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

by US Park Pass | Mar 9, 2020

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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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

Table of Contents

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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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.

READ MORE: For more tips on planning the perfect road trip route check out this Redfin article that we (and several other frequent road trippers) contributed to!

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

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12 Stunning National Parks to Visit in the Summer

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National Parks Road Trip Resources

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

America the Beautiful Pass

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

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

AAA Membership

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

Road Trip Essentials Packing List

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

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

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

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Further Reading...

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

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

Ursula Mueller

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

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

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US National Parks Road Trip Route

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

So we put in days and days of research and in the end came up with this itinerary. Click here to read more about how we planned our trip, or check out the detailed map below.

Our Route to All the US National Parks in an EPIC 7 Month Road Trip

You can zoom in and out to view the interactive map below in more detail. Be sure to click each location pin for the park information and a detailed guide. Keep in mind that the route shown is just “as the crow flies”, not necessarily the exact route we drove each day. We also added in the 3 new national parks since 2017 (Gateway Arch, White Sands, Indiana Dunes) and the route we would have taken to include them. Note that New River Gorge is yet to be added but could easily be included in your route between stop 25 and 26.

This map is best viewed on desktop!

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Here’s the ultimate road trip to visit most of the national parks

Visit most of the national parks in the contiguous 48 states in one big trip!

• Augusta Statz
• October 16, 2023

Anyone up for a road trip ? This one travels through 47 of the national parks in the U.S. and will take you two months to complete. But hey, if you’ve got plenty of vacation time saved up — why not?

The route is just under 14,500 miles, according to The Washington Post . The Optimal U.S. National Parks Centennial Road Trip map was designed to commemorate the 100 th birthday of the National Park Service, which was in August of 2016, and it hit all of the national parks (at that time) in the contiguous 48 states — so it doesn’t include parks in Hawaii and Alaska, for example.

MORE:  You can visit the national parks for free on these days in 2024

The map was created by Randal Olson , a researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. He had a little help from the Traveling Salesman Problem, which calculates the shortest route you can take to hit up a number of different cities before ending up back where you started.

National Park Service properties are constantly in flux , so it’s no surprise that some new parks have been added since Olson first put this road trip together. But you could easily add some of the new parks to the route: For example, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which was designated a national park in 2021, isn’t far off the route to Shenandoah National Park.

MORE: 5 National Park road trips to take this summer

So, if you’re looking for a road trip and want to hit most of the national parks (again, excluding those in Alaska, Hawaii and other U.S. territories), then this would be the shortest, fastest way to do it. Olson recommends setting two months aside to take in all the sights.

Olson designed a circular route so that you can hop on at any point and still stay on track. To learn how the trip was calculated or to create your own trip, check out  his blog .

MORE: Spend a whole year in 70-degree weather with this road trip

Here’s a list of all the national parks the route covers, in order:

• 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

Now, time to set your sights on the open road!

MORE: 10 affordable American road trips to take in your life

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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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Voyages with Val

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)

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• Budget for the Ultimate National Parks Road Trip (<$2000)
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25 comments.

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

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

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

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

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

This post has me itching to hit the road! Thank you for the recommendations!

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One Epic National Park Road Trip Across the USA

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

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

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

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

Planning an Epic National Park Road Trip

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Interactive National Park Road Trip Map

Check out the Interactive Map on Felt .

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

National Park Road Trip Itinerary

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read More: National Parks to Visit in Spring

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

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

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

Best National Parks Resources

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

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

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

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

Read Next: The Ultimate Guide to Road Trip Planning

Did you enjoy this post about the most epic national park road trip ever? Please take a second to share it on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. Thanks!

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Comments 24

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

Thanks for all this work and sharing!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Make sure to stop at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe.

Looks like a pretty wild place!

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

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

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

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

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

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My Epic Trip to Visit All 424 National Parks in the USA

I’m a well-traveled person, but even with a lot of travel in my life, I’ve been having CRAZY wanderlust throughout spring 2017, and have fully realized that there is no reason to have a long list of trips on my bucket list if I’m just going to create a list and only take 4-6 trips per year…so last weekend I decided to drive across the entire continent (multiple times) and visit all 421 National Parks in the United States National Park System.

I’ve visited a few of the National Parks, and I am lucky enough to live between two of them ( Everglades National Park and Biscayne Bay National Park), but there are so many more to explore. The United States has 63 National Parks, and 423 total parks in the park system; so if I were to just visit 4-5 a year for the rest of my life, I’d never come close to seeing them all. Instead, I’m going to get in the car and drive to each of them, one by one, until I’ve seen all of them. I won’t have a schedule, I won’t try to plan in advance, and I won’t have a set number of days or weeks in each park. I’ll just see how it goes, as it happens.

Normally when I travel, I exhaustively research everything in advance; from things to do to restaurants, to historic sites, to people to meet, to day trips, etc.; but since I decided to do this major road trip just last weekend, and since time is ticking, I won’t have that luxury. I always research my trips and hikes in advance because I want to ensure that I see everything there is to see, and do everything there is to do; I never want to regret missing out on something memorable…but this trip will be different. Without having a schedule, and without ever having to “go home”, I’ll have unlimited time in each park and each city to do everything that I want to do.

I have obviously had very little time to plan this trip, so what I did to give myself a basic plan, was to start with the most efficient route to visit all of the National Parks, and then simply throw in a few (200+) cities along the way so that I can visit all of my friends across the country in the process.

Here is the  general list of locations that I plan to visit; I will be filling in other locations along the way. There will be countless places for me to visit in between each of the National Parks on the below list such as ghost towns , National Monuments, State Parks, cities, locations from the Atlas Obscura book, restaurants, events, roadside attractions, and many, many more!

My Quest to Visit All 424 National Parks in the United States:

What are the national park service designations.

There are 14 different designations in the National Park System. Parks are found in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, and the territories of Guam, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. The National Park Service holds each of the 424 units in equal standing and fund each park according to their individual needs regardless of their designation.

The numerous designations within the National Park System sometime confuse visitors. The names are created in the Congressional legislation authorizing the sites or by the president, who proclaims “national monuments” under the Antiquities Act of 1906. Many names are descriptive—lakeshores, seashores, battlefields—but others cannot be neatly categorized because of the diversity of resources within them. In 1970, Congress elaborated on the 1916 National Park Service Organic Act, saying all units of the system have equal legal standing in a national system.

National Park

These are generally large natural places having a wide variety of attributes, at times including significant historic assets. Hunting, mining and consumptive activities are not authorized.

National Monument

The Antiquities Act of 1906 authorized the President to declare by public proclamation landmarks, structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest situated on lands owned or controlled by the government to be national monuments.

National Preserve

National preserves are areas having characteristics associated with national parks, but in which Congress has permitted continued public hunting, trapping, oil/gas exploration and extraction. Many existing national preserves, without sport hunting, would qualify for national park designation.

National Historic Site

Usually, a national historic site contains a single historical feature that was directly associated with its subject. Derived from the Historic Sites Act of 1935, a number of historic sites were established by secretaries of the Interior, but most have been authorized by acts of Congress.

National Historical Park

This designation generally applies to historic parks that extend beyond single properties or buildings.

National Memorial

A national memorial is commemorative of a historic person or episode; it need not occupy a site historically connected with its subject.

National Battlefield

This general title includes national battlefield, national battlefield park, national battlefield site, and national military park. In 1958, an NPS committee recommended national battlefield as the single title for all such park lands.

National Cemetery

There are presently 14 national cemeteries in the National Park System, all of which are administered in conjunction with an associated unit and are not accounted for separately.

National Recreation Area

Twelve NRAs in the system are centered on large reservoirs and emphasize water-based recreation. Five other NRAs are located near major population centers. Such urban parks combine scarce open spaces with the preservation of significant historic resources and important natural areas in locations that can provide outdoor recreation for large numbers of people.

National Seashore

Ten national seashores have been established on the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts; some are developed, and some are relatively primitive. Hunting is allowed at many of these sites.

National Lakeshore

National lakeshores, all on the Great Lakes, closely parallel the seashores in character and use.

National River

There are several variations to this category: national river and recreation area, national scenic river, wild river, etc. The first was authorized in 1964 and others were established following passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968.

National Parkway

The title parkway refers to a roadway and the parkland paralleling the roadway. All were intended for scenic motoring along a protected corridor and often connect cultural sites.

National Trail

National scenic trails and national historic trails are the titles given to these linear parklands (over 3,600 miles) authorized under the National Trails System Act of 1968.

Affiliated Areas

In an Act of August 18, 1970, the National Park System was defined in law as, “any area of land and water now or hereafter administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service for park, monument, historic, parkway, recreational or other purposes.”The Affiliated Areas comprise a variety of locations in the United States and Canada that preserve significant properties outside the National Park System. Some of these have been recognized by Acts of Congress, others have been designated national historic sites by the Secretary of the Interior under the authority of the Historic Sites Act of 1935. All draw on technical or financial aid from the National Park Service.

Other Designations

Some units of the National Park System bear unique titles or combinations of titles, like the White House and Prince William Forest Park.

If I put as much research into this adventure as I normally would, I’d never get on the road. Instead, I am just going to pack my car this week and go. But…is my car the best option?

I’ve spent the last week struggling with a major decision regarding such a long road trip; should I invest $80k-$125k on an RV or a van, or should I drive my SUV and stay in hotels/Airbnb’s/tent camp? I’ve been going back and forth in my head so much that I’ve been losing sleep over the options! I have never even  been in an RV, so the thought of driving, maintaining, and LIVING in one is daunting to me. I’ve completed many road trips across the United States in my own vehicle, and am very comfortable with that mode of travel, but the idea of being able to have everything that I need with me at all times, and the convenience of being able to sleep anywhere in an RV or a Mercedes Sprinter camper van is very appealing.

Research is one of my strong points, so in the last week I’ve pretty much become a leading expert on RVs; (something I never thought I’d hear myself say). Through the process of learning about every option that exists, ranging from roof tents, to travel trailers, to pick-up truck campers, to vans, to RVs; I narrowed down all of the options to what I considered to be the best compromise of utility and affordability: The Winnebago Travato 59K and the Winnebago Revel . The Winnebago Revel 4×4 has everything that I need: a place to sleep, a bathroom, a place to cook, bicycle racks, storage, and windows to enjoy the view along the way. It’s also small enough to be agile and easy to drive, and most importantly, I can park it anywhere. The only problem? It doesn’t exist yet.

The Winnebago Travato exists currently, but after looking at them I decided that they are far too large for just one person, they have the worst clearance of any vehicle I’ve ever seen, and parking them In cities is not easy. After I did all of the research on them for this adventure, my dad ended up buying one!

I still cannot make up my mind about what’s the best mode of transportation for me. The pressure to get on the road makes me think that I should just pack up my SUV and go now; but my mind keeps telling me that living in a Mercedes Sprinter camper van would be an amazing adventure; and a totally different experience. There is a huge community of van owners that help each other with issues, give each other tips and ideas, and meet up on their adventures. That last part is really appealing to me…as I thrive on meeting new people, and on meeting like-minded people. I think that going on a 2+ year-long road trip alone in my SUV would pale in comparison to one where I have a community of people who I can meet up with and interact with along the way. Time is ticking…I’ll make up my mind within the next week and just go with what feels best I guess!

You can follow along on this adventure via my Instagram  and by following me on Facebook .

If you know of anyone that I should meet along the way, or if you would like to join me on this adventure, please contact me and let me know! I’d love the company, and I’d love to meet new friends.

4 Responses

wonderful trip, travato is the only way to go, just got mine and will be heading out in august for 2 months i think it will be a great trip and i am sure we will be learning about the RV the whole time

Thanks Bill! I’m still so on the fence about it! There are so many ways to travel and it’s so hard to decide which one suits me as a solo explorer!

Very cool! Keep us posted, and safe travels!

Thanks friend!! Excited to see you! If you guys want to come meet me ANYWHERE along the way, I welcome the company!

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Ultimate National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: 5 Epic Routes

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

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

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

Tips for Planning the Ultimate National Park Road Trip

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

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

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

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

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

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

National Parks Road Trip Itinerary, 5 Ways

1. east coast.

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

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

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

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

Highlights for your east coast national parks road trip itinerary: 

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

Drive the incredibly scenic Skyline Drive in Shenandoah

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

Raised wooden boardwalk trails in Congaree

The catwalk of the New River Gorge Bridge

2. Utah’s Mighty Five

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

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

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

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

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

Highlights for your Utah national parks road trip planner: 

Delicate Arch hike in Arches at sunset

Canyonlands’ Mesa Arch at sunrise

Navajo Loop Trail in Bryce Canyon

Picking fruit from the public orchards in Capitol Reef

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

3. Pacific Northwest

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

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

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

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

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

Highlights for your PNW ultimate national park road trip:

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

Drive the scenic North Cascades Highway

Myrtle Falls in Mount Rainier

Drive or bicycle Rim Drive, completely encircling Crater Lake

Redwoods’ Fern Canyon and Stout Grove

4. Colorado

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

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

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

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

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

Highlights for your Colorado national parks road trip itinerary:

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

Oak Flat Loop Trail in Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Try sandboarding in Great Sand Dunes

Tour Mesa Verde’s Cliff Palace

5. Northern Rockies

National parks included: Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone

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

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

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

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

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

Lamar Valley in Yellowstone for wildlife watching

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier

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

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

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

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

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

About the National Park Service

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

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

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

List of all 63 U.S. national parks

Cost for visiting national parks.

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

National parks with no entrance fees include:

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

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

Tickets and reservations at national parks

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

Everything you need to know about the America the Beautiful Pass

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

Discounts and passes at national parks

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

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

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

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

Preparing for a national park visit

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

Visiting national parks with kids

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

6 tips for getting your kids interested in hiking

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

10 national parks that are fun for the whole family

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

5 must-visit national parks for adventure-seeking travelers

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

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

Visiting national parks with pets

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

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

The quick and easy guide to roadtripping with pets

Visiting national parks by rv.

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

10 best national parks for RVers

10 least visited national parks for RVers

The best national parks for stargazing for RVers

Accessibility at national parks.

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

Outdoors for all: How national parks are addressing accessibility challenges

How to plan an accessible family road trip

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

Seasonality at national parks.

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

11 national parks with incredible winter experiences

10 national parks in winter for RVers

8 national parks with epic holiday celebrations

Acknowledging national park history.

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

Learn about Indigenous history at these National Park Service sites

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

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

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

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

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

Recreate responsibly and leave no trace.

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

How to leave no trace during your summer road trip

How to Leave No Trace: Boondocking Edition [Campendium]

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

Camping and lodging at national parks

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

Camping at national parks

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

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

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

5 tips for booking campsites at popular national parks

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

More national park camping

Camping guide to popular national parks [Campendium]

The best private campgrounds near national parks [Campendium]

The best glamping sites near national parks [Campendium]

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

How to secure a last-minute national park campground reservation

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

Lodging at national parks.

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

Guides to popular national parks

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

Grand Canyon National Park

Yosemite National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Arches National Park

Glacier National Park

Zion National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Guides to lesser-visited national parks.

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

The Ultimate Guide to Lassen Volcanic National Park

The ultimate guide to Petrified Forest National Park

The perfect RV road trip to Olympic National Park

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

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

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

The Ultimate Guide to Mount Rainier National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Capitol Reef National Park

Roadtrippers guide to mysterious Mesa Verde National Park

National parks in the west.

The ultimate guide to North Cascades National Park

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

Crater Lake National Park

California national parks by RV [Togo RV]

Bryce Canyon National Park

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

The ultimate road trip guide to Canyonlands National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Death Valley National Park

National parks in the south.

The ultimate guide to Big Bend National Park

The ultimate guide to Hot Springs National Park

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

The Ultimate Guide to Biscayne National Park

National parks in the midwest.

The ultimate guide to Mammoth Cave National Park

The Ultimate Guide to Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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

Badlands National Park

National parks in the east.

Shenandoah National Park

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

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

Acadia National Park

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

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18 National Parks to Visit on a Cross-Country Road Trip

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

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

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

Planning your national park road trip

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

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

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

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

Acadia National Park, Maine

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

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

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

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

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

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

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

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

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

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

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

Ozarks National Forest, Arkansas

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

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

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

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

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

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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

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

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Utah

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

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

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

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

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

Zion National Park, Utah

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

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

Yosemite National Park, California

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

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

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

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

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

Olympic National Park, Washington

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

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

North Cascades National Park, Washington

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

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

Glacier National Park, Montana

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

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

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

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

Alternate routes

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

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

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This National Park Road Trip Covers 12 of America's Best Parks in One 5,600-mile Route

Here's what you need to know to drive the route yourself.

In the early 1900s, U.S. national parks were largely playgrounds for the wealthy. Visitation often numbered in the tens of thousands, with itineraries fulfilled via expensive rail tickets, stagecoach tours, and horseback rides.

When automobiles arrived on the scene, the average American had a chance to hit the open road and see the country like never before. But in this case, the “open road” was a muddy path or dusty trail, if it existed at all. And our national parks were still wild expanses barely fit for mules.

So, in 1920, 12 Americans — representing groups like the National Park-to-Park Highway Association and AAA — set out from Denver, Colorado, for a 5,600-mile road trip, lassoing 12 national parks into one massive loop. Their goal? To draw publicity and tourism to the country’s public lands and to push for drivable roads that connect them.

Rocky Mountain National Park museum collections

Thus the great national park road trip was born. Today, the scenic tour through seven states remains one of the best ways to see our public lands.

The 12 stops on the national park road trip are:

Rocky Mountain National Park

Yellowstone national park, glacier national park, mount rainier national park, crater lake national park, lassen volcanic national park.

• Yosemite National Park
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Zion National Park

Grand canyon national park.

• Petrified Forest National Park
• Mesa Verde National Park

From Denver, the first stop on the national park road trip is Rocky Mountain National Park. Today’s visitors can take Trail Ridge Road across its alpine expanse. In 1920, the gang’s only option was Old Fall River Road, the park’s original auto route at nearly 12,000 feet. One hundred years later, it’s still an 11-mile stretch of dirt, typically open from July through early October.

National Park Service

The route then heads north up Interstate 25 through Cheyenne, Wyoming , bending eastward on Highway 14 through Cody and to Yellowstone National Park. To follow in the group’s footsteps, stay at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel , and give the nation’s first national park a solid four days.

Then, it’s off on the Yellowstone-Glacier Bee Line Highway through White Sulphur Springs, Great Falls, Browning, and to Glacier National Park in Montana. In 1920, the group could count 60 glaciers and zero real roads; today, there are around two dozen glaciers in the park, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the country’s most scenic drives .

Heading west on Montana’s Highway 2, from Kalispell toward Libby and the Idaho border, national forests abound in every direction into Spokane, Washington. Highway 2 runs out in Seattle, where the route turns south for Mount Rainier National Park. Be sure to visit Paradise on the south slope of the mountain — and be grateful you’re not traveling via mule team.

Robert J. Lillie / National Park Service

It’s a straight shot south through Olympia, Portland, and Eugene, ultimately reaching Crater Lake National Park, one of the best national parks in Oregon . Little has changed since 1920: The group stayed at the still-picturesque Crater Lake Lodge and completed the 33-mile Rim Drive, built just a year before their trip.

From here, it’s California or bust, aiming for Redding and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Lassen has all four types of volcanoes, though the group never saw them, as the park had no roads in 1920.

Yosemite National Park and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Some 300 miles further south, the granite vistas of Yosemite National Park take over, followed by a vertical wilderness of giants at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (the latter was known as General Grant National Park until 1940).

Once in Los Angeles, the route shoots eastward on the National Old Trails Road, a.k.a. Route 66. From Barstow, take a detour up to Zion National Park — a 500-mile ask the group skipped to make time.

Xanterra Travel Collection

Then, head back south through Kingman, Williams, and to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, where the group spent three days at the now-historic El Tovar Hotel.

Petrified Forest National Park and Mesa Verde National Park

Depart for what’s now Petrified Forest National Park, Gallup, Durango, and Mesa Verde National Park, the group’s last stop on their national park road trip. They drove the narrow yet scenic Knife Edge Road, which closed in 1957 due to maintenance issues associated with the instability of the soil. Today, you can enjoy the same views while walking the two-mile Knife Edge Trail, which follows a portion of the historic road.

From Mesa Verde, it’s on to Salida and up Colorado’s spine via Pueblo, Colorado Springs, and finally, back to Denver. To sum up the trip, Stephen Mather — the NPS’ first director and a supporter of the route — put it best: “Each park will be found to be highly individual. The whole will be a revelation.”

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Free entrance days in the national parks.

Come experience the national parks! On six days in 2024, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2024:

• January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 20: First day of National Park Week
• June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day
• August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
• September 28: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee . The others are free all the time. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth-grade students, and disabled citizens. Learn more about the variety of passes offered by the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass series.

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How To : Create Custom Offline Routes for Walks and Hikes in Apple Maps

Apple Maps keeps getting better and better for all the hikers in the world. The latest update gives you access to thousands of detailed trail maps within U.S. national parks and topographic views, but it also lets you create your own walking and hiking routes.

You can create custom walking and hiking routes from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 18 , iPadOS 18 , or macOS Sequoia 15 , all currently in beta until September's stable software releases.

Custom routes work anywhere you want, whether they are hikes in state or local parks, walks around town, or any path you'd like to remember. You can give them custom names, add notes, label them one-way, out-and-back, or closed-loop hikes, and more. On an iPhone or iPad, you can also download custom routes for offline use when you don't have cellular and Wi-Fi connections.

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Step 1: Start a Custom Route

There are multiple ways to get started. First, you can mark a location on the map for the start of the route, tap the "More" button on the place card, and choose "Create a Custom Route." For some reason, this method is not available on macOS.

Second, you can find the area on the map where you want your route, tap or click your profile picture, and then choose "Library." On iOS and iPadOS, your profile picture is on the search card. On macOS, it's in the top corner of the Maps app. Alternatively, you can tap or click "[#] Places • [#] Guides • [#] Routes" under Library on the search card or side panel. Next, select "Routes" and hit the "+ Create" button to open up the route creator.

Step 2: Mark Your Points

You already have your starting point if you began from a marked location, but you'll need to make one if you started from the Places Library. To mark points, tap or click where you want them until you've ended up at the end of your custom route. You can hit the undo button to undo points or the path button to view the whole route as it currently is.

Step 3: Choose Routing Options

Once you have your route planned out, you can do a few things to customize it further. For one, you can reverse the route; tap or click a start or end point on the path and hit "Reverse Route" or use the "Reverse" button on the editing panel. You'll notice the start and end points switch positions, the directional arrows on the path change, and the elevation chart flip horizontally.

By default, your route is a one-way hike, but you can classify it as an out-and-back trail, which will change the original endpoint into a turnaround, moving the endpoint over with the start point. The directional arrows on the path will switch to double-headed arrows, the elevation chart will include the route back, and the distance and time will adjust accordingly.

To make the change, tap or click a start or end point on the path and hit "Out & Back" or use the "Out & Back" button on the editing panel.

You can also classify the route as a closed loop, which makes your starting point also your ending point. To choose this option, tap or click a start or end point on the path and hit "Close Loop" or use the "Close Loop" button on the editing panel. If you've already closed the loop yourself, you won't notice any big chances, but if not, Maps will choose the most logical route to close things up for you.

Step 4: Remove Points

If you want to adjust your hiking or walking route path between the starting point and endpoint, tap or click a point along the path, then hit "Remove Point" to delete it. Depending on where the midpoint was, your route may not be affected, but Maps may also remove a section of the route.

Step 5: Save to Your Library

When your custom hiking or walking route is ready, hit the "Save" button, rename the path if necessary, and add a note if you want. On an iPhone or iPad, you can also choose whether to download or not download an offline version with the "Download Route" switch. Hit "Done" to save.

Step 6: View Your Custom Routes

To find all of your custom routes, which are housed in the same location as predefined routes, tap or click your profile picture and select "Library." On iOS and iPadOS, your profile picture is on the search card. On macOS, it's in the top corner of the Maps app. Alternatively, you can tap or click "[#] Places • [#] Guides • [#] Routes" under Library on the search card or side panel. Next, select "Routes."

Step 7: Download Custom Routes

If you chose not to download an offline version of a walk or hike, it's easy to do so after the fact, but only on iOS and iPadOS. From your list of routes, you can tap the More (•••) button next to the route, then "Download," or you can open the route itself and hit the big "Download" button. The map selector will appear, where you can zoom in or out to change the perimeter of the offline section. Hit "Download" to save it for use without an internet connection.

Step 8: Manage Custom Routes

From your list of routes, you can tap or click the More (•••) button next to a route, followed by "Edit Name & Note," to change the route's name and description. Hit "Done" to save the changes.

The More (•••) button also gives you a "Delete Route" option if you no longer need the path. You can also swipe left on a route (use one finger on iOS and iPadOS or two fingers on macOS) and hit "Delete." Either way, tap or click "Delete" to confirm.

Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new features for TV, Messages, News, and Shortcuts, as well as important bug fixes and security patches. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.6 update.

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Visit these 7 Minor League stadiums -- and the neighboring national park!

Dan Cichalski

For those who are looking for one last great summer road trip, there are innumerable options for destinations, attractions and diversions to make memories and fill a camera roll before the leaves start falling -- or to plan on visiting next year.

For many travelers, the end point of the GPS directions will be a national park. The U.S. National Park Service manages more than 400 individual units, with 63 of those designated as national parks. ( There are also battlefields, historic sites, lakeshores, monuments, parkways, preserves, seashores and more.) So why not combine two of Ken Burns’ loves and add a Minor League ballgame to the itinerary while celebrating America’s Best Idea ?

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To help with your planning, we’ve identified seven Minor League teams that play within about an hour’s drive (pending traffic) of one of America’s 63 national parks. If your journey takes you across more of our highways and backroads, you can easily fit in more of both. Let the pairings on this list, presented by Wyndham, inspire you.

2 states, 2 ballparks and our most popular national park

Tennessee Smokies 3540 Line Drive Kodak, Tennessee 37764 (865) 286-2300 Smokies Stadium Ballpark Guide »

Let’s begin with a ballpark two-fer. Take your pick between the Cubs’ Double-A affiliate in Tennessee or the Astros’ High-A farm club in North Carolina, and on the way from one to the other, take the scenic route through Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The Smokies became a Cubs affiliate in 2007, and in ’15 they reintroduced a black bear in their logo -- both a nod to the parent club and to the ursine inhabitants of the Smokies. Black bears are so prevalent in the national park that the NPS reports an average of nearly one negative human-bear encounter per day.

Asheville Tourists 30 Buchanan Pl. Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 258-0528 McCormick Field Ballpark Guide »

On the eastern side of those Smoky Mountains are the Asheville Tourists, a moniker that applies to more than 12 million people each year (not counting the two-dozen-plus ballplayers who suit up for the team during the season).

Unlike the Cubs affiliate some 97 miles to the west, this team does have a bear mascot -- Ted E. Tourist, a brown bear who apparently let one of his ursine cousins crash in the dugout back in 2022.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Asheville Tourists (@ashevilletourists)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park: The most-visited site in the National Parks System (more than 13 million visitors in 2023) features four visitors centers. The Tennessee Smokies are closest to the Sugarlands Visitor Center (27 miles), while the Asheville Tourists are nearest to Oconaluftee Visitor Center (67 miles).

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The national park covers more than half a million acres in North Carolina and Tennessee and features 800 miles of hiking trails that take you to majestic waterfalls, expansive vistas and wide-open meadows. Just remember to save the selfies for Ted E. Tourist and not any bears you spot in the park.

Don’t miss: At an elevation of 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest peak in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the highest point in Tennessee and the highest point on the 2,192 miles of the Appalachian Trail that winds from Georgia to Maine. A one-mile roundtrip paved trail -- at a steep 12-percent grade -- leads from the parking lot to an observation tower that offers 360-degree views of the mountains.

Rev up for a subterranean adventure

Bowling Green Hot Rods 300 E. 8th Ave. Bowling Green, KY 42101 270-901-2121 Bowling Green Ballpark Guide »

The Hot Rods rolled off the assembly line as a Rays affiliate in 2009 and currently play in the High-A South Atlantic League. Their name is a nod to the automotive and racing industries in the region, which includes the National Corvette Museum, where a sinkhole in 2014 swallowed eight cars. The team memorialized that catastrophe (car-tastrophe?) in 2019 by becoming the Bowling Green Sinkholes.

Mammoth Cave National Park: The longest known cave system in the world features more than 400 miles of known passageways and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. The visitor center -- along with an adjacent lodge and nearby campground -- is 32 miles northeast of the Hot Rods’ ballpark. Park activities include more than just cave tours beneath the earth -- canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and horseback riding are other popular activities. And as a designated International Dark Sky Park, the adventures continue after sunset.

Don’t miss: A cave tour, of course. The park advises reservations because tours can sell out weeks in advance.

The Nativity Scene inside The Great Onyx Cave. pic.twitter.com/zFQgE8T5s2 — Mammoth Cave NP (@MammothCaveNP) May 14, 2024

Connected by a canal

Akron RubberDucks 300 S. Main Street Akron, OH 44308 (330) 253-5151 Canal Park Ballpark Guide »

The Akron RubberDucks, the Guardians’ Double-A affiliate, play downtown in Canal Park, named for the vestige of the Ohio and Erie Canal that flows behind left field. The canal once linked the Ohio River, which forms the state’s southern border, to Lake Erie at Cleveland. Today, the 110-mile Ohio and Erie Towpath Trail follows the route of the canal south from Cleveland through Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Akron to the town of New Philadelphia. Both Lock 3 Park and the Richard Howe House along the trail are close to the ballpark.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: Nestled between Cleveland and Akron, this park encompasses the winding Cuyahoga River and some 20 miles of the Towpath Trail, a popular route for hikers and cyclists. The National Audubon Society has designated Cuyahoga Valley an Important Bird Area, drawing birdwatchers to its trails and viewpoints in search of more than 200 types of birds that pass through the park.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (@cuyahogavalleyscenicrailroad)

Don’t miss: The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad offers excursions through the park and into Akron. It’s possible to hike, bike or kayak one way and flag down the train to return to your starting point. The southernmost station, Akron Northside, is about a mile from the ballpark. Or for those who prefer a self-propelled adventure, depart from the Botzum trailhead near the southernmost point of Cuyahoga Valley National Park and follow the Towpath Trail eight miles to the Richard Howe House outside the ballpark.

More young Cubs, but no bears

South Bend Cubs 501 W. South St. South Bend, IN 46601 574-235-9988 Four Winds Field Ballpark Guide »

Built in 1988, the South Bend Cubs’ ballpark has been called “the grandfather of the modern ballpark” because the wide, open concourse and suites have been emulated in many a Minor League venue since. Don’t forget to check out the team store in the century-old synagogue in right field.

Indiana Dunes National Park: About 45 miles west of South Bend, this newer national park (upgraded in 2019 from a national lakeshore) stretches for 20 miles along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. It’s a popular spot for swimming in the summer, along with other national park activities (hiking, camping) and water-based pursuits (fishing and kayaking).

Don’t miss: The park’s Century of Progress District consists of five homes that were built for and on display at the 1933 World’s Fair in Chicago (the district’s name comes from that fair’s theme). Built as examples of modern design and new technologies in architecture – for 1933, remember – the homes were transported from Chicago to the lakefront on barges and trucks. They’re not open to the public, but they’re all easily visible from W. Lake Front Dr.

Soak it all in, traveler

Arkansas Travelers 400 West Broadway Street North Little Rock, AR 72114 (501) 664-1555 Dickey-Stephens Park Ballpark Guide »

We are all Tourists; we are all Travelers. The term “Arkansas Traveler” has a long history in the state, longer than the team that has used that name since 1963 -- the third-longest moniker still in use in Minor League Baseball (after the Buffalo Bisons and Indianapolis Indians). The ballpark sits right on the Arkansas River, with views of downtown Little Rock beyond the right-field fence.

Hot Springs National Park: About 55 miles southwest of the capital, this park is nestled in a resort town in the Ouachita Mountains. At just 5,550 acres, it was the smallest national park in the system until 2018, when St. Louis’ Gateway Arch -- at just 91 acres -- was redesignated from a national memorial to a national park. Hot Springs features nine historic bathhouses in addition to thermal springs, shaded hikes and gurgling creeks.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hot Springs National Park (@hotspringsnps)

Don’t miss: Bathhouse Row included eight buildings constructed between 1892 and 1923, and it was these hot springs that drew teams to the area for Spring Training in the 20th century. Though not affiliated with the NPS, the Hot Springs Baseball Trail offers a self-guided tour via an app that includes Bathhouse Row.

Be dwarfed by giants

Visalia Rawhide 300 N. Giddings St. Visalia, CA, 93291 (559) 732-4433 Valley Strong Ballpark Guide »

Visalia’s Valley Strong Ballpark is as intimate as it gets, nestled into the neighborhood and sporting the smallest seating capacity in affiliated baseball, making for an old-fashioned gameday experience. Catch a game with a small-town feel, and then …

Sequoia National Park: Get a new perspective standing beneath the world’s largest trees. Sequoia’s Foothills Visitor Center is 37 miles from Visalia, and the park features a diverse landscape that includes forested groves, vast mountain vistas and rushing rivers. And if you have the time, this park is actually a two-fer because Kings Canyon National Park abuts it to the north, and the NPS website bundles them together .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Forests (@americanforests)

Don’t miss: General Sherman , the world’s largest tree, is an 18-mile drive into the park from the Foothills Visitor Center, though it’ll likely take at least an hour on the park’s winding scenic road -- especially with stops at vistas and attractions on the way. Be sure to check the park website for current conditions (wildfires can close portions of the park or certain roads) and consider the shuttle to cut down on traffic in the park (and give yourself a break behind the wheel).