your questions, and enter to win a curated equestrian travel basket!

11/21/2025

Trip Report time! This year, I spent Canadian Thanksgiving in Banff with my mom. It was her first time in Alberta and my first time here in the fall. We spent an incredible week exploring the Canadian Rockies and I've already booked a winter trip to return.

For the full trip report and more Banff chat, head to my group, National Parks Travel with Kim | US & Canada Bucket List Travel.

11/30/2024

It's Small Business Saturday! I hope you are all finding fantastic products from the shops and boutiques that create an incredible community of makers wherever you are.

While it's not a brick-and-mortar or Etsy store, my travel agency business is a small business too, and your support means the world to me.

I love nothing more than helping people with the overwhelming choices they have to make when planning their vacations.

On this Small Business Saturday, I'd love it if you could help spread the word about KGM Travel Design and Winkaffe Global Travel.

If I've ever helped you plan your vacation, please leave a review on Google: https://g.page/r/CQvwJhDjDEqNEAE/review

If I've never helped you plan a trip, you can still offer some support by signing up for my travel tips & deals newsletter that's launching next month: https://www.kgmtraveldesign.com/

Remember, your support goes beyond just a transaction - it helps me continue creating unforgettable travel experiences for my clients! Cheers! 🥂

11/27/2024

Looking for a gift idea for your favorite traveler? Check out our guide ⬇️

🌎🎁✈️

Trying to find gift ideas for travelers in your life? Our list, curated by luxury travel advisors, includes must-have items and experiences.

07/15/2024

Looking for wildlife is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. We originally set out to look for wild horses, but when they remained elusive, we sat and watched the other wildlife for a bit. This bird and some of her friends were playing in the Salt River running through Granite Reef Recreation Area. We also spotted a roadrunner and a beautiful vermillion flycatcher.

📍 U.S. Forest Service-Tonto National Forest, Mesa, Arizona
📷 OM System OM-1 & 40-150 f/2.8

07/09/2024

It's too hot to do much outside right now, so let's revisit the wildest hour I’ve ever experienced in the Tetons.

I was staying at the Climbers Ranch when rumbles from an early morning thunderstorm woke me up. I bolted out of bed and to the car, carefully making a beeline for Oxbow Bend. I got set up by 5:47 a.m. (according to my camera’s timestamps) and caught the most incredible sunrise over Mount Moran. It was so dynamic and colorful that I thought I had enough photos within ten minutes. (Photos 1-3)

By 5:56 a.m. I was back in the car, aiming for Schwabacher Landing, hoping to see some moose. On the way. I pulled over at Elk Ranch Flats to capture a rainbow forming over the fenceline. You can just barely see it, because by the time I pulled over and set up my gear, dark clouds were rolling in again. This frame’s 6:10 a.m. time stamp showed me that the rainbow itself lasted less than five minutes. (Photo 4)

Since it faded, I continued to Schwabacher, ignoring the far-off lightning and super dark clouds. I was worried the landing would be empty, but I ran into two photographers and we all just laughed at the ridiculous morning we each had just experienced while halfheartedly trying to protect our cameras from the rain.

The scene at Schwabacher continued the trend and the sky was half black storm clouds, half gorgeous sunrise. I must've missed the day we were taught how to light meter that…

The first scene is time stamped 5:51 a.m, last scene 6:49 a.m., meaning this whole incredible adventure lasted less than an hour.

🗓️ July 1, 2022
📍 Grand Teton National Park
📷 Olympus E-M1 Mk2 & 12-40 f/2.8 pro