national parks road trip across america

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

by US Park Pass | Mar 9, 2020

When we were planning our ultimate national park road trip we were surprised to find very little route information when you’re looking at exploring the entire United States. Most National park guides instead focus on a single region of the U.S.

But with vanlife surging in popularity, more travelers than ever will be exploring the United States on long term cross country trips . There really is no wrong way to reach the parks, but this is the optimal route we decided on when planning our road trip to every national park.

How to Plan a National Park Road Trip

How do you plan a road trip of this magnitude? One state at a time.

We converted a 1994 Dodge Ram Van before hitting the road. So for us, it was important to keep the mileage as low as possible. This old tank isn’t gonna last forever. We didn’t want to have to double back or go way out of our way if at all possible.

First, we made a map of all the national parks across the United States. Including a few that sit on small islands just offshore (like Key Biscayne & the Channel Islands).

Then we played connect the dots.

& the zig-zag map we provided below was born.

But now you have to ask yourself… when do you plan on leaving? Well, it all depends on where you’re starting.

I’ll cover this more in-depth at the end of the blog post but in general, you’ll want to avoid harsh winter weather during your national park road trip.

Best Way to see the National Parks? Van Life.

Okay. I might be biased. But van life has changed the road trip game. It’s made it cheaper. More comfortable & helped me to travel more off-the-beaten-path. & that’s just a few benefits of the van life . But van life isn’t always as glamorous as it’s made out to be. & if you’re on the fence you should test out van/RV travel before you invest in your own rig.

My favorite RV rental company is RVShare. They have rentals all over the U.S. & are a very affordable option. Another perk…they are locally owned RVs which means they are cozier than a generic rental and you’re supporting small businesses.

If you’re looking for more of an adventure van experience I would check out Travellers Autobarn (my favorite van rental company) or Escape van rentals.

Before you hit the road make sure you’re well-stocked with all the vanlife essentials that make living in your vehicle a piece of cake.

Ultimate USA National Park Road Trip Map

Here’s our google map with rough driving routes to every single national park in the United States included.

Disclaimer: These are the routes recommended by Google. We took slightly different driving routes to add small towns we were interested in stopping in. I would recommend creating your own driving route to add things that may interest you along the way.

Complete National Park Road Trip Itinerary

Because Google Maps can be a bit hard to read sometimes, let’s break it down.

Here is a USA National Park road trip map that starts & ends in Washington State. As you can see the route is a circle, which means you can start anywhere that is convenient for you.

Here’s a list of all the National Parks in order by this route.

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

How Long Would it Take to Visit All the National Parks?

In-depth? Years.

But obviously, most travelers don’t have that kind of time. Our road trip lasted about 3 and a half months . I wouldn’t recommend any less than this amount of time. If you plan on visiting just national parks in the US 3-4 months is ample time to see the highlights. But if you’re planning on enjoying the other sights and cities that America has to offer ( & you should ) I would recommend 6 months to a year.

Side Note: As you can see from our many maps there are a few national parks that are way out of the way. Like Great Basin National Park in Nevada . Or the Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri . We kept Great Basin on the route but decided NOT to include Gateway Arch as it’s really more of a national monument. Who decided that got to be a National Park anyways??

If you wanted to include Gateway Arch I would recommend adding it after Isle Royale and before you hit the Indiana Dunes National Park.

If you’re willing to charter a boat you can also add in Key Biscayne, Dry Tortugas, & the Channel Islands without changing the route drastically.

What about Alaska & Hawaii? Virgin Islands? American Samoa?

This is where the additional 12 National Parks come in. Alaska has a whopping 8 National Parks that you absolutely should visit in the Spring . Hawaii has two & there is one on both the Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

I did not include them here because it’s unlikely they will be included on a cross-country road trip.

Best Time to Start Your National Park Road Trip

We’ve covered the where but what about when? It’s time to look at the best time to start your cross-country road trip.

The truth is there really is no perfect route. You’ll have to make sacrifices with temperature and crowds along the way. Some parks will have to be visited off-season. It’s just the way it is. The United States is such a diverse and vast country that it’s impossible to get “perfect” conditions in every state along the way.

Weather to Consider on Your Road Trip

Northern U.S. : The Northern U.S. gets winter. Cold, snowy, horrible winter. Unless you’re an avid skier and experienced snow driver you’ll probably be wanting to avoid the North during the Late Nov-Feb months.

Southern U.S .: National Parks like Death Valley reach temps of over 130 degrees in the summer months. While states like Florida have a hurricane season that stretches from summer to fall.

Our Ideal Weather Route

Knowing we wanted to see the changing of the colors in New England in the fall we decided to begin in Washington State in late summer. If you have an entire year I would spend August-Oct crossing from Washington to Maine. Oct-Nov down the East Coast. Dec-Jan crossing the South to Arizona. Feb-April zig-zagging across the southwest to Death Valley & then enjoy a lovely summertime on the West coast from May onward.

For those with less time, I would just make sure to check national parks where extreme weather is common. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado , Glacier National Park in Montana, Voygeaurs & Isle Royale in the North . & of course the desert National Parks like Death Valley in California and the parks in Utah.

Our Top 5 Can’t-Miss National Parks

In no particular order, these are the parks that we LOVED and you absolutely shouldn’t miss on your cross-country road trip.

• Yosemite National Park . This is my favorite national park. Climbing, hiking, dramatic landscapes, stargazing, I’ll go back to Yosemite again & again.
• Glacier National Park . With tons of hiking over varied terrain and rugged Montana landscapes, it landed easily in my top 3.
• Death Valley National Park . Who would have thought a massive empty dust bowl could be so pretty? Some of the best sunsets, sunrises, & stargazing you’ll find anywhere.
• Yellowstone National Park . Wildlife, geysers, and mars-like landscape. It lives up to the hype.
• Acadia National Park . Stunning fall foliage, beautiful coastline, and truly unique hikes. I recommend the Iron wrung trails.

Our 5 Least Favorite National Parks

These parks on the other hand…if you want to cut them out you won’t be missing much.

• Indiana Dunes National Park. There are far better dunes in the United States.
• Cuyahoga National Park. Essentially it’s one small hike with some neatly stacked rocks.
• Congaree National Park. Again. Just a flooded walkway and only a few trails.
• Wind Cave National Park. The least impressive of the caverns.
• Hot Springs National Park. You can’t even soak in the outdoor springs. Big disappointment.

Cross Country Road Trip Stops to Add

If you’re embarking on this adventure you’ll likely want to stop at more than JUST National Parks. We thoroughly explored each state we visited. We drove through the Black Hills of South Dakota , ate our way through cities like Chicago & NYC, and enjoyed a few weeks on the beaches of Florida .

I compiled a massive 400+ stop Google Map of all our destinations across the United States for truly the biggest & most epic USA road trip of all time. It includes state parks, hiking trailheads, budget-friendly food stops, & more. Everywhere you could possibly want to see on a cross-country road trip is included.

Join our E-Mail list below & I’ll send you my monster Google map with all our USA road trip destinations .

No planning necessary, all you’ll need to do is hit the road.

I promise I won’t spam you with emails or try to sell you anything. Currently, I send at most 1-2 emails a month. & if that’s too much for your inbox you can always unsubscribe. Thanks in advance for supporting my blog.

Alternative National Park Road Trips

Don’t have 4 months to a year to roam about? Here are some smaller National Park road trips that can be done in a month or less.

Pacific Northwest National Park Road Trip Map

Home sweet home. Being from Washington State I’ve got a soft spot for the mountains. This circuit is packed with wildlife, hiking, and dramatic landscapes. You could see it all in as little as 2 weeks, but I would avoid the cold winter months. This is a late spring-early fall road trip .

West Coast National Park Road Trip Map

If you’ve got a little longer you can take a trip down the West coast . These are some of the most impressive national parks in the United States and the climate will be diverse. This road trip will take you from the lush Olympic mountains to the tallest redwood forests to the jaw-dropping mountains of Yosemite to the arid deserts of Joshua Tree all in one go.

Southwest National Parks Road Trip

The Southwest is such a unique region of the U.S. The landscape is warm wide-open deserts marked with orange otherworldly rock formations , deep underground caverns, and stunning Colorado peaks . It’s a weird chunk of the United States and worth a short getaway.

Trying to Pick Which National Park to Visit?

Just planning a short trip? I wrote a blog post for each season in the United States to help you choose where to go when.

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National Parks Road Trip Resources

A road trip of this size can’t be done on a whim (unless you sign-up for my complete Google map route). It takes some careful planning and research. Here are some resources we found useful on our cross-country road trip to every National Park.

America the Beautiful Pass

Most National Parks charge a fee to enter. It ranges from $10-$30 for a week-long pass. Or if you’re planning on visiting multiple parks the America the Beautiful Pass is $80 and gives you unlimited access to National Parks & Monuments for a year.

We used our pass to access all 47 National Parks above as well as Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower National Monument, and more. You can buy them online through the link above or at the entrance station to any National Park.

AAA Membership

Even if you’re not driving a 30-year old self converted van across the country it’s important to have a backup plan. Especially when you’ll be spending time out in the wilderness. You don’t want to break down in Death Valley & end up paying hundreds of dollars for a tow.

Road Trip Essentials Packing List

Here are a few things you might find yourself needing on the road. Visiting National Parks involves a lot of outdoor exploring.

• Lifestraw Water Bottle .
• Hiking Boots.
• Rain Jacket & Heavy Coat for unexpected weather.
• Comfy hiking pack.
• Thick socks.
• Mosquito repellant.

For a full list of road, trip gear be sure to check out my van life essentials blog post. It covers everything you could possibly need on your cross-country National Park road trip.

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Further Reading...

Road Tripping Utah’s Big 5 National Parks? Here’s Everything You Need To Know.

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[…] 2020 from Seattle, Washington. After numerous hours spent pouring over street maps, we formed our route, connecting the dots between bucket record locations in probably the most scenic approach […]

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[…] 2020 from Seattle, Washington. After numerous hours spent pouring over highway maps, we formed our route, connecting the dots between bucket record locations in probably the most scenic means […]

Ursula Mueller

Great info. Please send me your map. Thank you.

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[…] 2020 from Seattle, Washington. After countless hours spent pouring over road maps, we shaped our route, connecting the dots between bucket list destinations in the most scenic way […]

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Map Shows the Ultimate U.S. National Park Road Trip

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If exploring the breathtaking beauty of our National Park System in one road trip is something on your bucket list, this may be the perfect map for you. Back in 2016, for the 100 th anniversary of the National Park Service, blogger Randy Olson devised an optimal route to see the most epic national parks across the nation.

The U.S. National Park System technically consists of 59 parks, but 12 of them are in Alaska, Hawaii and other U.S. territories. This road trip is focused solely on those you can reach by car in one trip within the Continental 48.

Even with the reduction of the parks outside the Lower 48, Olson included 47 others along his route that stop in 23 different states. If you've never been to the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains , Joshua Tree, or any of the other great National Parks, this may be the best way to see them in one shot.

Those determined to finish the trip full of scenic drives can do so in approximately two months! The route covers 14,498 miles. Olson starts his trip at the Grand Canyon, but he designed the route as a loop, so you could begin anywhere on the map and travel in whichever direction you'd like.

Here's the full list of national parks in order and a visual of the route:

Randy Olson/Google Maps

The Ultimate U.S. National Park Road Trip

• Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
• Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
• Saguaro National Park, Arizona
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
• Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
• Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
• Everglades National Park, Florida
• Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
• Biscayne National Park, Florida
• Congaree National Park, South Carolina
• Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• Acadia National Park, Maine
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
• Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
• Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
• Badlands National Park, South Dakota
• Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
• Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
• Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
• Canyonlands National Park, Utah
• Arches National Park, Utah
• Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
• Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
• Zion National Park, Utah
• Great Basin National Park, Nevada
• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
• Glacier National Park, Montana
• North Cascades National Park, Washington
• Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Olympic National Park, Washington
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Redwood National and State Parks, California
• Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Kings Canyon National Park, California
• Sequoia National Park, California
• Pinnacles National Park, California
• Channel Islands National Park, California
• Joshua Tree National Park, California
• Death Valley National Park, California

This post was originally published on June 16, 2017. It was updated on March 9, 2022. 

READ MORE:  Map Shows the Most Efficient Cross-Country U.S. Road Trip

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A few summers ago, I was lucky enough to embark on a three-month-long, 13,000-mile cross-country drive on my motorcycle. After using a few bungees to strap a fly rod, camping gear and a bag full of clothes and tools to the back of the bike, I set off to explore the nation's backroads and stunning parks.

Fortunately, you don't have to own a motorcycle to complete a similar journey. With just a few weeks of vacation time and careful planning, anyone can tackle a road trip to explore the vast network of US national and state parks and forests.

Planning your national park road trip

Before you leave, consider whether or not you want to make this a round-trip drive, or if you'd prefer to fly back. If you opt for the latter, consider a repositioning rental and make sure to rent your vehicle with a credit card that offers primary car rental insurance (such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and United Explorer Card).

Drivers making a one-way trip will need to book a return flight home. Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), located just a few minutes from the Grand Teton National Park, is serviced by United, Delta, American and Frontier. If you end the trip at North Cascades National Park, however, you'll be just 120 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

When you're driving up to 13 hours a day, it's smart to bring along a good credit card for earning points on gas purchases . With the Citi Premier® Card, for example, you'll earn 3x points when you fill up, along with 3x points on many travel purchases, 2x points on dining and entertainment and 1 point per dollar on everything else.

Another tip? Make sure to buy a national park pass to save money on entrance fees. An annual pass can be purchased from the National Park Service for just $80, and is valid at any National Park for 12 months. Current US military members are eligible for a free annual pass, while seniors ages 62 or older can opt for the $20 annual or $80 lifetime pass.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Located on the coast of Maine, Acadia is the Northeast's only national park. Here, a mountainous landscape converges with the Atlantic Ocean, creating a rugged and rocky shoreline, reminiscent of what you might find out west. Spend a night or two in Bar Harbor's newest property, the Inn on Mount Desert . And while you're in the area, be sure to drive the loop road around the park, stopping at classic destinations such as Otter Cliffs and Jordan Pond. Head to the Schoodic Peninsula during busier times if you need a break from lingering summer crowds. During fall, the summer tourists retreat, and the foliage serves as the perfect backdrop to the rocky cliffs and coastline.

When you're ready to officially embark on your national park road trip, head south for about 13 hours until reaching Shenandoah National Park. Break up the drive with a stop in either Boston or New York City. Distance : 780 miles.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah extends along the ridge of Virginia's section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and offers 200,000 acres of protected lands and over 500 miles of hiking trails. Rolling hills reach down into green valleys and farmland, offering views that are easily accessible from points along Skyline Drive, the main road that cuts through the center of the park. Stay at the Residence Inn or Fairfield Inn & Suites , in the city of Harrisonburg, for 17,500 Marriott points per night. If you are up for a strenuous and technical hike, don't miss Old Rag — but be sure to reach the trailhead early to avoid crowds.

Then, drive south for about five and a half hours to the Pisgah National Forest. Distance : 330 miles.

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Home to some of the tallest mountains on the East Coast, North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest is filled with grassy balds (treeless summits covered only by native grasses and shrubs) affording hikers uninterrupted views and an "alpine" feel that is rare in climates such as this. The nearby mountain town of Asheville has a number of accommodation options, ranging from a Hyatt Place Asheville Downtown ($198 or 12,00 World of Hyatt points per night) to The Omni Grove Park Inn (from $239). Head into town to sample classic North Carolina barbecue at the 12 Bones Smokehouse.

The drive to the next destination, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, is just over two hours away, which leaves plenty of time to explore both areas. Distance : 100 miles .

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

In 2017, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited in the country — and for good reason. With more than 800 miles of hiking trails meandering around some of the oldest mountains on Earth, coupled with the area's distinct southern hospitality, the Smokies are a highlight any time of year. But the mountainscape is especially lovely in autumn, when the fall foliage transforms the park. Spend the night at the The Park Vista, a DoubleTree by Hilton in nearby Gatlinburg, Tennessee for $104 or 31,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Travelers can also retire to a rustic lodge or cabin rental in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge. Be sure to hike or drive to the top of Clingman's Dome — the highest peak in Tennessee — for 360-degree views of the iconic mist-covered mountains.

The drive to the next destination, the Ozarks National Forest, will take approximately 11 hours. Luckily, the most direct route will bring you through Nashville and Memphis, both of which are great options for splitting up the drive. Distance : 750 miles.

Ozarks National Forest, Arkansas

Arkansas is home to deep valleys and rolling mountaintops blanketed in the wild Ozarks National Forest. Hike to the 209-foot Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls, which is the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rockies; explore the nearby town of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and spend the night at The Chancellor Hotel . If you want to do some leaf-peeping this autumn, venture over to the Sylamore District of the Ozarks. The nearby Mountain View area hosts a handful of fall festivals and bluegrass concerts.

The next drive to the Great Sand Dunes National Park will be another long one: just over 12 hours. Get it all out of the way in one shot, or spend a night in Oklahoma City. Distance : 760 miles.

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Discover towering sand dunes, similar to what you might expect to find in the Sahara Desert, in the middle of Colorado — along with snow-covered mountains and prairie-like grasslands. These are just a few of the diverse ecosystems you'll find in Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park. Although there are no towns immediately near the park, Zapata Ranch offers overnight lodging and vacation packages for road trippers who'd prefer not to camp. Don't forget to try your hand at sand boarding or sand sledding before heading to the next destination.

After the last long stretch, you'll be delighted to find that the drive to Rocky Mountain National Park is only five hours north of the Dunes. Distance : 300 miles.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Glacial basins, towering ridges and alpine terrain, accessible by more than 300 miles of hiking trails and two scenic roads (one of which is the highest paved road in the US), make Rocky Mountain National Park one of the most beautiful places in the country. Enjoy the diverse wildlife and hikes suitable for all experience levels before bedding down at The Ridgeline Hotel , located in Estes Park. The property boasts modern amenities in a casual mountain-inspired space (expect lots of blonde wood and ensuite fireplaces). When you're finished in the park, head over to Elkins Distilling Company, one of only a handful of high-altitude distilleries in the nation.

The next destination — Utah's Arches and Canyonlands National Parks — are five and a half hours southwest. During the drive, you will see the landscape morph from snow-capped peaks to red sandstone cliffs. Distance : 400 miles.

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Utah

Located just outside of Moab the Arches and Canyonlands parks offer an impressive introduction to the vast and dramatic desert landscape that makes up much of Utah. Arches National Park is filled with spectacular, natural sandstone (you guessed it) arches, formed by erosion. Many of these arches are easily reached from the road or with short walks, and because Arches is the more accessible of the two parks, it is often the most crowded. Canyonlands is the less-popular neighbor. Though the landscape is similar, it's a much larger park — and somewhat more stark and wild. The town of Moab offers a handful of lodging options and restaurants, including a Holiday Inn Express & Suites ($180 or 40,000 IHG points).

After a restful night in Moab, begin the drive to the Grand Canyon. This will take between five to seven hours, depending on which part of the park you decide to visit first. Distance : 300 miles.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

This bucket-list destination is home to the deepest and most spectacular canyon in the country, and cracks open millions of years of geologic history. While many choose to view the canyon from the park's numerous pull-outs and viewpoints, one of the best ways to get a sense of perspective is by embarking on one of the many hiking trails that trace the canyon's rim and even descend into its depths. The Grand Hotel at Grand Canyon , located just one mile from the entrance to the South Rim, is the only three-diamond hotel in the region. If you are looking for a more extreme and off-the-beaten-path adventure, try the 3,200-foot-long zip line at Grand Canyon West; or take the 20-mile round trip hike to the emerald-blue waters of Havasupai Falls. Camping permits for Havasupai must be acquired in advance, and can be difficult to claim.

Once you're ready to move on, head north back over the Utah border — a drive that can take between two and four hours — to Zion National Park. Distance : 100 miles.

Zion National Park, Utah

Located in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park encompasses nearly 230-square-miles of red and pink sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons and the prominent Zion Canyon, which spans more than 15 miles and cuts up to a half-mile deep. Spend the night at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Springdale ($175 or 39,000 Hilton Honors points per night) to take advantage of the free breakfast, before starting one of the most popular hikes in the park, called The Narrows. Hikers will move through the most tapered section of Zion Canyon, and the trail requires wading in the Virgin River. Depending on the route you choose, a permit may be required to complete this hike.

After Zion, head west for about eight hours until reaching Yosemite National Park. Enter from the east side of the park, from the town of Lee Vining, California. Distance: 47 0 miles.

Yosemite National Park, California

Famous for its sheer granite cliff faces, spectacular waterfalls and glacier-carved valleys, Yosemite has been a mecca for rock climbers and mountaineers for nearly two centuries. But that doesn't mean non-climbers will enjoy the park any less. Yosemite has a well-maintained network of auto roads and 750 miles of trails. Located in June Lake, the Double Eagle Resort and Spa is a four-season resort perfect for travelers who want a relaxing place to unwind after a long day driving. And the resort is just 12 miles from the park entrance. One of the best ways to experience Yosemite is by hiking and backpacking. For road-trippers who'd rather not venture into the backcountry without a guide, REI Adventures offers a variety of trips that cater to hikers of all experience levels, ranging from four to seven-day outings, depending on your schedule. After Labor Day, the crowds thin significantly, and the foliage on the oaks, maples and dogwoods begins to transform into a riot of hues.

After spending time in Yosemite, the route shifts north, with an eight-hour drive to Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Distance: 450 miles.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Formed by a violent volcanic eruption some 7,700 years ago, Crater Lake is the deepest in the United States and arguably the most pristine in the world, making it worthy of the creation of Oregon's singular national park. From the loop road, visitors can admire the deep sapphire blue waters and imposing silhouette of the Cascade Mountains. There are also excellent hiking trails that lead to the multiple summits framing the lake. Garfield Peak, for example, is accessible via a 3.4-mile out and back trail. The hike can get very crowded, however, and is strenuous at times. Built in 1915, Crater Lake Lodge , which has a rustic northwest vibe, is the perfect place to rest a road (and trail) weary head.

Next, continue north for about seven hours to Olympic National Park. The cities of Portland and Seattle are great destinations to visit if you are looking for a break from nature (read: better food and coffee). Distance : 400 miles.

Olympic National Park, Washington

One of the most unique national parks in the country, Olympic is home to several different ecosystems scattered across its almost one million acres. Visitors will find glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rainforests and ragged coastline. Due to its vastness, the best way to explore this park is to leave the car behind and head out on foot. Hurricane Ridge is a great year-round attraction, offering hikes in the summer and lift-access skiing and snowboarding during the winter. The Lake Crescent Lodge is located within park boundaries, and it's a tranquil retreat with a mix of rooms and cabins. If you decide instead to stay in Seattle, book a room at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel with The Platinum Card® from American Express. As it's a member of Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts, you'll get an upgrade upon arrival (depending on availability), a $100 food and beverage credit and complimentary breakfast for two, along with other perks.

You can spend a long time in Olympic National Park and its surrounding cities. But when you're ready to move on, head north again for about four hours to the North Cascades National Park. The most direct route from the northern part of the park requires a ride on the Port Townsend-Coupeville Ferry. Distance : 170 miles.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Located just a few hours from Seattle, the North Cascades National Park is a pristine alpine escape. There are two properties in the national park, including a lake resort and the North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin. For something more casual, consider an Airbnb (and put it on your Chase Sapphire Reserve for 3x points). Anglers will be happy to know that the park is home to a variety of salmon and steelhead trout and other species. Try your luck in the Skagit River, one of Washington's major watersheds. Grab a drink (after you're done driving for the day, of course) in the town of Bellingham at the new Twin Sisters Brewing Company.

At this point in the trip, you can make the decision to fly back east, or head eastbound by road, stopping at a few more major national parks. Distance : 500 miles.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Straddling the continental divide, Glacier National Park is home to headwaters that feed the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Hudson Bay. Over a thousand different plant species, along with hundreds of animal species, can be found in the park's mountainous alpine terrain, making it a great place to search for wildlife. While in the park, be sure to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road, enjoying its many viewpoints along the way. Whitefish is a fun town to check out, and it's filled with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants. Book a room at a historic lodge or inn, such as the Lodge at Whitefish Lake or the upscale Grouse Mountain Lodge .

Fill up your vehicle in town, and press on about six more hours to see Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. Distance : 400 miles.

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park is a geologically unique landscape: of mountains, bubbling geysers and steaming hot springs. The adjacent Grand Teton National Park, on the other hand, offers some of the most rugged and rocky mountains in the country — with a fraction of the crowds. Spend a night at the 385-room Jackson Lake Lodge (a mix of suites, cottages and rooms), located in the Tetons, where guests can admire the view from 60-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. While in the area, be sure to visit the iconic Old Faithful geyser in Yellowstone, easily accessible via a paved walkway. Once you make your way south toward the Tetons, spend an evening wandering around the western mountain town of Jackson, and grab a meal at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse.

Alternate routes

If you decide to drive back instead of catching a flight, spend the next two or three days pressing eastward, stopping to visit a few more nation parks and forests. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forest in West Virginia, and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area on the Pennsylvania/New Jersey border, for example, are great options.

And while the suggested route starts in the Northeast, there are endless variations of this trip, depending on where you live. For travelers based on the West Coast, consider beginning at Olympic National Park and working your way to Glacier, Yellowstone and the Tetons before heading east.

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One Epic National Park Road Trip Across the USA

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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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8 U.S. National Park Road Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

Why the united states is the best country for road trips..

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A 25-45 mph speed limit and winding roads insist that the Blue Ridge Parkway is best taken slow.

Photo by Ashley Knedler/Unsplash

It wasn’t until I high-tailed it out of my home in North Carolina and lived out of my well-loved Honda CR-V for a few months in 2021 that I came to appreciate the sheer diversity and beauty of U.S. national parks . After spending the peak work-from-home era glued to my computer screen, seeing screensaver-worthy sights like the Grand Tetons in real life brought actual tears to my eyes.

I’m by no means a unique case: The awe-inspiring destinations of the national parks system drew more than 300 million visits last year, with so much anticipated demand that several parks are enforcing a reservation system to keep up with summer crowds. For those joining the ranks of travelers eager to visit one of the country’s 63 national parks, taking a scenic drive can showcase the deserts, mountains, beaches, and other U.S. landscapes at their most beautiful.

So put on a podcast , buckle up, and get ready for some adventures on these eight national park road trips.

1. The Blue Ridge Parkway

• National parks visited: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Shenandoah National Park
• Start: Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee / North Carolina
• End: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
• Distance: 469 miles
• Recommended time: 5 days

This is one of best road trips for the fall, when some sourwood, oak, and other trees in the Southeast turn red, orange, and yellow. The drive starts in the approximately 800-square-mile Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the southern portion of Appalachia in Tennessee and North Carolina and winds north to Virginia. Along the way, stop for a hike up to Clingmans Dome to take in vistas from the park’s—and Tennessee’s—highest point, revealing hilly peaks formed by 300 million years of erosion and weathering. Shenandoah National Park bookends the northern portion of this road trip, offering plenty of overlooks along its 105-mile Skyline Drive . It also has its share of worthwhile hikes that will give legs a well-deserved stretch. The most famous one is Old Rag Mountain , a 3,284-foot peak that’s a six or seven workout for those up for the challenge.

The route that connects these two parks is the carefully constructed roadway known as the Blue Ridge Parkway . Named after the blue color of the atmosphere surrounding the Appalachian Mountains, the parkway snakes across 469 miles to connect Great Smoky Mountains with Shenandoah and connects travelers to more than 369 miles of hiking trails . The parkway is also accessible to some of Appalachia’s major towns and cities—including Asheville, North Carolina, and Roanoke, Virginia—providing insight into both the people and natural sights of the region.

Where to stay

• Book now: The Foundry

If you’re making a stop in downtown Asheville, check out the city’s revitalization movement at the Foundry Hotel . The 87-room property, a former steel factory, today offers guests a modern industrial stay, blending wood floors and furniture with exposed brick interiors.

In the words of AFAR writer Anna Fiorentino, Wyoming “offers an endless natural playground for paddling, fishing, hiking, spotting wild mustangs, studying ancient fossils, and soaking in hot springs.”

Photo by Jesse Collins/Unsplash

2. Wyoming’s Best Hits

• National parks visited: Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park
• Start: Cheyenne, Wyoming
• End: Cody, Wyoming
• Distance: 800 miles
• Recommended time: 10 days

Road trippers headed to Wyoming: Don’t feel the need to make a beeline for Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks in the northwestern corner of the state. While those parks are famous for a reason, there are plenty more that merit a slow journey across the state.

A 10-day drive will unlock the variety on offer, from paddling, fishing, and hiking to spotting wild animals, ancient fossils, and Old Faithful. Start in the city of Cheyenne for some history about cowboys and railroads, then wind through Medicine Bow National Forest for rock climbing or a hike among the 70 million–year-old igneous rock formations of Vedauwoo. Stop to soak in the mineral hot springs of Saratoga, then settle into the town of Jackson as a base for hiking the waterfalls and lakes in Grand Teton before finishing up at Yellowstone ‘s geysers. Finally, take a hike in Shoshone National Forest before indulging in a slow-cooked supper at Cody, Wyoming’s Cody Cattle Company.

Itinerary: National Parks, Hot Springs, and the Great American Frontier: The Ultimate Wyoming Road Trip

• Book now: The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection

Wyoming’s Jackson is a popular stop for those visiting to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. It’s worth spending some time to explore the square dancing venues, art galleries and other places the the town has to offer , especially with its myriad accommodation options ranging from renovated motor lodges to wellness-focused stays. The 100-room Cloudveil, Autograph Collection offers the comfort of a boutique hotel (private fireplaces, custom wood furnishings, and plush sitting areas) with easy access to downtown and the surrounding mountains and parks.

3. Beyond California’s Coast

• National parks visited: Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park
• Start: Yosemite National Park
• End: Sequoia National Park
• Distance: 150 miles

California is home to endless road trip itineraries . This particular one opts for dense, deciduous forests and the eastern Sierras in the state’s interior. Starting in Yosemite National Park , travelers can ogle famed splendors like the vertical rock formation El Capitan and Horsetail Fall. (For a short time during the winter, the waterfall gives the illusion of being on fire.) Afterward, a drive along CA-41 and CA-180 brings road-trippers to Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks , which are home to some of the largest and oldest trees in the world . Bask under the 250- to 300-foot-high trees and maybe try forest bathing (no, it’s not showering among the trees) or hike the paved Congress Trail to get to General Sherman Tree —the largest tree on Earth by volume .

Given this relatively low-mileage itinerary, there’s room for flexibility on either side of the trip. Head upstate and a vast network of forests and national parks await (including Tahoe National Forest and Lassen Volcanic National Park ), while the south is home to the dry lands of Joshua Tree National Park and Death Valley National Park . And if you’re eager for some ocean, consider one of the Golden State’s other legendary drives, the California’s Pacific Highway .

Timing is everything in a road trip, and it’s especially important in a large state with differing climates. Snowfall in the Sierra Nevada region closes some roads in the wintertime (like Tioga and Glacier Point roads in Yosemite), while scorching temperatures in Death Valley (like, more than 120°F ) make the summer excursion a sweaty challenge. Come to Sequoia National Park in the fall, and witness evergreens contrasting with the reds and yellows of a fall foliage display .

• Book now: The Ahwahnee Hotel

The Ahwahnee Hotel , in Yosemite National Park, opened in 1927 and has a long history of hosting celebrity guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, John F. Kennedy, I Love Lucy actress Lucille Ball, and Brad Pitt. The property features 97 hotel rooms, parlors, and suites in addition to 24 cottages on its grounds, with Half Dome, Glacier Point, and other park sights in view.

Capitol Reef National Park is one of five national parks in Utah.

Photo by Lisha Riabinina/Unsplash

4. Utah’s Mighty Five

• National parks visited: Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park
• Start: Arches National Park
• End: Zion National Park
• Distance: 380 miles
• Recommended time: 7 days

Bryce Canyon , Zion , Arches , Canyonlands , and Capitol Reef form Utah’s “Mighty Five” network of national parks. Their linear placement across the state spans more than 380 miles, making for a relatively easy and immensely rewarding road trip through canyon country . Starting among the orange spires, vaults, and canyons of Arches National Park and passing through with the Colorado River–carved buttes of Canyonlands , this journey feels like a visit to Mars. The otherworldly scenery continues with the Navajo Sandstone domes of Capitol Reef and the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, where multi-colored rock layers (known as the “Grand Staircase”) stretch through to Zion .

Summer is often a popular time for visiting this area, but a winter road trip has surprising perks worth considering: Zion gets 70 percent of its visitors between April and September, but only 2–3 percent in each winter month of December, January, and February. The lack of crowds isn’t the only plus. Colder weather brings seasonal opportunities—like skiing in Bryce Canyon; its high elevation makes it one of the few places in Utah’s Mighty Five with consistent snow.

Book now : Lodge at Bryce Canyon

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon first opened in 1925, designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood (the architect who also designed the Old Faithful Lodge at Yellowstone and the Ahwahnee at Yosemite). One of the biggest draws for the 114-room property (which includes lodge suites, motel rooms, and cabins) is its location: It is the only accommodation inside the park. Amenities in the area include restaurants, a general store, and a laundry facility, and many natural excursions are accessible by foot—it’s only a five-minute walk to the 5.5-mile Rim Trail .

5. West Virginia’s Wonders

• National park visited: New River Gorge National Park
• Start: Blackwater Falls State Park
• End: New River Gorge National Park
• Distance: 200 miles
• Recommended time: 3 days

In 2020, the U.S. designated a national park in West Virginia: New River Gorge . Despite the name, the river is not new: It’s estimated to be between 10 million and 360 million years old , making it the oldest river in North America. While locals have long known about all the state has to offer, a three-day adventure is enough to prime visitors on other points of interest. Hikers can climb steps to a 57-foot cascade in Blackwater Falls State Park or tackle a trail up Seneca Rocks , a formation that rises 900 feet above the New River.

Can’t get enough excitement from the hairpin turns it takes to get to New River Gorge National Park ? Then don’t miss the opportunity to do some whitewater rafting on the New River, which offers class II–IV rapids depending on the stretch. It’s a great place to try out the activity as a beginner, but experienced rafters should keep their calendar open for when “Gauley Season” comes around (the six weeks or so following Labor Day).

Don’t sweat it if high-intensity waters aren’t in the plans. Hiking is always available as a tried-and-true way to get a lay of the land. If you have the time for one hike, AFAR’s own Jessie Beck recommends the 2.2-mile Endless Wall Trail: “It’s especially magical at sunrise, when fog and mist drift in and out the canyon.”

Itinerary: Travel to the Newest U.S. National Park and Other West Virginia Wonders on This Road Trip of a Lifetime

• Book now: Adventures on the Gorge

Travelers can get their excursions and nightly stay handled in one place with Adventures on the Gorge , which offers whitewater rafting , ziplining , and other trips, as well as accommodations. A stay at its Lansing location, about a mile away from New River Gorge National Park, immerses visitors in the rustic beauty of nature: Think wooden cabins with fine stargazing opportunities (some cabins have the elevated touch of a private porch and hot tub).

6. Florida Keys

• National parks visited: Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park
• Start: Everglades National Park
• End: Dry Tortugas National Park

While many Florida road trips start and end with its gorgeous beaches, drive to its southern border for some of the most memorable marine ecosystems and underrated national parks in the nation.

Florida’s Everglades are the starting point for the trip and introduce travelers to the “ river of grass ” Marjory Stoneman Douglas fought to conserve. (Her book The Everglades: River of Grass was published in 1947, the same year the Everglades became a national park.) From the Everglades it’s about a 35-mile drive south on FL-997 to get to Homestead Bayfront, where travelers can take a boat out to Biscayne National Park. The park is 95 percent water and its land spots are only accessible by boat, so the most convenient option is to explore via guided tour .

After coming back to the mainland, hop on Florida’s Highway 1 for another 135 miles—stopping for the occasional seafood dish, of course—before ending at Key West . The car stops here because Dry Tortugas National Park is 70 miles west and can only be reached via boat or plane . Spend the day in a national park that’s 99 percent water and explore the 30 species of coral found in its reefs , and hop on that 1 percent of land to explore the historical Fort Jefferson .

• Book now: Ocean Key Resort & Spa

While there are plenty of stays along the stretch of the Florida Keys, Key West is a practical base for those taking a day trip to Dry Tortugas. The 100-room Ocean Key Resort & Spa is one stay to consider for sunset views and Caribbean cuisine . With a calendar full of live music and nightly events, the resort provides a much-needed dance break after a day of travel.

Big Bend National park covers more than 800,000 acres, making it larger than Joshua Tree National Park and Yosemite National Park.

Photo by freddie marriage/Unsplash

7. New Mexico to Texas

• National parks visited: White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Big Bend National Park
• Start: White Sands National Park
• End: Big Bend National Park, Texas
• Distance: 450-500 miles

It’s difficult to encompass every national park in the Southwest on one road trip—this particular route focuses on New Mexico’s and Texas’s offerings. This journey starts in White Sands National Park, where visitors can take the eight-mile Dunes Drive into the world’s largest gypsum (a mineral found in drywall and toothpaste) dune field. New Mexico’s other national park on the itinerary, Carlsbad Caverns, contrasts the hot desert experience by plunging visitors into the depths of more than 119 limestone caves .

It’s only about 35 miles to Texas’s Guadalupe Mountains National Park from the caves, where hiking to Guadalupe Peak is enough to debunk the idea that all of Texas is flat. Fuel up, because it’s about 235 miles to get to the next park, Big Bend, located near the border of Mexico. But while the trip may be long, it’s worth the effort: Big Bend is a stargazer’s dream, as it’s the least light-polluted national park in the lower 48.

There’s a lot to cover in this trip—after loading up on barbecue and snacks from beloved Texan gas station chain Buc-ee’s , maybe consider another road trip in the Lone Star State.

• Book now: Big Bend National Park campgrounds

With such great stargazing opportunities, Big Bend National Park’s campgrounds are a must. The park offers three campgrounds and one RV park; reservations are required for camping.

Hurricane Ridge Road is a great drive for views of Olympic National Park.

Photo by Georg Eiermann/Unsplash

8. Olympic Peninsula Loop

• National park visited: Olympic National Park
• Start and end: Olympia, Washington
• Distance: 335 miles

Explore the Pacific Northwest in all its lush glory on this Olympic Peninsula road trip in Washington State, which mostly traces U.S.-101 before following U.S.-12 and 8 at the southern portion to loop back to the state capital of Olympia. Some of the notable stops on this route include Sequim, which draws visitors in the summer for its lavender fields, and Forks , a small town made famous by the Twilight series , that serves a good base for checking out the Pacific coastline.

Deeper in the peninsula is the nearly 1-million-acre Olympic National Park, which packs in views characteristic of Pacific Northwest mountains in addition to its own unique geographical features. Hikes abound here, like the 2.5-mile trail to the Olympic Hot Springs. (Be aware the NPS advises against soaking in the springs because they aren’t maintained and instead suggests driving 1.5 hours west to Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort for a dip.) But arguably the most popular destination in the park is the Hoh Rain Forest—one of four rain forests in the state —a mossy, temperate ecosystem home to Sitka spruce, black bears, river otters, and even the endangered northern spotted owl.

The best time to take this road trip is in the summer, when the daytime temperatures are between 65 and 80 degrees, and festivals like Bluegrass From the Forest , Lavender Festival , and Centrum Jazz Festival ensure there’s always something to see in the peninsula’s towns.

• Book now: Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park

Kalaloch Lodge at Olympic National Park , 35 miles southwest of Forks, is an ideal overnight for exploring the Pacific Coast. The waters by the property are part of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary , a more than 3,000-square-mile area home to at least 300 species of fish and 29 species of marine mammals , including orca and humpback whales. From the wood-paneled lodge and cabins, guests can take in uninterrupted sights and sounds of the ocean waves that are especially magnificent come sunset.

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Home » Blog » See Every US National Park on this EPIC Cross-Country Road Trip

See Every US National Park on this EPIC Cross-Country Road Trip

In 2017 I traveled to every single US national park with my husband. During the planning stages we very quickly realized there wasn’t much online to help us plan our itinerary. Of course there were blog posts listing all the national parks and plenty of people saying how they would hypothetically road trip to all of them… but we couldn’t find any maps or itineraries from someone who had firsthand taken a United States national park road trip to ALL of them in one consecutive trip .

Keep reading to find out how we came up with our itinerary , whether or not the trip was a success, and if in retrospect we would make any changes. I will also do my best to share all the insiders secrets on how you can see every US national park in one life-changing road trip!

Disclaimer : This blog post may feature some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). It’s one of the ways I can keep producing free guides and resources for my readers. Learn more about my affiliate policy  here . Thank you for the support!

US National Park Road Trip

Road trip to visit all the national parks.

There are currently 63 national parks in America, 51 in the lower 48 states, 8 in Alaska, 2 in Hawaii, and 2 in American territories (US Virgin Islands, American Samoa). In this blog post, I will share an itinerary to visit EVERY national park, not just those in the 48 contiguous states. 

Note: In 2017 there were 59 national parks and 4 more have been added since our road trip. So I have gone ahead and included them in this US national parks road trip itinerary in the order we would have visited them. *besides New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia .

I put together a checklist of all the national parks , so you can mark each off as you visit them! In addition, it’s free to download via my travel resource library ! Click the image below.

Best National Park Road Trip Itinerary

I frequently get asked what the ultimate national park road trip would be. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know a lot about our own itinerary to see all the national parks and looking back I think it was almost perfect!

Planning such an extensive trip

So how did we decide on our optimal US national parks road trip? Let me tell you, it was A LOT of work to logistically map out such an extensive trip. We spent many hours (who am I kidding… we spent DAYS) researching, plotting directions into Google Maps, and also making spreadsheets. Our goal was to see every US national park with minimal backtracking and to arrive in each park during an ideal season. 

Our cross country national park road trip started on April 1st and finished on October 31st, spanning 7 months total. That included traveling to all the national parks in the contiguous United States, plus the other 12.

We ended up driving over 25,000 miles, taking 26 flights, and visiting 39 states + 2 US territories. We skipped out on winter conditions in most parks and visited many of the tropical parks before peak summer temperatures hit. I think we timed it perfectly to visit many of the most beautiful parks during the height of hiking season. 

Would we do it differently?

Overall we were happy with the itinerary we created to see the US national parks on one road trip. We wouldn’t make any major changes but these are some things we may have adjusted in hindsight:

• If it had of been an option to start earlier in the year then we may have chosen to visit the Florida parks and USVI during winter. 
• Rocky Mountain National Park is best experienced during summer, so we may have opted to include that before or after Grand Teton National Park if we had the time for extra driving.

I do want to mention that it looks like we went FAR out of the way to visit Great Basin National Park . Well that’s because we did 😂, it really is in the middle of nowhere! We could have technically visited between our Zion and Bryce Canyon stops (adding about 5 hours of driving), but visiting during April wasn’t an option for us. We knew the park can get very snowy in winter and spring and some sections are closed to visitors. Instead we visited in early October and the fall conditions were beautiful!

Keep in mind that the best national park road trip route for your family may look different to ours. You could technically hop on the route at whatever point was closest to your own… you’ll see what I mean when you view the map below!

Map to visit every national park

Here is our exact itinerary to see all the US national parks, plus the inclusion of the 3 newly added parks. If you’re viewing on desktop and want to see this US national parks map in more detail then click here for a full page version .

This interactive map of our national parks road trip shows the order we visited each park, our “as the crow flies” route, plus links to detailed guides for each national park . I will also link to these guides further down the blog post.

*best viewed on desktop

You can zoom in and see the route closer or if you’re on desktop I recommend clicking here for a full page version .

How long would it take to visit all the national parks?

I briefly mentioned earlier that our national parks trip took us 7 months (April – November) . In saying that, I don’t want you to think that this is the only time frame to see all the US national parks. In fact, taking 10-12 months would be even better if you had the time and finances.

You also need to consider that we didn’t visit White Sands, Gateway Arch, New River Gorge, and Indiana Dunes during that 7 month trip (because they weren’t designated national parks at the time). I would also say these 3 parks would have added on around 1.5 weeks to our national parks road trip itinerary.

How long to spend in each national park?

We never felt overly rushed during our 7 month national park road trip, but we did have many long driving days . For instance, our itinerary typically included 1-2 days in the smaller parks. 3-4 days in the larger and more popular parks, and also a week or more in some of the super remote Alaskan parks. 

For example, we spent 1 day exploring Carlsbad Caverns, 2 days exploring Joshua Tree, 3 days exploring Grand Canyon, 4 days exploring Great Smoky Mountain, 5 days exploring Yosemite, and 9 days exploring Gates of the Arctic. Parks that we planned to extensively hike or backpack in were allotted more days compared to parks that are known for their drive-up lookouts and easy to access views.

Planning a national parks road trip itinerary will also be different for everyone . We met some travelers who were on a mission to visit every national park but were spreading the journey out over multiple years. We have also heard of people doing the same style trip but in only a few months.

You can make your national park road trip as carefree or as adventurous as you like. We personally opted for somewhere in the middle – slow enough to get a good feel of the parks. But fast enough to finish our trip before winter started. Whether you plan to hike or backpack in the national parks will also help decide what length and style of trip you plan.

What are the best national parks?

Did you know I have a blog post that features every national park ranked from best to worst? My husband and I used a rating system that factored in beauty, trails, accessibility, transport, crowds, facilities, and overall how photogenic they were.

Here’s a summary of the parks we found to be the best and worst!

Best national parks

These were the 10 best US national parks based on our ranking system:

• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
• Denali National Park, Alaska
• Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
• Glacier National Park, Montana
• Katmai National Park, Alaska
• Lake Clark National Park, Alaska

Worst national parks

These were the 10 worst US national parks based on our ranking system. But keep in mind that all the parks are amazing and I am not saying these aren’t worth visiting. They just don’t have the same “wow” factor. Also keep in mind that the 4 new national parks were not considered when making this list (Gateway Arch, New River Gorge, White Sands, Indiana Dunes):

• Congaree National Park, South Carolina
• Biscayne National Park, Florida
• Pinnacles National Park, California
• Channel Islands National Park, California
• Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
• Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
• Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
• Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Planning your national parks trip

I have an entire blog post about how to best plan your national park visits . It goes into detail on when to start planning, how to write out an itinerary, how to create your own map, what to pack, how to buy a national park pass, and more! Check it out here .

PIN to refer to later!

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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Hello, wow this will be such a great resource to plan my journey to the parks! I’m starting with American Samoa and I’m on my way there now. I’d be grateful if you could send me your impressions on that park. I’m on a very slow internet connection and couldn’t open all the links in your blog. Thanks so much! Susanne

I disagree with your best and worst list. We’ve only been to around 30 so far, but Yosemite was so crowded I’d put it on the worst list. Joshua Tree we found anti climactic and would put on the worst list also. Voyager however was one of our favorites. We rented a canoe and camped out on an island there. I also think Black Canyon of the Gunnison should not be on the worst list.

I agree with Yosemite being crowded, but how beautiful the scenery and the hikes kinda makes up for it…. kinda. Living nearby, I never go unless it’s for hiking Half Dome or something specific.

I would not put Pinnacles in the worst list. One full day there is enough, though, and the weather is oh-so-important. It’s blazing hot a lot of the time, but if timed right (like directly after a rain) and if hiking is important in the ranking, then Pinnacles is definitely better than the worst. There is a cave to hike through with water running down the rocks, a long hiking loop to explore with steps carved into the rock to walk up/down, super scenic photo ops, California Condors to see, rock climbers to watch sometimes, electrical sites in the campground, and there aren’t many people 🙂

That is some walkabout. You are living the dream while you’re still young. Outstanding.

I bought your Roaming America book and love it! I’m using it for inspiration as I create a similar book for America’s Great Loop. Thank you for sharing your epic journey to all of the US National Parks with us!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is among the worst national parks? You got to be kidding

hi there I amApril 2023 How do I sign up to get tips ?Cheers

Could you share what this trip cost you guys?

WOW so much helpful planning info in this blogpost. Thanks Renee for generously sharing your journey, maps, ideas and recommendations.

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America's ultimate 7 national parks road trips.

Enjoy red-rock canyons, hair-raising bends and surreal geologic wonders on an unforgettable drive.

(Getty Images) |

Take an epic drive.

Jaw-dropping natural splendors, otherworldly rock formations and sublime panoramic views are just a few of the things you'll find at America's prized national parks. While the parks on this list offer diverse landscapes – from the craggy coastlines of Maine and the crimson-colored spires of Arizona to ice-carved cliffs in the Rockies – they attract outdoor lovers of all kinds with epic hiking trails, spectacular wildlife and impressive peaks, lakes and canyons. And the best way to experience these national parks, in all their glory, is on a postcard-worthy drive. Read on for a road trip to remember.

Acadia National Park, Maine

On Acadia's iconic 27-mile Park Loop Road , spectators can take in spellbinding Atlantic Ocean and Maine coastal views as they wind along the rugged shoreline. Start north of Acadia on state Route 3, and head past the picturesque Champlain Mountain Overlook. Continue onto Hulls Cove from Route 3 to weave past Thunder Hole, Otter Cliff and the park's crown jewel: Cadillac Mountain, the tallest mountain on the North Atlantic coast. Along the way, make sure to pause for a hike or bike along the area's famed network of Carriage Roads and explore can't-miss sights such as Sand Beach and Jordan Pond for memorable photo ops.

Yosemite National Park, California

With spectacular scenery and dependably good weather conditions, it's easy to see why road-trippers are lured to the Golden State, says Gabe Saglie, senior editor at Travelzoo. For those yearning for a quick drive from San Francisco, Saglie points to Yosemite , which is located just 165 miles west of San Francisco International Airport. Take Tioga Pass Road on state Highway 120 for enchanting views of Half Dome and Sierra Nevada high country. Sarah Stocking, Lonely Planet's California and Mexico destination editor, suggests stopping by Tuolumne Meadows "for a beautiful landscape of wildflowers and streams set against the mountain peaks." Just keep in mind the road is typically open from the end of May or early June through November and closes seasonally, so check current conditions.

Zion, Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, Utah

On this scenic route to some of Utah's best places to visit , road-trippers can cruise through remote roads across the Southwest, looping past dramatic canyon walls and gorges such as the Narrows and Angels Landing, before continuing on for approximately 85 miles north along U.S. Highway 89 to Bryce Canyon, where ochre-colored hoodoos await. Take a break to explore the sweeping plateau along the Pink Ledges Trail in Red Canyon, or stroll along the Rim Trail for jaw-dropping vantage points of hoodoos, the amphitheater and Sunset, Sunrise and Inspiration points. Afterward, travel along state Highway 24 to Capitol Reef, where you can take in striking rock layers, soaring spires and dramatic canyons.

Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska

Spanning 6 million acres, Denali National Park is monumental, to say the least. Along the five-hour drive from Anchorage along Highway 3, you'll pass soaring mountains (hat tip: Mount McKinley), and picturesque paths like Mountain Vista Trail. Pause for a meal at Talkeetna, a small town located near mile 99 with plenty of charm and casual eateries. Once you enter the park, hop on the reliable shuttles or tour buses to experience the park's 92-mile Denali Park Road, snaking through sheer cliffs, billowing mountains and excellent wildlife-viewing areas. If you want to stay overnight, retreat to the campgrounds at Wonder Lake at mile 85, located near Denali to take in arresting vantage points.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Ice-carved cliffs, soaring mountains and glittering alpine lakes lure outdoorsy types to cross the Continental Divide at Logan Pass on Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road . Stretching over 50 miles on a two-lane road, the scenic route weaves past cedar forests, plunging waterfalls and picturesque overlooks. Along the way, look for bighorn sheep, mountain goats and other wildlife. Take time to stretch your legs and enjoy a leisurely break for a picnic at scenic spots such as Rising Sun and Saint Mary Lake. Start your journey to Logan Pass from the park's east or west entrances, located 18 miles and 32 miles from the beginning of Going-to-the-Sun Road, respectively. Keep in mind, the route takes about two hours to complete.

Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Visitors on Skyline Drive 's 105-mile route snake through the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, catching sight of the Shenandoah Valley and the rolling mountain passes, along with local wildlife such as turkeys and black bears. Start along U.S. Route 340 to enter the 200,000-acre park at Front Royal, Virginia. Along the way, stop to enjoy a leisurely picnic and hike one the area's lovely trails, which burst with purple dogwoods, orange hickories and other eye-catching foliage come autumn. For more impressive views, check out Clingmans Dome , the tallest point in the Great Smoky Mountains prior to entering the park.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Start your tour of the Grand Canyon at South Rim off U.S. Route 180 to take in sweeping vistas of the Colorado River. From there, head to the lesser-visited North Rim to explore must-see sights such as Bright Angel Point, Point Imperial and Cape Royal, or hike along the area's serene trails weaving through evergreen forests. If you want to stay for the night, head to North Rim Campground along the Kaibab Plateau, where you can easily access the Bridle Trail and the Transept Trail and enjoy picnic areas, campfire rings, prime wildlife-viewing areas while soaking in the surrounding canyon.

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7 Best Road Trips to National Parks

Hit the road and experience the best america has to offer..

There’s few things better in life than a road trip. When you make the journey itself part of the destination, whole new worlds open up to be explored and places you never would have thought to travel become your new favorite spots. Whether it’s small town soda fountains that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, off-the-beaten path hikes that fill you with a sense of solitude, or new experiences like whitewater rafting, road trips let us slow down and really get a sense of the places we’re passing through. And our favorite itineraries? Those are the ones that connect national parks. We’ve rounded up seven of our favorite routes crossing America’s deserts, mountains and forests, but also its cities, small towns and hidden gems along the way. So turn on your favorite playlist and grab the snacks because it’s time to hit the road. These are seven of the best national park road trips in the country.

1. Best of Colorado Road Trip Featuring 4 National Parks

Wander the state that has inspired artists, writers and a national anthem on this mesmerizing Colorado road trip.

Katherine Lee Bates wrote the lyrics to America the Beautiful standing atop Pikes Peak in Colorado. “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties, above the fruited plain.”

The song that has become an American anthem was meant to sum up the country as a whole, but standing atop Pikes Peak, Bates knew what anyone who visits Colorado quickly realizes: here you’ll find some of the best the U.S. has to offer.

Start in Colorado’s capital city of Denver to experience amazing food, craft beer and yoga at one of the country’s favorite music venues. Then, head towards Rocky Mountain National Park to spot elk, stunning peaks and perhaps one of Colorado’s newest residents: grey wolves.

This route continues to Colorado’s three other parks including the sheer, striped walls of Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings and the largest sand dune in North America at Great Sand Dunes. Along the way you’ll discover mountain towns, incredible outdoor recreation and the answer to why this state’s nickname is “Colorful Colorado”.

View Full Itinerary

2. The Most Extreme Road Trip from Las Vegas to Death Valley and Yosemite

We so often find beauty in soft things: a pink sunset, a bouquet of flowers, a sparkling beach. Many of us write off the extremes of the spectrum as harsh places not worth considering, but this Las Vegas to Yosemite road trip leans into to the superlatives.

From the brightest spot on the planet, the Las Vegas Strip, head to Death Valley National Park, which is a land known for its extremes. It’s both home to the lowest point in North America and the record for the world’s hottest temperature.

As you make your way through the Eastern Sierra, stop and visit the oldest living thing on Earth, a bristlecone pine tree, before driving up and over Tioga Pass into the grandeur of Yosemite Valley. Farther south, in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks, the world’s tallest trees await.

3. Land of Enchantment Road Trip from New Mexico to the Grand Canyon

From the sparkling expanse of desert that looks like snow at New Mexico’s White Sands National Park to the otherworldly rock formations at Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, it’s not hard to understand why this state is known as the Land of Enchantment.

This route winds from the U.S./Mexico Border in El Paso, Texas through the best of New Mexico from a national park dedicated to caverns that wind deep into the Earth, to space history, an unexpected wine region and everything in between.

Visit national park sites dedicated to caves, sparkling white sands and Ancestral Puebloan and nuclear history alike. From New Mexico, cross into Colorado to see cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park before dipping down into Arizona to see one of the wonders of the world: the Grand Canyon. Along the way you’ll feel nothing short of enchanted.

4. Grand Canyon Plus 5 Utah National Parks Road Trip

Red rock arches silhouetted against a bluebird sky. Mighty rivers winding their way through steep canyons. Aspen leaves quaking in a mountain breeze. This isn’t an imaginary world, it’s Utah, where public lands comprise 70% of the state. It’s a nature lover’s dream with plenty of space to find solitude and soak in the quiet beauty of the desert and mountains. On this route, you’ll explore six national parks along with countless national monuments, state parks and other public lands in between.

This road trip takes you from the capital of Salt Lake City to the red rock country near Moab, where Arches and Canyonlands national parks display some of the most stunning rock formations and incredible whitewater in the West. Continuing south into Arizona, drive through the Navajo Nation and Hopi Reservation to learn more about whose homelands you’re recreating on. Visit the Grand Canyon’s less-crowded North Rim before heading back into Utah to explore stunning views in Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks, and natural beauty in Cedar Breaks National Monument. Finally, head north towards Torrey, Utah, to check Capitol Reef, the final of the state’s national parks, off your bucket list. Between the ochre-colored rock, the impossibly blue skies and the snowcapped peaks, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the view.

5. Olympic Peninsula Loop Road Trip

Circle Olympic National Park on this ultimate tour of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful peninsula with a stop at Cape Flattery, the northwestern-most point in the continental U.S.

From the hustle and bustle of Seattle, take the ferry to the quiet and wild world of the Olympic Peninsula. Explore a Victorian era seaport in Port Townsend and an incredible local food scene from hard cider to oysters to berries. In Sequim, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to the south of France as you frolic through lavender fields, or head out onto the beautiful waters of the Strait of San Juan de Fuca to go whale watching.

Outside of Port Angeles you can access Olympic National Park’s high alpine, wildflower meadows, dense temperate rainforests and serene lakes. Head as far northwest as you can go, literally, to find the last bit of the contiguous United States jutting out into the ocean–Cape Flattery. Along the way, learn about the Makah Tribe whose land you’re passing through.

Continue onto Olympic’s coast where moody beaches, tidepools and more await.

6. Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip from Shenandoah to Great Smoky

Known as “America’s Favorite Drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia through the most beautiful parts of North Carolina, terminating in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

From old-time country stores to a dose of history at Booker T. Washington National Monument, make your way from Virginia into North Carolina. Don’t miss a stop at the highly photogenic Mabry Mill, before listening to authentic Appalachian music at the Blue Ridge Music Center.

There’s a reason the drive itself is a national park site and as you cross stunning bridges, take pit stops to see gushing waterfalls and encounter hillsides awash in rhododendron and azalea blooms, you’ll start to understand why.

Take some time to explore the eclectic, outdoorsy town of Asheville before making your way to your final destination and America’s most popular national park: Great Smoky Mountains.

7. South Dakota’s Black Hills to Yellowstone Road Trip

While public lands tend to conjure images of towering peaks and sandstone arches, tumbling waterfalls and calving glaciers, here on the Great Plains, a different kind of natural beauty abounds. On this road trip from Mount Rushmore to Yellowstone, you’ll discover it.

See abundant wildlife in South Dakota’s Badlands National Park alongside stunning multi-colored rock formations. Don’t miss going underground to explore what lies under the plains at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. There’s so much history to be explored here from Mount Rushmore National Monument to Crazy Horse Memorial to Minuteman Missile Site.

Drive through the mesmerizing plains, crossing over the Wyoming border, to see a curious rock monolith known as Devils Tower. Whiskey, hot springs and bison await as you make your way to Yellowstone.

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Matador Original Series

The Optimal Itinerary for a US National Park Road Trip, Mapped

RANDY OLSON , a computer science and engineering Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University, is a man who likes to design road trips. He has previously organized the ultimate US road trip and the best cross-Canada journey and, this time, Olson created an itinerary that would allow travelers to see every single national park in the 48 contiguous states without wasting any time (or stuffing their backpacks too full). Since Olson’s map was released in 2016, four new national parks have been added to the system. So Matador Network added them to a new map, creating the ultimate national park road trip.

Before you head out, stock up on the best backpacking gear for your epic trip — you’ll be glad you did.

Here is Olson’s original map form 2016:

Map: Randy Olson / Google

This ultimate national park road trip covers 16,847 miles and it would take you about two months to complete the loop if you’re going “at a breakneck speed.” In other words, you’d better take a few months off work before getting on the road.

This, of course, isn’t an exhaustive list of the national park system. There’s a national park ( or national monument, or national forest ) nearby just about everywhere there’s people in the US — as well as many places where there aren’t a whole lot of people. If you want to just find the closest national park regardless of where you are, there’s a map for that , too, that covers all 423 sites. Just make sure you have the proper entry permits for the type of activities you want to do no matter which park you go to. After all, there’s a national park that’s a good fit for just about every type of traveler .

Here’s Matador Network ’s new ultimate national park road trip map:

Here’s a list of all the national parks included in this new itinerary. Note that you can start the trip at any stop in the loop.

• Grand Canyon National Park , Arizona
• Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
• Saguaro National Park, Arizona
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
• White Sands National Park, New Mexico
• Big Bend National Park , Texas
• Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
• Mammoth Cave National Park , Kentucky
• Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
• Indiana Dunes National Park , Indiana
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park , Tennessee
• Everglades National Park, Florida
• Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
• Biscayne National Park , Florida
• Congaree National Park, South Carolina
• Shenandoah National Park , Virginia
• New River Gorge National Park , West Virginia
• Acadia National Park , Maine
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
• Isle Royale National Park , Michigan
• Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
• Badlands National Park, South Dakota
• Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
• Rocky Mountain National Park , Colorado
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
• Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
• Canyonlands National Park , Utah
• Arches National Park, Utah
• Capitol Reef National Park , Utah
• Bryce Canyon National Park , Utah
• Zion National Park , Utah
• Great Basin National Park , Nevada
• Grand Teton National Park , Wyoming
• Yellowstone National Park , Wyoming
• Glacier National Park , Montana
• North Cascades National Park , Washington
• Mount Rainier National Park , Washington
• Olympic National Park , Washington
• Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
• Redwood National and State Parks, California
• Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
• Yosemite National Park, California
• Kings Canyon National Park, California
• Sequoia National Park , California
• Pinnacles National Park, California
• Channel Islands National Park, California
• Joshua Tree National Park , California
• Death Valley National Park , California

A version of this article was previously published on May 26, 2017, and was updated on August 2, 2021, and March 3, 2022, with more information.

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How to Plan Your US National Parks Road Trip | USA

A US National Parks trip is kind of a right of passage for anyone who loves the outdoors. Sleeping in barren deserts. Going off-trail to explore strange rock formations weathered over millions of years. Wading through knee-deep water in narrow canyons. Bagging peaks during the short summer when the highest altitudes are within reach. The trip is about varied terrains and diverse landscapes. Visit both Yosemite and Big Bend, and you’ll doubt that you’re in the same country. And the stuff in Utah? Well, that might as well be in another world.

But unlike the good ol’ days of the American road trip, the US National Parks are no longer well suited to an off-the-cuff style of travel. There’s a lot of competition for campsites and backcountry permits. Planning a US National Parks trip takes time and effort, and A LOT of time and effort, at that. But you’ll get every bit of energy you pour into planning back when you’re out there, experiencing some of nature’s greatest works.

Ready to go on an adventure? Here’s a massive guide to planning a US National Parks trip including everything from route planning to suggested itineraries to making reservations to costs.

Choose Your Route

1. pick your parks.

The US is a BIG COUNTRY. There are vast distances between the coasts and you can even expect long drives between parks in the same state. So where do you start planning a US National Parks road trip itinerary? Start by making a list of parks you want to see. Grab a guidebook or check out some of our featured Outlandish National Park Guides.

Focus on one park at a time and look at photos, watch videos, or check out things to do. Narrowing down your list of parks can be easy if you already know where you want to go, and very daunting if you don’t. If you fall into the second camp, ask yourself: how long do you have? What states are interesting to you? What season are you traveling in? What’s your overall budget for the trip?

Suggested US National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Ultimate centennial parks road trip.

There are 61 National Parks in the US, which is A LOT of ground to cover; around 14,498 miles if you go the most efficient way. In 2016, data scientist Randy Olson created an interactive map that optimized driving times to create the ultimate US National Parks road trip itinerary. It excludes parks in Alaska, Hawaii, and other territories) but still manages to cover 47 US National Parks. 

• Route 1: Grand Canyon to Everglades (map)
• Route 2: Everglades to Badlands (map)
• Route 3: Badlands to Zion (map)
• Route 4: Zion to Lassen (map)
• Route 5: Lassen to the Grand Canyon (map)

While that is the perfect, see-everything-save-on-gas route, obviously that won’t be the best route for everyone. You might want to spend some time in cities, pop into state parks, or skip some regions. If you’d rather customize your own National Parks road trip, here’s how you can go about it…

Other Suggested Road Trips

2. Make Your Map

Once you have a shortlist, that means you can make a map.

Google My Maps is a complete lifesaver if you’re collaborating on trip planning or undertaking a complicated road trip itinerary. Add all the parks that you’re interested in to your map. This will give you a visual representation of which parks are nearest each other and which are way out of the way. From there, you can narrow your itinerary down further based on how much time you have or your other priorities.

Once you have your locations established, you can map directions between the two parks to determine drive time. In some cases, it can be quicker to alternate states (ie. Arizona and Utah) or more comfortable to add something into your itinerary to break up a long driving day.

Spend some time on this! Figure out how you can take the trip at your own pace while maximizing on everything you want to see.

Tip: Before you go, make sure that all the maps you need are available offline. Service can be spotty at best and you’ll always want to have your driving directions accessible.

3. Plan Your Time

Once you have a good idea of where you’re going, create a planner in Excel or Google Sheets. Begin with the first park you’re going to visit, and think about how much time you’d like to spend there. Consider how big the park is and what there is to do. Look at driving time between Park A and Park B and decide where you’ll sleep on your travel days. Then, do this park-by-park with this until you have a decent overview of your time spent in each park. It is tedious, but it’s a lot easier to do it this way than by trying to take in all the information and build an itinerary after.

Before looking in dates, take a look at all the activities that might require a backcountry permit or that otherwise limits access and establish your priorities. Check availability and book that first so that you don’t schedule your whole trip around something that might be booked up. 

Once that’s out of the way, you can get onto your next step.

When to Start Planning

You should start looking into your US National Parks trip no less than 6 months out. Reservations for NPS campsites and lodges almost all open 3-6 months in advance. If you’re planning backcountry travel, the permits are usually reservable 3-6 months out, too. Reservations for the most popular campsites and hikes sell out within seconds of going online (no exaggeration!). So, if you have your heart set on something specific, do your research early and set a calendar reminder so you don’t miss out.

Already late? Some parks have walk-up campsites and permits available for that very reason. There are also plenty of campgrounds and hotels outside of the park boundaries and hikes that don’t require backcountry permits. You should always be able to find a hike and a campsite, even if they’re not the exact ones you had in mind.

Budgeting & Costs

Wondering how much it costs to do a US National Parks trip ? The short answer is that it really depends on what type of trip you want. But since I know this is a cop out for an answer, I’ll give you the long answer, too.

Unfortunately, a US National Park road trip probably costs more than you’d expect. Some costs you’ll want to factor in for your own trip are: park entrance or your America the Beautiful Pass , vehicle costs, gas, food & drink, entertainment, gear, campsites & accommodation, and permits. Even with camping and cooking, the US is notoriously expensive. But don’t let this stop you from going! You can keep costs down by being thoughtful about which regions you visit, altering your standard of travel, and borrowing (rather than buying or renting gear. For example, on our 21-day road trip through Arizona and Utah, we spent around $1,500. This was mostly camping and self-prepared food with a few motel nights and 3-4 meals out each week. We also had the benefit of traveling with our own vehicle and splitting many of our costs in half.

Read More: How Much Does a US National Parks Road Trip Actually Cost?

Most of the US National Parks are at their peak business between May and August. Of course, this is more based around the summer holiday than what is actually the best time to visit.

The best time to visit the desert parks like Zion  and the Grand Canyon is actually spring or fall when temperatures are more moderate and crowding is less. For summer travel, consider going to some lesser-known national parks like Capitol Reef to dodge the crowds, or go to parks like Glacier or Rocky Mountain that are only fully open in the summer. If you’re traveling in winter, consider parks in hotter regions like Everglades,  Death Valley, or Joshua Tree . Most of the parks are open in some capacity year-round, but be sure to check details about when you’re visiting to make sure that you’re not surprised by closures or bad weather when you get there.

Making Reservations

The US National Parks have gotten seriously popular in recent years (it’s called the Instagram effect ). This trip is no longer the spontaneous journey it once was. Making reservations well in advance is unfortunately part of the new process. Here are a couple of the things you’ll want to look into.

Reserving Permits

Wilderness permits (sometimes called backcountry permits) are needed to hike or stay overnight in many protected areas. In most cases, your backcountry campsite reservation is the same thing as your permit to hike in an area.

At present, demand for backcountry permits in most US parks well exceeds the supply. This is essential from a conservation perspective, but it also means it can be a major source of disappointment if you don’t plan ahead.

Permits are typically bookable online 3-6 months in advance, and sell out in seconds in the most popular areas. If you’re planning a backpacking trip, you’ll often need several permits sequentially. If there’s something you have your heart set on, take some time to plan your itinerary well before bookings become available. Come up with option 1, 2, and 3. Familiarize yourself with the booking engine and pre-fill basic details like your email and address. While there are no guarantees, this will definitely give you a better chance to snag the more elusive permits.

You’ll have a better chance of getting a permit for popular sites you apply during shoulder season or travel during the weekdays. Being flexible with your dates is a huge help here.

Didn’t get your permit?  Many parks have walk-up permits available. You’ll also sometimes be able to find alternate routes, or get permits for less-known hikes or backcountry sites that are just as awesome.

Booking Campsites & Lodging

Once you have your key dates anchored in, the next thing you should do is book your car campsites (or lodges if that’s more your style). There is no shortage of camping outside of the National Parks, but if you want to sleep inside the park boundaries, you usually need to book advance (or plan your travel days for early arrival if the sites are first-come-first-served).

Every park has an NPS website. Start by finding the page on accommodation within the park. Find out where each of the campsites are located within the park (they can sometimes be hours apart) and choose the best location before you book anything. Depending on how much effort you want to put in, there are sites like campsitephotos.com that post photos of campsites and suggest the best sites (ie. quiet, close to the bathroom, shaded by trees).

Once you know what you want, you’ll find most online campsite bookings are handled by recreation.gov . Bookings are relatively straightforward, but you will want to make sure that you book the proper resources (ie. a tent site vs an RV site).

Once your bookings are confirmed, it’s good to print them off and keep them where they’re easy to find (how about that glove compartment?). You won’t always have service in the campgrounds, and knowing your loop and site number will speed up your check-in process.

Before you Go

Preparing your vehicle.

Getting your vehicle sorted is a necessary step in planning a US Parks trip whether you’re renting a car or readying your own car for the trip. Some parks are easier to explore if you have a vehicle with high-clearance and 4WD though this isn’t always necessary.

If you own a car…

you have the benefit of traveling with a car that you know and trust. It’s generally cheaper to travel in your own vehicle, too! The main drawback is that you’ll be putting a lot of miles on your car.

Before leaving on your trip, schedule to have it serviced. Get the tires rotated, the oil changed, the fluids topped, the break pads tested, and everything else you can think of. You’re guaranteed to be in remote areas on parts of your trip, and you’ll want your car to be in the best possible shape. Just to be on the safe side, you might also want to upgrade your insurance policy, get a AAA membership. and gear up your car with a box or some emergency supplies.

Basics aside, there are lots of things you can get to make your car more comfortable for such a major trip! It’s going to be your home on wheels, after all. Take a look at some things you’ll want for your car.

If you’re renting…

You can choose any adventure vehicle you want! And the rental company will generally take care of the maintenance and insurance stuff for you. The big drawback is that this option tends to be more expensive and you might be less comfortable than you would in your own car.

Wanna rent a car? You can definitely do this trip in a standard car. Just be sure to choose a car with enough space for your stuff (and perhaps one with 4WD). And since you’re going to be driving it hard, be sure to check the insurance policy  thoroughly to make sure it covers everything you need it to. Hertz has pickup locations across the country and their car rentals are competitively priced (starting from about $50 per day including tax). They also have a program for drivers aged 20-25 who are unable to rent a car from other major agencies. Check prices and availability on hertz.com . 

Going for a campervan? You’ll get a bit of extra room and plenty of road trip steez. Escape offers fully equipped campervans which can be a really fun way to travel! While they don’t have 4WD or get as good of gas mileage, you might be able to save by having an indoor spot to sleep on the nights you may have splurged on a hotel. Check prices and availability on escapecampervans.com .

And as for the stuff… Make a list of everything you need on your road trip. There are some obvious items (like a tent, sleeping bag, and a cooler), but would you have thought to bring a power outlet adaptor or a pair of chains for your tires? It’s a delicate balance between being prepared and cluttering your car. Try to streamline your gear and have what you need without going overboard. 

READ MORE: “ What to Pack for a US National Parks Trip” coming soon!

Hitting the Road

The best part about planning your National Parks road trip ahead of time is that it’s pretty easy by the time you finally go. The adventure of this kind of trip then changes of weather. The detours. The wildlife sightings and road closures. You do your best to prepare, then whatever the hell happens happens.

What else do you want to know about planning your US National Parks road trip? Any questions you’d like answered or tips for planning your trip?

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Taylor record.

I'm Taylor and this is Travel Outlandish. I’m an independent traveler kind of like you. I believe we deserve better than crowds of people and manufactured experiences when we explore. Whether you're going into the wild on a backpacking trip or planning a weekend in a foreign city, you'll find everything you need to plan something awesome on Travel Outlandish. Thanks for stopping by!

10 Comments

it is my dream to see one or more of these national parks. they are so unique and look so beautiful in photos! but im not a huge fan of road trips.

They are so beautiful! But most definitely require some time in the car. Utah is a good place to travel because driving times are usually 2-4 hours rather than entire days like you’ll get in other parts of the country.

Anthony @ Green Mochila

Such a great post that got me dreaming of the USA. Thank you for this moment of escape, Taylor! We’re grateful and happy that so much of nature is being preserved through National Parks. Hopefully it will stay like this for a long time still.

Hey, thanks so much Anthony! Going to these parks was the first thing I did when I moved back from Berlin – it was such a good way to remember the parts I love about the US. Hope the parks stay this way for a long time to come too

Ray Massucco

My wife and I, both in our 70’s, are planning a cross country trip in the summer of 2021 [assuming it’s not canceled; summer, not the trip]. We plan to rent an RV and want to hit at least 10-12 national parks. We will be leaving VT in late June and plan to be on the road for 8-9 weeks. Our three adult children and their families all live in Seattle, so we plan to hit there for about 2 weeks, then take a different roue home. Plan is to get back to Vermont in late August.

Where do we start?

Hi Ray! Sorry that I’m only just seeing your comment. Let me send you a quick email so I don’t miss your response.

Kim Birkner

Wondering about 6 parks with a dog & handicapped hubby, thinking Yellowstone, Pikes Peak, thru the Rockies to Grand Canyon to Bryce & Zion and ending with Yosemite. Thoughts? Thanks :}

Hey Kim. One hell of a trip! The drive through Utah on its own is worth it. * Here are all of my National Park Guides . * One thing that may be helpful is that all the parks have an accessibility page (ie. https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm ) that overviews trails, camping, and overlooks with accessible access AND most have a pet page too ( https://www.nps.gov/subjects/pets/visit.htm ). * You also should be eligible for a discounted America the Beautiful Pass ( https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass ).

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Go Wander Wild

This guide is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!

You’re so welcome! Hope you enjoy your trip 🙂

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The Ultimate National Park Road Trip: How to See all 51 National Parks in the Continental U.S.

By Halle Homel

The United States is home to 63 national parks, most of which are located within the continental U.S. From expansive desert landscapes to some of the tallest mountains in the country to islands right off the coast, there is so much to see.

The U.S. National Park Service manages over 400 units, including national parks, monuments, and recreation areas. They all hold a different designation based on what is being protected, whether it’s natural landscapes, historical relics, or some combination. The 63 places that hold “park status” are located throughout the United States and are a mix of both natural and historic significance.

While it would be a long haul, it is more than possible to do a massive road trip that connects all of the national parks in the continental U.S. In 2019, I personally drove through all of the contiguous 48 states solo with the goal of visiting as many parks as I could. While I didn’t hit all of them on that first go, I’m now 52 parks in and work as an adventure guide in many of our western parks.

So, from California to Florida to Maine, this is the ultimate national park road trip. Pack your bags, gas up the car, and don’t forget your hiking boots—let’s go.

A Tip From a Full-Time Nomad

I’ve been living on the road and visiting national parks for almost five years now, and the number one piece of advice I have for anyone attempting a trip like this is to purchase an America the Beautiful Pass . This pass is $80 and allows entry into every National Park Service site in the country, which saves you so much money on entry fees. Most parks are approximately $30 to enter, so once you’ve visited three parks, your pass has already paid for itself.

The Weather

Something to keep in mind when doing a trip like this is the weather. It would be best to visit most of these parks in the summer, and while you can visit a lot of them in the off season, it’s crucial to check conditions. Determining when you’re going to start your road trip is going to depend on weather, road closures, and park accessibility. For example: Lassen Volcanic and Crater Lake have lots of winter road closures, and Isle Royale is completely inaccessible in the winter. On the other hand, visiting the Florida and Texas parks is going to be more pleasant in the cooler months.

For this reason, I’ve divided this route into sections that make sense to do seasonally. You won’t be jumping from the desert to the high alpine, so you can stay safe and prepared for what’s ahead.

There’s no better place to start and end this road trip than the stunning southwest. Because you’ll be traveling all over the country, it only makes sense to have this road trip be a loop. Most of the parks in the American Southwest are fairly warm in the winter, with the exception of Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. However, it can be assumed that roads are generally open in these areas in the colder months.

Let’s start our journey in Joshua Tree National Park in California. This park is a great place to start—it’s easy to navigate, accessible for most beginner national park travelers, has great camping, and great views. It’s a fantastic introduction to the southwest, with massive granite rock features, desert flora and fauna, and sunny skies most of the year.

From Joshua Tree, drive east to Grand Canyon National Park , one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This is one of those places that’s on just about everyone’s bucket list, and it is a great place to camp, hike, or backpack. I’ll save the rest of the Arizona parks for later, but for now, let’s head north.

Not too far north from the Grand Canyon, we’ll hit the first of Utah’s Mighty Five: Zion . Known for stunning red rocks and the infamous Angel’s Landing hike . Visiting the rest of Utah’s parks is easy, simply drive east. This will allow you to witness the diversity in red rock formations, from hoodoos to natural arches. From Zion, you can easily hit Bryce Canyon , Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches in one week or less, maybe throwing in some underrated state parks along the way. Keep in mind that during peak season, Arches does require a timed entry reservation.

From Utah, it makes sense to stay in the desert a little bit longer, stopping at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado before heading south. Mesa Verde is known for its ancient ruins, so stop and take a tour while you’re here to see them up close.

South from Mesa Verde, you’ll visit Petrified Forest National Park, which is a perfect day trip destination where you can appreciate the fossilized wood, and walk your dog—this is a dog-friendly park. Saguaro National Park is next, right outside of Tucson, Arizona, where you can walk amongst giant cacti. Both of these Arizona parks are fairly small and take little planning.

As you head east, you’ll hit White Sands National Park , home to a massive gypsum dune field. This is your first of a few sand dune parks, and while it’s smaller than the others, there is nothing like sand that looks like snow. Go on a hike on the dunes or rent a sled and enjoy the downhill ride.

Staying in New Mexico for one more park, head down to Carlsbad Caverns . Walk down into the cave and check out the underground rock formations. Make sure you stay for the bat flight program at sundown if you visit in the right season—this is an unforgettable wildlife experience.

Just a few miles south of Carlsbad Caverns is Guadalupe Mountains National Park , home to the tallest peak in Texas. This is a smaller park that doesn’t need a ton of time, unlike its neighbor to the south, Big Bend . This park’s name makes it clear; in order to see the whole park, you’ll need a couple days. Check out the Chisos Mountain area and the Rio Grande River here. Go hiking or soak in a hot spring, just keep in mind that being so far south, this park is a hot one in the summer months.

This concludes the southwest portion of the trip, and while there are a couple desert parks left, the way they’re accessed means they’ll be on your route later in the trip.

From Texas, you’ll keep driving east, heading to Arkansas, where Hot Springs National Park is located. This park is more of a historic district, but with a beautiful campground and some hiking trails, it’s truly a mix of everything you could ask for in a park. Make sure you try the natural spring water and visit one of the historic bath houses while you’re here.

The thing about the eastern side of the U.S. is that the parks here are a lot less condensed. The next park on this route isn’t until southern Florida, where we’ll visit three: Biscayne, Everglades, and Dry Tortugas. Everglades is known for its swampy Florida landscape and is the only location in the world where you’ll have the chance to see both crocodiles and alligators. Biscayne is best seen by snorkeling through the park’s protected waters. Dry Tortugas does require a boat to get there, which must be reserved in advance, but once you arrive, you’ll be able to explore this old fort and its surrounding tropical waters.

Since the Florida parks are right next to each other, we’ll head north from here and start heading up the east coast, stopping at Congaree National Park in South Carolina next. This is a great park for wildlife viewing and is the perfect way to experience the unique swampy landscapes of the southeast. Not too far from Congaree is Great Smoky Mountains , located on the Tennessee and North Carolina state line. This is the most visited national park in the country and is a fantastic place to hike, visit waterfalls, and chase views.

From Great Smoky Mountains, you won’t be far from New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia. This is the newest national park in the country, and it’s known for whitewater rafting and rock climbing. Its river is the second oldest in the world, and you’ll be able to hike, camp, and so much more during your time here.

From New River Gorge, head to another iconic Appalachian park: Shenandoah . Shenandoah is similar to the Smokies but with fewer crowds. Take on one of the iconic hikes here, like Old Rag, and camp in one of the park’s many beautiful campgrounds.

New England and the Midwest

This section of the country is hard to put a name on, because you’ll be traveling through many states that don’t have national parks in them. That’s not to say there aren’t beautiful things to see, but there won’t be another park until you reach Maine. In Maine, you’ll visit Acadia National Park . Located on an island off the coast, Acadia is known for having the first sunrise in the U.S. every day. There are lots of hiking trails, and even opportunities for rock climbing here in Acadia, and don’t forget to stop at one of the many beaches.

Coming up next, you won’t have another park until you hit Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. This park is a little more urban than others, but it’s known for waterfalls and its scenic train ride. At this point, you’re heading west, and your next park is Indiana Dunes . At first glance, Indiana Dunes might not seem like much, but the reality is, it’s one of the most biodiverse places in the country. Like lots of sand dune parks around the U.S., this is another great place to bring your dog.

Now, you might be thinking we skipped a couple, but don’t fret—you’re heading to Mammoth Cave next. Mammoth Cave is the world’s longest known cave system. Take a cave tour here, and learn about the cave’s rich history. This park is also home to one of my favorite campgrounds in the Midwest—definitely spend the night here and make the most of your time in Kentucky.

Speaking of history, Gateway Arch is your next park. This iconic landmark is probably the most different from the rest of the destinations on our list. During my visit, I was told by a ranger that the reason it became a park was due to the historic significance of the land the arch was built on. Take the elevator to the top of the arch and look over the city of St. Louis.

Northwoods and Great Plains

While Isle Royale is in Michigan, you’ll drive up to the Upper Peninsula through Wisconsin. Make a stop at Apostle Islands on your way to your boat harbor. Isle Royale can only be accessed via boat, which must be reserved in advance. Isle Royale is going to force you out of your comfort zone: the boat ride is too long for day trips, so most people camp for at least one night on the island. This is also a great place to try backpacking for the first time.

Once you reunite with your car, you’ll drive to Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota’s Northwoods. This park does have hiking trails but is best seen and appreciated from the water. It’s a fantastic place to rent a kayak or canoe and head out to one of the islands while you take in a view of Canada in the distance.

From Voyageurs, you’ll keep heading west to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This park will be your first taste of badland formations . Theodore Roosevelt is known for its wildlife, so keep an eye out for prairie dogs, bison, and wild horses. Make sure you explore both the north and south unit as well—they’re very different from each other and worth seeing.

Next, head south to Badlands National Park . This is easily one of the most otherworldly landscapes in the country, and here, you’re able to hike anywhere, even if there’s no trail. Because of this, there aren’t a lot of designated trails in the park, but a fun, short hike is the Notch Trail. Make sure you get up for sunrise here and take in the views of bison, coyotes, pronghorns, and prairie dogs.

Wind Cave National Park is next, where you’ll be able to explore both above and below ground. Take a cave tour and go on a hike to experience the bison herds on the surface.

Mountain West

You’ve made it back to the expansive west, and by now you’re a seasoned national park traveler. Head south down to Rocky Mountain National Park , where you’ll be welcomed by stunning mountain vistas, herds of elk, and stunning hiking trails. This park does have timed entry requirements in the summer, so keep that in mind and try to plan ahead.

There are two more Colorado parks that you haven’t visited yet. Next up is going to be Great Sand Dunes National Park , home to the tallest sand dune in North America. Just like other sand dune parks, you can bring your dog here, as long as you stay in the front country. The sand does get quite hot in the summer, so my best tip is to plan a sunrise hike. The dunes will be less crowded and the sand will be cool enough for you to hike barefoot.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison is next. This unique canyon is extremely steep, but it’s also one of the only canyon parks that allows you to drive down into it. If you’d rather hike down, this is an option too, just make sure you get a permit from the visitor center. There are also many overlooks along the rim of the canyon, which is perfect if you’re looking for a more low-key adventure.

Next, you’ll head north to Wyoming, where you’ll visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks . These unique parks are neighbors, but they couldn’t be more different. In the Tetons, you’ll find towering rocky peaks, and in Yellowstone you’ll be in the depths of a volcanic landscape. Grand Teton National Park hosts the Jenny Lake trail, one of the most famous trails in the park. In Yellowstone, visit some of the many boardwalks through the volcanic springs, like the famous Grand Prismatic. Both parks are known for wildlife—make sure you’re carrying bear spray if you choose to go hiking and appreciate all wildlife from a distance.

After Yellowstone, you’ll head north to one of my favorite parks in the continental U.S.: Glacier. Located in northern Montana, Glacier National Park is famous for mountains, wildlife, and well, glaciers. Drive the Going to the Sun Road or hike one of the many trails to a glacial view and learn about how ancient ice shaped our landscape. The Going to the Sun Road does require timed entry reservations, but it’s worth the extra hassle to get to drive through this stunning landscape. Make sure you stop at Logan Pass as well as some of the many other viewpoints as you make your way from west to east Glacier.

Pacific Northwest

After Glacier, drive west to North Cascades . You’ve officially arrived back on the U.S. West Coast. North Cascades is one of the least-visited parks in the country and is a great place to go backpacking. If you’re not into backpacking, check out Diablo Lake or one of the many views and day hikes throughout the park.

From here, head west to Olympic National Park . This stunning place requires a lot of time to properly explore. Here, you can visit the tall Olympic mountains, the rocky Washington coastline, and the Hoh Rainforest—one of the only true temperate rainforests in North America. This park is home to incredible coastal wildlife, such as Roosevelt elk, banana slugs, and black bears, as well as the invasive mountain goat.

South of Olympic, it’s time to visit Mount Rainier National Park. This park requires a timed entry reservation in the peak season (June-August), so plan ahead. Here, you’ll see the giant 14,000-foot Mount Rainier, which is home to wildlife such as black bears, elk, and foxes. This is a great place for a hike, and Sunrise Point is home to one of my favorite sunrises in the country.

After Mount Rainier, you’ll head south to Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake. Crater Lake is the world’s ninth deepest lake, which formed as the result of the eruption of Mount Mazama. This park is amazing for a scenic drive, boat tour, hike, or swim, but keep in mind, the Rim Drive is only open in the summer months.

California and Nevada

Coming from Oregon, you’ll visit Redwoods National and State Parks first, where you’ll see the tallest trees in the world. This incredible park is on the coast, so make sure you visit both the forest and the beach while you’re here.

After the Redwoods, make your way back to the mountains, heading toward Lassen Volcanic National Park. This is one of the most underrated parks in the country , home to the southernmost Cascade mountain: Lassen Peak. Lassen stands at over 10,000 feet tall, and the park is home to volcanic activity similar to Yellowstone, as well as alpine lakes and unique lava fields left over from past eruptions. Keep in mind that many roads here are closed in the winter.

Lassen Volcanic is the perfect gateway to the Eastern Sierra, which is how you will get to Nevada. A long drive across the state will allow you to finally visit Great Basin National Park. This park is not what you would expect from this desert state—it’s home to Wheeler Peak, a 13,000-foot mountain that stretches up out of the desert landscape. Book a cave tour to see the Lehman Cave, so you can explore this park above and below ground.

From here, you’re heading back to California and entering Death Valley National Park from the Nevada side. Death Valley is the largest national park in the continental U.S. at over 3 million acres. There is so much to explore in Death Valley, from the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin to the magical Mesquite Sand Dunes to the 11,000-foot summit of Telescope Peak, and so much in between.

From here, you might be wondering, what about the Western Sierra parks? The thing about California’s geography is that there is a massive mountain range that you have to drive around to access a lot of the parks here. Since Tioga Pass, which leads from the Eastern Sierra to Yosemite, is closed for parts of the year depending on snowpack, I’m going to suggest that you head south from Death Valley to Sequoia National Park .

Sequoia is home to the largest trees in the world—not to be confused with the Redwoods, which are the tallest. This incredible old-growth forest is home to massive trees, beautiful mountains, and amazing wildlife-viewing opportunities. Just north of Sequoia is Kings Canyon —Sequoia’s sister park. These parks are so close together, it only makes sense to visit them back to back. Kings Canyon is the underrated combination of Sequoia and Yosemite’s landscapes, with amazing rocky cliffs, canyon walls, and sequoia trees throughout the park.

From here, you’ll finally make your way north to the coveted Yosemite . Yosemite does require timed entry during the summer, and I highly suggest reserving a campsite or lodging far in advance—it’s very hard to find a place to stay here. Go see the mighty Half Dome, watch the climbers on El Capitan, or hike to one of the many waterfalls like Vernal or Nevada Falls.

From here, you’ll head southwest to Pinnacles National Park . I highly recommend getting a campsite here, because the park is pretty remote and there aren’t a lot of places to stay nearby. This is California’s newest park and is home to unique rock formations and the unique flora and fauna of central California.

There’s only one park left: Channel Islands . This one is an adventure worthy of being the final park on your road trip. Book a ferry ticket and park your car at Ventura Harbor. Your boat will take you to the island of your choice, and you’ll have the chance to see wildlife like whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Depending on the island you choose, you might even see the rare island fox, which only resides in Channel Islands National Park. Go for a day trip or take your backpacking gear and stay in one of the established campgrounds on the islands.

You now have the knowledge to accomplish a massive feat that many dream of: visiting all of the national parks in the continental U.S. While there are still other parks to see, this is more of the country than most people see in their lifetimes. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to hit the road.

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The Ultimate Guide to US National Parks Road Trips Across America

If you are like us, chances are you love road trips and you want to visit all the National Parks in the United States . But, the United States is a vast landmass and if you work a full-time job or run a business, you have limited vacation days. Plus, traveling requires planning and money.

In 2019, we finished our quest to visit all 50 US States as “the First non-US born Couple” . During our 5 years long adventure, we made numerous road trips, drove more than 15,000 miles, visited more than 100 US Cities , and explore over 30 National Parks .

We thought, sharing our journey will be a helpful resource for other wanderlusters who are planning a similar adventure.

Death Valley National Park, Nevada

US National Parks Road Trips

Before we jump into the best ways to visit the America’s National Parks and various google maps routes, let’s take a quick step back and reorient ourselves on what is our goal here.

The goal here is to visit most (if not all) of the US National Parks.

There are 61 National Parks in the United States. If you’ll try to drive to all of them in one stretch, it will be more than 15,000 miles of driving and it will easily take you over 3 months. But, we are not going to propose that. Enjoying nature is opposite of rushing!

Therefore, the purpose of this guide is to help you save money and time while enjoying the beauty of the North American continent . It’s not a record making or breaking quest, it’s a carefully thought-out itinerary for anyone who has a busy life and day-to-day responsibilities. Jobs, businesses, family, health concerns, and so on.

Depending on where you live or if you are flying from abroad, you can start anywhere (on any of the loops) and then make your way towards Eastcoast, Westcoast, Midwest, or the South.

West Coast National Parks Road Trips Itinerary

Since California has the most National Parks in the contiguous United States, let’s start here.

Below is the trip we planned for ourselves along with our friends who live in the San Jose area . Please note, we live in Boston (on the opposite coast) and the tickets to San Francisco is usually the cheapest among all California airports. So, we made San Fransisco as our start and end point.

Depending on where you are coming from or if you happen to live in California or Oregon , you can tweak the journey to your liking and whatever best suits your situation.

California National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

Since California has 8 National Parks and it’s one of the largest state, this loop only consists of California National Parks.

Link to open in Google Maps

Yosemite National Park, California

Pacific North-West National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

This loop includes the States of Washington and Oregon on the west-coast, and the states of Idaho , Wyoming , and Montana .

We flew to Seattle from Boston and started south. Portland city should not be missed and there are plenty of scenery near Bend so we added those as out stops. Crater Lake National Park is a short drive from Bend.

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

In Idaho, we made Boise our night stops and Idaho Falls as a stop for Grand Teton National Park .

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

From the Grand Teton, you head directly north into the Yellowstone National Park and you should give it at least 2 days. There is just too much to see here. Also, note that in terms of the size, Yellowstone  is larger than the state of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.

Continuing north, we passed through Choteau and made East Glacier village our pit stop for entry into the Montana’s crown, Glacier National Park . Again, the weather is unpredictable and allow yourself a few extra days so you don’t miss the breathtaking beauty of many green, blue, and turquoise colored glacier-fed lakes.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

After that, you can head west and if you want you can explore Spokane on your way. Continue further west to North Cascades National Park , then head south to Seattle. Then explore Olympic National Park and Rainer National Parks .

Visit the Space Needle and the famous fish and farmers marker – Pike Place .

Links to open in Google Maps

The above two loops (California loop and Pacific Northwest loop) covers 15 National Parks out of 61 total. Woohoo! You are off to a great start.

You have already achieved almost 25% of your goal .

Denver National Parks Road Trip

We flew from Boston to Denver and this time our eyes were set on the magnificent beauty of Colorado’s Rockies and the reddish desert of Utah.

Stone Arch in Arches National Park, Utah

Las Vegas National Parks Road Trip

Next, we flew to Las Vegas from Boston (the tickets are usually cheap to Vegas from almost anywhere in the United States). This time, we focused on the great Canyons of Arizona and the remaining wonders of Utah, including Westworld’s Monument Valley.

The above two loops gives 12 National Parks which brings your totals to 27/61. This is getting exciting, isn’t it! You have just made 4 trips from your home base (wherever it may be) and you are already 44% done towards your milestone !

The Narrows in Zion National Park, Utah

Minneapolis National Parks Road Trip

This time we flew from Boston to Minneapolis as the tickets are again usually cheap and it’s the biggest airport for the next 5 National Parks road trip loop.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota is the best place to see wild bisons and wild horses. Whereas Wind Cave and Badlands in South Dakota is a unique geographical wonders.

Bisons in Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Minneapolis and Michigan bordering with Canada and surrounded by the Great Lakes is amazing during the summer time.

Talk about driving across the entire country from the comfort of your own rental car or RV. After making this 5th trip, you are more than halfway done. Your totals after visiting the above 5 National Parks now stand at 32/61.

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

You have now visited more than half of all National Parks in the United States. Congratulations! 

Let’s shift gears and head to the South now for a long road trip before we continue our journey into the Midwest and Northeast and Atlantic South.

Phoenix or Albuquerque National Parks Road Trip

This last trip will wrap up everything in the South, Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, and the West Coast. And you have two choices in terms of where you want to start and finish your road trip: Phoenix, Arizona or Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Depending on whether you are flying in or driving and whichever city seems to be nearer and cheaper, you can pick either one and do this loop. You have 5 National Parks to cover in this trip:

Petrified Forest National Park , Saguaro National Park , Carlsbad Caverns National Park , Guadalupe Mountains National Park , and Big Bend National Park . Two in Arizona, one in New Mexico, and two in Texas. (If you wondering where is Grand Canyon, scroll above to Las Vegas National Parks Road Trip loop.)

You have now 37 national parks out of 61 total. 😉 Talk about wandering around!

The Big St. Louis National Parks Road Trip Loop

The goal of this big road trip is to finish everything remaining except the National Parks of Alaska (eight), Hawaii (two), Florida (three), and Maine (one). By doing this almost 3500 miles long loop, you’ll end up with 47 National Parks out of 61 total.

Now, that’s almost near-80% finished! And, you are just 4 trips away from finishing your adventure.

In the above loop, you have got two newest National Parks of the United States, the St. Louis Gateway Arch and Indiana Dunes in Indiana. On this trip, you’ll also pass through great cities such as St. Louis, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Memphis.

Florida National Parks

Florida has three National Parks. Everyone has heard of Everglades National Park and the gators but did you know, Florida also has two marine area that are protected National Parks: Biscayne and Dry Tortugas .

Alligator in Everglades National Park, Florida

You can fly to Miami and then rent a car and drive to Everglades. Then drive back to Miami and then drive to Biscayne National Park. In the end, head to the Key West and explore Dry Tortugas National Park.

Now you are “50 National Parks visited” kind of person.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park, Maine

For your 51st National Park, fly to Boston or Portland, Maine and then drive to Bar Harbor, Maine and enjoy the scenic beauty of Acadia National Park. It’s amazing during the Fall colors.

Since we live in Boston, we have been to Acadia numerous times and in all seasons. Maine has a beautiful coastline and Acadia is the crown jewel.

Woohoo! Congratulations! You have just finished 51/61 and all of the National Parks in the Contiguous United States.

You can pat on your back and take a moment to allow yourself to celebrate. This is quite a milestone! Not many people have seen this beautiful country coast-to-coast and you are among the lucky few!

Alaska National Parks

Fly to Anchorage and rent a car and visit the four national parks near the Anchorage region. These are: Lake Clark National Park , Katmai National Park , Wrangell-St. Elias National Park , and Kenai Fjords National Park .

Then head south to Juneau, Alaska to visit Glacier Bay National Park . It’s accessible only by ship or plane.

Next, head north to Denali National Park and then continue further north to the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Upon return, either from Fairbanks or Anchorage, you may want to take a flight to the last remaining national park in Alaska, Kobuk Valley National Park .

Denali National Park, Alaska

Hawaii National Parks

What could be a better a place to finish this epic adventure than in Hawaii. Hawaii was the 50th state of the US and it has 4 major islands that everyone visits to: Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai.

For the National Parks adventure, you’ll be visiting Maui and the Big Island (also called as Hawaii). In Maui, you have Haleakala National Park , and on the Big Island, you have Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park .

Congratulations once again, now you have visited all 61 US National Parks! 

If you are wondering what’s next, check out our Ultimate Travel Bucket List page to start new adventures!

Note: The cover photo is of Yellowstone National Park, our favorite national park along with Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park.

September 23, 2019 8:36 pm Published by Art Of Travel 1 Comment

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• 1 Grand Circle Tour through Utah's Big 5
• 2 Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier National Park
• 3 Pacific Coast Highway from Golden Gate Bridge to Redwood to Olympic National Park
• 4 California's Majestic Mountain Loop
• 5 Denver to Rocky Mountain to Mesa Verde to Great Sand Dunes National Park
• 6 Seattle to Mount Rainier to Olympic National Park
• 7 Park Loop Road through Acadia National Park
• 8 Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains to Mammoth Cave National Park

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.

Women’s Dress Outfit for a National Park

Shop the look.

Acorn Earrings

Floral Print Dress

Twist Bow Headbands

Serpent Ring

Dina Sandal

Men’s catskills outfit.

Lightweight Shirt

Smart Trousers

Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

Women’s Walking Outfit for a National Park

Everyday Bodysuit

Dede Cargo Pants

Imitation Pearl Headband

Elephant Pendant Necklace

Platform Portal Sneaker

Men’s walking outfit for a national park.

Running Man Graphic Tee

Jogger Shorts

Baseball Cap

58mm Sunglasses

Women’s Flowy Outfit for Summer

Lele Sadoughi Stacked Stone Barrette

Valentina Dress

Signet Ring

Mini Ark Handbag

Myron Point Toe Flats

Men’s casual outfit for summer.

Striped Tee

Bleach Ripped Slim Jeans

Strap Watch

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Everything you need to know to plan a national park road trip

Deemed “America’s best idea,” national parks protect some of the most scenic and historically significant areas in the U.S.

About the National Park Service

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, which established the National Park Service (NPS). Its goal is to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and … leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” 

The NPS now manages 63 national parks and hundreds of monuments, historic sites, seashores, scenic trails, riverways, and more across the U.S. and its territories. According to the NPS, there are more than 20,000 NPS employees who care for both the protected land and its visitors. 

Many of these employees are park rangers, who support programming at national parks, staff visitor centers, and offer guided tours. While programming varies by park, the Junior Ranger program and Every Kid Outdoors are nationwide programs. Local programs can be found on each park’s individual website by navigating to “Things To Do” in the “Plan Your Visit” menu.

What national park are you?

Find out your national park personality match

List of all 63 U.S. national parks

Cost for visiting national parks.

Each national park charges its own vehicle entry—usually around $30—or per-person fee, while a few parks offer free admission year-round. Entrance for children ages 15 and under is free.

National parks with no entrance fees include:

• Biscayne National Park
• Channel Islands National Park
• Congaree National Park
• Cuyahoga Valley National Park 
• Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
• Great Basin National Park
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Hot Springs National Park
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Lake Clark National Park & Preserve
• New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
• North Cascades National Park
• Redwood National Park * (some areas of the adjoining state park have a day-use fee)
• Voyageurs National Park   
• Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

The NPS announces entrance-free days for some national holidays and other celebrations each year. For 2023 there are five entrance-free days: Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (January 16), the first day of National Park Week (April 22), the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (August 4), National Public Lands Day (September 23), and Veterans Day (November 11).

Tickets and reservations at national parks

In recent years, national parks have experienced a record number of visitors. This has led some parks to require advance reservations for entry or certain activities, including shuttles and hikes. To avoid any disappointment, do your research ahead of your visit. Each individual park’s website will have information on whether tickets are required, and many reservations can be made on  Recreation.gov . Popular parks with advance ticketing for some or all areas include Acadia, Arches, Glacier, Yosemite, and Zion.

Everything you need to know about the America the Beautiful Pass

If you frequent national parks, national forests, and other federal lands, an annual pass can help you save money when traveling.

Discounts and passes at national parks

Frequent national park visitors can save big on entrance fees by purchasing an annual America the Beautiful Pass , which is valid at areas managed by the National Park Service, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

The pass costs $80 and covers entrance for up to four adults traveling in the same vehicle. Passes expire 12 months from the month of purchase on the last day of the month. The pass can be ordered online , via phone at 888-275-8747, or purchased in person at many federal recreation areas . 

All current U.S. military members and dependents as well as veterans and Gold Star Family members receive free entrance to all parks through a special military pass. Seniors are able to purchase a discounted lifetime or annual senior pass. Those with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free lifetime pass; volunteers with a certain number of service hours are eligible for free annual passes. Children who are in fourth grade receive free access for their families for a full year (September through August) through the Every Kid Outdoors program. More information on all these passes can be found here . 

Use the NPS App to view park maps, accessibility information, alerts, and more. You can also download content for offline use.

Preparing for a national park visit

A visit to a national park is made better with research, planning, and backup options. You’ll be enjoying the outdoors so expect encounters with wildlife—including bugs—and, depending on when and where you visit, inclement weather.

Visiting national parks with kids

With free entry and educational programming, make a national park your next family vacation.

6 tips for getting your kids interested in hiking

Everything you need to know about the National Park Service’s Junior Ranger program

10 national parks that are fun for the whole family

What to know about the National Park Service’s 'Every Kid Outdoors' program

4 must-visit national parks for adventure-seeking travelers

A campervan road trip to Death Valley with a 3-month-old and a toddler

For families with kids in tow, there are a few things you can do to ensure your park visit is a success. From bringing enough food to taking advantage of kid-friendly programs and activities, here’s what you need to know before planning your trip.

Visiting national parks with pets

Not all national parks are pet-friendly. While many allow leashed pets at campgrounds and some trails, there are restrictions. Learn more about the B.A.R.K. Ranger program, and consider a nearby kennel if needed.

Your pup can be a BARK Ranger at these dog-friendly national parks

The quick and easy guide to roadtripping with pets

Visiting national parks by rv.

RVing is a popular way to visit national parks. Make sure you know your RV’s height and length restrictions before planning a trip so you can make sure your rig fits at campsites and on roads.

10 best national parks for RVers

10 least visited national parks for RVers

The best national parks for stargazing for RVers

Accessibility at national parks.

The NPS has its own Accessibility Task Force to recommend changes for improving accessibility at park units. All permanently disabled U.S. residents are eligible for free park entry. You can learn more about each park’s accessibility levels on its website under the “Plan Your Visit” menu.

Outdoors for all: How national parks are addressing accessibility challenges

How to plan an accessible family road trip

5 of the most wheelchair accessible national parks in the U.S. [Campendium]

Seasonality at national parks.

Some national parks close or have limited access on a seasonal basis due to weather conditions. You can view this information on each park’s website under the “Plan Your Visit” menu. Information will be listed under “Basic Information > Operating Hours & Seasons.”

11 national parks with incredible winter experiences

10 national parks in winter for RVers

8 national parks with epic holiday celebrations

Acknowledging national park history.

Learn more about the history of national parks, and the people who first protected them and helped make them what they are today.

Learn about Indigenous history at these National Park Service sites

National Park Service sites dedicated to Black history in the U.S.

Yellowstone at 150: The park elevates Native American voices in its anniversary celebrations

Next time you visit a national park, take time to learn and honor its Indigenous history

These national park sites work with local tribes to recognize Indigenous history and culture

'A true sense of belonging': Outdoor Afro creates spaces for Black joy in nature

Recreate responsibly and leave no trace.

The NPS supports the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and Recreate Responsibly . Learn more about these campaigns below.

How to leave no trace during your summer road trip

How to Leave No Trace: Boondocking Edition [Campendium]

The NPS recommends 10 items for national park visits: navigation (map, compass, and GPS system), sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen, and hat), insulation (jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, and underlayers), illumination (flashlight, headlamp, and lantern), first-aid supplies, fire starters, repair kit and tools (duct tape, knife, screwdriver, and scissors), nutrition, hydration, and an emergency shelter (tent, space blanket, tarp, and bivy).

Camping and lodging at national parks

Most national parks offer convenient accommodations in the form of lodges and campgrounds inside the park’s grounds. There are more than 130 campgrounds to choose from within the 63 parks and nearly half of the parks offer in-park lodging.

Camping at national parks

Most campground reservations can be made in advance through Recreation.gov, although this varies by park. Some sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Nightly rates and other fees vary by park and will be listed on each park’s website.  

To find camping information for each park , visit the park’s website and navigate to the “Plan Your Visit” menu. Lodging and camping information will be listed under “Eating & Sleeping.” Most popular campgrounds fill up the day the reservation booking window opens, which can be anywhere from 14 days to 12 months in advance of travel dates. Make sure to mark your calendar and make bookings as soon as you can. 

Note that many national park campgrounds are limited in amenity offerings and site size. Depending on your camping style and rig size, you might consider a private campground in a gateway town. Glamping sites are also cropping up in the areas surrounding many popular national parks and can be convenient for families or those looking to bridge sleeping outdoors with creature comforts. 

5 tips for booking campsites at popular national parks

Our friends at Campendium share tips that can help you snag a campsite at these highly coveted locations.

More national park camping

Camping guide to popular national parks [Campendium]

The best private campgrounds near national parks [Campendium]

The best glamping sites near national parks [Campendium]

Where to find national park campgrounds with RV hookups [Campendium]

How to secure a last-minute national park campground reservation

5 national park sites where you can find nearby boondocking [Campendium]

Lodging at national parks.

Almost half of U.S. national parks—including Badlands, Death Valley, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion—offer in-park lodging, typically through park concessionaires. Like campgrounds, rooms book well in advance, so make your reservations as early as possible. Most lodges have their own websites for booking and additional information.

Guides to popular national parks

Find out more information and plan a trip with these guides to popular U.S. national parks.

Grand Canyon National Park

Yosemite National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Arches National Park

Glacier National Park

Zion National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Guides to lesser-visited national parks.

Consider a visit to these national parks that are equally beautiful but less trafficked than some of their counterparts.

The Ultimate Guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park

The ultimate guide to Petrified Forest National Park

The perfect RV road trip to Olympic National Park

Finding solace in the old-growth forest of Congaree, one of the least-visited national parks in the U.S.

Want a unique winter thrill? Try driving an ice road across a frozen lake in Voyageurs National Park

Ditch your car to experience Isle Royale, the least-visited national park in the contiguous U.S.

The Ultimate Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Capitol Reef National Park

Roadtrippers guide to mysterious Mesa Verde National Park

National parks in the west.

The ultimate guide to North Cascades National Park

Why you'll fall in love with Grand Teton National Park

Crater Lake National Park

California national parks by RV [Togo RV]

Bryce Canyon National Park

Here's why you'll fall in love with Sequoia National Park

The ultimate road trip guide to Canyonlands National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Death Valley National Park

National parks in the south.

The ultimate guide to Big Bend National Park

The ultimate guide to Hot Springs National Park

Visiting Florida’s National Parks and Forests by RV [Togo RV]

The Ultimate Guide to Biscayne National Park

National parks in the midwest.

The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

How to make the most of a road trip to Indiana Dunes National Park

Badlands National Park

National parks in the east.

Shenandoah National Park

4 National Parks in the Southeast Worth Visiting by RV [Togo RV]

A Campers Guide to The Newest National Park: New River Gorge [Campendium]

Acadia National Park

An insider’s guide to hidden gems in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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The Ultimate National Park Road Trip

While there are many great cities you can stop in while driving across America, you can’t beat the scenery on a national park road trip. Try this itinerary!

From sea to shining sea, the United States is blessed with truly spectacular scenery, and thanks to a well-developed infrastructure connecting almost all parts of the country, it’s also a great place to do a cross-country road trip. While there are plenty of great cities you can stop in while driving coast to coast, if you really want to see something remarkable, you simply can’t beat a national park road trip!

There are more than 420 national park sites in the United States, most of which are concentrated in the western half of the country. Currently, 63 of these natural oases can officially be called “National Parks,” while the others fall into different NPS categories, like National Historic Sites or National Recreation Areas. Whatever they’re called, we highly recommend visiting as many as you can in your lifetime. To help you, we’ve created this itinerary for a road trip that includes some of America’s most picturesque national parks, as well as a few must-see attractions along the way.

Adventures Across North America and Beyond

As you set out on a tour of US national parks, be sure to look for our scavenger hunt tours wherever you roam. We have created hundreds of adventures around the globe, and we’re always eager to show you the sites we’ve discovered on our travels. Just download the Let’s Roam app , and choose from bar crawls , art walks, haunted history tours , and other sightseeing excursions. Try one in a city near you !

Our national park road trip itinerary starts and ends in Los Angeles, California. We have chosen this as a starting destination because it’s easy to access from all different areas of the country by car, plane, or train. There is also a ton of great stuff to do there! If you have some spare time, you can easily spend a few days there checking out the many sites either before or after your national park road trip. Don’t forget to do one of our fun-filled Los Angeles scavenger hunts while you’re there! These provide a great way to learn more about the City of Angels and we promise that you will have a great time doing it.

Below you will find a road trip itinerary that takes you through many of the largest and most famous national parks throughout the western half of the United States. The driving times listed are estimates and it’s a very good idea to calculate considerably more time to get between places so that you can stop to take photos, go on impromptu hikes, and check out some small towns along the way. 

Depending on how much time you have, you can always make this trip longer or make it a shorter week-long getaway simply by spending extra days at the parks that you have fallen in love with or by skipping some parks completely. Before you start heading to any of the parks on this list, make sure to check the National Park Service website for any up-to-date information regarding weather, road closures, etc to avoid any unpleasant surprises. 

Expert Tips

If you’re planning on undertaking even a small section of this road trip it’s a very good idea to get an America the Beautiful National Park Pass. This annual pass is offered by the National Park Service and costs just $80 per year. It gives you access to all of the country’s 2,000 national parks, monuments, and recreation areas. Considering that many of these parks cost roughly $30 to $35 to enter, this ends up providing a fantastic way to save money and it pays for itself after visiting just three parks. Not to mention that it’s a gift that keeps on giving all year long!

Additionally, it’s important to note that accommodations in and around national parks can be extremely expensive. If you’re traveling on a budget, it’s a good idea to check on Airbnb to see what other properties are nearby or you can do a search on Expedia that takes in neighboring areas that are still within close proximity to the park gates. Before you book any accommodation, make sure to search Google Maps to see exactly how far away it’s from the park gates. Otherwise, you could spend half of your day driving and have less time to spend in the park itself.

Joshua Tree National Park

• Driving time: 2.5 hours
• Must-see attractions: Joshua trees, Cholla Cactus Garden, Skull Rock, Keys View, Hidden Valley nature trail, Arch Rock
• Activities: hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, camping

If you love nothing more than a jaw-droppingly beautiful desert landscape, you’re in luck. Joshua Tree National Park is the meeting point of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, creating an ecosystem that is home to a fascinating array of plants and animals. The two deserts have a 3,000-foot difference in elevation so the flora and fauna that you see are remarkably varied. Joshua trees, the namesake of the park, are found in the western section of the park and you can find amazing rock formations and monoliths scattered throughout the entire area. 

Death Valley, California 

• Driving time: 4.5 hours
• Must-see attractions: salt flats, sand dunes
• Activities: Hiking, scenic drives

Straddling eastern California and western Nevada, Death Valley National Park is the largest national park south of Alaska and the driest and hottest spot on the continent. Lying 282 feet below sea level, the area is known as a graben, a sunken fragment of the Earth’s crust, and is covered with mudstone hills and canyons, lush oases, sand dunes, rocks that have been sculpted by millions of years of erosion, and a 200-square-mile salt pan that is surrounded by soaring mountains. Although the name suggests that the area is barren, in reality, it’s covered with a thousand varieties of plants, some of which are unique to this part of the world. 

Las Vegas, Nevada 

• Must-see attractions: The Las Vegas Strip
• Activities : gambling, shopping

After spending a few days exploring Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Park, it’s time for a spin in Sin City which is a bucket list destination for many travelers both young and old. Although it’s best known for the oodles of casinos that line the strip, Las Vegas has transformed into an entertainment mecca with residencies of famous musicians, rotating exhibitions, and more. While you’re there, you can even head to Freemont Street, the revitalized stretch of Downtown Las Vegas that gives you a taste of what the old Vegas was like. 

This is also a great place to stock up on anything that you think you will need for the next stretch of your road trip. There will be plenty of large box shops like Wal-Mart and Dollar Store along the way, you may not find that many specialty stores. 

Expert tip: When I did a similar road trip in July 2022, I started and ended in Las Vegas as I didn’t have time to include the California section. It proved to be a great idea as the swimming pools, air conditioning, and other amenities proved to be a nice little touch after spending days hiking in high temperatures. 

Bryce Canyon, Utah

• Driving time : 4 hours
• Must-see attractions: hoodoos, Sunset Point, Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop combo trail
• Activities: hiking

Although it may be one of the smaller national parks in the southwest, Bryce Canyon National Park makes up for its lack of size with a big personality. This unique national park has something that most of the other parks on this list don’t—hoodoos. These tall, skinny red rock towers jut up from the ground dramatically to form a decidedly otherworldly landscape. 

If you only have time to do one hike, make sure to do the Queen’s Garden/Navajo Loop trail. This 2.9-mile-long trail starts and ends with amazing views of the hoodoos before taking you deep into the canyon. Along the way, you will get an up close and personal look at the towering hoodoos. The trail is relatively easy (I did it in sandals) and you can find people of all ages and fitness levels doing it. 

Zion National Park, Utah

• Driving time: 1.5 hours
• Must-see attractions: The Narrows, Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Canyon Overlook trail
• Activities: hiking, scenic drives

As you make your way along the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway as it weaves its way around enormous boulders and climbs up a cliff wall, you will be treated to vistas of stunning red rock scenery. For visitors entering from the eastern side of the park, this is your first taste of what’s to come.

One of the best things to do in Zion National Park is to hike along The Narrows. This hike is unique in that you’re actually hiking in a river rather than on a trail. While this means that your feet will be wet the entire time, it also means that you will get some very cool photos! The Narrows is prone to flash flooding so make sure that you pay attention to all of the safety warnings posted in the park and if you’re unsure of the current status, ask one of the park rangers who will be happy to help. 

Expert tip: Unless you get there really, really early, parking at the visitors center can be very tough as spaces are limited. If you’re entering the park from the south gate near the visitor entrance, you may want to park your car in the town of Springdale and walk into the park. Once you arrive at the visitor center, you can take the shuttle throughout the main area of the park. 

Bonus trip: After you have finished checking out Zion, you can do a side trip down to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim in northern Arizona. This section of the Grand Canyon National Park sees a fraction of the visitors of the more easily accessible South Rim and this makes it feel even more magical than its counterpart. On the way there, you will drive through a dense national forest which provides an amazing juxtaposition with the ruggedness of the Grand Canyon. 

Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah

• Driving time: 1 hour
• Must-see attractions: slot canyons, Scenic Highway 12, Escalante Natural Bridge, Hole in the Rock Road
• Activities: hiking, camping, scenic drives

Lying right in between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is often overlooked as people rush between parks. However, this is a pity as it offers some of the best hiking trails outside of Utah’s famous Big 5 National Parks. You’re likely to find just a handful of people on even the most popular trails and you’re less likely to have to worry about finding a parking spot. Roughly the size of Delaware, the park was created to protect the Grand Staircase Escalante which gets its name from the nearby river and the stair-shaped cliffs rising above it. The highlights of the park include the gorgeous slot canyons so make sure not to miss them!

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

• Must-see attractions: Waterpocket Fold, Grand Walsh Trail, Cohab Canyon Trail, Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
• Activities: Hiking, camping, canyoneering

Located in the heart of Red Rock Country, Capitol Reef National Park is characterized by its striking white and red sandstone cliffs, emerald green riverbanks, and unique desert vegetation. It’s also home to ancient petroglyphs that you can hike to if you want to take a step back into the area’s human history. It’s one of the least visited of the “Mighty 5” Utah parks which means that you don’t have to battle the crowds.

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

• Must-see attractions: Island in the Sky, Cataract Canyon, Mesa Arch
• Activities: Hiking, biking, backpacking, whitewater rafting

As the largest national park in Utah, you know that this one is going to be good. The most popular area of the park is the famed Island in the Sky which sits atop a 1,500-foot mesa. The park has 20 miles of paved roads that give access to a range of spectacular overlooks. Some of them allow you to see up to 100 miles in any direction. Thanks to the varied terrain and the many rivers, Canyonlands National Park is also a mecca for outdoor activities and you can easily spend the morning whitewater rafting through the Cataract Canyon before hiking up to see the sunset over Mesa Arch.

Arches National Park, Utah

• Driving time: 30 minutes
• Must-see attractions: Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Balanced Rock, Double Arch
• Activities: Hiking, scenic drives, camping

With more than 2,000 natural stone arches found within 75,000 acres, Arches National Park certainly lives up to its name and is the location of the highest concentration of stone arches in the entire world. It’s not all just arches though. The park also boasts enormous sandstone fines, impossibly balanced boulders, and soaring pinnacles and spires. 

The park lies just five miles away from the town of Moab, making it a great place to rest for the night after a full day of hiking, driving, and sunset viewing!

Important reminder: Arches National Park currently has a reservation system in place from April to October 3, 2022, due to a high visitor volume. This system will likely continue in the future. If you plan on visiting in 2023, you can reserve your spot at Recreation.gov .

Denver, Colorado

• Driving time: 5.5 hours
• Must-see attractions: Union Station, Cherry Creek
• Activities: craft beer, relaxing

The Mile High City provides a great place to stay after a full day of driving from Arches National Park. The city is easily walkable so you can ditch the rental car and stretch your legs for a bit. If you’re a foodie in need of a delicious meal, you can head over to the upmarket neighborhood of Cherry Creek which is home to a slew of restaurants. After days of hiking and driving, this is a lovely city to just relax in for a few hours or even a few days!

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado 

• Must-see attractions: Trail Ridge Road, Emerald Lake Trail, Fern Lake Trail 
• Activities: Wildlife-spotting, hiking, horseback riding, scenic drives, rock climbing

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited parks in the USA and there is no surprise why! Full of majestic peaks in every direction, the park features the highest paved highway in the United States which provides the perfect way to view all of these 11,000-footers! Many of the top sites are located in the northeastern section of the park so that’s the ideal place to start for most first-time visitors there. While you’re there, try to squeeze in as many hikes as possible. This is one of the best ways to really get a feel for the tremendous beauty of the park and your thighs will thank you for it later!

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota

• Driving time: 6 hours
• Must-see attractions: Mount Rushmore, Sculptor’s Studio, the Lincoln Borglum Museum, Avenue of Flags
• Activities: sightseeing, hiking

Mount Rushmore is probably one of the most iconic sites to come out of the western United States. Created between 1927 and 1941, this massive mountainside sculpture displays the 60-feet tall faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. In what was most likely a desperate attempt to get much-needed tourism dollars into the state, the memorial was sponsored by Peter Norbeck, the then-senator of South Dakota. The strategy worked as today, Mount Rushmore is South Dakota’s biggest tourist attraction, bringing in more than two million visitors per year. 

During your visit, don’t forget to check out the Sculptor’s Studio where you can see plaster models and worker tools that were used in the sculpting progress. There is also a short studio talk explaining how Mount Rushmore was created which will help you look at the finished product in a whole new light.

When you’re done visiting Mount Rushmore, you can linger around for a while and visit Black Hills National Forest, home of Roughlock Falls, or Custer State Park which is home to abundant wildlife. While you’re en route to your next destination, you may also want to take the time to check out some of the many wineries that are located in the southwestern corner of South Dakota. 

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

• Must-see attractions: Badlands Loop Road, Fossil Exhibit Trail, Door, and Windows Trail, Pinnacles Overlook
• Activities: Scenic drives, hiking 

Leaving Mount Rushmore, it’s just a 90-minute short drive to Badlands National Park . This fantastically-named park is famous for its dramatic landscapes complete with unique rock formations, towering spires, beautiful buttes, and plunging canyons. The park’s grasslands are home to an array of interesting wildlife including bighorn sheep, bison, and prairie dogs. If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to head over to the Fossil Exhibit Trail, a family-friendly walk where you can view the many fossils that were discovered in the park. Try to time your visit so that you’re there both during sunrise and sunset as the light over this sprawling landscape is incredible and a dream come true for photographers. 

The next drive is going to be a very, very long one so it’s a good idea to spend the night near Badlands and begin the drive early in the morning. If you want, you can break it up in Gillette, Buffalo, or Cody, Wyoming which is home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West where you can find the Buffalo Bill Museum, a natural history museum, and a recreated Old Town. 

Yellowstone National Park & Grand Teton National Park

• Driving time: 8 hours
• Must-see attractions: Old Faithful, Upper Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Grand Prismatic Spring, Bubbling Mud Pots
• Activities: Hiking, sightseeing, camping, wildlife spotting

Although these two impressive parks are located adjacent to one another, in many ways, they couldn’t be more different. Yellowstone National Park is located on the site of a volcanic hot spot resulting in some truly spectacular geothermal activity. While you’re there, you can see things like bubbling mud, geysers, and plenty of steam. Some of the highlights of the park include the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful, an enormous geyser that erupts….well, faithfully. However, that’s not all! The park is also home to dramatic canyons, sparkling blue rivers, dense forests, and hot springs. If you’re lucky, you may even see some of the wildlife which includes wolves, bears, elk, bison, and antelope. 

Meanwhile, Grand Teton National Park has more than 310,000 acres of alpine lakes, beautiful mountain meadows, and lush valley floors, all nestled below the looming Grand Teton Mountains. This is an excellent place for hiking, backpacking, and camping and during your visit, you can even check out some old Mormon architecture!

Butte, Montana

• Must-see attractions: historic buildings, World Museum of Mining
• Activities: Sightseeing

As the second biggest city in Montana, Butte packs a punch! The city streets are lined with mansions and historic buildings dating back to the turn of the century when the city made its fortune as a mining town. Everywhere you turn, you can see vestiges of this proud history and the city is a delightful place to spend a day or two recovering from some long drives and epic hikes!

Glacier National Park, Montana

• Driving time: 4 hours
• Must-see attractions: High Line Trail, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Grinnell Glacier, Hidden Lake Overlook
• Activities: Hiking, scenic drives, swimming

If you love nothing more than alpine meadows, glistening lakes, waterfalls, and glaciers, Glacier National Park is the place for you! This fantastic place is best explored on foot as there are very few roads cutting through the park. Although it takes a lot longer to see the many natural wonders here, it does help preserve its unspoiled beauty of it. One of the most famous hikes in the park is the 10+ mile long Highline Trail which weaves its way along the side of a mountain, offering sweeping views of the surrounding landscape for nearly the entire hike. It’s long and exhausting but so worth it!

The next destination is another very long drive. Depending on how you feel, you can break up the drive with a stop in Spokane, Washington which lies about halfway in between Glacier National Park and Seattle.

Seattle, Washington

• Driving time: 9 hours
• Must-see attractions: Sky Needle, the first Starbucks
• Activities: Sightseeing, food, entertainment

Despite being one of the biggest cities in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle feels easily approachable and has a vibrant cultural scene that’s hard to resist. Although it’s an expensive city to visit, this is a fantastic place to base yourself for a while as you explore the many national parks located in northwestern Washington. If you feel like ditching the car for a few days, you can even take day trips to the parks which gives you the chance to sit back and relax as you watch the breathtaking scenery go by. While you’re there, make sure not to miss the Space Needle, one of Seattle’s most iconic sites, and the Chihuly Gardens. 

North Cascades National Park, Washington

• Driving time: 2 hours (from Seattle)
• Must-see attractions: Lake Chelan, Stehekin, North Cascades Highway, Sterling Munro Trail, Gorge Lake Overlook, Diablo Lake Vista Point
• Activities: Hiking, fishing, boating, birding

This sprawling park is full of conifer-covered mountains, more than 300 majestic glaciers, and over 300 sparkling lakes. Like Glacier National Park, there is only a small section of the park that you can access by road which means that you can’t really get more pristine than this! North Cascades National Park is also one of the least visited of the national parks, which means you might find yourself feeling like you have the park all to yourself. When you’re there, make sure to keep a close eye out for black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, coyotes, bobcats, and more! 

Olympic National Park

• Must-see attractions: Storm King Trail, Spruce Nature Trail, Rialto Beach 
• Activities: Hiking, whale watching, biking, fishing, 

Covering the northwestern corner of Washington, Olympic National Park is home to several different ecosystems including a temperate rainforest and a gorgeous coastline as well as wildflower-strewn meadows and looming mountain peaks. This is a great park for wildlife viewing and if you look closely, you may even spot a marmot when you’re out on the hiking trails! You can find trails suitable for all levels and ages throughout the park which makes this a very family-friendly destination. Best of all, you’re just a short drive from Seattle!

Mount Rainier National Park. Washington

• Driving time: 2 hours
• Must-see attractions: Sunrise viewpoint, Myrtle Falls, Skyline Loop Trail
• Activities: Hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, backpacking

Mount Rainier is an active volcano in the Cascade Range and the most glaciated peak in the continental US. The Mount Rainier National Park surrounds this soaring mountain and features a temperate inland rainforest that is flush with waterfalls, hiking trails, and, of course, stunning views of the nearby mountain peaks. Try to time your visit to go during the summer months when the wildflowers are in bloom and the meadow floors become a sea of colors.

There is another long drive after this so we highly recommend spending a night or two in Portland to break up the trip and explore this wonderful city! 

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

• Driving time: 6.5 hours
• Must-see attractions: the Rim Drive, Sun Notch Trail, the Old Man of the Lake, the Phantom Ship
• Activities: Scenic drives, hiking, swimming

Located in the Cascade Mountain Range in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is named after…..you guessed it….a crater lake. The lake formed nearly 8,000 years ago by a collapsed volcano known as Mount Mazama and is now the deepest lake in the United States. The lake is dotted with rugged islands which create a picturesque setting and after a long hike on one of the many trails, you can even go for a swim if you’re feeling brave. Just remember that the lake can be very, very cold even in the height of summer!

Redwood National and State Parks, California

• Driving time: 3.5 hours
• Must-see attractions: Avenue of the Giants. Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Fern Canyon, Stout Grove
• Activities: Biking, hiking, birding, scenic drives, sightseeing, fishing, swimming

Rather than being one large park like the other national parks on this list, Redwood National and State Parks is actually a string of beaches, grasslands, and protected forests running along the coast of Northern California. Within the parks, you have a wide variety of landscapes ranging from dense old-growth woods, the gorgeous Fern Canyon with its plant-covered walls, and the giant redwood clusters (the tallest trees in the world!) that the park is famous for. 

The most famous section of the park and one that is truly not to be missed is the Avenue of the Giants, a 31-mile stretch of road that passes through secluded forest hamlets and by the Eel River, a federally-designed Wild & Scenic Waterway where you can swim, fish, and paddle. Conveniently, there are several trailheads located off the avenue, making it easy to get out and stretch your legs.

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

• Must-see attractions: Bumpass Hell, the Devastated Area, Lassen Peak Volcano summit, Devil’s Kitchen Trail
• Activities: Hiking, kayaking

Located about four hours east of Redwoods, Lassen Volcanic National Park boasts hydrothermal sites including bubbling mud pots and lava rocks left over from the last eruption. Interestingly, the park has four different types of volcanoes including shield, composite, plug dome, and cinder cone. From the summit of the volcano, you can experience sweeping vistas and the wide network of hiking trails allows you to get a closer look at the dense forest and visit some of the park’s many lakes. 

Lake Tahoe, California

• Driving time: 3 hours
• Must-see attractions: Emerald Bay, THE Lake Tahoe
• Activities: Swimming, boating, skiing, sightseeing

Lake Tahoe is an enormous freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains that is a popular year-round destination. It’s one of the deepest lakes in the world and the water quality is some of the purest that you will find throughout the country. The edges of the lake are lined with sandy beaches and the mountains provide the perfect backdrop for a day out on the water. Thanks to a great range of restaurants, breweries, shops, and activities, this is a great place to spend a few days resting your legs after a lot of hiking. 

Yosemite National Park, California

• Must-see attractions: Tunnel View, Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Glacier Point
• Activities: Hiking, mountain climbing, camping, 

Founded way back in 1864, Yosemite National Park is one of the oldest national parks in the entire country. The park is famous for its myriad of waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, the highest ones on the continent, and giant, ancient sequoia trees. There are more than 750 miles of trails throughout the park, ranging from family-friendly trails to high-adrenaline hikes that are best left to adventurous souls. One of the hikes that you don’t want to miss is the Sentinel Dome trail. This moderate hike provides amazing views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls without being too strenuous. 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 

• Must-see attractions: General Grant Tree, General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Kings Canyon
• Activities : Hiking, mountain climbing, camping, scenic drives, backpacking

As you make your way back to Los Angeles as the final stretch of this road trip, you can include stops in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park which are located just a short drive from one another and only require a slight detour from your planned route. The parks feature rugged mountains, vast caverns, deep canyons, and the famed sequoia trees that you saw earlier in the road trip. This is the perfect place to squeeze in one or two more hikes before you finish off your national parks road trip. If you’re all hiked out, don’t worry. There are still plenty of scenic drives that you can do where you can check out some fantastic overlooks. 

The Big Finish in Los Angeles

This road trip finishes back where it started, the bustling city of Los Angeles which lies about a 3.5-hour drive from Sequoia National Park. If you didn’t spend time there at the start of the trip, we highly recommend heading out to some of the local beach towns to unwind after what was hopefully an amazing trip! If you want to keep the national parks trip going and you still have a lot more time on your hands, you can even catch a flight or the Amtrak to the eastern half of the United States and visit some of the amazing parks out there!

Ready to roam?

We hope that this itinerary has left you ready to pack your bags and hit the road for the ultimate national parks trip. We are sure that it will be one of the best road trips ever! As always, please let us know if there are any amazing places that we may have missed!

Frequently Asked Questions About National Park Road Trips

If you are thinking of doing a road trip to the West Coast, a national park road trip is hands-down one of the best things you can do! This unforgettable excursion is sure to be something you won’t soon forget.

Doing a 30-day national park road trip gives you time to see many of the many attractions in some of the country’s most famous national parks.

One of the best ways to explore is via a national park road trip . Make sure to download the Let’s Roam app to access all kinds of activities, scavenger hunts, and useful information about destinations across the country!

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10 US National Park Road Trips With Scenic Stops

From amazing wildlife to unique landscapes, these national park road trips in the US with scenic stops showcase the country's natural beauty in full.

• These US national park road trip ideas with scenic stops offer stunning scenery and diverse environments, making them ideal for a vacation on wheels.
• National park road trips can even be budget-friendly, especially with an America the Beautiful Parks Pass and opting for parks with free entry.
• Alaska, Arizona, California, Maine to Florida, and the Midwest are all great regions for American national park road trip routes.

The national parks of the US are some of the most popular attractions in the country. Particularly with a number of free entrance days offered at all US national parks throughout the year , these destinations are also some of the most budget-friendly places to go in the US.

From steep granite cliffs to quiet rolling plains to tropical coral reefs, nearly every type of environment imaginable is protected in one of the 63 national parks across America.

With so much beauty to see, it's no surprise that many guests don't want to stop at just one park. Given the size of each of the national parks and their often remote locations, a national park road trip is often the ultimate way to enjoy multiple destinations in a single go.

Whether looking for a quick one-week getaway or a month-long adventure, these US national park trips and scenic stops along each route showcase some of the most stunning scenery in America.

One of the best ways to visit America's national parks for cheap any time of year is to invest in an America the Beautiful Parks Pass. The standard pass costs just $80 and covers the admission of the pass holder and their entire vehicle for a full year.

How To Take A Cross-Country Road Trip For Under $500

10 alaska parks road trip, national parks visited: 3.

Alaska sometimes falls under the radar when it comes to national park road trips, despite having more national parks than nearly any other state in the country. Alaska's parks are some of the most inaccessible and least visited national parks in the country (after all, Katmai National Park and Preserve can only be reached by float plane!).

Still, those more accessible parks are close enough together to make an epic, and uncrowded, road trip adventure. There are three national parks in Alaska that can be driven to - Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Wrangell St. Elias National Park - and even these will take some effort to reach.

Thankfully, even the long, remote drives are beautifully scenic and full of forests, mountains, and wildlife, which makes this road trip worth the work.

• The Route: Fairbanks → Denali National Park → Kenai Fjords National Park → Wrangell St. Elias National Park → Fairbanks
• Recommended Time: 6–7 days

Bears are very common in Alaska, both along the roads and in the parks themselves. Be sure to carry bear spray and research what to do in the event of a bear encounter before embarking on this Alaska national parks road trip route.

9 Arizona's Big Three National Park Road Trip

Arizona is home to three national parks, each with its own distinctive appearance and trademark attractions. While Grand Canyon National Park is by far the most famous stop on this national park road trip, both Petrified Forest National Park and Saguaro National Park are hidden gems that are well worth exploring.

By starting this road trip in Las Vegas and ending in Phoenix, travelers will also have plenty of opportunities to spontaneously explore the scenic open spaces of Arizona.

• The Route: Las Vegas, NV → Grand Canyon National Park → Petrified Forest National Park → Saguaro National Park → Tucson
• Recommended Time: 4–6 days

8 Central California Road Trip

National parks visited: 4.

California has nine national parks within its bounds, and while a trip through all nine is considered by many to be a bucket-list item, a US national park road trip through just a few can be just as scenic, and far more manageable.

Several are situated right in the central part of the state, making them far easier to visit in one loop when starting from San Francisco. Travelers can take in the trees and mountains of Yosemite National Park and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks before moving towards Pinnacles National Park and its rocky coast.

The narrower scope of this national park road trip also allows for more spontaneous detours, like Monterey and Santa Cruz. These coastal cities not only have a variety of activities to enjoy, but they offer even more scenic views along this Central California road trip.

• The Route: San Francisco → Yosemite National Park → Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks → Pinnacles National Park → Monterey (optional) → Santa Cruz (optional) → San Francisco
• Recommended Time: 7–9 days

7 Maine To Florida Road Trip

Thanks to the iconic Highway 1, the West Coast gets most of the attention when it comes to seaside road trips in America. For National Park lovers, however, the East Coast is just as scenic.

Starting in Maine with Acadia National Park, road trippers will have a chance to stop in Shenandoah National Park, Congaree National Park, and finally, Everglades National Park on the southernmost tip of Florida.

There is a full day of driving between each of the national parks, but as the routes pass through some of the most popular tourist destinations in the US, including New York and Miami, there will be plenty to do in between the major attractions.

• The Route: Bar Harbor, ME → Acadia National Park, ME → New York City, NY → Shenandoah National Park, VA → Charlotte, NC → Congaree National Park, SC → Savannah, GA → Everglades National Park, FL → Miami, FL
• Recommended Time: 7–10 days

10 U.S. National Parks With Beaches

6 yellowstone and the dakotas national park road trip.

Yellowstone National Park is undoubtedly the main event of Wyoming's national parks, but several nearby national parks are equally worthy of attention. Grand Teton National Park, Badlands National Park, and Wind Cave National Park are all within perfect driving distance of one another, making for a perfect Great Plains National Park road trip.

These parks are especially exciting for those looking to spot some of the largest mammals in the US, as bison, wolves, moose, and elk are all common in this range.

• The Route: Jackson Hole, WY → Yellowstone National Park, WY → Grand Teton National Park, WY → Wind Cave National Park, SD → Badlands National Park, SD → Rapid City, SD
• Recommended Time: 5–7 days

5 Newest National Parks Road Trip

National parks visited: 5.

The Midwest is home to a variety of national parks, including some of the newest national parks in the US . Visiting five different states in both the Midwest and towards the East Coast, and the national parks in each, travelers can get a unique look at these oft-forgotten states.

Looping through Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri, this road trip is full of time on the open road. Despite the stretches of flatlands, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the big cities, especially at Gateway Arches National Park, which is right in the heart of St. Louis.

• The Route: Chicago, IL → Indiana Dunes National Park, IN → Cuyahoga Valley National Park, OH → New River Gorge National Park, WV → Mammoth Cave National Park, KY → Gateway Arch National Park, MS → St. Louis, MS

4 Utah's Mighty 5 Road Trip

Utah has five national parks, the third most of any state in the US, and they are perfectly spaced for an epic Utah road trip route. All five parks are in the southern portion of the state, and none are more than three hours apart.

With reasonable driving times throughout the trip, there is plenty of opportunity to focus on the incredible sights of these park destinations, including Zion Canyon in Zion National Park, the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, and Thor's Hammer in Bryce Canyon National Park.

• The Route: Salt Lake City → Arches National Park → Canyonlands National Park → Capitol Reef National Park → Bryce Canyon National Park → Zion National Park → Las Vegas, NV (or back to Salt Lake City)

Arches National Park is one of many US national parks that require early reservations in 2024 . Additionally, those hoping to hike Angel's Landing or the Narrows (Top-Down) in Zion National Park will need to enter the lotteries for a permit (these are just two of the many exclusive US hikes that are hard to get permits for ).

10 Utah State Park Alternatives To Zion National Park

3 west coast national parks road trip, national parks visited: 6.

There are many coastal cities to visit on a West Coast road trip , but they are far from the only way to explore the coast. Stretching from Washington to Southern California, several national parks along the western shores combine to make a scenic national park road trip itinerary.

Starting in Seattle, road trippers will be able to stop in four official national parks; Olympic National Park, Redwoods National and State Parks, Pinnacles National Park, and Channel Islands National Park, as they make their way down to Los Angeles.

What makes this national park road trip truly special, however, is the opportunity to visit additional national and state park sites, including Muir Woods National Monument and California Coastal National Monument.

• The Route: Seattle, WA → Olympic National Park, WA → Astoria, OR → Redwood National and State Parks, CA → Muir Woods National Monument, CA → San Francisco, CA → Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA → Pinnacles National Park, CA → Pismo Beach (California Coastal National Monument), CA → Channel Islands National Park, CA (ferry ride) → Los Angeles, CA
• Recommended Time: 10–14 days

2 Route 89 - America's Most Scenic Road Trip

National parks visited: 7.

Beautiful along every mile from border to border, Route 89 is considered the most scenic road trip in America . Considering it also acts as the gateway road for no less than seven national parks (and numerous other national park sites), it's clear that there is something special about this gorgeous route.

Starting in Montana, the road trip starts with one of the most-visited national parks in the US, Glacier National Park. Moving south, travelers will stop in more of the most famous natural destinations, including Yellowstone National Park and Zion National Park.

The southern tip of this road trip is Saguaro National Park in Arizona. Running the full spectrum of climates, scenery, plant and animal life, this scenic national park road trip is certainly one for the bucket list.

• The Route: Kalispell, MT → Glacier National Park, MT → Yellowstone National Park, WY → Grand Teton National Park, WY → Bryce Canyon National Park, UT → Zion National Park, UT → Grand Canyon National Park, AZ → Saguaro National Park, AZ → Tucson, AZ
• Recommended Time: 3–4 weeks

1 Four Corners National Parks Road Trip

National parks visited: 14.

The states that comprise the Four Corners, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, have fourteen national parks between them. While visiting so many parks is a month-long adventure, the variety of destinations in this small corner of the country is worth the time.

Despite not being part of the Four Corners, Las Vegas is likely to be the best major city to start this road trip from. Less than three hours from Zion National Park, Sin City is a convenient distance with all the services one needs to begin such a giant undertaking.

From there, travelers can move clockwise through the four states and their parks. This direction is perfect for ending at Grand Canyon National Park and then returning to Las Vegas.

• The Route: Las Vegas, NV → Zion National Park, UT → Bryce Canyon National Park, UT → Capitol Reef National Park, UT → Canyonlands National Park, UT → Arches National Park, UT → Mesa Verde National Park, CO → Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, CO → Rocky Mountain National Park, CO → Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, CO → Carlsbad Caverns National Park, NM → White Sands National Park, NM → Saguaro National Park, AZ → Petrified Forest National Park, AZ → Grand Canyon National Park, AZ → Las Vegas, NV

The 19 Best National Parks to Include in Your West Coast Road Trip Itinerary

A road trip across the West Coast of America is full of natural wonders and hidden surprises, a good part of which can be found only in the region’s abundant national parks. 

Last updated: February 4, 2023

The Best National Parks to Check out on Your Road Trip across the West Coast of America

A vast desert slowly retreated. Scattered groves that looked like mini forests from afar came into view. Peculiar rock formations started towering over the road more often. After melting along completely exposed to the sun trails in a California ‘s desert, one of the westernmost states on the coast, we welcomed this temporary change of scenery. 

The best part of any road trip through the national parks on the West Coast is that this transformation happens every few hours. Encompassing the iconic desert wilderness of Southern California and Arizona , dramatic rock formations scattered across Utah, rugged mountains in Wyoming and Montana, and lush forested areas in Washington and Oregon , the region astounds with its contrasting terrains. 

On the flip side, a road trip through the national parks on the West Coast is never a short venture. It’s a several-day adventure, totally exhausting and absolutely worth it. 

After our fair share of road trips across the stunning West Coast, exploring mostly the diverse national parks and some hidden gems, we came to a simple conclusion. You can see significantly more of the region if you explore several parks at once.  

With that said, you are welcome to follow our multiple West Coast National Parks road trip itineraries listed below. It they don’t work for you, use this guide as a mere point of reference to create your own itineraries. 

THE MUST-DO ROAD TRIPS THROUGH NATIONAL PARKS ON THE WEST COAST

The 19 best national parks to road-trip through on the west coast: the american southwest, 1. death valley national park, california.

The immense desert of Death Valley National Park makes it stand out among other government-protected areas on the West Coast. It’s a place that overwhelms with its excruciating heat during the day and forces you to look for a warm, cozy room to snuggle at night. 

At the same time, it’s a road trip destination that bestows on you a wide range of natural miracles, ranging from vibrant hills of Artists Palette , unpredictable Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes , and sliding stones in the Racetrack Playa . 

No other national parks on the West Coast of the USA allure and frighten you as much as Death Valley. 

The size and magnitude of its natural wonders, spread over a vast area, are irresistible and require several days to explore. The desert comes to life in the most unexpected forms: hard-packed ridges of gold, orange, and brown earth; salt flats and fields of salt crystals; a natural bridge; and a crater, resulted from a volcanic explosion. Each of these natural phenomena draw thousands of visitors yearly. 

Things to Know: But don’t forget, Death Valley National Park is the hottest and driest place on the West Coast. To be precise, on the entire North American continent. With all its splendor, the area has no mercy on roadtrippers and hikers stranded in the middle of the desert without water and phone signal. 

The Best Time to Visit: Considering this, summer and the beginning of fall are the worse times to road-trip through this region of the West Coast. The scorching sun stays up in the sky most of the days. The temperatures can rise up to 130 degree Fahrenheit. With this unfavorable setting, a road trip through the hottest national park in the American Southwest feels like a torture. 

2. Joshua Tree National Park, California

Named after peculiar desert trees, Joshua Tree National Park is one of the most popular road-trip destination on the West Coast. The region has several distinctive features that boost its fame. 

First, massive rock formations that look rather odd in this deserted realm offer plenty of opportunities for bouldering and mountaineering . Professionals and amateurs from all over the world come to the West Coast to master their skills in these ancient desert “mountains”. 

Second, the famous rock formations have allured people for centuries. While the earliest Native American tribes didn’t care a lot about their athletic performances, they surely looked for protection from animals and elements among these massive boulders. Abundant petroglyphs on the rocky walls still attest to their early presence in one of the newest national parks on the West Coast. 

Third, oases and desert vegetation entice the roadtrippers that prefer to keep their feet on the flat ground. And there are a lot to choose from: The Oasis of Mara, the Lost Palms Oasis, the 49 Palms Oasis, and the Cholla Cactus Garden. Barker Dam was our most recent discovery in the park. 

The Best Time to Visit: Again as with Death Valley National Park, summer is not an ideal time to embark on a road trip through the national parks on the West Coast. Late fall and winter feel much cooler for hiking and driving around. Come spring, and you want to rejoice in the vibrant display wildflowers put on in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts.

READ MORE: Weekend in Joshua Tree National Park: Guide and 1 to 2 Day Itinerary

3. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

As you continue on with your road trip through the West Coast’s national parks, Grand Canyon National Park becomes your next must-visit destination. Considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the great abyss spans 278 river miles and is up to 18 miles wide. At more than 1 mile deep, it’s one of the deepest canyons in the world. 

Throughout the centuries, the Colorado River and erosion have joined their forces to create the ravine of such magnificence. The river that still flows through the canyon looks humble compared to its most famous creation. Yet the somewhat murky, somewhat green water color creates a stunning contrast to the towering, reddish cliff walls.

The Grand Canyon consists of a few rims. The South Rim that houses Grand Canyon Village and such popular hikes as the Rim Trail, the South Kaibab Trail, and the Bright Angel Trail is the most popular. Millions of the West Coast’s roadtrippers add this side of Arizona to their National Parks itineraries yearly. 

The West Rim that we visited a few years ago is quieter than its popular sibling. But even here expect to find thousands of nature lovers hiking along the 12.8-mile Grand Canyon West Rim Trail or the shorter Highpoint Hike at Guano Point or peering into the deep chasm from the Skywalk Bridge . 

The Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon National Park  

Arizona is hot in summer, and so is Grand Canyon National Park. You may do just fine in any of the national parks in this section of the West Coast in the warmer months if you succumb to short hikes and observation points. 

TIP: The merciless sun and the lack of shaded areas hamper a walk along the already tedious, long trails in the summer. As an alternative, you can explore the West Coast’s most popular national park early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not so unbearable. 

READ MORE: Your Perfect 6-Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary: Page, Flagstaff, Sedona, and Grand Canyon

The Best National Parks to Road-trip through on the West Coast: Utah’s Mighty Five

4. zion national park.

Tell a nature lover that you are going on a road trip through the national parks on the West Coast and she will ask you, “Are you going to Zion National Park ?”

One of the five national parks in Utah, Zion allures with its towering cliff walls, multiple overlooks with jaw-dropping views into the canyons, and astounding rock formations. The park consists of several sections. Each of these areas gathers its own audiance. 

The main canyon of Zion National Park is the most popular among both locals and visitors of the West Coast. It boasts the most popular hikes, such as the Angels Landing, the Weeping Rock, and the Emerald Pools Trails.  

Even an adventure to the world-famous Narrows starts right here, near the Temple of Sinawava at the far end of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. The 1-mile Riverside Walk Trail that runs along the Virgin River comes to an abrupt end at a man-made balcony overlooking the wide tributary of the Colorado River. For some, it’s the end of the hike. For many other West Coast national parks’ adventurers, it’s the beginning of the 9.4-mile Narrows adventure. 

If you crave serenity, head over to the opposite side of the 1.1-mile Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel , a historic landmark in Zion National Park. Here, away from the tireless feet of the crowds, you find that much-needed tranquility, hidden gems, and a few secluded slot canyons . 

The Best Time to Visit and Things to Know when Planning Your Trip through Zion National Park

Summer is the most popular time to go on a road trip through the national parks on the West Coast. Consequently, expect crowds and long lines for a park shuttle if you head into the main canyon of Zion National Park. 

Fewer outdoor lovers visit Zion when the temperatures drop. The park finally enjoys peace and tranquility. Many of its landmarks gain back their almost supernatural appeal once they are devoid of the endless streams of spectators. 

With the turn of season , the park ceases its shuttle operation. Now you can drive your own car through the main canyon of Zion unrestrictedly. Can any adventurous roadtripper ask for a better gift when exploring the national parks on the West Coast?

On the other hand, hiking in the slot canyons can be dangerous when the rainy season starts. 

READ MORE: 2 Days in Zion National Park: Itinerary for a Perfect Weekend Getaway

5. Bryce Canyon National Park

Located roughly one hour northeast of Zion, Bryce Canyon National Park is another must-visit destination on the West Coast. At 56.2 square miles, the park feels like a kid’s playground compared to 229.1-square-mile Zion National Park. But for such a small area, it’s full of surprises and unexpected discoveries.

Pointed hoodoos are what sets Bryce Canyon apart from the rest of the national parks on the West Coast. The tall, thin spires with hard rocks piled on top of softer layers fill up the canyon. The hoodoos rise above the chasm floor and often reach rim level. 

Some of the remarkable spires sit deeper in the abyss, alluring from afar, but never letting get closer to them. Others are nestled along narrow hiking trails, such as the Queen’s Garden Trail and the Navajo Loop Trail . 

Bryce Canyon is spectacular indeed. But it’s not the only reason it falls perfectly into the category of the best national park to road-trip through on the West Coast. Most of the tired by this time adventurers can easily skip the hikes and admire the natural miracles from the canyon rim. 13 lookout points are strategically positioned along the canyon to show different sides of this picture-perfect park.

The Best Time to Set off on the West-Coast-National-Parks-Road-Trip Adventure

Despite its increasing by days heat, the summer in Bryce Canyon has a great advantage. Most of the trails are open. Some of the hikes get closed when the temperatures drop.

TIP: If you plan your road-trip through the West Coast’s national parks during the off-season, be sure to bundle up. At 8,000 feet above sea level, the park feels like a winter wonderland even in mid-spring. 

READ MORE: There’s a Waterfall along the Mossy Cave Trail – a Secret Hike in Bryce Canyon

6. Canyonlands National Park

During our week-long road trip across the southern part of the West Coast , we didn’t have time to swing by the three other Utah’s national parks. A long trip wares you out eventually. Or maybe it’s another excuse to plan one more road trip into the rocky desert of the American Southwest. But I won’t do Utah justice if I don’t mention all of her crowned jewels here. So here you go.

At 527 square miles, Canyonlands National Park is one of the biggest national parks on the West Coast. Just like Grand Canyon National Park, the area has been a favorite workshop of the Colorado River. 

For centuries, the river has played with rocks, adorning the national park with such dramatic desert wonders as the Island in the Sky , a mesa that rests on sheer sandstone cliffs, towering more than 1,000 feet above the desert floor. 

In the remote canyons of the Maze, you find the massive rock pinnacles, also known as the Needles . Considered one of the most picturesque places in the American Southwest, the district offers scenic hikes, camping areas, and plenty of overlooks to enhance your long road-trip adventure.  

7. Arches National Park

Arches National Park is smaller. At approximately 120 square miles, it gives you a chance to see a lot more natural wonders of the West Coast even during a short road trip. From sandstone fins, towers, gargoyles, hoodoos, and balanced rocks, you are here for a real visual feast. 

The main reason you want to add Arches National Park to your road trip itinerary are sandstone arches . More than 2,000 natural bridges rise above the desert floor. The most popular of them are Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Double Arch, Turret Arch, and the North Window.

8. Capitol Reef National Park

Roadtrippers that had a chance to see Capitol Reef National Park in person describe is as a West Coast’s hidden treasure, jam-packed with towering cliffs, endless canyons, scenic domes, and sandstone bridges.  

The 378-square-mile park surrounds a geological wrinkle on the earth, the Waterpocket Fold, where most of these desert wonders reside. 

The Best National Parks to Road-trip through on the West Coast: Colorado

9. rocky mountain national park.

We couldn’t combine our road trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with a visit to any other West Coast’s national parks as we usually do. Whether it’s the area’s rather isolated, but at the same time convenient location or our decision to travel slow this time around, we spent four days exploring just the majestic mountains of Colorado and lesser-known places nearby. 

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the oldest parks on the West Coast. The 415-square-mile mountain wilderness was established in 1915. Among its signature landmarks are alpine lakes, towering peaks, several waterfalls, and nearly 300 miles of hiking trails. The majority of Rocky Mountain’s summits rise above 11,000 feet in altitude.

In fall when we happened to road-trip through this section of the West Coast, the national park looked like a painting, completed with vivid yellow and red hues. A vibrant basin decorated in the best fall traditions that opens up from the Bierstadt Lake Trail before it sneaks into the forest culminated our entire trip. Neither moody weather that couldn’t make its mind whether it was fall or winter nor the steep incline could spoil this gorgeous hike. 

Some of the easier hikes start in the Bear Lake area. Most of these trails end on the shore of an alpine lake. The Albert Falls Trail is one of a few hikes that disrupts this pattern. 

But if you set off on a national-park-road-trip adventure to catch sight of native to the West Coast wildlife, proceed straight to Moraine Park . In fall, before winter claims the area, elk and deer return to lower elevations. Many of the antlered animals stay in Moraine Park and the Estes Park area where the food is still available. 

The Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park  

Two of the scenic drives in Rocky Mountain National Park, Trail Ridge Road and Old Fall River Road , welcome the West Coast’s roadtrippers only during the peak season, early July though early October. Trail Ridge Road displays its snow-free alpine tundra from the end of May through mid-October.

READ MORE: Denver to Rocky Mountain Road Trip: 5-Day Colorado Adventure

The Best National Parks to Road-trip through on the West Coast: The Famous Trio

10. grand teton national park, wyoming.

The next set of the national parks your should visit on the West Coast is one of my favorite. Rugged mountains surrounded by lush greenery that is home to a wide range of wild animals… It’s easy to guess my priorities. Yet come winter, and this green idyll turns into a magical winter wonderland, often unaccessible by car. 

But let’s start with what you can see in Wyoming and Montana before the snow storms arrive. Grand Teton National Park opens the door to a mesmerizing mountain range and endless road trip opportunities in this part of the West Coast. 

The park was established in 1929. Yet first hardcore Mormon farmers had arrived in the late 1890s. The pioneers settled in a valley at the foot of the famous mountains. Unfortunately apart from the Mormon Row area – a historic settlement – little reminds of human history of the national park today.  

People were forced to withdraw from this harsh wilderness. But ever adaptive animals still thrive in the astounding mountains and adjacent valleys. And the jagged peaks still present themselves in their full glory just like they did centuries ago. 

The Best Time to Visit: The best times to road-trip through the national parks in this section of the West Coast are summer and shoulder seasons. Many of the parks’ roads are unaccessible by car in the winter months. 

READ MORE: 5 Iconic Photo Spots in Grand Teton

11. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana

Yellowstone National Park was the main reason why we decided to go on a road trip that took us through three states on the West Coast: Idaho, Wyoming, and a part of Montana. 

A picture of the Grand Prismatic Spring that Roshan saw on the Internet haunted him. My husband was finally ready to see the world’s third-largest hot spring with distinctive red and blue colors in person. I used this opportunity to plan a proper (read grand ) road trip through some of the most beautiful national parks and lesser-known destinations on the now so familiar West Coast. 

The large spring with the boiling hot water is not the only reason millions of travelers road-trip to and through Yellowstone National Park yearly. Sitting on top of a sleeping supervolcano, entire basins of the 3,500-square-mile park are filled with gushing geysers, hot springs, fumaroles, and mudpots. 

Some of these geysers, including Old Faithful – one of the most predictable, erupt on a regular basis.

The Best Time to Visit: The summer is busy. The winter is cold, pared with closed access to some of the most prominent natural landmarks. Nothing is new in Yellowstone. Nothing surprises the national parks’ roadtrippers exploring the West Coast at different seasons. So, the best time to take in the splendor of Yellowstone is during the shoulder seasons, from late March through early June and mid-September through October. 

READ MORE: Boise to Yellowstone Road Trip: 4-Day Adventure

12. Glacier National Park, Montana

From Yellowstone, many roadtrippers continue on to Glacier National Park, one of the northernmost national parks on the West Coast. We had to plan a separate adventure to this mountainous region. Although most of our road trips through the national parks happen during the off-season, Glacier had to be explored during the summer season. 

One of the main sections of the park, Going-to-the-Sun Road , has limited access most of the year. The 50-mile scenic route is open only from late June or early July until the third Monday of October. But even in the summer months, snow can still lingers in the Logan Pass area, the highest peak of the route with such incredible hikes as the Hidden Lake Trail and the Highline Trail. 

In the northeastern corner of the park, Many Glacier , often referred to as the “ Switzerland of North America”, astounds with its mountainous terrain, panoramic lakes, and sadly now receding glaciers. The most popular lake here is Swiftcurrent Lake. The east shore of this mountains-surrounded waterbody houses the historic Many Glacier Hotel. 

The Best Time to Visit: If you want to see everything Glacier National Park has to offer, be sure to road-trip through this section of the West Coast anytime between late June through mid-October. But be ready to start your excursions at sunrise, as the park fills up quickly during this time. Once a specific parking lot is full, rangers turn back all other vehicles.   

READ MORE: Spokane to Glacier Road Trip: 5-Day Adventure

The Best National Parks to Road-trip through on the West Coast: Pacific Northwest

13. mount rainier national park, washington.

We barely scratched the surface of the natural abundance the Pacific Northwest is famous for. Needless to say, this part of the West Coast has some of the most incredible national parks. 

To savor the splendor the national parks offer in this area, we spent one day in Mount Rainier National Park . Long hikes were out of the question. So we mostly drove around, stopping at random scenic viewpoints and near roadside waterfalls. 

Mount Rainier National Park is a 369-square-mile protected area in the State of Washington. It’s named after Mount Rainier, a 14,410-feet glacier-capped peak and the center of the park. 

The area is dotted with easy to access overlooks. If you road-trip through the national park like we did, be sure to check the Sunrise area . At 6,400 feet, it’s the highest point that can be reached by car. From here you get to see the famous mountain surrounded by lush greenery and some other volcanoes.

The Best Time to Visit: Mount Rainier National Park looks beautiful rain or shine. Bountiful trails allure the visitors most of the year. In the winter, the West Coast’s roadtrippers may want to pack snowboards and snowshoes to explore the national park beyond its scenic overlooks. The best views, though, open up in the summer, July through August, when wildflowers generously adorn the subalpine wilderness. 

14. Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park has everything you expect to see on a road trip through the national parks in the Pacific Northwest. Here you find snow-capped peaks, dense rainforests, and enchanting waterfalls, some of which tumble shyly, others cascade hurriedly down the cliff. 

I’ve been eyeing Olympic National Park since I first experienced the otherworldly beauty, disturbed by roaring waterfalls, of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon . 

The Best Time to Visit: July and August are also the best months to set off on a road trip to Olympic National Park. The weather is perfect for hiking and sightseeing and most roads are open. 

15. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Home to the deepest (1,943 feet) lake in the USA, Crater Lake National Park has been on top of our list of the national parks to visit on the West Coast for a while. A few years ago, we even planned a detailed road trip across Oregon , with a stop at this south-central destination. 

But Oregon’s snowy winter played a harsh trick on us. The central part of the state was packed with snow. We were unprepared for it, to say the least. Our small rental car couldn’t get through the thick, white blanket. Neither could we drive along the slippery roads without snow chains. 

So much for that, what it seemed like, well-planned road trip to one of the West Coasts’ most beautiful national parks. We had to retreat to the coastal area. But the deep lake with gorgeous blue color formed in the collapsed volcano still allured us.

Update: Last summer we finally got a chance to see the blue volcanic lake in person.

The Best Time to Visit: Crater Lake National Park entertains the West Coast’s roadtrippers all year round. But the snowy winter can be tricky. Some of the roads are closed. Getting to the national park from the north can be difficult. On the other hand, you escape endless crowds, roaming the West Coast during the warmer seasons. 

The Best National Parks to Road-trip through on the West Coast: Northern and Central California

16. yosemite national park.

Established in 1890, Yosemite National Park gave birth to the national parks system not only on the West Coast, but the entire country. The place is unique. Granite cliffs, among which are Half Dome and El Capitan, rise above a picturesque valley divided by the Merced River. 

Devoid of any vegetation, the majestic summits compensate for their sheer appearance with dense trees and shrubs growing right at their feet. Gushing waterfalls adorn bare faces of some of these towering giants. 

The most recognizable of the falls here are Yosemite Falls , the highest waterfall in this tiny part of the West Coast, and Bridalveil Falls , the first waterfall you see upon entering the national park. 

When to Visit Yosemite National Park while Road-tripping across the West Coast

Yosemite National Park is open all year round. The winter is always snowy, forcing the West Coast’s locals and visitors to shorten their itineraries and switch to snowshoeing instead of hiking. 

Thanks to its central location and the dense tree canopy, the park offers a nice escape from the scorching California sun even in the summer . 

The spring is by far my favorite time to road-trip through Yosemite National Park. The area rejuvenates after its winter hibernation. Wildflowers generously cover snow-free meadows. And the crowds are not here yet. Are you looking for an ideal place and time to start your road trip through the West Coast’s national parks? Start it here and now. 

READ MORE: California Road Trip: A 4-Day Adventure in Yosemite, Pinnacles, and Big Sur

17. Sequoia National Park

188 miles southeast of Yosemite sits Sequoia National Park , another prominent member of the West Coast’s national parks’ family. Sequoia National Park has two entrances: Ash Mountain Entrance and Big Stump Entrance. 

The first one, which is located near the town of Three Rivers, is the most popular. Beyond this point, the road narrows and winds along mountain cliffs. It takes about an hour to get to the top where many of the park’s natural landmarks live.

Here, what it feels like at the top of the world, Sequoia National Park rewards the visitors with breathtaking vistas into deep canyons, beautiful hikes, different in length and difficulty, and giant sequoia trees. 

The old-growth forest with the General Sherman Tree – the world’s largest tree, measured by volume – bestows on you a feeling of awe and admiration, complete surrender and peace. 

Some of the aforementioned panoramic views open up from the 6,725-foot granite formation, known as Moro Rock . 

Mineral King , a glacier valley in the southern part of Sequoia National Park, feels a world apart from Sequoia you’ve just seen. The area’s subalpine lakes, such as Monarch Lake and Crystal Lake, inspire you to ditch your car and transform your road trip into a hiking exploit through this spectacular section of the massive West Coast’s national park system. 

When to Visit Sequoia National Park while Road-tripping across the West Coast

Snow chains are required to road-trip through Sequoia National Park during the winter season. On top of this, a section of the Generals Highway that connects Sequoia with Kings Canyon National Park gets closed due to snowy conditions. 

This can have an unfavorable effect on your road trip itinerary, allowing you to visit either one national park at a time or make a long detour if you must see both of these West Coast’s jewels during the same trip.

READ MORE: 5 Things You Should Know before Visiting Sequoia National Park

18. Kings Canyon National Park

Adjacent to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park feels rougher. Two giant canyons, created by the Kings River, intersect the area. Showy peaks of the High Sierra tower over the protected wilderness. Cascading waterfalls complement the pristine surroundings.  

And there are quite many of them. From Grizzly Falls to Sheep Creek Cascade and Roaring River Falls, your entire road trip to Kings Canyon National Park can be planned around these gushing falls with some of the easiest hikes on the West Coast. 

The Best Time to Visit: Kings Canyon National Park is a beautiful destination to add to your National Parks Road Trip itinerary once you are on the West Coast. The park is open all year round. Accessibility of the deeper sections, however, diminishes in the winter due to heavy snowfalls and unsafe road conditions. 

READ MORE: Where to Stay in Sequoia and Kings Canyon

19. Pinnacles National Park 

The smallest national park in California, Pinnacles National Park has its own appeal. Fewer roadtrippers visit the area during their grand adventures across the West Coast. More shady or simi-shady trails prevail here. Towering pinnacles can be seen from most of the park. And above you, endangered California condor glide in the sky, graceful and unbothered.  

But the main draw is two talus caves where Townsend’s Big-eared Bats shelter during the day. Despite their rather large number, spotting the bats in Pinnacles National Park is not easy. The park takes great care of the endangered animals, restricting access to the caves when the mammals hibernate.

When to Visit: Like most national parks in this part of the West Coast, Pinnacles National Park experiences increase in temperatures in the summer. Vegetation withers, and the park doesn’t look its best. The area looks rejuvenated in the spring, when the hills are green and wildflowers grow along the trails. The fall and the winter are cooler, allowing you to comfortably explore more of the area.  

The Best National Parks to Road-trip through on the West Coast: Map

More Posts to Spark Your Wanderlust

• Explore Kenai Fjords National Park from a Boat: National Park and Resurrection Bay Cruise
• How to Plan a Road Trip for Budget Travelers (+Tips for Planning Itinerary and Budgeting)
• The Ultimate Weekend at Oregon Coast Road Trip Itinerary
• How to Create the Perfect Road Trip Itinerary
• 6 National Parks Perfect for a Day Trip from Los Angeles

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Sprague lake trail: easy hike in rocky mountain national park (+photos), california road trip: a 4-day adventure in yosemite, pinnacles, and big sur, visit emerald bay state park: photo gallery, how to do a 5 day northern california-oregon road trip, leave a reply cancel reply.

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10 Scenic Road Trips Across America For Nature Lovers

• The Pacific Coast Highway offers stunning coastal landscapes and ocean views, making it a must-visit road trip for nature lovers.
• The Blue Ridge Parkway provides phenomenal views of mountains and forests, with opportunities for hiking and exploring antique shops.
• The Overseas Highway in Florida is perfect for a tropical escape, with postcard views of beaches, coral reefs, and historic lighthouses.

A road trip is a perfect travel adventure for people of all ages. It is thrilling to drive across different paths, make several stopovers to rest or admire the scenery, and then proceed to your final destination. Besides bringing travelers to nature, road trips are an excellent way to bond with passengers as they take turns driving, blasting on songs, and sharing snacks.

While road trips are fun on their own, the views throughout the journey significantly elevate the trips. For nature lovers, the USA offers many breathtaking destinations to explore . Regardless of the type of nature lover one is, road trips in this country will cater to everyone’s needs . Here are the 10 scenic road trips across America for nature lovers.

10 Scenic Road Trips In Maine That Offer Stunning Coastal Views

The great northern road, from maine to washington, see glacier, olympic, and cascade national parks.

From Bar Harbor, Maine, to Seattle, this road trip is a chance to enjoy phenomenal scenery. Drivers love to venture across the border via Montreal and Ottawa. But, it’s hard to predict the international restrictions between Canada and the U.S. It’s best to start at Sault Ste. Marie, join l-75 and then Highway 2 in St Ignace. Guests pass through lush forests, stunning parks and mountains and are offered plenty of photo ops.

• Major Stops : Chippewa National Forest , Glacier National Park , Rocky Mountains, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
• Distance: 3,600 miles
• Road Trip Length : At least 2 weeks

Southern Pacific

See the anza-borrego desert, continental divide, and tybee island beaches over 3,000 diverse miles.

Also called U.S. Highway 20, it is a perfect trip for those who want to enjoy America’s diversity. Sandy beaches, deserts, hiking trails, and bayous dominate this route, leading to major cities. Guests encounter different cultures, accents, foods, and customs as they travel. With many stopovers, it is unlikely that they will get bored on this cross-country road trip.

• Major Stops: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park , International UFO Museum and Research Center , Tybee Island
• Distance: 3,000 miles
• Road trip length: 35 hours

Great River Road

Spot wildlife like deer, wood ducks, and alligators along the mighty mississippi river and ozark mountains.

The Great River Road is on most people’s bucket list. Taking travelers through ten different states is undoubtedly an unforgettable trip. The route starts in Minnesota following a massive river and ends in New Orleans. As guests drive through the hilly terrain, they can spot wild animals like wood ducks, deer, and alligators and enjoy breathtaking views.

• Major Stops: The Theodore Roosevelt Refuge , Trails of Tears State Park , National Civil Rights Museum
• Distance : 3,000 miles
• Road trip length: Approximately 14 days

Iconic road trip through natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, Colorado River, and Mojave Desert

It’s impossible to list road trips to take in America and leave out Route 66. This is the mother road suitable for car and nature lovers. The route begins in Illinois, where there is a famous museum filled with many historical artifacts. As roadtrippers proceed down to California, they enjoy spectacular views of surrounding nature. There are many stops on Route 66 , including rivers, canyons, and mountains.

• Major Stops: Grand Canyon , The Colorado River, Black Mountains, Association Hall of Fame and Museum
• Distance: 2,400 miles
• Road Trip Length: At least two weeks

For Nature Lovers: 10 Best Countries With The Most Exciting Natural Attractions

Interstate-95, beaches, forests, and trails along the east coast, including the jersey shore & croatan national forest.

Interstate-95 is the best route for those who want a true challenge. Driving across 15 states, this magnificent road is truly a paradise. Hiking trails, sunset viewing spots, museums, and art galleries dominate this route. So, there is no chance for travelers to get bored. There are over 20 sites to explore, which means careful planning is needed when traveling this route.

• Major Stops: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens , South Beach, Butterfly World, Guanabanas Restaurant
• Distance: 1,927 miles
• Road trip length: Over 30 hours

The Pacific Coast Highway

See the pacific ocean views, columbia river, and umpqua sand dunes along oregon, washington, and california.

The Pacific Coast Highway, also called State Route 1, is a popular route for a good reason . As nature lovers travel between Legget, Mendocino County, and Dana Point, Orange County, they get to see beautiful coastal landscapes. It is an easy two-lane trip that takes one through “Oregon, Washington, and California,” allowing travelers to enjoy the West Coast from top to bottom. On this ride, guests will experience lush forests, stunning coastlines, redwood forests, and ocean views.

• Major Stops: Columbia River , Umpqua Dunes , Redwoods National Park , Hearst Castle
• Distance : 650 miles
• Road Trip Length: plan for between three and ten days

The Blue Ridge Parkway

See craggy gardens, appalachians, rhododendron forests, and dickey ridge visitor center.

This scenic mountain range road is known for its blue color. It stretches from Virginia to North Carolina and is connected by Shenandoah National Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are many thick forests to admire across the route, as well as antique shops, restaurants, and unique cabins. Scenic hiking trails are also present for those who love a challenge. Travelers are treated with phenomenal views and natural sights along the way, making it one of the best drives. The Craggy Gardens is a great place to stop over and hike while enjoying the views of the rhododendron forests.

• Major Stops: Dickey Ridge Visitor Center , Fox Hollow, Snead Farm, Shenandoah National Park
• Distance : 469 miles
• Road Trip Length: Four to five days

The Cascade Loop

Explore mt. baker-snoqualmie and wenatchee national forests and wine country on washington's scenic loop.

There is something about greenery landscapes that makes one feel calm and relaxed, allowing them to enjoy a breath of fresh air. The Cascade Loop, also called Washington’s ultimate road trip, allows travelers to enjoy that. Traversing across several highways, this route is an opportunity to enjoy a tranquil atmosphere. There are opportunities to see lakes, rivers, and valleys and even enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting.

• Major Stops: Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest , Columbia River, Silvara Cellars Winery
• Distance : 440 miles
• Road Trip Leng th: Four to five days

The Loneliest Road

Traverse great basin, rocky mountains, appalachians, and iconic parks.

On Route 50 is this road that has a melancholy name. But despite that, it is a beautiful route for lovers of nature. Travelers can see wild adventures stretching from California to Maryland. The route features diverse weather and epic scenery, leading travelers through several mountain ranges. Campers can spend the night in iconic national parks where they can spot many stars and fantastic views of the Milky Way.

• Major Stops: Appalachian, Great Basin National Park, Rocky Mountains
• Distance : 375–500 miles, depending on the route
• Road Trip Length : Budget for three days

10 Stops You Can't Miss On A Route 66 Road Trip

Overseas highway, connects florida keys with postcard views of beaches, atlantic and gulf oceans, coral reefs.

The Overseas Highway is an excellent route to follow for those who want a tropical escape. The road goes through US-1 and connects to the Florida Keys. During this sun-drenched drive, travelers can enjoy epic views of historic lighthouses, beautiful coral reefs, and miles of white-sand beaches. The continuous road connects Key Largo to Key West and allows guests to cruise over the Seven-Mile Bridge, one of the strongest bridges in the world.

• Major Stops : Long Key State Park , Crane Point Hammock , Sombrero Beach
• Distance: 113 miles
• Road trip length: 3–4 hours

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This 13-day Train Trip Will Take You to 5 National Parks Across the U.S.

See the American West in style.

Vacations by Rail invites you to take the slow route to see a few of America's most beautiful national parks .

The vacation company is well-known for its delightful trips by train across the globe, but one of its most popular journeys is its 13-day trip through the American West to visit five stellar national parks along the way.

The trip begins at Chicago's Union Station, where guests will board Amtrak's Empire Builder train and settle into their accommodations. They'll take the overnight train to the first official stop at Glacier National Park. Guests will have time to explore the park, hike through its awe-inspiring terrain, and see its 25 glaciers, hundreds of lakes, and flowing waterfalls. And in the mid-morning, guests will take a vintage open-air Red Jammer bus for a tour of the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road while they cross the Continental Divide.

From there, the journey continues to Yellowstone National Park. At the park, guests will get the chance to tour its famed attractions, including Upper and Lower Falls, Hayden Valley, Old Faithful, Fountain Paint Pots, and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

The trip next takes guests to Grand Teton National Park for a float along the Snake River. On the water, guests can view the glorious Teton mountain range and maybe even spot a few bison, elk, and moose along the way.

The trip concludes with a visit to Utah to see both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, where guests can enjoy the gorgeous natural arches, red rocks, and incredible, vibrantly colorful sunsets.

The trip includes all rail travel, hotel accommodations for 12 nights (including four nights at Glacier Park Lodge or Grouse Mountain Lodge and two nights inside Yellowstone National Park), excursions and national park entrance fees, and all meals on board the train when guests upgrade to private sleeping accommodations.

The 13-day trip begins at $5,695 per person (double occupancy). There are still a few spots left for the June departure, but for more flexibility, check out its 2024 calendar , which includes departures June through September.