“Parks become even more meaningful when you can share the memories that can be made there.”
Technology and outdoor recreation don’t always seem like natural partners. But it does when the technology can deepen the connection people have with parks. All Road Taken has done just that by helping families discover new places, track their adventures, and set goals for future trips.
Jada Dooling is the co-founder of a travel app called All Roads Taken. This app was designed to help people keep track of where they’ve been and find new places to explore. The idea started during a family road trip. She and her husband were looking for a better way to document their goal of visiting all 50 states with their two sons before they graduate from high school.
The thing I love about All Roads Taken is that it was built by a family who actually uses it. Jada and her husband created the app because they wanted something practical for their own adventures. That perspective shows up in the details they’ve made sure are included. All Roads Taken includes goal tracking, photo-based check-ins, and the ability to catalog visits to state parks, national parks, forests, and all 50 states.
Jada shares that parks become part of family stories. Her own memories from places like Custer State Park, Letchworth State Park, Glacier National Park, and Acadia National Park made it clear that the app has not taken over the trips. That technology is only a tool. The value is in the experiences it helps families create and enhance.
It’s risky to assume that incorporating technology in parks is a bad thing. All Roads Taken is a perfect example of how it can complement recreation. It’s not competing with it. When used thoughtfully, it can encourage visitors to explore more, notice more, and return more often.
Jada’s work is helping families turn travel into a shared adventure. Technology that inspires people to visit parks, make memories, and discover places they may never have considered is technology worth embracing.
Connect with Jada Dooling
Website All Roads Taken
LinkedIn Jada Dooling
LinkedIn All Roads Taken
Resources
https://parkleaders.com/about/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Notable Moments
[00:00:32] Jada Dooling shares her family’s goal to visit all 50 states
[00:02:28] How a road trip inspired the creation of All Roads Taken
[00:05:11] Features that help travelers set goals and track progress
[00:08:59] Using photos to automatically verify park visits
[00:10:35] Jada’s favorite state and national parks
[00:18:32] How parks can partner with All Roads Taken