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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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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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6 Epic National Park Road Trip Ideas [Maps Included]

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

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

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Many National Parks Do You Want To See?

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

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

Which National Park Has The Best Scenic Drive?

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

What National Parks Have The Best Hiking?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Which National Parks Have The Most Unique Experiences?

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

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

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

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

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

Practical tips and essentials for a National Park road trip

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

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

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

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

National Park Road Trip Itineraries

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

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

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

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

Itineraries For Your Trip

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

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

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

Here are our tips on planning your RV trip !

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

Pacific Northwest National Park Road Trip

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

Crater Lake National Park

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

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

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

Olympic National Park

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

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

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

Check out our videos on our time here:

Mount Rainier

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

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

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

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

North Cascades

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

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

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

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

Utah National Park Road Trip

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

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

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

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

Arches National Park

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

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

There are some great hikes to do in Arches:

Canyonlands National Park

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

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

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

Learn more about Canyonlands: Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park

Where To Stay

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

Capitol Reef National Park

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

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

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

Bryce Canyon National Park

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

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

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

Zion National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mountains National Park Trip

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

Glacier National Park

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

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

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

Ultimate Guide to Glacier

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

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

Check out your video Playlist on our time in Glacier:

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

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

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

Yellowstone

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

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

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

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

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

Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone

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

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

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

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

Grand Tetons

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

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

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

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

California National Park Trip

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

Joshua Tree

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

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

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

Death Valley

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

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

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

When to visit:

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

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

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

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

Video of our time in Sequoia:

Video of our time in Kings Canyon:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out our videos on our time in the Redwoods:

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

Lassen Volcanic National Park

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

Learn more: Lassen Volcanic National Park 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida National Park Road Trip

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

Everglades National Park

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

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

Learn more: 7 Things To Do In Miami With Kids

Dry Tortugas

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

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

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

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

East Coast National Park Road Trip

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

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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

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

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

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

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

Mammoth Cave National Park

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

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

Congaree National Park

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

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

Additional National Parks To Visit

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

That includes the following National Parks

18 Amazing Things To Do In Big Bend National Park

Hot Springs National Park

Mount Rushmore and Badlands on a South Dakota Road Trip

Washington DC 2 Day Itinerary

Maine National Park : Acadia National Park and Acadia Itinerary

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

National Park Trip Round Up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Visit Every US National Park on this Epic Road Trip

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Visiting every single National Park in the United States is no small task. Currently, there are 63 recognized National Parks including American Samoa & the Virgin Islands. Even if you only look at the contiguous U.S., there are 48 National Parks spread across the country. For this National Park road trip, we will be focusing on the parks you can reach overland without hopping a plane, boat, or crossing a border.

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.

How to Spend the Perfect Day in Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles is one of the most underrated national parks on the west coast. Here’s…

12 Stunning National Parks to Visit in the Summer

Looking to beat the heat & the crowds this summer? Plan a road trip…

12 Outstanding US National Parks to Visit in Spring

The last glistening drifts of snow have melted and the wildflowers begin to bloom.…

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...

9 Best National Parks To Visit In Fall ( + Foliage Guide)

Why Van Journey Is the Good Selection for a Cross Nation Highway Journey - Yepmode News

[…] 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 […]

Why Van Travel Is the Perfect Choice for a Cross Country Road Trip - Daily Best Deal Travel

[…] 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.

Why Van Travel Is the Perfect Choice for a Cross Country Road Trip – Thetraveldealspro

[…] 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 […]

Why Van Travel Is the Perfect Choice for a Cross Country Road Trip – Advancedsafaris

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Florida Scenic Drives: Stunning Road Trips in the Sunshine State

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How to Plan the Ultimate National Park Road Trip- With Downloadable Planner

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

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

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

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

How Long to Plan for a National Parks Road Trip?

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

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

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

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

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

Choose Which National Parks to Visit

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

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

When to Visit National Parks

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

National Parks in Spring

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

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

National Parks in Summer

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

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

National Parks in Fall

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

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

National Parks in Winter

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

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

Visiting Popular vs Less Crowded Parks

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

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

How Far to Drive on a Road Trip

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

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

Plan Your National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

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

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

Pacific Northwest Road Trip

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

• North Cascades
• Mount Rainier
• Crater Lake

Southwest Road Trip

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

• Grand Canyon
• Bryce Canyon
• Capitol Reef
• Canyonlands

California Parks Road Trip

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

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

Western Parks Road Trip

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

• Yellowstone

Reserve Your Accommodations

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

Lodges in National Parks

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

Other Places to Stay Near National Parks

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

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

Read More: Cabin Essentials Checklist

Camping in National Parks

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

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

Camping Near the Parks

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

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

Free Camping Near National Parks

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

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

Where to find free camping:

• Bureau of Land Management
• iOverlander

National Park Van Road Trip

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

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

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

What Are You Going To Do?

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

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

• Cuyahoga Valley
• Rocky Mountain
• Grand Tetons

Hiking in National Parks

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

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

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

Tips for Hiking in National Parks

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

Applying for National Parks Permits

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

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

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

Downloadable National Parks Planner

Download a national parks planner.

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

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

Plan For Everything To Go Wrong!

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

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

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

Top 5 Tips for Visiting National Parks

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

Ultimate National Parks Packing List

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

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

Camping Gear

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

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

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

Clothing & Hiking Gear

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

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

Road Trip Gear

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

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

Read More: Beginner Hiking Photography Gear

Jackery Power Station

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

You May Also Like

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

SAVE IT FOR LATER

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23 comments.

• Pingback: Wanderlust during Coronavirus: 15 Travel activities without traveling - Moyer Memoirs

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

• Pingback: How to Spend One Day in the Redwoods - Voyages with Val

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

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

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

• Pingback: Top Tips for the Ultimate National Park Traveler Experience – Travel Nice

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

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Scenic Parks Explorer

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15 Day US National Parks tour from Yellowstone to Grand Canyon

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This National Parks tour is an iconic journey, culminating at the Grand Canyon, through Zion’s pink cliffs, Monument Valley’s imposing mesas, Grand Tetons’ alpine landscapes and Mount Rushmore’s rock-hewn faces. Hear from a Native American storyteller and overnight in Yellowstone, soaking it all in in just 15 days.

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15 days itinerary trip from Las Vegas to Las Vegas visiting 1 country and 21 cities

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Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Navajo Tribal Park with a Navajo Guide, the Grand Canyon with Tim, a local geologist, and Crazy Horse Memorial with access to the base of the memorial

Visit Zion, Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Arches, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon National Parks, The Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Little Bighorn Battlefield, Monument Valley

Discover Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Jackson Hole, Rapid City, The Mile High City of Denver

View Iconic Mount Rushmore in South Dakota

See iconic Delicate Arch

Scenic Drive along Desert View Drive, Zion Canyon Road

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On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

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

by US Park Pass | Mar 9, 2020

National Parks of America

About this tour.

Experience the grandeur of the American West as you explore five fantastic national parks on this exciting journey. In Arizona, contemplate the vast beauty of the Grand Canyon, and in Yellowstone, relish iconic sights like Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake. Marvel at the magnitude and color of Zion’s cliffs and the hoodoos and spires at Bryce Canyon. Enjoy 2-night stays in Springdale, Utah (Zion) and Jackson Hole. Drive through the incredible Bighorn Mountains and the great Sioux Nations Territory before seeing Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monument. Meet a local Lakota Native American at dinner and learn about their fascinating way of life, past and present. Gain new appreciation of the great outdoors on this journey that takes you from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore National Memorial and everywhere in between.

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• 9 Handpicked Accommodations
• 2 Choice on Tour Options

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• Grand Canyon
• Lake Powell

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10 Breakfasts

2 - Moderate

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Spend a night at the spectacular Grand Canyon.

Visit Yellowstone National Park, home to the famous Old Faithful Geyser.

• See one of the country's most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore.

Cultural Experiences:

Explore the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a tribute to Buffalo Bill Cody.

Meet Native Americans and discuss their unique and colorful culture.

Culinary Inclusions:

Experience a chuck wagon dinner* and cowboy entertainment.

• Bryce Canyon
• Salt Lake City
• Jackson Hole
• Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks
• Old Faithful
• Bighorn Mountains
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Mount Rushmore

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Hotel-Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale

If your interests stretch beyond the beauty of downtown Jackson Hole, we have a special treat for you! Swing your own paddle for a thrilling ride through the white waters of the Snake River. An experienced guide conducts the trip, and you provide the paddle power. This unforgettable addition to your vacation is an experience you will talk about for many years to come.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Snake River on a gentle float trip. Your guide will paddle while pointing out interesting sights along the way. The trip is a great way to see the beauty of the river and the geology that forms the Snake River. The river is home to a variety of waterfowl and native animals including moose, deer and river otters. It is also the nesting area of our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle, as well as ospreys. You will enjoy an included picnic lunch.

See one of the country's most famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore.

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Pre Night: Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale From $90 per night

Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale

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How to Plan the Perfect Grand Circle Tour

Explore cherished national parks on a road trip to remember.

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Commemorate the National Park Service's centennial by hitting picturesque trails and admiring storied sites and dramatic rock formations at iconic national parks across Utah and Arizona.

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service , and to celebrate the occasion – and inspire the next generation of visitors to visit America's prized parks and historic sites – the parks will be offering free admission through Sunday. So, now is the perfect time to pile the family into the car, and head to Utah to embark on a Grand Circle Tour of top national parks. Popularized in the 1920s, when the Union Pacific Railroad created the route with the then newly developed National Park Service to encourage visitors to get outside and admire the plateaus and peaks of southern Utah and northern Arizona, this iconic route is not to be missed. If you're ready to embark on an epic road trip , packed with striking scenery, storied sites and plenty of time in great outdoors, here's how to plan a memorable tour of four inspiring national parks.

[See: 15 Must-Visit National Park Attractions ].

Zion National Park

Utah's first national park – established in 1919 – Zion sprawls across the southwestern Utah desert. There are many regions within Zion National Park, but the park is best known for its dramatic red rock cliffs. Visitors can stroll along the Riverside Walk hiking trail and wade into the water to cool off or, for a thrill, climb to top of Angels Landing for striking 360-degree views of the valley below. Not up for hiking? Take a scenic drive through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel or the less-visited Kolob Canyons section of the park. Keep in mind cars are not allowed in the main Zion Canyon during the busy spring and summer months, when visitors must ride the free shuttle system to get to the hiking trailheads. However, visitors can drive their own cars through the Zion Canyon as the crowds diminish, from November to March.

[See: 7 Affordable Ways to Experience America's National Parks ].

Cedar Breaks National Monument

A hidden gem in the mountains above Cedar City, Utah, Cedar Breaks National Monument is a fantastic way to get away from the crowds of Zion and Bryce Canyon. Cedar Breaks' prominent feature is a majestic 2,000-foot-deep amphitheater of reddish-orange rock carved with intricate fissures, and hoodoos (skinny spires). Situated at 10,000 feet elevation, Cedar Breaks offers much cooler visiting conditions than Zion National Park's desert heat. Plus, nights are punctuated by dazzling stars speckling clear skies. Be sure to stick around after sunset when park rangers offer lessons about our solar system via telescope. And don't forget to take notice of the trees along Cedar Breaks' rim – the bristlecone pines are some of the oldest living organisms in the world. Along the Spectra Point/Ramparts Overlook Trail, you'll pass the oldest such bristlecone pine tree in the park, which dates back more than 1,500 years.

Bryce Canyon National Park

An otherworldly expanse of hoodoos and arches make up the geology of Bryce Canyon National Park. Easy access to Sunrise Point, Sunset Point and Inspiration Point allow visitors to watch the shadows creep over the land at sunrise or sunset. Hiking is a must in Bryce, and you need to get below the rim to experience the wonder and awe among the hoodoos. There are many paths leading into the network of formations, and one of the most popular and scenic combines the Navajo and Queen's Garden trails for one of the most spectacular 3-mile hikes in the world. After passing the entrance sign to Bryce Canyon National Park, before you reach the entrance toll booth, make sure to take the road to the left, which leads to the Fairyland Canyon section of Bryce. You'll find spectacular views of the orange-tinged spires without the crowds (or the park fee if you're planning a trip after Aug. 28).

[See: 12 State Parks That Should Be on Your Bucket List .]

North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

Over 1,800 million years of geologic history stand before you at the strata of the Grand Canyon . The North Rim is less accessible than the South Rim and 1,000 feet higher in elevation but worth visiting. You can take your pick from hiking to Bright Angel Point for a spectacular view of the Grand Canyon, or sit in an Adirondack-style chair on the back porch of the Grand Canyon Lodge and partake in one of the ranger-led programs. Mule rides into the canyon date back to the 1920s and range from an hour to a half day. Prices start at $45 per person for a one-hour ride to $90 for a half-day trip. For a meal to remember, dine in the Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge's main dining room, which affords unparalleled park views. Just remember to make reservations ahead of time online as spots tend to fill up quickly.

While the Union Pacific Railway may not lead Grand Circle Tour trips anymore, an RV makes for a great family-friendly option, even while tooling down the highway. For more information about how to plan an RV road trip on your own, visit GoRVing.com to learn how to get started, where to go, what to bring and more.

Tags: National Parks , National Park Service , Travel , Vacations

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Practical advice on the art of traveling smarter with tips, tricks and intel from En Route's panel of experts.

Contributors have experience in areas ranging from family travel, adventure travel, experiential travel and budget travel to hotels, cruises and travel rewards and include Amy Whitley , Claire Volkman , Holly Johnson , Marsha Dubrow , Lyn Mettler , Sery Kim , Kyle McCarthy , Erica Lamberg , Jess Moss , Sheryl Nance-Nash , Sherry Laskin , Katie Jackson , Erin Gifford , Roger Sands , Steve Larese , Gwen Pratesi , Erin Block , Dave Parfitt , Kacey Mya , Kimberly Wilson , Susan Portnoy , Donna Tabbert Long and Kitty Bean Yancey .

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Driving Utah National Parks: 7 Day Road Trip (Map + Itinerary)

Use our Utah National Parks road trip map and itinerary to plan the perfect one week driving tour through some of America’s best National Parks of the West.

Our 2 Utah National Parks road trips

Our first trip to Utah National Parks was during a one-month National Parks camping road trip in 2011, before starting our Peace Corps service. 

We loved it!

Utah’s beauty is so different from where we grew up (Oregon and Hawaii). But I think that’s what makes Utah’s Parks especially captivating: they feel like they’re not of this world!

Reds and oranges. Textures like thousand-layer pancakes cut through with a sharp knife, or blobs of wet sand plopped in columns as big as buildings.

From an aerial view, this part of Utah may look dry and bland. But up close, every corner has new shapes and shades of the rainbow.

In 2020, we revisited the Utah National Parks in October on a 7 day road trip . This time we stayed in Airbnbs, while practicing responsible, social distance travel .

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you.

Table of Contents

Utah National Parks Road Trip Map + PDF

* Get our Utah National Parks map & itinerary PDF pack *  

Best Utah Road Trip Itinerary

The ideal Utah National Parks tour includes: – Arches National Park – Canyonlands N.P. – Bryce Canyon N.P. – Zion N.P. – Capitol Reef N.P. – Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

That is a lot to cover in a 7 day Utah Parks itinerary! But yes, it can be done.

When limited to one week, most travelers skip Grand Staircase, as many of its attractions are more remote.

Capitol Reef and Canyonlands are not as well known and many skip these as well.

That being said, if you wish to avoid crowds in the Utah National Parks, you may want to spend more time at Grand Staircase-Escalante, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands.

Let’s take a look at each of these Utah National Parks one by one, then we’ll answer some Frequently Asked Questions about Utah Parks road trips.

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park is most famous for having the greatest concentration of hoodoos on Earth. Hoodoos are irregularly eroded columns of rock. It’s a beautiful geological wonder to behold!

Bryce is one of my all-time favorite National Parks and definitely deserves a top spot on your Utah National Parks itinerary. That being said, you can easily see the best of Bryce Canyon within half a day if needed.

Check the Bryce Canyon National Park website for visitor information

Bryce Highlights:

– Hiking among the hoodoos – Sunset and Sunrise viewpoints – Ranger talks and astronomy programs – Canyon horseback rides

Best Hikes in Bryce:

– Queen’s Garden and Navajo trails (2.9 mile loop, moderate difficulty): A must see! Bryce’s most popular hiking trail packs a punch, with gorgeous vistas and fascinating geological formations.

– Peekaboo Loop (5.5 miles, strenuous): Combine this in a figure-8 with the Queen’s/Navajo loop above for a spectacular half-day work out.

– Rim Trail:  For folks with less mobility, or short on time, walk from the parking lot on this wide, paved path above the canyon. View Sunrise and Sunset points, about 1 mile apart.

Recommended Accommodations for Bryce Canyon:

Bryce activities:, zion national park.

Zion is Utah’s first and probably most popular (read: crowded) National Park.

On our Utah National Parks road trip map, you’ll see Zion is in the southwest corner of the State. This makes Zion National Park an ideal place to start a trip, especially if you’re coming from Las Vegas or California.

Zion’s main canyon boasts colorful, epic scenery and wildlife . But you can also visit a separate corner of the park, Kolob Canyon, that’s much less crowded.

Check the Zion National Park website for visitor information

Zion Highlights:

– Hiking in Zion Canyon or Kolob Canyon – Driving through the mile-long Mt. Carmel tunnel – Cycling the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive

Best Hikes in Zion:

– West Rim Trail to Angel’s Landing (5.4 miles, strenuous): Switch back climb with epic views. For those with fear of heights, skipping the final section to Angel’s Landing is still a great hike.

– The Narrows (up to 9.4 miles): A trek through the river itself, inside a narrow gorge with walls a thousand feet high.

Recommended Accommodations for Zion National Park:

Zion activities:.

Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef is the most underrated Utah National Parks trip destination, in my opinion.

It’s also centrally located between the Western Utah parks (Bryce and Zion) and the Eastern parks (Arches and Canyonlands). Plus it’s next door to Grand Staircase-Escalante. With this location, Capitol Reef can make a great home base for a Utah National Parks vacation.

After a too-brief visit on our first trip, I made sure to spend extra time at Capitol Reef the second time around.

With such striking, unusual landscapes and relatively few crowds, Capitol Reef National Park is a hiker’s paradise . 

Check the Capitol Reef National Park website for visitor information

Capitol Reef Highlights:

– Hiking through unusual geologic formations – Scenic drive into Grand Wash and Capitol Gorge – Petroglyphs and pictographs by Fremont peoples – Historic pioneer farmstead in Fruita

Best Hikes in Capitol Reef:

– Grand Wash (up to 4 miles, flat): A dry streambed trail through the narrows of a sculpted canyon with fascinating rock colors and textures. Option to add on a climb to Cassidy Arch.

– Hickman Bridge (1.8 miles, moderate): Canyon views and a grand rock arch/bridge.

Recommended Accommodations for Capitol Reef:

Budget Alternatives: Capitol Reef campgrounds ($), Wonderland Cabins ($/$$) Luxury Alternative: Cougar Ridge Lodge villas ($$$)

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante is actually a National Monument, which covers almost a million acres. Full of cliffs, slot canyons, river gorges, rock arches, fossils, and native artifacts, these public lands rival the other National Parks in Utah.

Unfortunately, these attractions are extremely spread out and not as accessible .

For convenience on a Utah road trip, we recommend visiting the area around Escalante, UT . This includes part of the Scenic Byway 12.

Check the Park website for visitor information

Grand Staircase Highlights:

– Scenic Byway 12 viewpoints and overlooks – Hiking diverse terrains

Best Hikes in Escalante:

– Lower Calf Creek Falls (6 miles, moderate): The stunning waterfall at the end is matched by fascinating terrain along this relatively flat but sandy out-and-back trail – pictured above.

– Coyote Gulch (11.5 miles, strenuous): A semi-narrow canyon that snakes its way through incredible red rock landscapes and arches.

Recommended Accommodations:

Budget Alternative: Calf Creek Campground ($) Luxury Alternative: 40 Acre Retreat ($$/$$$), Escalante Yurts ($$$)   Escalante Activities:

Canyonlands National Park

Adding Canyonlands to your Utah National Parks driving tour may depend on how much time you have. With its primitive desert landscape, it’s not quite as flashy as Arches, Zion, or Bryce, so some visitors choose to skip it.

That being said, Canyonlands National Park is a short drive from Arches , so it’s easy to make a day trip out of it.

Check the Canyonlands Park website for visitor information

Canyonlands Highlights:

– Horseshoe Canyon’s “Great Gallery” has some of the most significant rock art in North America – Impressive canyon vistas along the Island in the Sky Scenic Drive

Best Hikes in Canyonlands:

– Mesa Arch (0.5 miles, easy): A short loop trail to Canyonland’s most iconic rock arch.

– Grand View Point (2 miles, easy): Great for panoramic views of Candlestick Tower, the Green River, and the White Rim Road.

Canyonlands campgrounds

See Arches accommodations below for more options outside the park.

Canyonlands Activities:

Arches national park.

No Utah National Parks road trip itinerary is complete without a stop in Arches. True to its name, this open desert landscape is home to thousands of red rock archways and other fun stone formations.

Arches National Park is located just outside of Moab, Utah , an outdoor adventure hot spot of its own. This is the closest park to Utah’s Eastern border with Colorado.  

Arches Highlights:

– Taking a scenic drive to countless viewpoints – Hiking among the arches – Rock climbing, canyoneering, biking, or horse-back riding

Best Hikes in Arches:

– The Windows (1 mile, easy): An easy climb to view massive rock windows and Turret Arch.

– Delicate Arch (3 miles, moderate): A steady uphill, passing a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs, to get up close to one of the most iconic arches.

Budget Alternative: Edge of the Desert tiny houses , Devil’s Garden Campground Luxury Alternative: Modern Moab Villa (for 8) ; Exclusive Retreats 3bdr Home  

Arches Activities:

Utah national park road trip itinerary tips.

How many days do you need to visit Utah Parks?

Technically , you could see the Utah Big 5 in a five day road trip. Driving distance is short enough, but this would allow very little time to actually enjoy yourself.

We recommend at least a one week Utah road trip itinerary. Two weeks in Utah National Parks would be even more ideal to get off the beaten path and explore the best of all the parks.

Best Time to Visit Utah Parks

Generally, the best time to visit US National Parks is in “shoulder season” when the weather is still nice but there are fewer crowds. That means avoiding school breaks, hot summers, and freezing winters.

Typically, Fall is a great time to take a southwest National Park road trip through Utah.

Which is better: Bryce or Arches? Zion or Moab?

You’ll see on our Utah National Parks map that Bryce and Zion are closest to each other on the West side of Utah. Arches and Canyonlands are on the East near Moab, Utah.

The best Utah parks to visit is personal preference. They are each so unique, it’s difficult to compare.

If you’re short on time and can’t see all the parks, I would pick whichever are closest to you geographically, to maximize your time in the parks. Whichever you choose will make for an amazing trip!

What should you pack for a road trip in Utah? What should I wear?

If you’ll be camping, see our epic camping road trip packing list . Don’t forget good hiking shoes and light-weight, layered clothes for the outdoors. It does get hot in the summer but can cool off at night, so a light jacket is recommended.

In winter, bring a heavier jacket, hat, gloves, and moisture-wicking layers. Sunscreen and water bottle are also must haves.

Alos, don’t forget your National Parks Pass !

Do you need bug spray for mosquitos in Utah?

Fortunately, Utah’s dry climate means there are not many mosquitos around the National Parks. Mosquitos may be more common around Salt Lake City at some times of the year, but it’s not usually a significant concern Utah National Parks.

We hope this Utah National Parks trip planner has been helpful. Let us know in the comments if you have your own recommendations to add. And don’t forget to get your National Parks in Utah map and road trip itinerary PDF pack here .

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hello. we are planning a road trip in May with our well-trained pup. I checked out several of the lodging sites posted on your site and they all seem to be non dog-friendly. LaQuinta Moab and also in LaVerkin are pet friendly. Any suggestions for us? Also we are driving from the Olympic Peninsula in WA so would beginning in SLC be the best route? Thank you!

We are coming to Utah in November around the 6 to the 12. We are bringing my 11 year old granddaughter. Any suggestions for activities. We hike but don’t want difficult hikes. Are the activities still available I. November

Hi Ellen. There are plenty of easy hikes throughout the Utah Parks. If you’re not able to find the info you’re looking for in our post, each Park has up to date recommendations and calendars in a brochure that you can pick up at the entry or visitor center.

Thanks for the info. As seniors we need to see as much as we can without hiking. Which parks have the best scenic drives? Know we’ll miss a lot without hiking, but we are not physically able.

Thanks for visiting our blog! Several of the parks have well known scenic drives, which we’ve mentioned in this post. Capitol Reef and Arches come to mind as the best parks to view from your own car. Zion’s valley is not self-drive but you can take the park shuttle to experience that scenic drive.

Thanks for the information it is great. Which hikes would you recommend for beauty but avoiding dangerous hiking since my family are newbies and are afraid of heights in tight quarters. Also I’m thinking of let’s say doing 5 days or less, which would you avoid or if easier the must do’s.

Hi Fred. Great question. Most of the Parks have so many hikes, you’ll be able to find beginner-friendly non-scary hikes to suit your preferences. It might be easiest to start with Bryce and Zion, as both have great viewpoints without necessarily needing to hike up or down and your driving time will be minimal. You could add Arches as well for scenic drives and light hiking to see some of the best sights. Hope that helps!

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Explore U.S. National Parks Tours

The Ultimate Pacific Northwest National Parks Road Trip

By: Author Bram Reusen

Posted on Last updated: May 2, 2024

One of America’s most diverse regions, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) is home to massive volcanoes, pristine temperate rain forests, high desert plains, sea stack-lined coasts and spectacular mountain ranges.

The amazing national parks of the Pacific Northwest reflect its diversity beautifully.

In this post, I talk about the many must-visit Pacific Northwest national parks and offer a couple of suggested road trip itineraries, based on my many trips around the PNW.

Pacific Northwest National Parks Road Trip

Olympic national park, washington, san juan island national historical park, washington, north cascades national park, washington, mount rainier national park, washington, mount st. helens national volcanic monument, washington, fort vancouver national historic site, washington, columbia river gorge national scenic area, oregon, john day fossil beds national monument, oregon, deschutes national forest, oregon, crater lake national park, oregon, oregon caves national monument, oregon, redwood national park, northern california, lassen volcanic national park, northern california, lava beds national monument, northern california, pacific northwest national parks, monuments & forests map, one way: from seattle to portland, loop: from portland to portland, more u.s. national park road trips.

First of all, though, let me start by clarifying the definition of “Pacific Northwest” I’ve used here. There is, after all, not a single clearly outlined conception of this region in the North American northwest .

The most common definition considers the Pacific Northwest to consist of the states of Oregon, Washington and Idaho (as well as Canada’s British Columbia). Broader definitions may also include southeastern Alaska, northern California and even western Montana and Wyoming.

For the purpose of this Pacific Northwest national parks road trip post, I chose the following states as making up the Pacific Northwest: Washington, Oregon and northern California.

This is basically the span of the Cascade Mountains in the United States—the Pacific Northwest is sometimes also referred to as “Cascadia”—and makes for the most convenient road trip opportunities. Washington, Oregon and northern California also have similar landscapes, natural features and ecosystems.

The vast majority of the national parks in the Pacific Northwest are either in the Cascade Range or along the Pacific Coasts of Washington, Oregon and northern California. This offers amazing opportunities for one-way road trips or longer loops.

No matter how much time you have—whether it’s a week or a month—you can explore several, if not all, of the Pacific Northwest national parks on a world-class road trip.

This Pacific Northwest national parks road trip post contains affiliate links. You can read more about our Terms of Use / Disclosure here .

12+ National Parks in the Pacific Northwest

The following overview of the national parks of the Pacific Northwest is roughly from north to south, from Washington, through Oregon, to northern California.

Note that this is not necessarily the precise order in which you’ll want to do your road trip, though. You can find a couple of specific road trip itinerary suggestions after the descriptions of the individual parks.

Also, a few of the destinations below are not managed by the National Park Service, but by the U.S. Forest Service.

The reason I decided to include them is because they’re both amazing places to visit in the Pacific Northwest and part of America’s extensive national public lands system.

• Highlights: Alpine peaks, temperate rain forests, rugged coastal scenery, waterfalls, lakes, and abundant wildlife
• How long to stay: 4 days

Olympic National Park is a pristine wilderness unlike any other on the planet. Known as “three parks in one”, the park’s ecological variety is of such importance that it’s both an International Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the heart of the park stands 7,980-foot Mount Olympus, dominating the mountain ranges in the interior of the Olympic Peninsula, west of Seattle.

Glaciers radiate down from its slopes toward primeval pine forests, lush rain forests and wide valleys. Rivers and waterfalls abound in this rugged region, while glacial lakes dot lower areas.

A wide range of wildlife and iconic American bird species thrive here as well, most notably large herds of Roosevelt elk , black bears, bald eagles and marmots.

There is enough natural beauty in the Olympic Mountains alone to make it worthy of being a national park on its own. Yet, Olympic National Park’s diversity doesn’t end there. Arguably the park’s most extraordinary feature is its temperate rain forests.

On the western slopes of the mountains, thick blankets of moss drape towering trees. Carpets of ferns cover the forest floor. Mist lingers in the air.

This is one of only a few temperate rain forests left in the world. Moreover, the combined areas of the Hoh, Bogachiel, Queets and Quinault Rain Forests make up the largest rain forest of its kind on Earth.

You can learn much more about the beautiful temperate rain forests of Olympic National Park here .

A number of easy hikes in Olympic National Park ‘s rain forests allow you to immerse yourself in this stunning environment.

And then there’s the park’s third ecosystem, separated from the two above: the wild Pacific Northwest coast.

A narrow 73-mile-long (117 kilometers) strip of coastal forests, sandy beaches, huge sea stacks, tidepools and headlands, this is the one of longest undeveloped stretches of coastline in the contiguous U.S.

It’s known appropriately as “ The Wilderness Coast .”

• Highlights: Historic sites, beautiful coastal views, and orca watching
• How long to stay: 1 day

One of the greatest National Park Service sites near Seattle , San Juan Island National Historical Park offers superb outdoor activities and fascinating history.

In 1859, the United States and Great Britain almost started a war over possession of San Juan Island, a crisis that got started by—of all things—the death of a pig.

Important sites in the park commemorate the 12 years of American Army and British Royal Navy presence on the island, located near the United States-Canada border, most notably American Camp and English Camp.

Nowadays, San Juan Island is as peaceful as can be, featuring great views, beautiful shores and, above all, fantastic orca viewing opportunities.

In fact, this park may just be the best place in the entire United States to see killer whales, which is why it’s a must-visit destination on any Pacific Northwest national parks road trip.

• Highlights: Solitude, turquoise glacial lakes, spectacular mountains, wildlife, boating and hiking
• How long to stay: 2 days

Even though it’s only three hours by car from downtown Seattle , North Cascades National Park boasts some of the most spectacular and remote wilderness areas south of Canada and Alaska.

In this park, finding adventure and solitude is a piece of cake.

North Cascades is also among the least-developed national parks in the U.S., crossed only by scenic Route 20 and home to only a few small towns.

This park encompasses over 300 glaciers, a third of all glaciers in the lower 48 states! This massive amount of ice feeds countless rivers and lakes, occupying upper slopes and flowing through lower valleys.

The landscapes in North Cascades National Park are also beautifully diverse. They include towering mountain peaks, as well as also thundering waterfalls and old-growth forests.

Attracting fewer than 30,000 visitors each year, this park, despite its accessibility, is all about isolation and solitude.

A weekend exploring its landscapes , enjoying scenic drives and hitting a couple of trails is perfect to get a real feel for this wilderness park.

The main features of the North Cascades are endless series of sawtooth-like peaks, stunningly blue alpine lakes, and lots of wildlife.

In fact, this is one of only a few national parks that have grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. That said, though, the North Cascades grizzly bear population is really small and sightings are extremely uncommon.

Other high-profile mammals that call these mountains home include gray wolves, black bears , mountain lions, elk and mountain goats.

This vast national park complex consists of North Cascades National Park itself, but also comprises of the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

• Highlights: Tallest mountain/volcano in the Pacific Northwest, massive glaciers, spectacular wildflowers, old-growth forests, still alpine lakes, and world-class hiking
• How long to stay: 3 days

Rising 14,410 feet toward the often-cloudy Pacific Northwest sky, Mount Rainier dominates the landscape in central Washington State. This national park is roughly halfway between Seattle and Portland and easily accessible from both major cities.

Moreover, this mighty active volcano is so prominent—the highest peak in the Cascade Range —that it’s an integral part of the skyline of Seattle. It’s also visible from certain viewpoints near Portland.

Mount Rainier National Park encompasses everything from old-growth forests to gorgeous subalpine wildflower meadows to spectacular waterfalls. While Rainier itself might be the star attraction, I highly recommend exploring some of its other ecosystems as well.

The huge, ancient trees in the Grove of the Patriarchs, for example, are absolutely worth seeing, while the summer wildflowers in the Paradise area are nothing short of breathtaking.

Hiking the Skyline Trail Loop , which starts at the historic and rustic Paradise Inn , is the best way to explore this wonderful alpine area. As you walk this fantastic trail, you’ll have amazing up-close views of Mount Rainier almost the entire way.

Other highlights along the Skyline Trail Loop include gorgeous meadows, beautiful Myrtle Falls and occasional wildlife sightings, such as mountain goats and black bears.

I recommend dedicating three days to this glorious Pacific Northwest national park. That way, you’ll have much more time to explore other areas in the park and hit some of the Mount Rainier trails .

Make sure to explore Tipsoo Lake and the Sunrise Area, too. Both areas are especially spectacular in the fall .

• Highlights: Volcanic crater, aftermath of a volcanic eruption, spectacular views, and wildflowers
• How long to stay: ½ day

Established in 1982 and managed by the U.S. Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was the first monument of its kind in the United States.

It was created after the massive 1980 eruption of the volcano, which is still the most devastating volcanic event in U.S. history—in terms of both number of deaths and economic destruction. The purpose of this national volcanic monument is multifold, including research, education and recreation.

Because it was protected, the area around Mount St. Helens was able to respond to this natural disaster in a natural way.

Nowadays, you can still see thousands of fallen trees on slopes and floating on lakes, while evidence of enormous landslides and pyroclastic flows is visible all around.

The view of the blown-away crater from the Johnston Ridge Observatory is spectacular. If you’re there in late-spring or early-summer, an amazing display of wildflowers will cover the fertile valleys, slopes and ridges.

If you’re up for a half-day hike, I highly recommend the 8.5-mile round-trip Harry’s Ridge Trail.

It may not technically be a “national park”—as in, managed by the National Park Service—but this public park is absolutely worth visiting on your Pacific Northwest national parks road trip.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument lies conveniently between Mount Rainier National Park and Portland, Oregon. In fact, the mountain’s flattened summit is clearly visible from many places in and around Portland.

• Highlights: Full-scale replica of a 19 th -century Hudson’s Bay Company fort
• How long to stay: 2-3 hours

Situated on the Columbia River’s northern bank in Vancouver, Washington, just across the river from Portland, Oregon, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site highlights the story of pioneers, settlers, Native Americans and explorers.

The closest National Park Service unit to Portland, it’s located at the site of the 19 th -century headquarters of the Columbia Department of the Hudson’s Bay Company. This former frontier fur trading post grew into a powerful military fort.

Named after Captain George Vancouver, it was an important crossroads of multiple trade routes, including those coming overland from the East Coast, ships from places as varied as Britain and China, and several Native American trails.

Nowadays, the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site has a full-scale replica of the fort, including buildings like a carpenter shop, bakery, blacksmith shop and kitchen.

• Highlights: Spectacular waterfalls, abundant wildflowers, lush forests, and great views

Just like nearby Mount St. Helens, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Carved through the Cascade Mountains by the mighty Columbia River, the Gorge is home to lush forests and myriad gorgeous waterfalls , including famous Multnomah Falls.

Its verdant western part starts just past Portland’s eastern boundary and runs to charming Hood River, while the eastern part, situated in the mountains’ rain shadow, is characterized by much drier landscapes and canyons.

The eastern Gorge is famous for its spectacular wildflowers in spring . Between April and May, its hills, plateaus and meadows attracts thousands of hikers, photographers and other nature lovers.

The Columbia River Gorge is a super-popular day trip from Portland , but also makes for the perfect transition from Oregon’s vibrant largest city to its high desert interior.

Drive the Historic Columbia River Highway for the best views and scenery, and access to waterfalls and trailheads. I’d recommend planning your visit to this area on a weekday. Weekends and holidays get extremely crowded in this beautiful area.

Alternatively, if you’re after more mountain scenery, you could opt to drive the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway through Mt. Hood National Forest. This brings you right past towering Mt. Hood , as well as lakes, forest scenery and some amazing Mt. Hood hiking trails . The Columbia River Gorge, however, would be my personal first choice.

• Highlights: Rich fossil deposits, spectacular multi-colored hills, and extraordinary desert scenery

Just like the Columbia River Gorge and Crater Lake (see below), John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon .

It’s unlike anything you might imagine when you think about Oregon national parks —which is most likely wild coasts, thundering waterfalls, rain clouds and evergreen forests.

There’s also an entirely different side to this large state in the American West, though. Located in north-central Oregon, 4.5 hours by car from Portland , this landscape of canyons and cliffs, desert plains and multi-colored badlands is absolutely spectacular.

As its name implies, it’s preserved mainly for its rich fossil deposits. Its fossil record spans no fewer than 40 million years and includes fossils of countless plants and animals, as well as evidence of ancient climate change.

The most popular unit in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument is home to the famous Painted Hills of Oregon , which features stunning multi-colored hills.

Other units are the Clarno Unit and Sheep Rock Unit . Each unit has trails that allow you see these amazing landscapes from up close and learn more about the fossils found here. This is a worthwhile detour on the way from Portland to Crater Lake on your Pacific Northwest national parks road trip.

• Highlights: Beautiful alpine lakes, scenic drives, all kinds of outdoor activities, and volcanoes, including the largest volcano in the Pacific Northwest

A sprawling national forest in central Oregon, Deschutes National Forest preserves huge tracts of forests, lakes, volcanoes and mountains south(west) of Bend. It’s a dream destination for hikers, kayakers, rock climbers and other adventurists.

Located partially in four Oregon counties—Deschutes, Jefferson, Klamath and Lake—on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Range, this national forest comprises no fewer than 1.8 million acres (7,300 km 2 ).

It’s also home to five designated wilderness areas, all of which also extend into other, adjacent national forests.

It’s amazingly diverse, featuring shimmering lakes and scenic rivers, cinder cones and sweeping summit vistas.

While there are several different areas to explore in Deschutes National Forest, I recommend focusing on the following two. They’re easily accessible from  Bend , as well as gloriously beautiful and filled with attractions.

• Cascades Lakes Area (west of Route 97): A series of glorious alpine lakes linked together by the fantastic Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway, great for hiking and boating.
• Newberry National Volcanic Monument (along and east of Route 97): The Newberry Volcano is the largest volcano in the Cascade Range, home to two caldera lakes, cinder cones, lava flows and other awesome volcanic features.

If you decide to make Deschutes National Forest a part of your Pacific Northwest parks road trip, I suggest doing it justice and not simply driving through.

Both the Cascade Lakes Area and the Newberry Volcano deserve at least one full day of your time. You can read about the best things to do in Deschutes National Forest here .

• Highlights: America’s deepest and clearest lake, scenic drive, and stargazing

Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake National Park lies in the southern part of the state. An awe-inspiring, glorious park, it’s centered on eponymous Crater Lake.

This water-filled caldera was created after the massive eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama, once a mighty volcano in the Pacific Northwest, about 7,700 years ago. Although its origins are undeniably violent, Crater Lake is now a prime example of peacefulness and tranquility .

Dependent entirely on rainfall and snow melt as its water sources, the lake has some of the cleanest, and clearest water of any North American lake.

Additionally, it’s also the deepest lake in the U.S.—it’s average depth is 1,943 feet (592 meters). The water surface is usually perfectly still, too, which results in stunning reflections of the caldera walls around it.

That ripple-less water often reflects a blue sky, making it “the bluest lake on earth”, while at night it twinkles with the lights of a thousand stars .

Crater Lake National Park is also super-easy to explore. The scenic Rim Drive encircles the entire lake, offering access to Crater Lake viewpoints and hiking trails .

The historic Rim Village is home to the amazing Crater Lake Lodge , while Mazama Village down the road below has cabins, a store, gas station and a large campground.

• Highlights: Beautiful marble caves in the Siskiyou Mountains, wildlife watching

Located deep within southern Oregon’s Siskiyou Mountains lie the renowned Oregon Caves.

These “Marble Halls of Oregon” are home to spectacular marble formations and passageways , a major tourist attraction in this remote part of the Pacific Northwest.

Cave tours are the obvious top attraction here and you can go on Discovery Cave Tours, Candlelight Cave Tour, and Kids and Family Tours. Experienced speleologists can go on off-trail tours, too. Other popular activities at the Oregon Caves are hiking and wildlife watching.

• Highlights: Some of the world’s largest trees, abundant wildlife, scenic drives, (mountain) biking, and camping

Redwood National Park could be considered one of the most remote national parks on the U.S. West Coast. There aren’t any major cities nearby.

The drive from San Francisco to Redwood National Park is about 5.5 hours, while the nearest other major city, Portland is also approximately 5.5 hours away.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Redwood National and State Parks are certainly a place worth visiting. They’re an essential destination on a Pacific Northwest national parks road trip.

This amazing park complex consists of four parks :

• Redwood National Park
• Jedediah Smith State Park
• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
• Del Norte Coast State Park

Together, the Redwood National and State Parks protect no less than 45% of all remaining old-growth coastal redwood ( Sequoia sempervirens ) forests in the world. These massive trees are some of the tallest, most voluminous and oldest on the planet.

There’s a lot more than redwoods to be discovered here, though. In addition to the coastal redwood forests, the parks preserve huge expanses of prairie, oak forests, wild rivers and streams, and almost 40 miles of spectacular coastline.

Wildlife abounds in these pristine forests, coasts and grasslands, and is often seen from the many hiking trails in Redwood National and State Parks . High-profile animals range from Chinook salmon and Steller’s sea lions to black bears, Roosevelt elk, mountain lions and river otters.

The abundance of animals in Redwood National and State Parks, combined with its extraordinary flora, is a main reason this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Popular activities include the classics, such as camping and hiking, but also road cycling on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway and other park roads.

If you’re camping, I strongly recommend the Gold Bluffs Beach Campground, which is my all-time favorite national park campground .

Additionally, Redwood is also one of very few U.S. national parks where backcountry mountain biking is allowed .

• Highlights: Volcanic landscapes, including all four types of volcanoes on Earth, hydrothermal areas, stargazing and hiking

Situated at the meeting point of the Great Basin desert, the Sierra Nevada mountains and the volcanoes of the Cascade Range, Lassen Volcanic National Park offers natural thrills unlike anywhere else in California.

Just over 500,000 people visit Lassen Volcanic annually, making it one of the quietest national parks in the Pacific Northwest and California.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a place of shimmering lakes, cinder cones and age-old lava beds. The namesake and star attraction of the park is Lassen Peak , the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range.

In fact, Lassen Peak is one of America’s most active volcanoes . It’s also the biggest plug dome volcano on the planet, a massive natural landmark surrounded by many smaller volcanoes, fumaroles, boiling mud pools, pristine lakes, hot springs and wildflower-filled meadows.

This park is exceptional for various reasons, but the most interesting one is that you’ll find every existing type of volcano here. Composite, plug dome, cinder cone and shield volcanoes are all present in this underrated park in the very southern part of the Pacific Northwest.

Because of that exceptional volcanic diversity, Lassen Volcanic National Park is the only American national park that comes (relatively) close to Yellowstone in terms of hydrothermal features.

There’s plenty of great camping, boating, cycling and hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park . Additionally, the night sky is amazing, too.

Moreover, the park is also open in winter , offering all kinds of fun winter adventures.

• Highlights: A massive shield volcano, Native American rock art, hundreds of caves, colorful dunes, and desert landscapes

Arguably the least known of all these Pacific Northwest parks, Lava Beds National Monument lies in northeastern California.

This is yet another volcanic park in the Cascade Range, home to Medicine Lake Volcano, a massive shield volcano with a surface area of over 770 square miles (2,000 km 2 ). In terms of sheer volume, it’s the biggest volcano in the Cascades!

Volcanic eruptions have occurred on and off for 500,000 years here. Unlike Mount St. Helens, however, these eruptions were fairly gentle, covering the flanks of the volcano by layer after layer of basaltic lava.

These geological events created a landscape of various volcanic features.

At Lava Beds National Monument, which occupies the volcano’s northeastern side, you’ll find no fewer than 800 caves, historic battlefields, spectacular high desert wilderness and Native American rock art sites.

You can visit caves like Crystal Ice Cave and Fern Cave, go for scenic drives and hikes, and camp at one of the Pacific Northwest’s most underrated National Park Service units.

Lava Beds is key destination on the National Park Service’s fantastic Circle of Discovery Tour . This scenic loop drive around southern Oregon and northern California takes in the region’s seven NPS sites, including above-mentioned Crater Lake, Oregon Caves, Lassen Volcanic and Redwood, too!

Suggested Pacific Northwest National Parks Road Trip Itineraries

You’re free to connect these amazing national parks in the Pacific Northwest as you want.

Generally speaking, however, there are two main clusters of parks in the region: (1) the parks around Seattle in northern and central Washington, and (2) the parks in southern Oregon and northern California.

You can either start this epic road trip in Seattle and finish in Portland, or pick Portland as both your start and end points.

For a loop drive, I recommend Portland because it is roughly in the middle of the Pacific Northwest region.

Additionally, my suggested Portland itinerary also allows you to drive Route 101 along the coasts of both Washington and Oregon. This is a phenomenal bucket list-worthy drive.

Feel free to play around with possible itineraries, though!

• Olympic National Park, WA
• San Juan Island National Historical Park, WA
• North Cascades National Park, WA
• Mount Rainier National Park, WA
• Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA *
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, WA
• Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, OR *
• John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, OR
• Deschutes National Forest, OR *
• Crater Lake National Park, OR
• Lava Beds National Monument, CA
• Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA
• Redwood National Park, CA
• Oregon Caves National Park, OR
• (Pacific Coast Highway Route 101 north to Portland)

* = Not a National Park Service site, but managed by the U.S. Forest Service

• (Pacific Coast Highway 101 south through Washington and Oregon)
• Oregon Caves National Monument, OR

Have You Ever Been on a Pacific Northwest National Parks Road Trip? What Were Your Favorite Parks in the PNW? Share Your National Parks Experience Below!

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Sunday 22nd of August 2021

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Privacy Overview

These New Google Maps Features Will Help You Navigate National Parks

A s home to some of the most magnificent views, attractions and endless activities in America, it's no wonder national parks are once again approaching pre-pandemic visitation levels. In 2022 alone, national parks and sites welcomed nearly 312 million recreational visitors. In 2023, the rising number of national park visitors shows no signs of slowing down. Some of the most popular national parks—like Acadia, Zion and Yosemite —will even require reservations this year in anticipation of the high amount of travelers.

When it comes to navigating the parks, however, it isn't always so easy. Unless you're a national parks expert or have a knack for directions, navigating the parks can be challenging at times. Especially for those visiting the parks for the first time.

That's why Google Maps and the National Park Service (NPS) have teamed up to help visitors travel through the parks more conveniently thanks to the creation of four new Google Maps features. Whether solo traveling or taking a family vacation , the new features certainly simplify any national parks trip.

How were the new Google Maps features created?

To create these new helpful features, Google Maps utilized the insight of national park rangers and directors. As a result, these Maps updates encapsulate what is most helpful to park visitors.

"With these updates, everything from finding your way around a park to discovering things to do when you're there will feel like, well, a walk in the park," says Michael Curtes, group product manager of Google Maps.

What are the new Google Maps features?

There are four new features that Google Maps has created for iOS and Android to help visitors explore national parks more easily:

1. Effortlessly check out the most popular park attractions

Oftentimes, planning is one of the most time-consuming parts of any trip. Deciding what attractions to see and in what order to see them in can be tedious.

"Now," writes Curtes, "you can quickly identify the most popular places in a park—like attractions, campgrounds , visitor centers. and trailheads." Here's how it works. After a park is searched for in Maps, photo highlights of key attractions will pop up along with details, videos and reviews from other travelers—making planning or exploring any major site a breeze.

2. Fully map out park trails

Whole trail routes will now be highlighted for users within maps, making them much easier to navigate. Previously, a pin showing solely the center of the trail was offered to users. Additionally—similarly to the park attractions feature—users will be able to access trail reviews, difficulty and photos. Plus, users will receive insight into what type of trail it is and if the trail is best for running, walking or cycling.

3. Navigate parks with more detailed directions

Not one for directions or navigation? This next feature takes care of that. Now, more detailed park directions will be available for travelers. Key park locations like entrances will be highlighted on maps. As a bonus, when choosing whether to walk or cycle a specific park trail, Google Maps will point users to the proper trailhead.

4. Download park maps for offline access

One of the largest challenges when hiking can be losing cell service—especially if a phone holds vital hiking directions. Google Maps simplifies the adventuring process as a map of each national park hiking trail can be downloaded. All users will need to do is "tap the 'download' button on the park's Google Maps listing," Curtes explains. Then, with or without cell service, visitors can navigate any national park hiking trail with ease.

When will the Google Maps features be available?

Fortunately, the attraction and trail features are already available in certain parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite. As for the remainder of U.S. national parks and features, they will continue to launch on Google Maps through the month of April. Globally, the features will launch over the next few months.

Sources: 

• Condé Nast Traveler : "These Are the National Parks Requiring Reservations in 2023"
• Google Blogs : "4 Map updates to help you explore U.S. national parks"
• National Parks Service : "Annual Visitation Highlights"

The post These New Google Maps Features Will Help You Navigate National Parks appeared first on Reader's Digest .

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What to Know Before Booking a National Park Trip This Summer

Additional routes in popular parks now require reservations, the annual pass gets a big change, Juneteenth is now a new free entrance day and more changes for 2024.

By Lauren Matison

In 2023, the seashores, lakeshores, battlefields, historic sites, monuments and more that make up the National Park Service had 325.5 million visits , an increase of 4 percent from the year before.

The National Park Service director, Charles F. Sams III, praised the surge of interest in “learning our shared American story throughout the hidden gems of the National Parks System.”

Expecting an even greater turnout in 2024, the Park Service and Recreation.gov , the booking platform for federal land reservations, have implemented new measures to streamline the park experience, manage overcrowding and safeguard the environment.

More parks are requiring reservations

To better avoid congested trails, packed parking lots and overflowing trash cans, additional parks are joining Rocky Mountain , Arches and Glacier National Parks this year in requiring day-use permits, timed entries and other reservations for travelers who wish to visit, particularly during peak hours, holidays and the parks’ high seasons. Yosemite National Park is reinstating a timed-entry system it instituted in 2020, but paused in 2022.

Many park enthusiasts expressed mixed feelings about the reservation policies, with some lamenting a lack of first-come, first-served campsites while others find comfort in knowing they have a confirmed booking. As nearly 75 percent of visitors each year descend on national parks from May to October (and often on weekends), park officials stand by the system.

“In some parks, the level of demand is exceeding the capacity for which infrastructure was designed or is outpacing the National Park Service’s ability to sustainably support visitation,” said Kathy Kupper, a public affairs specialist for the service. “This trend is resulting in the need to explore new strategies to protect natural and cultural resources and provide opportunities for safe and meaningful visitor experiences.”

It can be confusing.

New to implementing timed-entry reservations for vehicles is Mount Rainier National Park , in Washington, for its popular Paradise and Sunrise Corridors during certain times in the summer season. Reservations cost $2, are valid for one day and must be purchased along with the park ticket, but do not apply for visitors with wilderness permits or camping or lodge reservations. Similar vehicle reservations are now required for certain periods for viewing the sunrise at Haleakalā National Park in Maui, Hawaii , and driving the Cadillac Summit Road in Maine’s Acadia National Park .

Visitors wishing to hike Old Rag Mountain in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park must obtain a day-use ticket between March 1 and Nov. 30, and in Zion National Park, in Utah, hikers wishing to visit Angels Landing , the dramatic 1,488-foot-tall rock formation, also need to purchase a permit. Fees range from $1 to $6, in addition to the parks’ entrance fees.

As each destination is managed differently, check the park’s webpage for the type of reservation required. Although most bookings can be made through Recreation.gov, some sites, such as Muir Woods National Monument, use a different system.

New features on Recreation.gov

In 2023, Recreation.gov reported that more than 4 million camping reservations and 2 million timed-entry reservations were booked online, and 1.5 million permits were issued. Some 2.9 million new users signed up for the site. With its expanding user base, the booking platform has added 58 reservable national park locations — including 17 campgrounds — such as Central Avenue Walk-in Sites at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Bluff Hike In Camping in South Carolina’s Congaree National Park.

Recreation.gov has also improved an alerts feature, piloted in July 2023, that can notify users through email or mobile push notifications when a sold-out campsite becomes available. After Recreation.gov notifies you of availability, you must book the campsite yourself online — and quickly, as you’ll be shown how many other people (possibly hundreds) have received the same alert.

While its customer support center and mobile app are still only available in English, Recreation.gov recently introduced a Spanish language translation option. The Park Service partners with Latino Conservation Week , which hosts nationwide hikes and events on environmental education and in-park stewardship, and will celebrate its 10th year in September.

A limit to the annual America the Beautiful pass

The 2024 America the Beautiful pass no longer allows two owners. The annual interagency pass, which costs $80 and covers the entrance fees for more than 2,000 federal recreation sites (of which roughly 100 do not charge for admission year-round), is now marked by a single signature line on the back of the card. The pass owner must show I.D. and be present with any accompanying travelers wishing to access the park with the pass. (Annual passes issued in 2023 will still be valid until their expiration date.) The pass covers all passengers in a vehicle — up to four adults, and children under 16 are admitted free — or up to four cyclists riding together. Active military or veterans and people with permanent disabilities are eligible for a free lifetime pass; 4th grade students may receive a free annual pass; and senior citizens may purchase a $20 annual pass or pay $80 for a lifetime pass.

At the parks, more accessible features, E.V. chargers and new lodging

To better protect against global warming, the Park Service is putting more than $65 million from the Inflation Reduction Act and Great American Outdoors Act into climate mitigation and ecosystem restoration.

Using $15.9 million budgeted for zero-emission vehicle deployment, charging capacity and infrastructure, the Park Service is prioritizing a reduction in carbon emissions, said Mr. Sams, by installing new electric-vehicle charging stations and running electric buses.

An interactive online locator tool created in 2023 shows E.V. charging stations throughout 27 national parks and the type of chargers available. In addition to the tool, every national park page displays alerts on road closures, parking lot capacities, construction work and other incidents.

Mr. Sams also said the Park Service is investing $1.3 billion from the Great American Outdoors Act to improve accessibility features, ranging from a new A.D.A.-compliant visitor center at Morristown National Historic Park in New Jersey to new beach wheelchairs at Sleeping Bear Dunes , Channel Islands and Virgin Islands National Parks . Each destination’s website has an accessibility tab to help visitors plan their trip, and Recreation.gov now has a search filter on its homepage to make it easier to locate accessible accommodations.

New lodging options now available across the country include the Flamingo Lodge , which opened inside Everglades National Park last fall with 24 guest rooms built from repurposed shipping containers. In March, along the southeastern border of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Cataloochee Ranch reopened with 11 renovated cabins and a new restaurant. This spring, the Clubhouse Hotel & Suites will welcome its first guests in Rapid City, S.D., the closest major town to Badlands National Park , and opening in May in Idaho is the Yellowstone Peaks Hotel , a 30-minute-drive from Yellowstone National Park. This fall, California-bound travelers planning a visit to General Sherman, the largest known tree on Earth, might book at AutoCamp Sequoia , just outside Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park .

Also in California: Those who don’t score a highly coveted (and contentious) spot at the newly reopened High Sierra Camps in Yosemite could book Wildhaven Yosemite in Mariposa, which offers more affordable rates, hiking trails and views of the Sierra Nevadas. Reservations for its first season are available beginning May 1.

Celebrating milestones and a new free entrance day

On the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, visitors can pay tribute to African American heritage at over 100 parks , including the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument , and the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail . This year also marks 100 years since Indigenous people were recognized as United States citizens. Although many parks have Indigenous programming , Mr. Sams, who is the first Native American to serve as N.P.S. director , suggested visiting Hopewell Cultural Historical Park in Ohio and Whitman Mission Historic National Historic Site in Washington, where he recently brought his daughter.

“In order to celebrate the diversity that makes our country great, we must share the complete story of America, which includes both the successes and challenges encountered on the way to form a more perfect union,” Mr. Sams said.

Juneteenth National Independence Day is the National Park Service’s newest free entrance day . Visitors can also take advantage of free admission on April 20, the first day of National Park Week; Aug. 4, the four-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act ; Sept. 28 on National Public Lands Day ; and Nov. 11 for Veterans Day .

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article misstated the location of the Flamingo Lodge. It is inside Everglades National Park, not outside the park.

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