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Ultimate National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: 5 Epic Routes

With 63 national parks and over 420 national park sites including monuments, lakeshores, and recreation areas — to name just a few! — it can be overwhelming just deciding where to visit first. After all, each one has something unique to offer !

Well, good news: there’s a wonderful way to see several parks in one shot, and that’s planning the ultimate national park road trip. 

Regardless of which corner of the country you plan to visit or how much time you have, there are epic routes everywhere. Here, we’re highlighting our top five. Which national parks road trip itinerary will you tackle first?

Tips for Planning the Ultimate National Park Road Trip

In addition to planning out your actual national parks road trip itinerary, there are a few things that will help you get the most out of your trip. 

Buy an America the Beautiful Pass , AKA an annual national parks pass. The $80-per-year pass pays for itself in just three park visits.

Keep in mind that several parks now require advance reservations, completely separate from having an annual pass. For example, in 2021, Glacier started accepting reservations for the summer back in April. 

Dedicate at least one full day to each national park. For larger parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone, set aside 2-3 days if at all possible. 

National parks tend to be surrounded by spectacular national forests and other accessible public land. Consider bringing camping gear to save money on accommodations (and create some awesome memories!).

If your budget allows, rent a campervan for the ultimate national park road trip. Although it’s more pricey upfront, it combines the cost of your vehicle and accommodations. Some campervan rental companies, like Moterra , specialize exclusively in national park destinations.

National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, 5 Ways

1. east coast.

National parks included: Congaree, Great Smoky Mountains, Mammoth Cave, New River Gorge, and Shenandoah

The Eastern Seaboard offers up some major bang for your buck when it comes to a national parks road trip itinerary. Five stunning parks are close enough to visit them all and different enough that you’ll want to do exactly that. 

From scenic drives and water activities like fishing and kayaking to hiking and exploring the longest cave system in the entire world, this ultimate national park road trip on the east coast has a little something for everyone.

Oh, one more thing — take our word for it and visit in the fall if possible. The leaf-peeping in this section of the country is outstanding in late September and most of October . 

Highlights for your east coast national parks road trip itinerary: 

Hike iconic Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smokies

Drive the incredibly scenic Skyline Drive in Shenandoah

Tour Mammoth Caves (get tickets in advance; they sell out!)

Raised wooden boardwalk trails in Congaree

The catwalk of the New River Gorge Bridge

2. Utah’s Mighty Five

National parks included: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion

Utah is kind of the ultimate national park road trip destination in and of itself, with five heavy-hitting parks all within easy driving distance of one another. 

Start in either the southwest corner of the state near Zion or over in Moab, then work your way across to hit all five parks, situated in a near-perfect line.

Zion and Bryce Canyon are close to each other at one end of the “line,” as are Arches and Canyonlands at the opposite end. Capitol Reef is almost dead-center, two hours from both Arches and Bryce Canyon.

Hiking is the main event on this particular national parks road trip itinerary, so you’ll definitely want to have a sturdy pair of boots, a good hiking backpack, and plenty of trail snacks. 

Highlights for your Utah national parks road trip planner: 

Delicate Arch hike in Arches at sunset

Canyonlands’ Mesa Arch at sunrise

Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon

Picking fruit from the public orchards in Capitol Reef

Zion’s Angels Landing ...for those without a fear of heights!

3. Pacific Northwest

National parks included: Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, North Cascades, Olympic, Redwood

If you’re looking for a national parks road trip itinerary that includes dramatic coastline, old-growth forests, snow-capped mountains, and actual rainforest, look no further than the PNW. 

Regardless of whether you want to visit all five parks or just a couple, your best bet if you’re not driving your own vehicle is to fly into Seattle and rent a car. From Seattle, make a loop and visit the three Washington parks (Olympic, North Cascades, and Mount Rainier), then head south to Oregon. 

In Oregon, head to Crater Lake National Park, home of the deepest lake in the U.S. If time allows, cross the border into California and visit Redwoods National and State Parks to gawk at some of the world’s largest trees. 

Depending on your travel arrangements, consider cruising back up the Oregon coast and flying home out of Portland. The beaches and scenic drives here are unmatched and worthy of a road trip all on their own!

Highlights for your PNW ultimate national park road trip:

Walk through a real-life fairytale in Olympic’s magical Hoh Rainforest

Drive the scenic North Cascades Highway

Myrtle Falls in Mount Rainier

Drive or bicycle Rim Drive, completely encircling Crater Lake

Redwoods’ Fern Canyon and Stout Grove

4. Colorado

National parks included: Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain

Colorado is easily one of the most magnificent and diverse U.S. states. It’s got all those 14ers (a whopping 58, to be exact), beautiful mild weather, and gorgeous scenery ranging from the famous Rocky Mountains to steep red rock canyons and even sand dunes.

Best of all, you can experience a little of everything Colorado has to offer with a national parks road trip itinerary hitting its four major parks. 

If you aren’t driving yourself, fly into either Denver or Durango. From either city, it’s easy to make one big loop and visit as many (or as few!) parks as you want.

Note that while you technically can take this Colorado ultimate national park road trip any time of year, it’s best to plan for summer or early fall to avoid seasonal road closures.

Highlights for your Colorado national parks road trip itinerary:

RMNP’s Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved road in America

Oak Flat Loop Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Try sandboarding in Great Sand Dunes

Tour Mesa Verde’s Cliff Palace

5. Northern Rockies

National parks included: Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone

You “only” hit three parks on this particular national parks road trip itinerary, but trust us, each one packs a tremendous punch. In all reality, you probably won’t have enough time to see and do everything you want to!

The hiking and backpacking are, of course, epic in all three parks, but so are the water activities, mountain biking, and — something a bit more unique to this part of the country — wildlife viewing. Seriously, don’t forget to pack a pair of binoculars...and bear spray. 

Of all the ultimate national park road trips we’ve discussed, this one has arguably the most spectacular scenery along the entire route. It also has some of the most easily accessible public land, which means the camping opportunities are epic. If there’s one trip to splurge on a campervan for, this is it.

Highlights for your Montana and Wyoming ultimate national park road trip:

Hike the loop around Jenny Lake and take a short detour to Hidden Falls

Lamar Valley in Yellowstone for wildlife watching

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier

Also in Glacier, get a huckleberry bear claw from the Polebridge Mercantile (get there early!), then check out Bowman Lake

As you hammer out the details of your national parks road trip itinerary, don’t forget to commemorate it in a special way. 

The Wander Club’s U.S. National Park Tokens help you highlight all the stops on your road trip, plus they make excellent gifts. We have tokens for every national park, plus you can have them engraved with the date you visited. Happy road tripping!

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The Perfect Road Trip to See Every U.S. National Park

by US Park Pass | Mar 9, 2020

The US National Park System was once called “ America’s best idea” by Wallace Stegner and I have yet to find any evidence against that. Spanning  85 million acres ,  National Parks can be found in every corner of America, from Acadia in Maine to Joshua Tree in California and even down to Big Bend in Texas . Unfortunately for most people, the National Parks are located far from their homes, which means the best way to visit is by flying and renting a car, or setting out on a road trip with your own vehicle. This guide is to help you plan, budget, and pack for your epic National Parks Road Trip vacation.

I wrote this guide based on my own experience after visiting over a dozen of America’s most popular parks. After graduating college, with a few weeks off, a couple thousand saved up, a tent, and a 10-year-old Honda Civic, I planned a foolhardy but unforgettable trip to some of America’s most beautiful places. Before setting out I researched as much as possible to plan and struggled to find one cohesive guide on planning, budgeting, and packing for my trip.

Since then I’ve gone on several other National Parks Road trips. From short weekend trips to Olympic National Park to a week spent in the Southwest . I’ve channeled what I’ve learned from those trips into this guide to help you plan! Decide where to go, how to get there, and what to do with the helpful instructions below. This is to help you maximize your time and get the most out of your trip.

Budgeting for your trip? Read my Budget Breakdown From Our 2 Week Road Trip

How Long to Plan for a National Parks Road Trip?

Whether you have 1-2 weeks or several months, how long you have will impact your trip more than anything else. While longer is always better, 2-3 weeks will allow you to make the most of your National Parks road trip.

Of course, that’s not to say you cannot have a great vacation with less time. One week is still plenty of time to see many parks that are close together. Even a weekend can lead to an amazing   two days at the Grand Canyon .

Whether you are visiting one park or several, plan on spending at least one day in each park, with 2-3 days planned for larger and more popular parks such as Yellowstone and Glacier. Make sure you leave half a day to a full day of travel between your chosen parks.

Keep in mind, lines and wait time can seriously cut into your time in the Parks. Plan on arriving to most National Parks early in the day (before 8 or 9) to maximize your time in the park.

Read More: 7 Day Utah-Arizona National Parks Road Trip

Choose Which National Parks to Visit

This can be the hardest part of planning . There are so many amazing National Parks it feels impossible to narrow them down! One important factor is what time of year you are traveling. For example, while there are so many   things to do in Denali National Park  in Alaska you need to make sure you don’t visit in a winter snowstorm!

If there is a specific hike or activity you have your heart set on, make sure it is available the time of year you visit. I had my heart set on hiking Zion’s Narrows , only to be devastated upon arriving in Spring to learn that the river is not passible until later in summer.

When to Visit National Parks

Below is a quick visual guide to check which months are parks’ popular seasons.

National Parks in Spring

Spring is a great time to visit many of the Southwest parks in Utah and Arizona. It is also an ideal time to see waterfalls in parks like Yosemite. Below are a few more parks to visit in Spring :

• Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
• Zion National Park in Utah
• Arches National Park in Utah

National Parks in Summer

Summer is the most popular time to road trip to National Parks, but it is also the only time to access some of the best hikes in the mountains . Often the snow will not melt until well into July or August. Below are a few parks best visited in summer :

• Mount Rainier National Park in Washington
• North Cascades National Park in Washington
• Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming

National Parks in Fall

In the Fall, visit the Midwest and East Coast parks to witness the beautiful fall foliage! Here are a few parks for a fall trip:

• Acadia National Park in Maine
• Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
• Great Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee

National Parks in Winter

Winter is a great time to visit popular parks in the off-season or to spend time in the warmer climate parks. Below are a few warmer weather parks in the desert and South:

• Everglades National Park in Florida
• Joshua Tree National Park in California
• Death Valley National Park in California

Visiting Popular vs Less Crowded Parks

Another factor to consider when choosing your destination is how crowded the parks will be . As you can probably imagine some of the more popular parks include the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone. Sometimes these parks can get so crowded it can feel more like visiting a Disney park than nature. However, the crowds are for a good reason, as these locations have sites that you cannot see anywhere else in the world.

You can get avoid the crowds by visiting in the off-season , arriving at the park early in the day, or hiking or backpacking several miles from trailheads.

How Far to Drive on a Road Trip

Where you can go also depends on how far you are willing to travel to get there. Be realistic about how much you want to drive in a day. I would recommend 4-6 hours or less of driving each day to ensure you don’t waste most of your vacation on the road.

I’ve gone on two extended National Parks Road Trips. The first trip involved several days of 8-12 hours of driving between parks and the second trip only had 1-3 hours between parks. While both trips were amazing, the second was far less stressful and allowed for more time enjoying the parks.

Plan Your National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Once you’ve decided on one or several National Parks to visit, it’s time to start planning your itinerary !

Some great itineraries with minimal distance between them are Pacific Northwest National Parks and Southwest National Parks, as they are all close together. Some such as Arches and Canyonland National Parks have only minutes between them. Below are two amazing itineraries that allow you to visit multiple parks with only a few hours of driving in between.

Pacific Northwest Road Trip

This National Park’s road trip loop allows you to start in either Seattle or Portland and hit some of the best scenery and mountain views the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

• North Cascades
• Mount Rainier
• Crater Lake

Southwest Road Trip

This loop is perfect for exploring the Southwest and seeing amazing geological formations  in the desert. Flying into Las Vegas allows you to start at the Grand Canyon and work your way up through Utah’s National Parks on an unforgettable road trip.

• Grand Canyon
• Bryce Canyon
• Capitol Reef
• Canyonlands

California Parks Road Trip

Travel the length of California for an epic California National Park road trip . Start at either the Northern or Southernmost point of California and work your way to the other end stopping at the National Parks on the way. This would make a great two to three-week road trip .

• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Yosemite National Park
• King’s Canyon
• Death Valley
• Joshua Tree

Western Parks Road Trip

See some of the best Western National Parks with this National Parks road trip. This itinerary takes you to three of the United State’s best National Parks. You will be sure to see plenty of mountains, wildlife, and iconic views on this trip.

• Yellowstone

Reserve Your Accommodations

As soon as you’ve made your itinerary, book your reservations! Most park accommodations require reservations up to 6 months in advance. Almost all reservations inside National Parks can be made on Recreation.gov .

Lodges in National Parks

If you have the budget, you will not regret staying at lodges or cabins inside the National Parks . Many of these lodges are over a hundred years old and have the perfect mix of rustic aesthetic and modern comfort. These stays also have amazing views, and you will spend less time traveling into and out of the park.

Other Places to Stay Near National Parks

If you can’t get a booking inside the park, there are several other places to look for accommodations nearby. If you  travel in a group  and split the costs this can be a great way to save money.

Below are just some of the resources to help you plan a cabin, hotel, or rental stay .

Read More: Cabin Essentials Checklist

Camping in National Parks

If you are traveling on a dime (or just prefer roughing it) most parks have campsites within the park . Like the lodges, most campgrounds require reservations that open 6 months in advance. During peak vacation times these sites can sell out within minutes so be prepared to book your site the moment reservations open.

Some parks also have first-come, first-serve campsites , although those will also fill up quickly during popular times. In the off-season you will have more luck getting a campsite without reservations.

Camping Near the Parks

If you don’t score a spot inside the park, most National Parks will have private campgrounds and nearby state park camping.

Below are some of the best resources to find nearby camping:

Free Camping Near National Parks

If you can boondock without electricity, water, or facilities , you can also camp for free on nearby public land. This is also known as overlanding and is popular if you have a campervan, a way to get power, and a method to go to the bathroom (or you’re okay going outside).

This is my preferred way to camp because you don’t have to constrain your trip to reservations, allowing for more flexibility . That being said it is not for everyone and you have to respect the land! These areas are often less regulated so be sure to properly dispose of waste, respect other campers, and follow Leave No Trace !

Where to find free camping:

• Bureau of Land Management
• iOverlander

National Park Van Road Trip

A great option to conveniently visit several National Parks in one road trip is to rent a van ! This is an especially good if you are visiting in the off season or when conditions are more rough. We visited Death Valley and Joshua Tree in a van in February, and it was great for the windy and cold nights in the desert.

We rented through Cabana Vans and I cannot recommend them enough. They rent out of Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin. There are also plenty of other van companies in different areas.

Read More: Joshua Tree and Death Valley Van Road Trip Itinerary

What Are You Going To Do?

You made it! You are in the park, now you have to decide what you can even do there. Most likely it includes some hiking or even  backpacking . Many parks have a multitude of scenic viewpoints as well as guided tours, kayaking rentals, and bike paths .

Every park has an abundance and variety of things to offer in terms of trails and activities. Below are some resources and guides on how to make the most of your time in some of the popular National Parks !

• Cuyahoga Valley
• Rocky Mountain
• Grand Tetons

Hiking in National Parks

Hiking is by far the most popular thing to do in the National Parks. You can find trails to hike by reading blogs, visiting the parks’ websites, and using apps such as AllTrails .

Choose one long hike or several short hikes to do in one day to make sure you don’t tire yourself out. Always read trail reviews to have a good idea of current trail conditions. You can also call ahead or ask a park ranger upon arrival.

Before beginning a big hike know your limits and prepare properly . Every year thousands of rescues are required due to inexperienced hikers. It is also important to follow proper hiking etiquette and  Leave No Trace !

Tips for Hiking in National Parks

• Bring enough water.
• Download or bring a print map.
• Wear or bring layers.

Applying for National Parks Permits

Just remember some of the most popular backpacking and hiking trails require permits to be requested far in advance ! This is to prevent damage to the trail and to ensure that the trail is as safe as possible. These trails are extremally popular and permits are in high demand for hikes such as Half Dome in Yosemite and Angels’ Landing in Zion .

Permits are also not limited just to trails. Some popular National Parks have started applying permits and reservations to other areas of the parks as well. For example, Glacier requires permits for its famous  Going-to-the-Sun Road  and   Arches National Park has a timed entry   system enter the park.

Some permits go online at a set time and you must work fast to claim one. Others you enter your name in for a lottery system and are notified if you win. Make sure you understand the requirements and timing to apply for your desired permit.

Downloadable National Parks Planner

Download a national parks planner.

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If you’re like me and things just don’t feel organized until physically written down, download and print out this National Parks Planner. Print one out for each park you plan on visiting. Including- accommodations, check in/check out time, permit information, rentals and tours, the top hikes you want to visit, and a itinerary overview for each day in the National Park

Below is an example of one filled out for a summer road trip to Yosemite. This planner is perfect if you plan on hitting several National Parks on a 2 to 3 week road trip!

Plan For Everything To Go Wrong!

Be flexible! On my first road trip, we encountered two snowstorms (in May!) , a flat tire, hail storms, and views blanketed by nothing but fog . 

Despite it all, those are some of my favorite memories from the trip! The snow forced me to learn how to use tire chains , the rain led to some of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve ever seen, and the flat tire forced a detour to a small bakery with the best pastry I’ve ever had.

Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst and go with the flow! Nature is unpredictable and doesn’t care about your plans, so make the best of it.

Top 5 Tips for Visiting National Parks

• Know the wildlife in the area! If you are in grizzly country, know if you should have bear spray and how to react if you encounter a bear. Always respect the wildlife and follow   National Park Guidelines  on giving animals their distance.
• Stay on the trail and behind protective barriers. Every year people die from leaning too far over a cliff or trying to get that Instagram shot. It’s not worth your life!
• Respect local fauna. Don’t pick or trample the wildflowers. Leave nature as you found it. Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
• Check if you need tire chains . Over Labor Day in Yosemite, a road into the park closed due to over 40 cars sliding off the road in the snow. This was one of the less obvious tips I hadn’t heard before, so if you will be in mountains make sure to check if there is snow possible at that time of year.
• Check the park’s website . Most parks’ websites will have up-to-date information on what is open, potential hazards, and many even have  webcams  allowing you to see the weather in real-time.

Ultimate National Parks Packing List

Below is a list of some of the most important items to take with you if you plan on camping in National Parks . Most of these links are through REI which is the best place to buy outdoors gear.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Camping Gear

If you plan on camping, make sure bring all the right camping gear ! Test out any new camping gear at home before starting your road trip. The last thing you want is to not have gear work while in the National Park.

Note: The list below is geared toward tent and car camping. If you are staying in cabins check out my cabin packing list

• Tent – A tent is one of the most crucial parts of camping on a budget- 2 Person Inexpensive Tent
• Ground Tarp – A ground tarp protects your tent and keeps moisture from getting in- All Purpose Tarp
• Sleeping Bags – Kelty makes a great budget but warm sleeping bag for Women and Men .
• Sleeping Pad – If you plan on sleeping on the ground you will want a sleeping pad to be a barrier between yourself and the ground- Self Inflating Sleeping Pad
• Car Air Mattress – If you don’t want to sleep on the ground, or it will be cold or windy on your trip, a car camping is a great alternative.
• Cooler – A cooler will both keep your lunch cold and can be used to chill your road trip snacks and drinks- Soft Sided Cooler
• Camping Chairs – Camping chairs are great especially if you plan on boondocking or camping at free sites that may not have picnic tables.- Inexpensive Camp Chair
• Coffee – Coffee is always a necessity when camping either from a Pour Over packet or a Portable Press .
• Hammock – A hammock while camping is great for relaxing, but make sure you use the right straps to not damage any trees.- Buy a 2 Person Hammock
• Flashlight or Headlamp – If you are hiking at sunset or sunrise bring a headlamp or flashlight to help you find your way back in the dark, A head lamp is also needed if camping at a campground- Headlamp
• Plastic Bags – Always bring lots of plastic bags to help keep your gear free of water and pack out all of your trash
• Fire Starter – You can either bring a fancy fire starter or plenty of matches and a lighter.
• Pillow – While you can bring a pillow from home, it will take up a lot of room if you are road tripping. Consider instead a compressible camp pillow
• Reusable Camp Dishes – Instead of using paper plates, consider reusable bowls to save money and space, as well as reduce trash- Camp Plate and Bowl Set
• Utensils – You really only need a spork for utensils while camping- Spork
• Camp Stove – Plan on cooking with a stove at your campsite. Many National Parks do not allow fires in the summer. Make sure to also bring plenty of fuel- Affordable Camp Stove
• Pot – For your stove you will also need a pot- Camp Pot
• Mugs – Bring a mug for morning coffee!- My Favorite Camping Mug
• Towel – We learned the hard way to always bring a towel camping- Multi Towel
• Rope – Rope is handy for hanging up clothes and towels to dry
• Knife – Always camp with a multiuse knife
• Tape – Duct tape can help in a pinch for broken gear
• Bucket – A bucket or sink is good to bring to help wash dishes- Collapsible Sink

Clothing & Hiking Gear

If you are unfamiliar to hiking, do some research to make sure you pack proper clothing . Exactly what you need will vary slightly depending on which National Parks you plan on visiting and the time of year, but the list below is a good starting point.

• Trekking Poles – Many National Parks have hikes that are made easier with hiking poles such as Angel’s Landing and Upper Yosemite Falls Trail.- Trekking Poles
• Hiking Boots – Don’t forget hiking boots if you are planning on hiking a lot. Good traction and ankle support will save your feet on long hikes. These are the Danner Hiking Boots are my favorite’s I have used in many National Parks. Merrell also makes more inexpensive hiking boots [Men’s Version]
• Windbreaker/ Rain Jacket – Always keep a rain jacket in your pack, as weather can change in an instant, especially in mountain conditions. This is my favorite rain jacket , and a more inexpensive one .
• Heavy Jacket – A  puffy coat is necessary no matter the time of year in some National Parks, such as Glacier, North Cascades, and Rainier which are further North- My absolute favorite puffy coat
• Thick Socks –  If you do wear boots, make sure to bring  good socks  to not get blisters. Absolutely do not wear hiking boots without proper socks- The best hiking socks
• Moisture Wicking Shirts- Any shirt will do, but the best  hiking shirts  are made of natural or synthetic moisture-wicking material that is breathable and dries quickly. I own a lot of these shirts love them for hiking.
• Hiking Pants or Leggings – I personally tend to wear   hiking leggings   more than shorts or pants. If you prefer pants, these are a great option .
• Backpack – A  good daypack  can make your hike so much more enjoyable. Properly distributing weight can ease your trip and allow you to bring all the essentials above!- Women’s Day Pack
• Bear Spray – This is not needed in every park, but if you are hiking in grizzly country bring or rent bear spray!
• First Aid Kit – A first aid kit is a must in any hiking daypack no matter the trail length!- Day Hike First Aid Kit
• Sandals – After a day of hiking you will want to take off your hiking boots.   Teva’s   are my favorite sandal, but even a cheap pair of flip flops will do for some sandals to wear around camp.
• Water Bottle – You will need either a water reservoir or a water bottle whenever hiking in the National Parks
• Sunscreen – Make sure to bring sunscreen for sunny days!- SPF 50 Sunscreen
• But Spray – Definitely bring bug spray if you will be hiking in Spring or Summer- Picaridin Bug Repellent
• Winter Hat – Always bring a warm hat for camping at night- Beanie
• Baseball Hat – I also prefer to bring a baseball hat for hiking during the day.
• Gloves- Gloves can help get to get going on cold mornings

Road Trip Gear

There are a few things you will want to have in your car in case of emergency!

• Battery Pack – A spare battery power station is great for charging you equipment if you
• Paper Map – Many areas of the Western US do not have cell service for hours. Print out your route or bring an Atlas as a back up.
• Print Outs of Reservations – It is always a good idea to bring a print out of your reservations in case there is any confusion. Again, you may not have cell service in the park.
• Spare Tire – A road trip essential!
• Tire Chains – Check if where you are visiting requires tire chains. Many National Parks such as Yosemite require chains in the winter months, and we needed ours even in May!
• Camera – If you are getting started with photography, the Sony a6400 is a great beginner mirrorless camera.   -Travel Camera

Read More: Beginner Hiking Photography Gear

Jackery Power Station

• Toiletry Bag- Roll Up Toiletry Bag
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste
• Paper Towels
• Hand Sanitizer
• Shower Toiletries
• Toilet Paper (even if the campground has toilets it never hurts to have)

You May Also Like

• Budget for the Ultimate National Parks Road Trip (<$2000)
• Yosemite in 2 Days
• One Day in Bryce National Park
• Joshua Tree & Death Valley Van Road Trip

SAVE IT FOR LATER

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23 comments.

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These are great tips! We love visiting National Parks. There is so much to see and we love having an “outdoor” vacation! Plus, I’ve got a 4th grader this year, so free entry! woot woot!

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Great tips, especially making sure you have planned enough time and having the right gear!

Such a great post! Love how all the packing tips were categorized. Now I feel like I would be prepared to do a road trip to a national park. Pinning!

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I like this article, and especially the when-to-visit part. But there are 63 National Parks, ad you are missing several. Can you expand the list to include all?

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Your website is an absolute gold mine. I’m treating my niece to a girl’s national park road trip from Texas to Oregon. I’ve been a little overwhelmed. Your website has so much useful information and your map images of routes have been especially helpful. Thank you for all the info!

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6 Epic National Park Road Trip Ideas [Maps Included]

Natural beauty at every turn, epic scenic drives , a plethora of outdoor activities , unbelievable wildlife viewing . You can get all of this and so much more on a National Park Road trip !

A National Park Road Trip can take you to the mountains, the unique landscape of Utah, the west coast, the northeast, the east coast or down through Floria. Whichever you choose a National Park is the perfect place to connect with nature and awaken your sense of adventure!

Table of Contents

What are the best National Parks to visit on a road trip?

You can visit almost all the National Parks on a road trip. Minus a few that are on water (Dry Tortugas and Isle Royale National Park) and those that are in Alaska that can only be accessed via plane or boat. Beyond that you can access all of the National Parks via a road trip/car.

Our top picks for the Ultimate National Park road trip are in order based on our favorite choices. Keep in mind this could be different for you based on what kind of trip you are looking for. Be sure to keep reading the post and research each National Park to see which one speaks to you!

#1: Mountains National Park Road Trip: Grand Tetons National Park, Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park.

#2: Utah National Park Road Trip: Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park.

#3: California National Park Road Trip: Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park and Redwoods National Park.

#4: Pacific Northwest National Park Road Trip: Crater National Park, Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier and North Cascades National Park.

#5: Florida National Park Road Trip: Everglades and Dry Tortugas

#6: East Coast National Park Road Trip: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Congaree National Park, Mammoth Caves National Park and (bonus if you can take a long drive: Acadia National Park.

Now if you are wondering which National Parks are most suitable for a road trip based on accessibility, scenic drives, hiking opportunities and unique experiences it is really going to depend on what you are looking for and how many National Parks you want to see on your trip.

How Many National Parks Do You Want To See?

If you are looking to hit a lot of National Parks in a short amount of driving you will want to look at visiting the 5 Utah National Parks.

If you are OK with further distances between parks California has a lot of great National Parks but you will be covering a larger distance between all of the parks.

Which National Park Has The Best Scenic Drive?

This is a no brainer for us as we feel The-Going-To-The-Sun-Road is the best scenic drive in not only the National Parks but all of the US! You can find this road in Glacier National Park.

What National Parks Have The Best Hiking?

We have hiked 100’s probably 1000’s of miles with our family and these are our 3 top National Parks for hiking:

Glacier National Park – You don’t want to miss the Grinnell Glacier hike when you visit Glacier National Park! There are a lot of other great hikes but this one ranks up at the top for us. Check out all the other Best Hikes in Glacier National Park here.

Utah National Parks – There are a lot of great hikes in Utah but one of our favorites isn’t in an actual National Park but instead a National Site: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It is the Peek-a-boo Canyon Hike!

The Utah National Parks also have some great hikes including the famous Angels Landing in Zion National Park.

Acadia National Park – We weren’t aware Acadia had 2 of the most epic and challenging hikes with the Precipice and Beehive trail. But once we did them we knew they would stay at the top of our list. If you are looking for a challenging adventurous hike these are perfect for you.

Alaska – Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords come in as some of our top picks as well. The Healy Mountain Hike in Denali and the Harding Ice field trail are epic hikes you don’t want to miss.

Which National Parks Have The Most Unique Experiences?

It is hard to compete with the Alaska National Parks. When you can walk on a Glacier in Kenai Fjords – with a guide. Or go to the face of a glacier on a boat.

North Cascades National Park one you may not consider is North Cascades National Park where you can do a hike to the bottom of a Glacier!

Acadia National Park also offers a restaurant on site where you have to try their pop-overs.

Hot Springs National Park where you can visit the only Brewery in a National Park.

Capitol Reef National Park where you can go apple picking in a National Park.

Practical tips and essentials for a National Park road trip

Entry Requirements: It is always important to check the National Park’s website that you are planning to visit. A good amount now require timed entry tickets (not all of them) and for those you may have to buy them months in advance.

Camping/Lodging: We always recommend staying at a lodge or campground in the National Park. BUT this can sometimes require you to plan you trip 12 months in advance as a lot of these campgrounds and lodges fill up a year or more in advance.

Safety Considerations: It is always important to understand what you are getting yourself into when you visit a National Park. Usually animals are one of the biggest concerns and they should be! Always keep your distance from wild animals and NEVER touch them or feed them. If you plan to hike in places with large wild animals carry bear spray. ALWAYS check in with the National Park visitor center and ask the rangers to give you all of the details and safety tips on the animals in the area.

Packing: Packing for a National Park trip can include some additional items that you wouldn’t normally pack for a trip. Things like walkie talkies and bear spray. For other items always check the weather, wear layers and bring good walking/hiking shoes.

National Park Road Trip Itineraries

We have taken all of these trips. Some of them multiple times. It would be hard to rank these in order since all of them are amazing trips and have something different and unique to offer.

We will cover the Utah National Park road trip , the Mountain National Park road trip that covers Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park . California and all the amazing National Parks there. The Pacific Northwest, Florida and the East Coast National Parks.

What’s the recommended route or itinerary for a National Park road trip?

Below we share specific itineraries for some of the National Parks along with 6 different National Park Road Trip Itineraries. These itineraries are made to help you have the most efficient and effective National Park Road Trip.

Itineraries For Your Trip

Here are some extensive itineraries we have put together for a few of the National Parks that we discuss.

• Glacier National Park Itinerary – 1, 3 and 7 day itineraries to help you plan your trip!
• Yellowstone National Park Itinerary – 1, 3 and 7 day itineraries to have an awesome trip in Yellowstone!
• Arches National Park Itinerary – 1 day itinerary and some extra things to do when you visit!
• Utah National Park – 10 Day Guide – 10 day guide/itinerary for your Utah Road Trip.
• Acadia National Park – 1, 2, 3 day itineraries for your trip to Acadia National Park.

We provide hotel and VRBO options along with RV/campgrounds to go camping at. A National Park trip is awesome in an RV! If you don’t have one, rent one! Click here to learn more about renting an RV: 9 RV Rental Tips You Will Want To Read [Discount Included] .

Here are our tips on planning your RV trip !

We traveled full time for 8 years with our 4 kids around North America so it gave us lots of time to explore all of these National Parks. No matter what trip you pick you are going to love our US National Parks!!

Pacific Northwest National Park Road Trip

The Pacific Northwest is a fun place to explore. The variety with the coastline and beaches, rainforest and the mountains it is well worth a visit! It is another location that is great to do with an RV. Click here to rent an RV .

Crater Lake National Park

You won’t believe the color of the water when you walk up to Crater Lake . It is such a bright blue!! The park itself won’t take you long to explore, but seeing the lake is something you won’t forget!

Oregon only has 1 National Park, but when you are in Washington if you want to extend your trip be sure to check out all of the cool things that Oregon has to offer (including a lot of National Forest area):

• 26 Oregon Coast Road Trip Stops You Don’t Want To Miss
• The 10 Best Stops On The Hood River Fruit Loop
• How To Spend 3 Amazing Days At Mckenzie River National Recreation Area
• Your Guide To The Best Places For Oregon Coast Camping

Olympic National Park

The National Park covers a good portion of northern Washington State. You have the coastline to explore with sea stacks sticking out of the water and driftwood everywhere to play on. Then slightly inland you have the Hoh Rainforest which is so unique to the US. Then further in you hit the mountains and waterfalls.

If you want to book a small group tour , check out this option that also includes pick-up and drop-off at area hotels!

Learn More: 12 Amazing Things To Do In Olympic National Park [Itinerary Included!]

Check out our videos on our time here:

Mount Rainier

Full disclosure . . . we never saw Mount Rainier :(. We went and tried, but that day it was so foggy we couldn’t even see the mountain! Well we saw the base, but couldn’t see beyond that.

We kept hoping the clouds would clear and it would appear, but sadly that was not the case.

Learn more: Since we didn’t get a good visit in here we want to share a post from our friend Rob at 2 Travel Dads: Best Hikes In Mount Rainier and these posts from Park Ranger John on Tipsoo Lake and Paradise Mt. Rainier . If you want a day-long guided tour, check out this small group tour nature walk !

Note – There is a small window of time to visit here as there is a lot of snow up here in winter and it takes a while to melt! And you may not get to see it on the day you go. . . plan accordingly.

North Cascades

I am so glad we took the time to visit North Cascades National Park. It is a less visited National Park, but I don’t know why! It was beautiful and is filled with glaciers (one you can even hike to and walk on!).

Gorgeous views and awesome hikes. Plus that amazing glacier colored water!

Learn more: 17 Amazing Things To Do In North Cascades National Park

Crater Lake National Park – 1 night Olympic National Park – 5 nights Mount Rainier National Park – 1 night North Cascades National Park – 3 nights

Utah National Park Road Trip

If you want to see a lot of National Parks in a short traveling distance, then Utah is the perfect state to visit! With 5 Utah National Parks all within a day’s drive from each other, you can cover a lot of ground.

This is a great trip to do in an RV! Click here to rent an RV by Utah !

The first place to stop would be Moab, Utah. The town itself is really cool, plus you can visit 2 National Parks from here.

If you want to stay in Moab check out our post: 21 Fun And Exciting Things To Do In Moab

Arches National Park

Arches is one of those National Parks you drive into and you think you are driving on a different planet. All of these beautiful and unique structures pop up on the landscape just waiting for you to explore! Try a 4×4 Driving Tour to see this landscape from a different view!

Learn more about Arches: 7 Arches National Park Hikes You Don’t Want To Miss

There are some great hikes to do in Arches:

Canyonlands National Park

This is my least favorite of the Utah National Parks, but if you are on a National Park road trip you may as well check it out! Located away from the hustle and bustle of Moab – the city where Arches is located is Canyonlands.

Canyonlands has 3 different parks: Island In The Sky, The Needles and The Maze. The views from Islands In The Sky are amazing.

In my opinion you can just head to Island In The Sky for the day from Arches and you are good. Another 4×4 Driving Tour is available here !

Learn more about Canyonlands: Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park

Where To Stay

You can stay in Moab to visit both Arches and Canyonlands.

Capitol Reef National Park

This is our favorite National Park in Utah. Located in the middle of nowhere yet brings so much beauty and awe-inspiring moments. We loved that this park was less busy than the other Utah National Parks.

There are amazing hikes and they have a store on-site that sells delicious pastries!

Learn more here: 8 Of The Best Hikes In Capitol Reef National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

This is what is so cool about a Utah National Parks Road Trip – the variety! You would think they all make look alike, but that is so far from the truth. Bryce has its own unique look with the hoodoos and pink-colored rock formations.

From amazing lookouts to strenuous, but beautiful hikes, Bryce has a lot to offer. Check out this 3-hour Sightseeing Tour ! Or if you’re staying in the Las Vegas area, check out this tour that includes both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park!

Learn more: Top 11 Awesome Things To Do in Bryce Canyon National Park

Zion National Park

We know that a lot of people say Zion was their favorite Utah National Park. That was not the case for us. It felt the most like Disneyland of the 5 parks since it can be so busy and you have to take the shuttle bus to most locations in the park.

Once we got out and explored it was, of course, spectacular. And the green lawn at the visitor center in the middle of the park was the perfect place to hang out after a hike! We also loved the Narrows hike which had us hiking through knee-deep water.

If you’re in the Las Vegas area, check out this tour that includes both Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park !

Learn More: 15 Awesome Things To Do In Zion National Park [Plus Where To Stay]

3 Days in Moab to visit Arches and Canyonlands Capitol Reef – 2 Days Bryce – 2 Days Zion – 2 Days

Click here for our Utah Road Trip Post or check out our 10 day Utah Guide!

There are a few other awesome places to check out in Utah if you have time! Monument Valley, Grand Escalante and Goblin Valley State Park.

Planning to take a National Park road trip with the Grandparents? Check out these great National Park Vacations to do with the Grandparents. 

Click here to see a US list of National Parks and if you are looking for free days be sure to check out this post on Free National Park Days.

Mountains National Park Trip

The Rocky Mountain area of the US brings so much beauty to the area and is also our top 1 and 2 favorite National Parks! A National Park trip is a great vacation for teens too.

Glacier National Park

Our favorite National Park in the US! Glacier National Park is in the northern part of Montana on the Canadian border and it is gorgeous. The color of the water looks like someone put dye in it and the fresh air and views never get old.

Plus the wildlife and hiking are amazing and the Going-To-The-Sun Road is one of our favorite roads to drive in the US! You also won’t want to miss Polebridge Mercantile and Bowman Lake , Many Glacier and the best hikes in Glacier National Park .

Want to soak in the views from Flathead River? Check out this Scenic Raft Trip !

Ultimate Guide to Glacier

Planning a trip to Glacier? We put together a series of digital guides that take the guesswork out of planning. Stop-by-stop itineraries for making the most of 1, 3 or 7 days in Glacier National Park including where to stay, where to eat, what hikes to take and the best driving routes.

We’ve even included links for you to book your stays and buy your park passes, including your timed entry to the Going-To-The-Sun Road . Everything you need in one convenient digital guide. Just download and go!

Check out your video Playlist on our time in Glacier:

Make note that one of the highlights of Glacier is the Going-To-The-Sun Road. Both for driving the road and for the hikes you can get to from the road. You need a timed entry pass to drive the road which you need to buy ahead of time . The road usually opens in early July – but can vary year by year.

For this reason we recommend going in August or early September to make sure the road is open. We can’t guarantee it will be open, but history shows it normally is open during this time.

If you want helping planning your trip check out our Glacier National Park Itinerary .

Yellowstone

#2 in our top 3 favorite National Parks is Yellowstone! The variety of wildlife, landscapes and color you see in the park is pretty unbelievable. From thermal features to grizzly bears to mountain ranges and geysers Yellowstone has something new to offer at every turn.

You won’t want to miss the Old Faithful area, Mammoth Hot Springs , Fishing Bridge , Tower Roosevelt and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone .

Yellowstone is huge! You could spend weeks here exploring. If possible we recommend staying at least 1 week and staying in multiple places around the park so you can really explore it. You can book a tour too, check out this Full Day Lower Loop Tour .

If you want to plan your own trip and also include some of the fun cities around Yellowstone including West Yellowstone , Bozeman , Gardiner , Red Lodge and Livingston check our our 12 day Yellowstone Vacation post. Plus all the great things to do near Yellowstone .

Planning a trip to Yellowstone is a must for any National Park fan! To help we have put together a Yellowstone Packing List and our guides below.

Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone

We have spent months exploring our 2nd favorite (after Glacier) National Park. We have figured out the ins and outs of exploring Yellowstone in a way that minimizes stress and maximizes your time. Whether you plan to stop for 1 day on your road trip or spend 3 or 7 days exploring this HUGE National Park, we have an itinerary for you!

If you are planning a trip to Yellowstone, be sure to check out this ultimate guide. We planned everything for you!

Check out our videos on our time in Yellowstone and the surrounding area!

My sister recently visited Yellowstone in Winter and said it was amazing too!

Grand Tetons

The Grand Tetons National Park hosts the beautiful Teton Range. When driving up it is quite a sight to see these mountains on the horizon. There are also great hikes, boat rides and lots to do within Grand Tetons National Park and the surrounding area.

Want to check out the wildlife? Book this 4-hour Wildlife Safari Adventure !

And here is ours on things to do around the Tetons – it is an awesome area!

We have spent a lot of time in Montana around Yellowstone – if you have more time we recommend adding in these stops to your trip too: A Guide To The Best Yellowstone Vacation and Beyond

California National Park Trip

California is a HUGE state. If you really want to do the state justice you will want to spend months exploring. If you don’t have that amount of time you can do and see a lot in a short amount of time but be ready to go – go – go! There are a lot of National Parks in California !

Joshua Tree

Located in southern California – whenever I think of Joshua Tree I think of the Truffula trees in Dr Seuss’ The Lorax. Filled with these unique Joshua Trees (yes that is what they are called) plus beautiful rock structures and cacti fields Joshua Tree National Park is a unique experience.

Check out this Jeep or SUV Tour for a unique, remote adventure!

Learn More: 10 Unbelievable Things To Do In Joshua Tree National Park

Death Valley

The name may make this place sound like it wouldn’t be much, but that is just not the case! Death Valley is a unique place filled with sand dunes, salt flats, mountains and tons of hiking opportunities.

Staying near Las Vegas ? Check out this Full Day Tour and escape the craziness of Vegas!

Post: 14 Awesome Things To Do In Death Valley National Park [And Where To Stay]

When to visit:

There is limited time to visit Death Valley since it gets SOOOO hot in the summer. Like hot enough to cook an egg on the sidewalk! For this reason you would want to visit from late fall to early spring, with winter being the best time.

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Usually overlooked due to its close proximity to Yosemite – Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park are well worth a visit all on their own! Home to some of the biggest trees in the world along with rushing rivers, mountains and fantastic views.

Learn more: 19+ Unforgettable Things To Do In Sequoia National Park

Video of our time in Sequoia:

Video of our time in Kings Canyon:

Yosemite ranks up there with our top 3 favorite National Parks. The Valley area is the most visited part of the park and for good reason – the rushing waterfalls in the spring and high granite summits it is a gorgeous place.

The good thing is the rest of the park has lots to offer too from sequoia trees to waterfall hikes and historical locations to visit. Want to try an audio guided tour? Check out this walk that combines Yosemite and the Giant Sequoia Walk .

Learn More: 21 Epic Things To Do In Yosemite National Park With Kids

Check out our Yosemite playlist for all the cool things to do in Yosemite:

The Redwoods are a magical place. That is really the best way to describe them. The trees are massive and surround you as you explore the park. Along with so much green.

If you haven’t visited the Redwoods, you should.  The whole park stretches across 100 miles up the coast of Northern CA and includes the National Park and 3 State Parks.

When visiting you could stop for 1 night in each park and take in the beauty that each has to offer!

Check out our videos on our time in the Redwoods:

Check our post:  21 Magical Things To Do In Redwood National Park for details on this. With the park being so large where you stay will depend on how much time you have to spend in the different parts of the park.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

This less visited National Park is located in the middle of northern California. When here you can see 4 different kinds of volcanoes along with taking an amazing drive and potentially finding snow even in the summer!

Learn more: Lassen Volcanic National Park 

As you can see California has a lot to offer! If possible plan for 2 weeks and explore these National Parks like this:

Joshua Tree – 2 nights Death Valley – 2 nights Kings Canyon and Sequoia – 2 nights Yosemite – 2 nights Redwoods – 2 nights Lassen – 2 nights

Or you could spend 3-7 days at each of these places and make it a month-long road trip!

More insights on a North California road trip from our friends at Live Camp Work :

“We fell in love with the California Redwoods after one  Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip ! One word… magical, easily describes a trip through the Redwoods National & State Parks in a car or an RV! And with so many options for  camping in the redwoods , each road trip can be different from the last, delivering new adventures and memories to cherish years later!”

If you are looking for more check out this great post: Best Places To Visit In The US .

Florida National Park Road Trip

Florida is more known for its beaches, but it also has some really cool National Parks!

Everglades National Park

If you have never seen an alligator in the wild then head to Everglade National Park and you will see hundreds of them! Shark Valley – a 15 mile bike ride between swamps filled with alligators was one of our favorite things we did here.

Check out this Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show and enjoy excitement, adventure, and education all in one tour!

Learn more: 7 Things To Do In Miami With Kids

Dry Tortugas

AMAZING. That is all I can say about the Dry Tortugas National Park. Ok I can say more :). This beautiful island located 70 miles off the coast of Key West is breathtaking.

The boat ride out there is an adventure and then once you reach the island the beauty just takes your breath away.

Learn more: DON’T go to the Dry Tortugas without these 3 helpful tips.

Everglades National Park – 3 nights Dry Tortugas National Park – 2 nights

East Coast National Park Road Trip

The east coast has a hard time competing with out west, but still has a few gems to offer!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There are so many awesome things to do in Smoky Mountains National Park . Plus it has some beautiful scenic drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway and hikes for all different skill levels. Plus the surrounding area has some fun touristy towns with plenty of things to do and food to eat.

Learn more: Family fun in Gatlinburg and the Smokey’s

Located in Virginia. The Skyline Drive runs through the park and is a beautiful drive. There are also multiple places you can stop to get out to take pictures or to go for a hike.

Learn more: Hike and Climb with kids in Shenandoah National Park

Sorry east coast you can’t quite compare to the west – but if you are looking for a trip closer to the east coast it is still well worth it!

Mammoth Cave National Park

Cave exploring is always cool and Mammoth Cave has a lot to explore! There are a variety of different cave tours you can do. Plus there is a lot of great hiking outside the caves.

Learn more: 5 Things To Do With Your Kids When Visiting Mammoth Cave Kentucky

Congaree National Park

We have never been here . . . but it was close to the other 3 so figured it was worth adding if you wanted to take a longer trip! We still haven’t been but had a fellow travel writer who did visit put an article together for us: Top 10 Fun Things To Do In Congaree National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 4 nights Mammoth Cave National Park – 2 nights Shenandoah National Park – 1 night Congaree National Park – 1 night

Additional National Parks To Visit

There were some National Parks that did not make our National Park road trip post. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit them!

That includes the following National Parks

18 Amazing Things To Do In Big Bend National Park

Hot Springs National Park

Mount Rushmore and Badlands on a South Dakota Road Trip

Washington DC 2 Day Itinerary

Maine National Park : Acadia National Park and Acadia Itinerary

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

National Park Trip Round Up

The National Park Service does an amazing job with their National Parks and National Monuments, Forests and more through the United States. Before your trip be sure to grab your National Park Passport book!

Researching an East Coast National Park vacation? Check out  11 East Coast National Parks You Want To Visit This Year .

If you want to see all of them on one trip be sure to check out Randy Olson and his road trip map where you can hit all of the National Parks. However – we don’t recommend this unless you have a full year! You don’t want to rush these National Parks but instead want to spend plenty of time in each especially since there are so many National Parks hikes to do.

We also didn’t name all of the parks in the National Parks System. There is the Grand Canyon (the south rim is pretty cool) and Rocky Mountain National Park to name a few! All of these are awesome trips to take in an RV! Click here to rent an RV today! If you do rent an RV you may be interested in our post on: 21 RV Apps That Are Super Helpful For Your RV Trip

Also check out this awesome road trip bingo post to help keep everyone happy on the road and this great list of 27 road trip essentials to pack for 2020 !

Looking for more awesome trips to take with your family? Check out these summer mountain vacations for families or these east coast family trip ideas ! And another of our favorite places: Stanley, Idaho.  Learn about Things to do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park .

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8 U.S. National Park Road Trips to Take in Summer and Fall

During the warmer months, we're all about planning a blowout road trip across the US. With scenic coastal vistas, monolithic canyons, and towering forests, these 8 U.S. National Park road trips more than fit the bill.

A Brooklyn-based writer and editor, Chelsea's work has appeared in Matador Network, The Huffington Post, the TripAdvisor blog, and more. When not planning her next trip, you'll usually find her drinking way too much iced coffee (always iced—she’s from New England) or bingeing a Netflix original series.

See recent posts by Chelsea Stuart

Grand Circle Tour through Utah's Big 5

If you’ve saved up all your PTO in anticipation of your next great adventure, consider spending it in the great American Southwest on a Grand Circle Tour . The 11-day-ish (depending on how often you stop) road trip traverses 1,500 miles, six national parks—that’s Zion , Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef , Arches , Canyonlands, and Grand Canyon — plus Monument Valley (as seen in our fave HBO thriller, Westworld ), and a slew of tiny desert towns. Along the way, you’ll be treated to sheer sandstone cliffs, canyon floor hoodoos, soaring arches, and unrivaled sunsets.

Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Park

The 3,000-mile Rocky Mountain range—spanning from British Columbia through ID, MT, WY, CO, and even NM—harbors some of America's most adored national parks. Get to know the Northern Rockies by knitting together a road trip through three of them: Grand Teton , Yellowstone , and Glacier. The 450-mile route (one way) weaves together vast backcountry, erupting geysers, and alpine meadows for an epic western escape. Pro tip: take a detour along Glacier’s stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road , a 50-mile scenic stretch that crosses the Continental Divide as it winds its way through Logan Pass alongside Saint Mary Lake.

Pacific Coast Highway from Golden Gate Bridge to Redwood to Olympic National Park

We’ll take any excuse to cruise down the PCH, but throwing some national parks into the mix takes it to the next level. Starting in San Francisco, cross the Golden Gate Bridge off your bucket list before continuing your 15-hour drive up the winding coast en-route to Redwood National and State Parks, and then on to Washington’s Olympic National Park . With 850-ish miles (and three states) to explore, there’s much to see beyond the tallest trees on earth and the perpetually misty million-acre wilderness; don’t miss out on pit stops in smaller state parks like CA’s Humboldt Redwoods (home of Avenue of the Giants ) and WA’s Capitol State Forest .

RELATED: The Most Incredible National Parks Inside Hotels 

California's Majestic Mountain Loop

All it takes is five hours of (speed-limit-abiding) driving to knock three of California’s most iconic parks— Sequoia , Kings Canyon , and Yosemite —off your list. Known as the Majestic Mountain Loop , this long-weekend-friendly road trip can be done in as little as three days, but the more you can add on, the merrier. Key points of interest include Sequoia’s beloved General Sherman Tree (the world’s largest tree by volume), Kings Canyon’s trout-filled Hume Lake, and Yosemite’s Half Dome day hike .

RELATED :   11 Gorgeous National Parks Within 3 Hours of Major U.S. Cities

Denver to Rocky Mountain to Mesa Verde to Great Sand Dunes National Park

If you’re feeling ambitious and find yourself in Colorado, this multi-park tour can't be missed. Unlike other states (see: Utah and Wyoming), Colorado’s national parks don’t sit shoulder-to-shoulder, but that’s what makes this trip so great. A 1,000-mile loop from Denver to Rocky Mountain National Park to Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve to Mesa Verde National Park and then back to Denver will require about 19 hours of driving, but you’ll cross more than half the state in the process. Between the three parks, you’ll find drastically different attractions like 12,000-foot alpine peaks, North America’s tallest dunes, and ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings. Just make sure you have your playlists ready to go.

Seattle to Mount Rainier to Olympic National Park

A Washington two-for-one is what this short Pacific Northwest trip is all about. Start in Seattle and head southwest through Enumclaw, a tiny Mount Rainier National Park gateway town that offers stellar pre-park vistas. How long you stay in Mount Rainier is up to you, but don’t miss out on a hike up the eponymously-named glacier-capped summit; a romp through Paradise , the park’s most popular wildflower meadow; or a leisurely drive down the Chinook Scenic Byway. From there, set off about 115 miles northeast to Port Angeles, the entry point of Olympic National Park . This nearly one-million-acre swath of wilderness follows the Pacific coast for 70 miles in a show of old-growth rain forests, glacier-capped mountains, and foggy, wave-eroded sea stacks.

Park Loop Road through Acadia National Park

When it comes to exploring Maine's Mount Desert Island—and taking in Acadia's best coastal views—by car, this scenic 27-mile route is the only way to go. Beginning at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center (just off Route 3 on the northern side of the island), the road loops past Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Otter Cliffs, Jordan Pond, and the 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain—the highest point along the North Atlantic seaboard. Even if you don't stop at all the main sites, you'll still find unparalleled panoramas of the stunning Maine landscape including snow-capped mountain peaks, rocky stone shores, and pink granite summits along the way.

RELATED :  9 of the Most Underrated National Parks in America

Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains to Mammoth Cave National Park

If you’ve got a week to spare, this East Coast route is one for the books. Along Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive (just 75 miles from D.C.), you’ll find more than 70 overlooks where you can stop for a view of the protected park’s 200,000 acres—home to cascading waterfalls, wooded hills, and meandering backcountry. From there, it’s about 350 miles to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (470 miles if you take the scenic route—a.k.a. the Blue Ridge Parkway). After a few days in the foggy, heavily forested park, it’s time for your final stop: Mammoth Cave National Park . The Kentucky cave system contains more than 400 explored miles—the longest in the world—and ranger-led excursions are offered season to season.

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USA Road Trip Planner – 10 Best National Parks in Southwestern US

September 1, 2018 by Jennifer Fontaine 4 Comments

by Jean Grant – Planning a family road trip to the Southwest? Try this epic USA road trip itinerary  which hits the 10 best national parks in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Our family made a slight modification of the classic Grand Circle road trip for our April school break, soaking in 10 destinations, including US national parks and monuments, national forests, tribal lands, and national recreation areas in eight days and 1300 miles, starting and finishing in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Southwestern US National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Stop #1 – dinosaur national monument, utah and colorado.

In 1909, researchers from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History led an excavation in the Morrison Formation, a layer of rock deposited in the late Jurassic Period 150 million years ago. Their find: thousands of bones! Some were assembled and shipped to museums; the remainder were left in situ and enclosed in a hall. The massive quarry wall contains over 1,500 bones from 10 different dinosaur species.

Outdoor Activities Start at the new Visitor Center , check with rangers for activities and exhibit hall access and absorb information from the displays and bookstore in this quiet, remote national park. Drive or take the shuttle (seasonal) to the Exhibit Hall.

Don’t forget to pick up a $1 fossil guide or use the touchscreen displays to identify the bones. The Fossil Discovery Trail is an easy walk to more touchable fossils. In season (summer-fall), the winding Echo Park road takes visitors to a campground along the Green River across from iconic Steamboat Rock.

Lodging Six campgrounds in the national park; nearby Vernal offers hotels, grocery stores, gas and restaurants. Both  Dinosaur Inn & Suites and  Springhill Suites by Marriott Vernal offer affordable nightly rates that include breakfast.

Fun Detours The Cub Creek petroglyphs are a short walk up a cliffside along the auto Tour of Tilted Rocks route (stops #13 and 14). Don’t forget to take a photo at the intersection of Stegosaurus Freeway and Brontosaurus Boulevard in Dinosaur, Colorado!

Stop #2 – Arches National Park, Utah

Millenia of erosion of Entrada sandstone formed over 2,000 arches, pinnacles and balance rocks in this iconic national park (that used to be an inland sea millions of years ago). Time-crunched? Arches can be explored in a day. The national park brochure lists the best time to view specific arches. Bring your hiking boots as many arches are only accessible by walk or hike.

Outdoor Activities Well-paved roads meander through the national park. With limited services, bring in water and a picnic lunch. Trail difficulty varies, though many are easy. Be careful with children when climbing under arches due to steepness and drop-offs.

Double Arch, Turret Arch and The Windows are connected by a loop of easy, short trails. Landscape Arch, the longest arch in North America at 306-feet, as well as many others, are found off the 1.6-mile Devil’s Garden trail in the northern part of the national park.

Feeling adventurous? Hike up to Delicate Arch near sunset for the best show in the national park. If the kids are tired or the weather is not cooperating, Delicate Arch can also be viewed from a lower viewpoint and trail (bring a telephoto lens if you have one).

Lodging Devil’s Garden is the only campground in the national park, but Moab is packed with additional campgrounds, hotels, shops and restaurants to suit your tastes and budget. We opted for our first glamping experience at the Under Canvas locale outside the national park.

Despite the roaring high winds all night (and a very restless sleep), our deluxe tent and tipi did provide breathtaking views of distant arches and desert scenery.  Red Cliffs Lodge  also provides scenic and authentic, local accommodations with gorgeous creek or river views from every suite.

Pro Tip: Be prepared for any kind of weather!

Fun Detours The Moab Rock Shop and Mill Creek swimming hole .

Stop #3 – Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Island in the Sky district gifts visitors with colorful and dramatic canyons carved out by the Colorado and Green Rivers in this quiet giant of a national park. Other districts of the park include the more remote Needles and Maze.

Outdoor Activities The short Mesa Arch loop hike (be careful with young children at this precarious arch) at sunrise, and the Grand View Point and Green River overlooks. The kids had fun spotting collared lizards and identifying plant life.

Lodging Island in the Sky has one campground at Willow Flat. The Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn is an affordable base camp to explore the area, or splurge on a stay at Moab Springs Ranch where you can relax in your own private bungalow on the oldest continuous settlement in Moab.

Fun Detours The steep, switch-backing drive down Shafer Trail Road to White Rim Road and Potash Road. Going off the beaten path in the Needles or Maze.

Stop #4 – Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

This less-frequented national park is home to the historical Fruita District and colorful rock formations, washes, narrows and hikes.

Outdoor Activities A trek through Grand Wash to The Narrows made for a great midday treat and respite on our drive to Bryce Canyon. Other options: Capitol Gorge or Cassidy Arch hikes. Grand Wash was filled with boulder climbing, blue skies and sunshine. Check with rangers before starting hikes in the washes.

Lodging Fruita Campground is great for families and there are a number of backcountry campgrounds, if you’re looking to rough it. Capitol Reef Resort in Torrey, Utah offers fun and quirky accommodations such as tipis and Conestoga wagons.

Fun Detours Dixie National Forest overlooks.

Stop #5 – Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Sitting at 9,000-feet in elevation, Bryce Canyon’s signature landmark is the hoodoos, sedimentary rocks wedged into unusual spires by erosion. The national park is home to the oldest species of tree, the 2,000-year-old Bristlecone Pine. It’s a popular, compact national park. Wear warmer layers if hiking in spring or fall.

Outdoor Activities Starting at Sunset Point drop down into the 3-mile Navajo Loop/Queen’s Garden Trail, which finishes at Sunrise Point. Take your time and drink plenty of water. Higher altitude exhaustion can sneak up on you. We also walked the Bristlecone Loop Trail. Our kids took part in the ranger program and received stickers.

Lodging Bryce Canyon Resort, North Campground, and Sunset Campground in the national park are great family lodging options in the area.

Fun Detours The Utah Rock Stop (plus ice cream and coffee!) and Moqui Cave between Bryce and Page. Both ranked high on my fun list.

Stop #6 – Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona

Resting on 1.25 million acres in the Colorado Plateau, this ecologically and culturally unique area is home to protected wilderness, heritage sites and water resources including the man-made Lake Powell.

Outdoor Activities Stunning Horseshoe Bend stands on a 1000-foot sheer drop (watch kids) over the Colorado River. At 710-feet tall, the impressive Glen Canyon Dam created the country’s second largest reservoir, Lake Powell, and generates hydroelectricity. Tickets for this highly recommended tour of the dam must be purchased in person up to one day in advance. To look over the edge of the dam is heart-pounding.

Lodging Page, Arizona is a tourist-friendly city with plenty of lodgings, campgrounds, and restaurants.  Shash Dine’ Eco-Retreat is one such glamping bed & breakfast that offers guests a unique stay on the Navajo Nation, atop pastoral lands overlooking beautiful, unobstructed views of Lake Powell, the Echo Peaks, and the Vermilion Cliffs.

Fun Detours Rent kayaks and paddle Lake Powell or take a boat tour.

Stop #7 – Lower Antelope Canyon, Arizona

This remarkable set of slot canyons (Upper and Lower) were formed by erosion of Navajo sandstone via rain and flash flooding. All tours are Navajo run and owned.

Outdoor Activities Choose between siblings Ken or Dixie’s tours. The esteemed Upper Antelope Canyon boasts larger chambers with photographic sunbeams, however, we enjoyed the beauty of the lower canyon. Be warned—over the past decade popularity of the canyons has risen—purchase tickets well in advance.

Lodging Page, Arizona is still a perfect jumping off point to explore Antelope Canyon. If  Shash Dine’ Eco-Retreat  isn’t your speed, try Dreamkatchers Bed & Breakfast or Lake Powell Resort for comfortable and affordable family-friendly lodging.

Fun Detours Visit nearby Rainbow Bridge (accessible by water or permit).

Stop #8 – Four Corners Monument (Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico)

Where else can you stand in four states at once ? Bring cash or purchase tickets online. We arrived just before closing and were greeted with solitude…and sand-spitting wind.

Outdoor Activities Stand in four states at once! Native American guides can also take you on horseback trail rides, hikes, and Jeep excursions to other interesting areas.

Lodging Desert Rose Resort & Cabins is a luxury desert oasis that gives you easy access to Four Corners Monument. You’ll also find several campgrounds located nearby, some of which require reservations and/or daily permits.

Fun Detours Monument Valley Tribal Park and smaller, equally stunning Valley of the Gods both offer dramatic scenery with sandstone towers, pinnacles and buttes.

Stop #9 – Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

The Ancestral Puebloans inhabited this lush region hovering between 6,000-8,000 feet elevation over a thousand years ago. The national park boasts thousands of archaeological sites and over 600 cliff dwellings. It’s a serene, historically-rich national park.

Outdoor Activities Balcony House ranger-led tour. Tickets must be purchased in person at the visitor center or museum up to two days in advance. Leaving my fear of heights at the car, ladders, a few tight squeezes and an informative ranger-led talk rounded out the tour of cliff dwellings. Spruce Tree House was closed except for the overlook and Cliff Palace, as well as Wetherill Mesa, weren’t open until May.

Lodging We stayed in Mesa Verde National Park’s only hotel, the Far View Lodge , however Morefield Campground is located near the national park’s entrance. Food is available at the Far View Terrace and restaurant. Nearby Cortez and Durango offer plenty of additional hotels and restaurants.

Fun Detours Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum housed interesting relics, a delight to peruse.

Stop #10 – San Juan Skyway (Route 145), Colorado

Given the mid-April snowfall, we ventured through the San Juan Mountains on Route 145 past Telluride, but if there is no snow, head up the adventurous “Million Dollar Highway” (Route 550). Both roads meet at Ridgway en route to Grand Junction.

Outdoor Activities Recreational activities aplenty, but many tours aren’t available until May.

Lodging Right on Route 145, The Angler Inn is a cozy, family-run hotel nestled right in the San Juan Mountains. You can find additional accommodations in Telluride, Dolores, Ouray, and Silverton, as well as ample camping in the National Forest.

Fun Detours Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Abandoned mines.

6 Tips For A Southwestern National Park Road Trip

1. Research and Plan Ahead.  Book lodgings and campgrounds in advance in highly-visited areas. Some national parks have additional fee areas (online ticketing or in-person). Be aware of limited features (campsites, tours, roads) or hours (museums/visitors centers, exhibits) during non-peak seasons.

For kids, most national parks also have Junior Ranger program; booklets can be printed in advance. Other activities such as the benchmark scavenger hunt at Bryce Canyon reward kids with special national park stickers. Remember to call ahead if arriving to your destination late.

2. Always have a Plan B…or C.  Flight delays, road/trail closures, illnesses or weather happen. Have a Plan B or wing it!

3. Creature Comforts.  For both road trip games and entertainment and lodging entertainment, think like a kid when packing. What would you want if you were in the backseat?

4. Safety and Food.  Pack a safety kit: first aid supplies and medicines (be prepared for anything from scrapes to altitude sickness), including hand wipes, sanitizer, and tissues and flashlight. For food we bring a collapsible cooler and hit a grocery store for portable snacks/lunches. Grab an extra gallon or two of water; many national parks do not have accommodations beyond simple bathrooms. Pack water bottles.

5. Scenic Detours.  Make a game of it. Keep your eyes open for intriguing areas to rest, explore, shop or eat. One of my favorite places was the Rock & Espresso shop . Bonus: they had ice cream! One of the kids’ favorite pit-stops was a picnic area in Canyon Pintado along the Dinosaur Diamond scenic byway.

6. Maps, Travel Guides.  GPS and WiFi can be sketchy when traveling through remote canyons, deserts and mountains. Keep paper maps or guidebooks handy along with contact information for lodging and rental car providers.

Jean Grant is a scientist, author, and mom to two active, nature-loving sons. She currently resides in Massachusetts. She writes where her heart takes her…from castles to craters to crags of all kinds. Her website can be found at: jeanmgrant.com

alleyk26 says

September 2, 2018 at 2:12 pm

Hi friends, Thank you so much for linking to our site http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ ! Looks like you had a wonderful time, that the little ones are sure to brag about to their classmates once school’s back in. By the way, regarding Rainbow Bridge, another way to see this attraction without expending too much time, effort, or hassle is to fly over it by fixed-wing airplane or helicopter. Hope you get a chance to return to the Grand Circle and experience even more fun and adventure the area has to offer! Best wishes for happy traveling, Alley Staff Writer/Social Media Consultant http://www.AntelopeCanyon.AZ http://www.HorseshoeBend.com http://www.TheWaveAZ.com

Jennifer Fontaine says

September 4, 2018 at 10:25 pm

Hi Alley, thanks for stopping by and saying hi, and thanks for working to promote and preserve such a beautiful place for our kids to honor and cherish. Here’s to getting families outside more!

Jean M. Grant says

September 3, 2018 at 12:28 pm

Thanks for stopping by, Alley! Yes, we do love the Grand Circle! My husband and I did this trip (a bit modified, dipping down to the Grand Canyon area and starting in Las Vegas instead of Grand Junction) over twelve years ago. Loved it so much that this time we planned it as a family trip! I highly recommend this trip to families. 🙂

Melanie says

March 20, 2019 at 5:28 pm

Hi! How long would you recommend to take this trip? What are the best spots to stay for the night? thank you 🙂

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Home » Blog » Our Route To All The US National Parks In 7 Months

Our Route To All The US National Parks In 7 Months

In 2017, my husband and I road tripped to all 59 US National Parks  with  Evolve  and  GoWesty . It took us 7 months, 25,000+ miles of driving, 26 flights, and countless trails hiked. Along the way we passed through 39 U.S. States, 2 U.S. Territories, and drove some of the most beautiful roads in the country. Our road trip started in April and finished in  late October . I have had so many of you ask about our route so I thought I would share some detailed maps (see below). In brief, we started in Zion  > explored the southwest > headed east > south to Florida > onto the US Virgin Islands > up the east coast > across the northwest > down into the Rockies > northwest to Alaska > down the west coast > Hawaii > and lastly ended in American Samoa . Note – since our trip, another national park was added to the list – Gateway National Park in St. Louis, Missouri – making 60 total  We will update our park blog posts once we get a chance to visit, but for now this is based on the 59 National Parks that were designated as of 2017.

Our Route To All 59 US National Parks In 7 Months

Click on the maps for an enlarged view!

LOWER 48 PARKS

SOUTHWEST PARKS – IN DEPTH

VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

East COAST PARKS – IN DEPTH

ALASKA PARKS

WEST COAST PARKS – IN DEPTH

Hawaii & American SAmoa PARKS

More National Park Posts

America’s National Parks – Ranked Best to Worst

15 Least Crowded National Parks & Why You Need To Visit Them

The 15 Most Underrated National Parks in America

The Best National Park in America? A Guide to Lake Clark National Park

Olympic National Park Adventure: 24 Hour Getaway from Seattle

Guide to Great Smoky  Mountains National Park

Maps courtesy of the amazing Kayleigh Rust. Check out her work here

Disclaimer – Matthew and I partnered with Drink Evolve and GoWesty for this road trip. All opinions are of course unbiased and honest. All photographs owned and taken by Renee and Matthew Hahnel.

Related Guides

How To Visit Katmai National Park – A Comprehensive Park Guide

Best Things To Do In White Sands National Park: Epic 1 Day Itinerary

6 Absolute Best Hikes in Redwood National Park

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45 comments

As ad adventurous hiker and kayaker who also loves fishing, East Coast parks are the best for me. There are lots of small, less knows parks which are great for for those who likes being alone in the nature. Thanks for sharing your amazing experience. I loved reading it.

Dear Renee, I have been following your blog for a very long time and I should say your travel stories are not only inspirational but also gives us readers a great treat for our eyes through such amazing captures through your lens. This article on your adventurous journey not only highlights the beauty of all the different National parks around US but also showcases your love for travel as a couple.

• Pingback: US National Parks Ranked Best To Worst - First-Hand Experience!

You are truly talented Renee, your photographs are so inspiring. I’ve been following you on instagram for a while but have just discovered your blog! I’m thinking of visiting some of the south-west parks next Spring. Apologies if you have covered this question somewhere else, but do you pre-book the campsites you plan to stay in? Thank you 🙂

Hi Ishia, thanks so much! Sorry I only just saw your comment. We pre-booked our campsites for the more popular parks like Yosemite etc. but just did walk-in sites for the quiet parks. I think if you can pre-booking is always best! 🙂

I would love to do this road trip soon, Renee! Your post was so motivational!

I’m so glad you liked it! 🙂

Such an amazing post and what a great way to discover the US! I’m glad you decided to start with Southern Utah, because it tends to get SUPER hot during the summer months! I love the Virgin Islands National Park, so I hope you will too! Can’t wait to read your review!

Thanks so much Rachelle! Virgin Islands National Park was insane! I definitely rate it super highly 🙂

Oh my gosh, this is seriously epic! I can’t wait to see all of the photos from every. single. park. We want to (eventually) get around more of the US – when we have a chunk of time we can take off so we can truly explore – and this is serious US dreams! I’ll definitely be checking out your mini guides!

I really hope you can make that happen Kelly 🙂

Oh wow, this sounds like so much fun! I would love to do a road trip like this one day!

Thank you Cynthia!

What a dream of a trip! I love the national parks, and you’re in for an adventure 🙂

Thank you Angela! It sure has been an adventure so far 🙂

Damnit Renee this is gorgeous! Makes me so itchy right now haha. My big vanlife trip is planned for next year, including the US, so this is really helpful for some route planning – thanks 🙂

Thanks Christina! How exciting – good luck on your vanlife adventures!

This is such a GRAND road trip!!!!! I’m planning one for September as well – maybe not to all 59 parks – but definitely keeping this in my bookmarks. BTW, love your photos! Recently stumbled across your page on Instagram and was in awe. Glad I checked out your blog and thanks for sharing!!

Thank you so much Jas! Good luck with your September road trip!

This is such an epic adventures! I really enjoyed seeing your route, it looks like you are covering tons of ground during the months on the road.

Thanks Sara! We are definitely trying to :p

This is amazing! I would love to do something like this. I’m from the US originally (I’ve been living abroad for a few years), and I have travelled to about half the states. Somehow I have only been to 2 of the national parks though which surprised me! Just the Grand Canyon and Zion. I will be back in the Boston area next month to visit my family, so I definitely want to try and visit a couple of the northeast national parks!

Thanks Christie! I hope it inspired you to see some more parks – they are so worth it!

Wow, this sounds like such a rad adventure! My bf and I have a camper that we plan to travel our little corner of the US in (the Pacific Northwest) but eventually, we’d like to upgrade to a van. Something about that van life…

Thanks Leah! I hope you guys can make it happen 🙂 Great blog post by the way, I can totally resonate with it!

Wow what an epic adventure. Perfect time to see these wonderful national parks before they are gone.

I couldn’t agree more Jean. Another reason to protect them as much as possible!

What an amazing itinerary. This trip sounds wonderful!

Thanks Tracy!

Oh my God. This is epic. Thank you for such an excellent resource. My dream is to visit as many National Parks as possible. I look forward to following along with your journey!

Thank you Cali! I am so glad you found it useful!

This is AWESOME!!! We love road trips. You are literally doing it all. I love how you have broke down your trip. I look forward to following your adventure!

Cheers Christina! It’s definitely a busy trip but also a lot of fun!

I have been following your roadtrip on Instagram and I love your photos so much. The editing is flawless and you are so talented! I am heading to Lake Tahoe in a couple of weeks and I am so excited as it is supposed to be beautiful.

Thank you so much for following along Julie! You will love Lake Tahoe, I can’t wait to get back!

This is so epic. I’m so jealous of those Alaska NP visits.

Thank you! I think they are going to be some of the best parks!

Can you please do Alaska in depth? Love your posts and your travels xx

Hi Mindy! The map does show all the Alaska National Parks. Try clicking on it and you should be able to zoom in a little more. I will be posting about my experience in Alaska so stay tuned!

I’ve been following your adventures since earlier this year (I discovered you through suggested users on Instagram!), and I’m so excited to hear that you plan on visiting all 59 National Parks here in the US! My husband and I have been to a few, and visiting as much as many National Parks whenever we travel is always on top of our itinerary! I cannot thank you enough for sharing this! Cheering you on as you complete all 59 National Parks! 🙂

Thanks so much for following our journey 🙂

Wow! What an intense itinerary! It looks like both a ton of fun and a ton of work. I hope you guys are keeping in good spirits. 🙂 I live in northern AZ and seeing that crazy squiggle around the SW really drives home just how many parks I live near–many of which I still need to go to! <3 I can't wait to see your pics from Shenandoah–my old stomping grounds. :')

Thanks Suzanne! The SW was such a blast – you are very lucky to live so close to such natural beauty!

So amazing Renee! Love waking up in the morning to see what incredible place you guys have been checking out. Although, it does make it tough to head into work and focus on super fun stuff like assessment, marking & report cards when I see where you are – especially when you visited the Dry Tortugas. Enjoy it and keep the posts coming xx

Thank you lovely 🙂 x

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One Epic National Park Road Trip Across the USA

Sharing is caring!

Have you ever dreamed about leaving everything behind and setting out on the ultimate National Park road trip across the entire United States? I know I have! While I’ve set off on a number of epic road trips, including a massive west coast National Park road trip (twice, actually), and another cross-country road trip, and yet I’ve only managed to visit a total of 32 of the 63 National Parks. That means I’ve still got a lot of ground to cover, especially those parks that lay east of the Rockies.

And don’t miss my top national park road trip planning resources at the bottom of this article!

In this article, we are going to be talking about how to link together the vast majority of those parks, including basically all of them within the Lower 48 (aka the Contiguous USA) as well as an option for including the newest national parks that were added to the system in the past couple years. Combining together a bunch of national parks is the very definition of a great American road trip , in my eyes.

Ready? Let’s get planning and hit the road!

Planning an Epic National Park Road Trip

Within the continental United States (aka Lower 48) there are a total of 51 National Parks — there are 2 in Hawaii , 8 in Alaska , and 2 in the territories, making a total of 63.

But of those 51 National Parks in the Continental USA, there are another four parks that are not accessible by vehicle due to the fact that they are maritime-based National Parks.

While driving the Pan American Highway , I started dreaming about once again returning to those incredible protected areas back in my homeland. So I started to imagine what a massive national park road trip in the USA would look like.

I jumped on Google Maps and connected the route in the most logical way I could, taking into account the many miles and many parks I have already visited as well.

This Epic National Park Road Trip covers terrain in at least 39 of the 50 states, across more than 16,950 miles (27,277 km), and visits 45 of the 51 National Parks located in the Continental USA, but does not specifically include the four island-based National Parks (although you get pretty close and could organize boat transport to reach them), nor the two Midwest national parks.

Back in 2019, three national parks were added to the system: Indiana Dunes National Park, Gateway Arch National Park, and White Sands National Park. I’ve added an option to the route which would include these new two Midwest parks, but the addition of Gateway Arch makes it difficult to make a nice, clean route…

Honestly, I’m not really sure why Gateway Arch is a National Park when it is more of a historical monument. That’s one park I would probably skip if your focus is on nature. Indiana Dunes, on the other hand, would be easy to include and is a nature area. White Sands National Park, on the other hand, is included on the main route and is definitely not to be missed! And at the end of 2020, the New River Gorge in West Virginia was designated as a National Park.

I’ve also deliberately tried to route the map to visit a number of incredible scenic areas that aren’t necessarily national parks, like Monument Valley or Grand-Staircase Escalante , for instance.

I also made the route go through a number of exciting cities or landmarks, like the Golden Gate Bridge, Las Vegas, or even places like New York City, since an epic American Road Trip would seem almost incomplete without at least passing through some of these places. Furthermore, in areas where there aren’t national parks, I tried to route the trip through areas of interest, like the Mississippi Delta for a Blues and Americana trip in order to connect parks or regions.

Interactive National Park Road Trip Map

Be sure to zoom in and explore the interactive road trip map above, you will find additional notes and details about the trip planning process to better help guide your decision-making process. The map also includes park hiking trails and campgrounds to help you plan!

National Park Road Trip Itinerary

At a minimum, you wouldn’t want to take less than three months, in my opinion, to do a trip of this magnitude, as you shouldn’t have to rush through something like this.

For this hypothetical, albeit still rushed timeline, I would consider starting this national park road trip in the Northeast (since that’s where the largest population centers are clustered) and visiting Acadia National Park in Maine as the first stop in mid-July.

This allows you to cover the northern half of the US National Parks during summer in places like Glacier National Park, Mount Rainier, etc.

Then you will head south into the national parks of California by the end of August, and spend the beginning of fall exploring the multitude of parks in the American Southwest before heading once again across the country to reach the chain of east coast national parks (hopefully) in time for the changing of the leaves and fall colors.

This is a rushed and not ideal trip, of course. I would consider more time to be crucial!

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An ideal road trip of this length and geographic range would last at least six months to a year… Considering the weather, it might be best to start in the American Southwest in late winter or early spring, then head clockwise, through the Pacific Northwest and northern half of the country in summer, down the East Coast (fall colors!) in Autumn, and across the southern half in the winter.

Read More: National Parks to Visit in Spring

But anyone who was the chance to undertake this journey will have a different starting point, starting time of year, and length of time to complete it. You will need to customize it as you see fit and most likely have to make compromises along the way (visiting out of season, for instance). Either way, you’ll be able to hit the highlights of the park system as well as the most underrated national parks that don’t get as much attention.

Here is the order of National Parks visited on this road trip itinerary. Those with an asterisk (*) are the island parks that aren’t accessible by car. Those with a tilde (~) are the two Midwest parks which could be included with a detour of the current route. I also included a checkmark (✓) next to those national parks that I’ve visited personally.

Acadia National Park Cuyahoga Valley National Park ~ Indiana Dunes National Park ~ Gateway Arch National Park * Isle Royale National Park Voyageurs National Park Theodore Roosevelt National Park ✓ Badlands National Park Wind Cave National Park ✓ Grand Teton National Park ✓ Yellowstone National Park ✓ Glacier National Park ✓ North Cascades National Park ✓ Olympic National Park ✓ Mount Rainier National Park ✓ Crater Lake National Park ✓ Redwood National Park Lassen Volcanic National Park Pinnacles National Park ✓ Sequoia National Park ✓ Kings Canyon National Park ✓ Yosemite National Park ✓ Death Valley National Park * Channel Islands National Park ✓ Joshua Tree National Park ✓ Saguaro National Park ✓ Petrified Forest National Park ✓ Grand Canyon National Park ✓ Zion National Park ✓ Great Basin National Park ✓ Bryce Canyon National Park ✓ Capitol Reef National Park ✓ Arches National Park ✓ Canyonlands National Park ✓ Mesa Verde National Park ✓ Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park ✓ Rocky Mountain National Park ✓ Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve ✓ White Sands National Park Carlsbad Caverns National Park Guadalupe Mountains National Park Big Bend National Park Hot Springs National Park Everglades National Park * Biscayne National Park * Dry Tortugas National Park ✓ Congaree National Park ✓ Great Smoky Mountains National Park Mammoth Cave National Park ✓ New River Gorge National Park ✓ Shenandoah National Park

Best National Parks Resources

• America the Beautiful Pass : The annual pass is a MUST purchase if you plan to visit approximately four or more national parks in one year and it will save you a ton of money! The annual past is just $80 (even cheaper for seniors) and will grant you unlimited access to all parks, even those that normally cost like $30 each!
• Ken Burns’ National Parks Documentary : If you haven’t seen it yet, this six-part documentary series is an incredible introduction to the history of America’s National Parks system and all the challenges and triumphs faced. MUST WATCH! It will give you a whole new appreciation.
• Moon USA National Parks Guide : This is the most complete resource you’ll find about virtually all the parks (doesn’t include the two newest ones) with itineraries, suggested things to see and do, road trip planning and so much more. 
• AAA Insurance : If you’re going to be doing a monster road trip like this, be sure to have AAA insurance which will protect you in the event of a roadside breakdown. I’d recommend the more complete package which includes up to a 200-mile tow (I had to use that distance once when I broke down outside of Bryce Canyon!). Hopefully, you don’t need it, but it is a lifesaver if you do.

Looking for more road trip inspiration? Don’t miss my post about the most scenic drives in the USA , the best road trip books , or all of these amazing places to visit on a West Coast road trip .

If you need more concrete stuff beyond inspiration, you may want to check out my 21 favorite apps for a road trip , or my favorite podcasts to listen to while on the road .

I hope this post has filled you up with National Park road trip ideas, I know it has for me! I’m itching to get back on the road as I write this.

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Road Trip Planning

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Comments 24

Love this! How many miles do you estimate this is as it stands, without modification? Were there parks that you just did the Griswalds and drove in, drove around and left? Just curious.

Thanks for all this work and sharing!

It is at least 17,000 miles or so as the trip stands. There were a few times where it was basically just a drive through and go type of situation, but I’ve also been able to visit some of these parks multiple times, so I almost always try to at least get in a day hike. Some that I just drove through that I recall at this moment were Saguaro NP and Petrified Forest. Hopefully I will get a chance to visit Arizona again soon and explore more.

Hey Ryan, My daughter and I are planning a trip like this, but could you tell me how many days your trip will take, roughly. What I have planned so far for our trip is about 60 days, but would like to do yours if it runs about the same amount of time. Thank you for putting it together and out there for us to follow/use. Chris

I can’t believe the route is so close to Pensacola FL and does not include a stop at the amazingly beautiful Gulf Islands National Seashore! You are truly missing out on a fantastic place – with camping at Ft Pickens – if you leave this off the list.

Hey Shawn, that’s only because the route is targeted toward designated national parks, but yes, there are countless amazing places that can and should be added to this route all across the country. There are tons of incredible Federal and state lands to check out.

For the families with a 4th grader they could get a free pass to all national parks. Check out https://everykidoutdoors.gov/pass.htm . We have 2 years, until our oldest is in 4th grade to plan and try to cram them all in!

I would add in a route that takes you to Mt. Hood in Oregon. Dense forests with a huge snow capped peak. Plenty of camping in the area. Summer at the Mt Hood Ski resort has many outdoor activities for all ages.

Definitely love Mt Hood and always try and head that way when I’m in the Columbia River Gorge.

Loved the road trip , and would like to plan one like it in the near future. Keep up the great work. You may e-mail me an update if you so desire. Thanks, Robert

Ahhhh this is so epic! I will have to do this at some point – I really hope I get the time! I’ve only ever done three weeks at a time before and that’s insanely fun, but something longer would be amazing to try. Thanks for the article!

Very nice article. I’m looking forward to doing this some day, when I’m finished with Hawaii. By the way, I don’t know when you wrote this, but there are more than two National Parks in Hawaii.

As far as I know, there are only two national parks (Haleakalā and Hawai’i Volcanoes), this article isn’t addressing national memorials, historic sites, historical parks, or historic trails… Doing so would definitely balloon the number of places (from 61 national parks to 419 different units administered by the NPS).

My husband and I went to Alaska a few years ago if you love nature Denali is the ultimate park to visit. We also took aside trip up to Barrow and was able to get the picture of a lifetime, Mt. Denali surrounded by clouds at 36,000 feet.

Have been to Mt. Rushmore, Assateague Island National Seashore, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is almost in my back yard so we visit it alot. Going to Everglades National Park next spring with my sister.I

Many more places to visit in the future. Happy travels!!!

Oh yeah, I couldn’t agree more! Been to Denali as well, but it was a bit beyond the scope of this article about a national park road trip in the Lower 48… You’d almost need a lifetime just to explore the parks up in Alaska.

Damn, you weren’t kidding when you called it an “epic” road trip! I love traveling and everything but I think a trip that long would be overly exhausting for me.

My husband and I have been to Dry Tortugas National Park. We took a day trip over from Key West a few years ago. It was incredible. The jellyfish were in earlier in the season than normal and they were beautiful. Some were the size of dinner platters and vibrant purple. There were so many different types of fish. I was unable to get in the water due to being allergic to jellyfish stings but I still enjoyed walking the perimeter of the fort and getting some fantastic pictures of all the sea life. I hope you make it there some day.

That sounds amazing! I’d definitely like to experience that at some point… Not sure about getting in the water and the prospect of jellyfish stings though, haha.

Make sure to stop at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe.

Looks like a pretty wild place!

I have one month from middle of Aug to middle of Sept. this summer Leaving northern Calif to New York what route do you suggest? Want to see as much as I can I will be in my Coach House Van

My family and I are thinking about taking a road trip from northeastern Illinois to Mount Rushmore. Is there anything we must see and do when planning this outing?

Stop at the nearby national parks, that’s my only rec. Enjoy!

I have been in the process of planning just this very road trip. I am so eager to see as many of the national parks as possible. Thank you, you have saved me hours of routing.

Toni, that’s awesome to hear! You’ll have to update us all on how it goes for you… Best of luck!

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50 Incredible National Parks Road Trips: Itinerary Ideas + Tips!

Last Updated on: 19th September 2021, 01:19 pm

Do you love US national parks? Whether you’ve set a goal to see every national park in the US or you just want to plan one big epic road trip and see a few along the way, this list has you covered!

Here’s a list of fifty amazing national parks road trips to help you plan your next national parks vacation!

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Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).

For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.

Best National Parks Road Trips: Itinerary Ideas

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Ultimate 7-Day Florida National Parks Itinerary

Visit Key Biscayne, Everglades & Dry Tortugas National Parks with this 7-day Florida National Parks itinerary!

As winter nears, many of us are preparing to bundle up for the cold and getting our winter ski and snowboard gear ready for the season. But warmer destinations like Florida are just about to hit their prime and a Florida National Parks itinerary is a great option for outdoor adventurers not quite ready to embrace the winter weather.

Not many people are aware that Florida boasts three National Parks. Most visitors are just familiar with the Everglades, but Florida is also home to Dry Tortugas National Park and Key Biscayne National Park. Having visited 28 US National Parks, I would argue that these parks are among the best for viewing wildlife such as alligators, crocodiles, turtles, birds, and even Burmese pythons.

Why not check out all that southern Florida has to offer (other than Disney World) and jet away for a little fun with this ultimate Florida National Parks road trip.

Discover the best of Florida outdoor adventure with this 7-day Florida National Parks itinerary

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Where to start your Florida National Parks Road Trip

All three of Florida’s National Parks are located in the southern portion of the state. Ft. Lauderdale is generally cheaper to fly into than Miami, but Miami has lots to offer and is a great hub for starting trips to the Everglades and Key Biscayne National Parks. If you can swing it, I highly recommend starting in Miami and spending a day or two checking out some of its cultural spots.

Best time to visit Florida’s National Parks

Florida is a little tricky when it comes to picking the best time to visit. Hurricane season runs from June to November, so during summer and early fall, you can’t necessarily predict the weather. Some years, Florida experiences no hurricanes while other years hurricane warnings seem to be a weekly occurrence.

The best times to visit south Florida are from mid-December to mid-April but unfortunately, this is also known as “high season” and hotel room rates can double and the National Parks can be very crowded.

If you’re looking for great rates, fewer crowds, and can bear heat and humidity then visiting between May and August is smart.

7 Day Florida National Parks Itinerary

Florida’s three National Parks can easily be visited in one week with time to explore a few additional cities and sights. Below is a sample one-week Florida National Parks road trip itinerary.

Depending on your time constraints and interests, you could modify this itinerary to fit into 3-4 days if you only wanted to explore the National parks. You could also easily expand it to 2-3 weeks if you wanted to spend more time camping in the parks or exploring faster afield.

• DAY 1: Explore Miami
• DAY 2: Everglades National Park northern visitor centers
• DAY 3: Everglades National Park southern visitor centers
• DAY 4: Key Biscayne National Park
• DAY 5: Explore the Keys and reach the crown jewel of the Keys, Key West
• DAY 6: Visit Dry Tortugas National Park

Day 1: Explore Miami

“Welcome to Miami!” Trust me you’ll be singing Will Smith for at least your first few hours in the city. Miami is a sprawling metropolis with lots to see and do. If you’re looking to experience some of Miami’s culture, I recommend these two awesome local spots: Wynwood & Domino Park in Little Havana.

Wynwood , a neighborhood of Miami, is one of the newest “up and coming” areas filled with art galleries, restaurants, breweries, and unique clothing shops. It’s a great place to walk a few blocks and enjoy some culture.

Want even more culture? Little Havana will not disappoint. If you hit the area, make sure to grab a scoop of ice cream at the local ice cream shop, Azucar .

Don’t get trapped in the city, though, the parks are waiting. Let’s head south!

Days 2-3: Everglades National Park

The Everglades are HUGE, covering an area of 1.5-million acres of wetland. The park is so large that it has four visitor centers. During my trip, I insisted on visiting all four of them over two days to see each of their different offerings.

Here’s how we divided our two days in the park into a “northern day” and a “southern day” .

( Keep in mind that while traveling the park roads between the visitor centers you won’t find an overabundance of lodging and food options, so plan ahead and pack snacks to get you from point A to point B.)

Northern Day: Gulf Coast Visitor Center & Shark Valley Visitor Center

The drive from Miami across the park to Everglades City, where the Gulf Coast Visitor Center is located, is 84 miles. I recommend making this drive in one day, stopping at Shark Valley Visitor Center on your way, and then staying near the Gulf Coast for the evening.

Shark Valley Visitor Center is located about an hour’s drive from Miami (depending on city traffic). The guided tram tour gives you a great starting point to learn about the park. This was the only guided activity we went on inside Everglades National Park, but it didn’t disappoint and gave us an opportunity to ask lots of questions.

You can also rent bikes and bike the same 15-mile stretch of road. I definitely recommend getting out of your car and exploring this area by foot, bike, or tram. This is also the only way to access the 65-foot Shark Valley Observation Tower which gives you incredible 360 views of the park!

If you are planning to explore the 10,000 Islands protected wilderness of the Everglades, then the Gulf Coast Visitor Center will be your starting off point. It’s a 50-minute drive from Shark Valley Visitor Center to the Gulf Coast Visitor Center. Between the two visitor centers are a few must-stops. I’ve listed them in order from east to west as you travel along US-41 S to the Gulf Coast:

• Airboat Ride : On US-41 traveling from Miami to Naples you will pass numerous airboat operators, only a few of them actually travel on National Parks lands. Many of the locals recommended Cooperstown Airboats. It is important to note that on most of the nearly 2,400 square miles of Everglades National park airboats are prohibited.
• Loop Road Scenic Drive : This road is all about enjoying the journey and not the destination. Trust me, take the time to experience this 24-mile drive that passes through a cypress swamp. Make sure to grab the “Loop Road Scenic Drive” pamphlet at one of the visitor centers.
• Clyde Butcher’s photography gallery : Clyde has been creating photographs of untouched wilderness areas for over 50 years. Be careful where you park, we literally parked and got out of the car to find a gator less than 20 feet from us!
• Oasis Visitor Center : This is one of the BEST places to view gators. They are everywhere (no exageration) and there is a great boardwalk around the lagoon to view them lounging around.

Once you arrive at the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, you can book a boat tour from Everglades National Park Boat Tours, an authorized concessionaire of the National Park Service, to explore the 10,000 Islands area.

From the Gulf Coast Visitor Center on the far western edge of the park, you have to drive back east to access the southern portions of the park by car.

Where to stay in the Everglades – North

Looking for lodging before making the drive all the way back to the Miami area and then south to the southern portions of the Everglades? Chokoloskee is a bridge-accessed island located off the Gulf Coast that is nestled in the 10,000 Islands and Everglades National Park and boasts numerous housing options. Chokoloskee also offers camping & food options.

Southern Day: Ernest Coe Visitor Center & Flamingo Visitor Center

You might think that after one day in the Everglades, you’ve seen enough alligators for one vacation but you most likely haven’t seen a manatee yet nor a crocodile! The southern section of the Everglades, where freshwater and saltwater meet one another, is definitely worth a stop.

Driving west and then south from the northern Everglades, Ernest Coe Visitor Center will be your first stop. Here you can find educational displays as well as a few short hikes.

If seeing a manatee is a must for you then the Flamingo Visitor Center is right where you should head. Flamingo is the southernmost point in mainland Florida and many boat tours also start from this visitor center. You can also rent canoes, kayaks, and bicycles through the Everglades Guest Services.

This is also the only place in the park you can enjoy fresh water and saltwater sport fishing.

From the Ernest Coe Visitor Center to Flamingo I highly recommend stopping to walk the one-mile Anhinga Trail , the half-mile Gumbo Limbo Trail , and the half-mile Mahogany Hammock Trail .

Where to stay in the Everglades – South

Homestead, FL, just an hour south of Miami, is a great place to base yourself to explore the southern areas of the Everglades. There are two rival fruit stands here, Robert is Here  and Knaus Berry Farm , and both are definitely worth a visit. Knaus has absolutely incredible cinnamon rolls that are an absolute must. The line for the cinnamon rolls on the weekends goes down the road, so make sure to go on a weekday or get there early .

Another great local dish to try is mofongo , a Puerto Rican plantain dish.  Chefs on the Run makes some of the best in the area. Another advantage of basing yourself in Homestead is that it offers lodging options that are significantly cheaper than Miami, FL. If you’re a little “laid back” and looking to save, I highly recommend the Everglades Hostel .

Day 4: Key Biscayne National Park

Outside of Alaska’s northern parks and the American Samoas, I would argue that Key Biscayne is one of the hardest National Parks to visit and experience. 95% of the park is water and when I visited in December, there were no park concessionaires so accessing the water or islands required a private boat.

We spent some time exploring the Dante Fascell Visitor Center , catching a video introduction to the park, and walking the short boardwalk that starts from the center. The Key Biscayne National Park website offers s everal way s for getting on and in the water including snorkeling trips, kiteboarding, sailing, and more. For tour options, check out the National Park website .

By the way, did I mention that Key Biscayne National Park boasts one of the largest coral reefs in the world? I had no idea the US could make that claim! I will definitely be back to Key Biscayne in the future and hope to camp on either Boca Chita Key or Elliot Key, which both offer first-come, first-serve camping and are only accessible by private boat.

Where to stay near Key Biscayne National Park

Homestead, FL is a great place to base yourself for Key Biscayne’s Visitor center and for quicker access to the Everglades southernmost visitor centers.

Day 5: Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a string of islands that stretch about 120 miles south of the southern tip of Florida. The main islands of the Florida Keys include Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key, Lower Keys, and the crown jewel–Key West. There is a lot to see and do in the Keys and these are my top recommendations as you cruise south.

• Florida Keys Brewing Company is an awesome local hang-out with great beer and mellow vibes.
• Islamorada Beer Company is right on the Overseas Highway. Check them out as well for a little tasting in the afternoon!
• The Turtle Hospital is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of endangered sea turtles. They offer daily tours from 9am-4pm and reservations are highly recommended.
• 7 mile bridge is coming up after Marathon, so get excited for water vistas out both windows!

Big Pine Key

• No Name Pub . This is a fun place to stop for some food or snacks as you travel down the Florida Keys. I wasn’t a big fan of the food but honestly every local will recommend this dive bar/restaurant.
• Visit the white sand beaches on Bahia Honda State Park .
• Coming into outer Key West don’t miss Baby’s Coffee . They are super funky and have a cute little market with awesome finds for beach picnics and roadtrips. It’s definitely worth the stop for a caffeine pick-me-up and more!
• Ernest Hemingway House . You’ve heard of the famous 6 toed cats, right? It isn’t a joke! They are real and EVERYWHERE! A tour of the house is included in the price of admission, so don’t miss out on the most visited house in Florida.
• Take a class with Yoga on the Beach while looking out towards curling ocean waves with ocean breezes all around. It’s definitely a must on the list for any yogis!
• Visit the Truman Little White House . Just taking a walk through this gated community is a must-do.

Day 6: Dry Tortugas National Park

While in Key West, it is definitely a “tourist must-stop” to snap a photo at the zero mile marker of US-1 which marks the southernmost point in the continental US. What most people don’t realize, though, is that you can actually travel even farther south and still be on US soil!

Dry Tortugas is the southernmost National Park in the parks system and it is on my top 5 list for US National Parks. It lies 70 miles west of Key West and can only be reached by ferry, private boat, charter boat, or seaplane. Dry Tortugas is a few things: it is a collection of seven keys, home to a 19th-century fort, rich in history and abundant sea life, and absolutely stunning with crystal clear waters on all sides.

You might have thought Key Biscayne was all water, well less than 1% of Dry Tortugas National Park is on dry ground. But trust me, you don’t want to miss Fort Jefferson . Plus, Dry Tortugas offers some of the most interesting ranger-guided talks and tours I’ve ever had in a National Park. The island moat and Fort Jefferson guided walks are equally impressive .

My biggest regret during my week in Florida was not camping at Dry Tortugas. I highly recommend considering camping at Garden Key so you can explore longer .

Are you planning a Florida National Parks road trip? Do you have any questions or suggestions for this Florida National Parks itinerary? Leave a comment below!

Kim is a former principal who quit her job to solo hike all 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. In other words…she’s a badass. She currently lives in Santa Barbara where she practices yoga, whips up tasty vegetarian food, and works as a guide leading kayaking, hiking, and biking tours.

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20 Comments

Interested in a trip in December 2017 for up to a week, hitting all of the spots mentioned – Miami, Key Biscayne, Key West, Everglades, and Dry Tortugas.

Hey Walt, that is awesome to hear! We aren’t offering any group trips to Florida at this time but we hope you can utilize the itinerary provided to plan a great trip for yourself. Let us know if you have any questions!

Check us out for rental camping gear in Key West, FL. We’ll outfit you for a Dry Tortugas camping trip- Keys Camping Gear, http://www.kcgearkeywest.com

We moved camp online to https://campingfloridakeys.com . Check us out!

Brilliant read Have you visited the other Florida national parks? I read there are cabins for easy camping. I am thinking of the park north of Miami, the barrier island off St Pete’s, cedar key in the Panhandle and all the springs north of Orlando. Had booked a family trip visiting the destinations in your post but have had to cancel all accomodation post haurricane Irma. What would they be like in October? Too cold to swim and kayak?

Hi there Jennifer, thanks so much for reaching out to us at Bearfoot Theory! There are only 3 National Parks in Florida–Dry Tortugas, Biscayne & the Everglades. I think you are referring to some State Parks and unfortunately, I haven’t visited them all. I definitely plan to visit again soon.

I would like to get pricing and information for the Florida Parks Itinerary for the first week of April 2018. Thanks for your help, please email me with the information. Mike Pittman

Hi Mike! Thanks for your message. This is just a sample itinerary with our recommendations. We are not a tour company.

Kim, thanks for the great information on these Florida national parks! Dry Tortugas is the farthest south of any national park in the continental US but it is NOT the farther south of any national park. National Park of American Samoa is south of the equator, and the two parks in Hawaii (Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakala) are both farther south than Florida, too!

Hi there! Thanks for the correction, we will make that update! Yes, you are correct, I meant within the continental United States.

Thank you for all the useful info! I’ll definitely be checking out some of the spots you recommended in this article. I also wanted to point out that you mentioned Dry Tortugas as the southern most park in the U.S. correct me if I’m wrong but Haleakala on Maui and Volcanoes National Park on Big Island are further South. So is American Samoa but I’m not sure if you’re including territories! I was also wondering if you could recommend a snorkeling tour in Biscayne? Thanks a lot!

Thanks for highlighting the parks in Florida. Florida has beautiful national and state parks. Unfortunately, our beautiful natural springs are often overshadowed by the beaches.

Il looks so gorgeous! I love National Patks – except for all those crazy drivers. Your photos are fantastic!!

Thanks, Mikki!

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Thank you! Super helpful!

You’re welcome! Thanks for reading!

Hi. Thank you for the helpful information. This might seem like a silly question, but is it actually safe to explore these parks on your own? Our family loves visiting the national parks but this has been my biggest concern with Florida. Any detailed insights on this would be most helpful. Thank you.

Hi Richelle, with all National Parks, it’s important to follow all posted signage, obey rules, and keep your distance from wildlife to ensure safety. However, we don’t think these National Parks are inherently unsafe and would feel comfortable taking our family there. We have a blog post about how to avoid dangerous animal encounters that may be helpful: https://bearfoottheory.com/wildlife-safety-tips/

I really enjoyed reading this article as we are planning a family trip to the three national parks over 7 days in the spring. Did you have any specific considerations/recommendations for kids in the age group of 5-10?

You mentioned about the private boats, seaplanes, charter boats for Biscayne and Dry Tortugas. Do you have any recommendations for these? What did you use? Can you snorkel on your own in these two parks? Also, is it possible to make Homestead as your base and visit all three national parks?

12 National Parks Near San Francisco (Under 3 Hours of Drive-time)

California has 9 official national parks, but a total of 33 national park sites, including national monuments, recreation areas, and historic sites and byways. And over 1/3 of them are in the Bay Area! So, if you’re willing to do a few day trips, you can explore all 12 national parks near San Francisco.

San Francisco’s national parks, recreation areas and historic sites celebrate our epic coastal landscapes, our position as a strategic military site, the maritime gateway to Asia and our leadership in conservation.

This list includes all national park sites in/near San Francisco…or within a three hour drive. If you want to explore beyond that, be sure to read down to the bottom of the article where we have some road trip itineraries and visitor guides for CA national parks which are outside of that 3-hour zone.

If you want to get a handle on all of our amazing parks, be sure to check out our complete guide to ALL CA national parks (with a map) and all of our nearly 300 CA state parks (also with a map).

All 12 National Parks Near San Francisco

The following Bay Area national park sites are ordered in their proximity to downtown San Francisco. You can zoom in on the national parks map to see their exact locations.

Map of CA National Park Sites

Where to Stay in San Francisco

You can base yourself in San Francisco and easily visit all of these parks. Most inside of SF can be done using public transportation and the ones that are further flung will require a car.

We have a whole guide on where to stay in San Francisco , which will help you decide which neighborhood and hotels to use. But here’s some quick advice:

If you have a rental (or personal) car and don’t want to get eaten alive with parking fee, consider staying in the Marina. The Marina motel is basic but offers a free breakfast. The Sol Hotel has a retro vibe and inexpensive parking.

If you aren’t going to use a car and just want a good base of operations using publication transportation and day tours, the Union Square/Financial District area are very central. The Zeppelin Hotel near Union Square has a cool rock and roll boutique vibe. The Palace Hotel has old world charm and the Hotel Via in SOMA has a great rooftop deck.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) isn’t an official national park, and yet, it’s the nation’s third most most visited “park” in the US, receiving 14 million visits in 2021.

The GGNRA manages a huge recreation area. They’re the overarching agency which manages 5 official National Park sites in or near San Francisco, including: the Presidio, Maritime Museum, Fort Point, Muir Woods and Alcatraz (all noted below).

But the GGNRA also manages natural and historic sites stretching 40 miles north into Marin County and 20 south into San Mateo County. Other than visiting the San Francisco national park sites noted below, there are tons of other cool things that you can do in the GGNRA. Take a drive across the bay to the Marin Headlands, stopping at the Battery Rathbone gun battery and the Point Bonita lighthouse. Hike up Hawk Hill at sunset for killer views of San Francisco. Take the popular 3.5 mile Tennessee Valley hike. Or do the Lands End hike in SF.

And presiding over the center of the action is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is one of the most popular tourist spots in San Francisco. We have a whole guide for  visiting the Golden Gate bridge  which offers practical advice on where to park, how to walk it and some fun facts.

• Getting There :  Here is a map  showing all of the GGNRA sites.
• Entrance Fee : Free for everything but the Maritime Museum, Muir Woods and Alacatraz.
• More info  on the  Golden Gate National Recreation Area .

Fort Point National Historic Site

Fort Point has been guarding the entrance to the Golden Gate since the Gold Rush. The building is functional, but also quite lovely with its arched casements and red brick. The fort was built for the civil war and was used throughout the 20th century as an active defense site and barracks.

The fort offers one of our favorite and unique  views of the Golden Gate Bridge . You can visit the fort as a self-guided tour and then use the nearby stairs to walk up to and over the Golden Gate Bridge .

• Getting There : Fort Point is located right in SF, just west of Crissy Field.
• Entrance Fee : Free.
• When to Visit : You can walk the exterior anytime. The interior is open Fri-Sun 10a-5p.
• More info  on  Fort Point Historic Site .

Alcatraz Island Historic Site

Alcatraz Island has been a fort, military prison and a maximum security federal prison. In 1969, it was also occupied for 19 months by Native American groups who were staging a civil rights protest. Touring the island provides a fascinating look into the history of incarceration in the United States.

In addition, the island occupies a lovely patch of the San Francisco bay and the ferry ride to and from the island always provide great views of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge.

There are daily tours to the island. It’s very popular, so be  sure to book ahead . If you want to double-dip and also go to Muir Woods, then you can book a tour that covers both .

• Getting There : Located in the San Francisco Bay, a short ferry ride from Pier 39.
• Entrance Fee : $41.
• More info  on  Alcatraz .

San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park

This historic park is perfect for anyone who’s nuts for ships. The Maritime park is located near San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. It offers visitors a hand’s on experience of the Pacific Coast’s maritime history. The Park includes a magnificent fleet of historic ships from a 1895 schooner to a 1914 paddlewheel tug.

You can walk on the decks of the ships, take a cell phone tour and also visit the Art Deco Maritime museum. The museum has exhibits on ship-building, SF maritime history and they have some lovely WPA-era murals inside the art-deco building.

• Getting There : Located in San Francisco just west of Pier 39. You can get there on a muni tram or the Hyde street cable car line .
• Entrance Fee : $15 per person to tour the boats.
• When to Visit : The Hyde Street Pier is open daily 10a-5p, the Maritime Museum is open Friday-Sunday 10a-5p.
• More info  on  San Francisco Maritime Park .

Presidio of San Francisco Historic Site

When the Spanish colonized California, they set up a defense outpost at the entrance to the San Francisco Bay. Over time, the Presidio was expanded by the Mexicans and then the Americans. The military outpost served through the Spanish American War, the Civil War, the Philippine War, both World Wars and the Cold War. In 1989, the federal government decided to de-commission the base and it was transferred to the Parks Service.

It’s now the largest urban park in the Parks Service.

And the Presidio is not your typical parks site. Yes, you can find old military batteries and historic buildings. But you’ll also get 25 miles of Presidio hiking trails , including on the prime Crissy Field waterfront. In addition, there is also a mix of private businesses and housing within the presidio. You can find the Disney Family Museum, the Tunnel Tops park, art installations, and even Lucas Studios (including a really cool statue of Yoda, which is part of our  offbeat San Francisco guide ).

Use our article on things to do in the Presidio to maximize your time there.

• Getting There : Located in northwestern San Francisco. If you don’t want to drive, you get there using the  PresidiGO shuttle .
• When to Visit : The outside spaces are open all the time. The Disney Family museum is open Thur-Sun 10:30-5.
• More info  on  the Presidio .

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park

The Bay Area’s manufacturing capacity really booted up during WWII. Women were given job opportunities that had previously been out of reach. This small monument honors the efforts of the many women who stepped up and helped the US deliver on the war effort. The park includes a welcome center with exhibits and a series of sculpture installations with pictures and storytelling.

• Getting There : Located in Point Richmond, which is a few miles north of Berkeley. You could do an East Bay history tour and combine the visit with the John Muir and Eugene O’Neill sites. You can give yourself a DIY bay tour by taking the Richmond Ferry, it docks right by Rosie the Riveter.
• More info  on  Rosie the Riveter .

Muir Woods National Monument

John Muir was a passionate conservationist and California’s patron saint of national parks. After he invited Teddy Roosevelt to go camping in what is now Yosemite, the President was inspired to set aside 230 million acres of public land, codifying our national parks system.

Muir loved a walk in the woods and the coast redwoods in Muir woods are a lovely place to do it. The monument offers a great entry-level way to experience California’s north coast redwoods. The park has 6 miles of trails that go from a 1/2 hour accessible loop to a 1.5 hour longer loop. The trails also extend into nearby Mount Tam State Park.

• Getting There : It’s located 16 miles and :45 minutes north of San Francisco. Parking is very limited and requires reservations . Or you can take the seasonal  shuttle service  from Mill Valley. Or save the hassle and book a Muir Woods/Sausilito tour or the Muir Woods/Alcatraz tour .
• Entrance Fee : $15 per adult (kids free), $9 to park, $3.50 for the shuttle.
• More info  on  Muir Woods .

Beyond this point, you’ll need a car. If you are from out of the area, here’s our advice on whether you need a rental car for SF (and advice on how to get one).

John Muir National Historic Site

John Muir loved nothing more than to put a few sandwiches into his pocket and take off into the wilderness. But when he wasn’t doing that, he was writing and raising his family in Martinez, California.

Muir and his wife Louisa Strentzel lived on her family’s 2,600 acre fruit ranch. The historic site includes the ranch grounds, a 10,000 square foot home, Muir’s gravesite and a historic adobe building. Self-guided cell phone tours are available.

• Getting There : Located in Martinez, CA, 29 miles and an hour northeast of SF.
• More info  on the  John Muir historic site  and some  inspirational quotes by John Muir .

Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site

Eugene O’Neill is America’s only Nobel Prize winning playwright. He chose to live in Northern California at the height of his writing career. And it was here that he wrote his most memorable plays like:  The Iceman Cometh ,  Long Day’s Journey Into Nigh t, and  A Moon for the Misbegotten .

The Tao home is on a 128 acre ranch near Danville, in San Francisco’s East Bay. O’Neill and his wife were fans of Oriental art (hence the house’s name), but they married that ethic with a traditional Spanish-style architecture.

You can visit the home on a self-guided tour on Saturdays, or you can arrange a reserved tour on weekdays. Either way, you access the property via an NPS shuttle.

• Getting There : Located in Danville, CA, 30 miles and 1:10 southeast of SF.
• Entrance Fee : Free, but reservations required.
• More info  on the  Eugene O’Neill historic home .

Port Chicago National Memorial

We experienced our worst WWII home-front disaster at Port Chicago. At Port Chicago Naval Magazine, 320 men were instantly killed when two ships being loaded with ammunition for the Pacific theater troops blew up. The waterfront site acknowledges and memorialized the disaster.

• Getting There : Located in Concord, CA, 35 miles and 1:15 northeast of SF and not terribly far from the John Muir house.
• More info  The site is on an active military base and permission to access Port Chicago can be difficult to obtain. Check the national park site on  Port Chicago for more info.

Point Reyes National Seashore

Point Reyes National seashore has some pretty epic coastal scenery, just a little over an hour from San Francisco. Find rocky headlands, lighthouses, cypress trees and wildlife like elephant seals, coyotes and the rare Tule Elk

A few of the top things to do in the park include: the Tule Elk preserve at Tomales Point, (although you can also find plenty of elk on the road to Drake Bay), elephant seals on the beaches at Chimney Rock (and sometimes Drake Bay), and also migratory gray whales from December to May.

For hiking, you have your choice of 150 miles of trails, including the popular Bear Valley trail (10 miles), Muddy Hollow/Coast trail (12 miles) and the Mount Whittenberg trail (4 miles).

• Getting There : It’s located 40 miles and a 1:15 drive north of San Francisco on Highway 1. On the way, you can also stop at Muir Woods.
• Where to Stay : Even if you aren’t a fan of Hostels, consider the  HI Hostel , it’s located in the heart of the park. Also in nearby Olema is the stylish  Olema House . Point Reyes has 5 small-ish campgrounds, but there are also spots in nearby Samuel P Taylor State Park.
• More info  on  Point Reyes National Seashore .

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles was formed by some serious volcanic action and the magma fields and subsequent erosion have created a landscape with towering rock spires and caves. The park is home to nesting California condors, peregrine falcons, golden eagles and 13 species of bats.

Pinnacles is the least visited of California’s national parks, with only 177,000 visitor per year. More elbow room for you then!

There are 30 miles of hiking trails in the park. Most notable are the 5.3 mile Old Pinnacles to Balcony Cave trail or the more strenuous 6+ mile High Peaks loop trail. Please note that there isn’t a road that goes through the park. So you either park at the west entrance for limited day hikes. Or use the east entrance for camping and access to more trails.

• Getting There : Located 126 miles and ~3 hours south of SF.
• Where to Stay : The closest motel is the  Days Inn  30 miles away in King City. Your better bet is the the  Pinnacles campground , which has tent sites, tent cabins and RV spots.
• Entrance Fee : $30 per car.
• More info  on  Pinnacles National Park .

San Francisco National Park Road Trip Ideas

There are a lot of very cool national park sites outside of our arbitrary 3-hour range. Here are a few road trips that will help you explore further afield.

This 5-7 day SF to the redwoods road trip has 19 stops for wandering amongst CA’s iconic north coast redwoods.

We’ve also got an itinerary from San Francisco to Yosemite , which features Yosemite Valley and some nearby Gold Rush history. And you can even visit Yosemite Valley in the winter .

Go even further afield on an SF to Death Valley road trip. On the way down you can stop at Colonel Allensworth State Park and Red Rocks State Park. On the way back, you can go up Highway 395 for the Alabama Hills, Manzanar national historic site, the Devil’s Postpile, Bodie state park and then over Yosemite’s Tioga Pass or through Lake Tahoe. Here’s our full visitor guide to Death Valley .

And we’ve also got a ton of resources for planning a Joshua Tree National Park trip .

Explore More of San Francisco

We’ve got a ton of resources to help you explore SF.

• Our guide to 10 of San Francisco’s best walks (from historic to scenic with different distances).
• Visit hiking and history at Angel Island State Park , which is located right inside the Bay.
• Our first timer’s guide to SF will give you some top tips for how to maximize your trip.
• Figure out how to get to SF from San Francisco Airport .
• If you need a rental car for these excursions, find your best deal by comparing pricing on Rentalcars.com .
• Check out SF’s mission murals or cool indy bookstores

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