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The Ultimate Western National Parks Road Trip

Western national parks like Yellowstone, Zion, and Joshua Tree are among our most iconic, but it’s the journeys road-tripping in between them that provide the greatest opportunities for adventure. From Montana to Southern California, here’s how to make the most of this itinerary and avoid the crowds.

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From Yellowstone in Montana to Joshua Tree in Southern California, this road trip tags seven national parks, covers 1,270 miles, and offers epic adventures all along the way. We’ve come up with a fun-packed plan that includes hiking, mountain biking, paddling, and stargazing detours—but not in the places you might think. Because our national parks get so crowded come summer, this itinerary celebrates all the spectacular terrain in between the parks, the places to see as you’re road-tripping from one to another.

Do the whole drive, or pick off one portion of it and save the rest for another time.

Route: Big Sky, Montana, to Jackson, Wyoming

Park: yellowstone.

Yellowstone is best known for its valley-level sights—roaming wildlife and hydrothermal features—but the park’s mountains, which rise to 11,000 feet, are just as astounding. Many of the tallest lack established trails to the top, but 10,574-foot Avalanche Peak, on the quieter eastern border, is an exception. A 2.1-mile trail affords views of the Absaroka Range, Yellowstone Lake, and even the Grand Teton. You will likely have those views to yourself, but you’ll have to work for them, as the route ascends more than 2,000 feet. Need to know: You can climb Avalanche Peak without a permit.

Adventure: Teton Pass

Highway 22 connects the towns of Jackson and Victor, Idaho, and tops out at Teton Pass, where crews built a world-class mountain-bike trail system that traverses the roadway into Bridger-Teton National Forest. It’s a 12-mile pedal from either town, or you can hire a shuttle, then connect Fuzzy Bunny, Powerline, and Parallel for a downhill route that promises tight, rocky singletrack, epic scenery, and too many jumps to count.

Stay: Montage Big Sky

The Spanish Peaks provide the backdrop for this new alpine lodge, which opened in December with 139 rooms and suites, a worthy addition to Big Sky Resort’s 5,850-acre property. In winter that means ski-in, ski-out access; in summer you get lift-assisted hiking and mountain biking. Bonus:  The resort is within striking distance of five blue-ribbon trout streams. From $1,399

Eat and Drink: The Riverhouse

The food at this homey joint in Gallatin, Montana, is exactly what you need after a big day in the mountains: authentic Texas barbecue, with a menu full of brisket, smoked sausage, and mac and cheese (which you can load with fried chicken, bacon, and broccoli, if you’re into that).

Detour: St. Anthony Sand Dunes

Dip into eastern Idaho to check out this otherworldly landscape: 10,600 acres of fine white quartz ridges, some of which are 400 feet high. Rent a dirt bike or an off-road vehicle in the town of St. Anthony to explore the site, most of it accessible from April to January.

Route: Jackson, Wyoming, to Moab, Utah

Park: grand teton.

This park is all about the skyline—dominated by 13,000-foot peaks—but there are also a hundred stunning bodies of water within its boundaries, ten of which are open for boating. Bring a fly rod and an inflatable paddleboard and hike 2.5 miles to Taggart and Bradley Lakes, a pair of small, glacier-fed ponds that offer some of the most incredible views of the Tetons. Need to know: A $17 permit lets you take a boat onto any of the park’s waters, and with a Wyoming fishing license you can keep up to six lake trout per day.

Adventure: Evo’s Campus in Salt Lake

Outfitter, hotel, climbing gym, bike shop, art gallery—the gear retailer’s new Salt Lake City complex is all these things, which makes it the perfect base for exploring the nearby outdoor scene. Stock up on road-trip supplies, get your bike tuned, send lines in the 26,000-square-foot climbing area, and wind down in one of 50 artsy rooms (from $175).

Stay: The Virginian Lodge

The motor lodge is back in all the best ways, and they’re on full display at this renovated sixties-era hotel. Most rooms surround a heated pool, but there are also eight-person bunk rooms and an RV resort. The property revived Billy’s Burgers, an old-school Jackson staple, and boasts its own saloon—so you can stumble in after a packed day and never leave. From $139

Eat and Drink: The Bistro

At this yummy spot in Jackson, located within the new Cloudveil Hotel facing the town square, you’ll find elevated French fare without the pretension. There’s a great raw bar, but save room for hearty entrées like the bison tenderloin with huckleberry sauce.

Detour: The Plunge

Moab has long been the epicenter of desert mountain biking, but the newly built Palisades Plunge is drawing riders some 120 miles east to shred 32 miles’ worth of epic technical singletrack. The route, reached by shuttle, begins at the edge of 10,700-foot Grand Mesa and unravels in an undulating ribbon interspersed with plenty of slickrock, hairpin switchbacks, and the occasional stretch of nerve-racking exposure, and ends in downtown Palisade, where breweries and dispensaries abound.

Route: Moab, Utah, to Bryce, Utah

Park: canyonlands.

Want to get deeper into this backcountry paradise and ditch the crowds? You’ll need a boat. The 52-mile Stillwater Canyon section of the Green River is mellow, breathtaking, and canoe-friendly. Plan for at least four days, during which you’ll be flanked by red sandstone cliffs and camp on sandy beaches or slickrock ledges, depending on the water level. Organize a jet-boat shuttle with Tex’s Waterways to bring you from the take-out at Spanish Bottom back to Moab (from $60). Need to know: Book a flatwater overnight permit ($36), sold on a first-come, first-served basis, at least two days in advance.

Park: Arches

This park has gotten so packed in recent years that it adopted timed entry to spread visitors out. You can help by heading to the northern section, home to the Tower Arch. To get to the 92-foot-long formation, drive the gravel Salt Valley Road, then hike the Tower Arch Trail (2.5 miles out and back). Along the way, admire views of the Klondike Cliffs, a collection of towers known as the Marching Men, and the smaller Parallel Arch, all seldom-seen treasures. Need to know: Reserve a time slot at least three months before your trip.

Adventure: Capitol Reef National Park

It would be silly to drive past Capitol Reef and not drop in. The park protects the bizarre Waterpocket Fold, a 100-mile-long wrinkle in the earth’s crust. Unless you’re toting technical climbing gear, focus on slot-canyon hikes like Sheets Gulch. This remote, nine-mile out-and-back trek winds through narrow Navajo sandstone walls before opening up at a wide wash surrounded by Douglas fir.

Stay: The Moab Resort

It’s hard to beat the location of this new property, which is only a few miles south of Arches National Park. But the digs are just as scenic: adobe buildings that blend in perfectly with the surrounding red-rock canyon. You have your choice of a standard hotel room or a three-bedroom condominium with a kitchen. From $368

Eat and Drink: 98 Center

The happy side effect of Moab becoming an adventure epicenter? The food just keeps getting better. Case in point: this hot spot of Vietnamese fusion serves inventive dishes like kimchi deviled eggs and banh mi nachos.

Detour: The Rocky Mountaineer

This luxury train company, which got its start running multiday routes in the Canadian Rockies, recently debuted its first U.S. itinerary: the Rockies to Red Rocks. The two-day journey, which connects Moab with Denver, has you overnighting in Glenwood Springs. You’ll take in dramatic panoramas of canyons that carve up the Continental Divide (some of which can only be seen from a train car or a boat) and enjoy three-course meals and sweeping views from glass-domed coach cars. From $1,375 for two people

Route: Bryce, Utah, to Joshua Tree, California

Park: bryce canyon.

Bryce is known for its high-desert landscape, with towering hoodoos that rise like exclamation points from the amphitheater-like canyon. The park is blessed with a relative abundance of water and a rain-catchment system, which yields an interior full of fir, spruce, and aspen forests. Backpack the 23-mile (one-way) Under the Rim Trail through surprisingly lush meadows, which burst into blue from columbine flowers in late summer. Need to know: Secure a $10 backcountry permit at the visitor center, camp in one of seven designated sites, and arrange a shuttle. There are springs along the trail, but check with the ranger station about water availability before you set out.

Stay: Under Canvas

Perched on 750 acres of high plains, the newest property from this glamping operator is just 15 minutes from the park and located at 7,600 feet of elevation (which means summer temperatures in the seventies and eighties). Each tent has a bathroom, a king-size bed, a wood-burning stove, and views of John’s Valley. From $329

Detour: Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

This underappreciated preserve on the Arizona-Utah border features Zion-quality slot canyons without the throngs. The site’s signature adventure—backpacking Paria Canyon—guarantees solitude: only 20 permits are granted each day. The 38-mile, nontechnical hike follows a riverbed deep into the canyon, delivering you to narrows where rock walls rise 200 feet. You’ll need a four-wheel-drive rig with high clearance to really explore.

This sandstone stunner is a road cyclist’s dream, starting with the main thoroughfare, Zion Scenic Drive, which is closed to all vehicles except shuttle buses. The real gem is Kolob Terrace Road, a remote two-lane blacktop that traverses the park’s western edge for 25 miles, gaining 5,000 feet of elevation. If you have a gravel bike, you can add on Smith Mesa Road, a hardpack dirt track that forms a 25-mile loop around Smith Mesa. Need to know: Reserve a spot on the park’s free shuttle to explore Zion Scenic Drive.

Adventure: Lake Mohave

You’ve been in the desert for a stretch, and you’re heading into more of it, so a dip in a lake is mandatory. While Lake Mead is the busy backyard pool of Las Vegas, the lesser-known Lake Mohave, farther down the Colorado River, is ideally suited to paddlers. Launch at Willow Beach and head upriver along the Black Canyon National Water Trail to look for quiet coves that reveal hot springs, waterfalls, and caves. If you can, plan your trip for a Sunday or Monday, when motorboats aren’t allowed in certain stretches.

Stay: Zion Spirit

This wilderness retreat, recently opened on 1,100 acres in the Clear Creek Mountains, is just a mile from Zion’s eastern border. It’s outfitted with 40 suites and small cabins, all of which focus on sustainability—think solar-paneled roofs shaped like leaves—and each cabin has a wellness studio and wraparound terrace. Other amenities include a restaurant, a pool, and an aquaponics greenhouse. From $3,000

Eat and Drink: River Rock Roasting Company

This café in the tiny town of La Verkin might have the best coffee and most enviable views in southern Utah. Seek out a spot on the patio—it overlooks a basalt canyon carved by the Virgin River—and enjoy a morning breakfast burrito, then come back at night for a pint and a kale and sausage pizza.

Park: Joshua Tree

There are plenty of remote stretches you can reach by foot in this nearly 800,000-acre park, but triple-digit temperatures in the summer make any big adventure foolish at best, deadly at worst. The solution? Go underground and check out a handful of small caves and rock shelters that few visitors know about. Most dramatic is a quarter-mile passageway called Chasm of Doom. Technical climbing gear isn’t required, but you’ll be scrambling into cathedral-like rooms and squeezing through narrow corridors, so come mentally prepared. Need to know: Even if you’re hanging out in a cave, heat is no joke. Bring lots of water and, for the dark, a headlamp.

Stay: The Bungalows

Embrace the desert landscape at these new digs on the 152-acre campus of the Joshua Tree Retreat Center , designed by the late architect Lloyd Wright (who was almost as accomplished as his dad, Frank). The 14 rooms are decked out in mid-century modern furnishings, and the grounds feature hiking trails, a pool, and enough wellness activities to satisfy your inner yogi. It’s all just three miles from Joshua Tree’s entrance and village. From $250

Eat and Drink: Sam’s Indian Food and Pizza

The gateway town of Joshua Tree buzzes with an eclectic dining and cocktail scene, thanks to its proximity to Los Angeles. A Sam’s, you can get authentic chicken tikka masala and a curry pizza. After dinner, head to the Restaurant at 29 Palms Inn, where you can drink prickly pear margaritas by the pool.

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23 Epic Stops for Your West Coast National Parks Road Trip

1,293 miles of coastline, three states, and 13 National Parks: the West Coast is freakin’ awesome. I love living in the Western U.S. and have called both California and Washington home. (And Alaska too, but we’re not counting that in this West Coast post!) Who wouldn’t want to plan a West Coast National Parks road trip that lets you see it all?

Since I moved to the West in 2013, I’ve been lucky to explore a lot of the three West Coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington – including on some epic road trips and to many of the incredible National Parks in this region.

If you want to combine the two, you’ve come to the right place: this is an epic road trip itinerary I put together based on my various journeys and adventures. I’ll warn you now: this is road trip is a lot of miles, a lot of time, and a lot of fun. Buckle your seatbelt ( road trip puns, anyone? ), learn about the itinerary I suggest, and then plan your own West Coast National Parks road trip.

In this post, I promote travel across lands that are the traditional lands of many Native American peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore  Native Land .

Table of Contents

West Coast National Parks Road Trip Map

I love putting together road trip maps – it’s possibly my favorite part of the road trip planning process. It’s fun to see how each place I want to stop connects, what there is to do in between, and to imagine what I’ll see that I don’t even know will be along the way.

You can see my map that includes all of the National Parks along the West Coast (which I define as Washington, Oregon, and California), plus some other optional stops I’ll detail more below. It also includes the mileage and estimated gas expense.

If it helps, you can click the bubble at the top left of the map and open it in a new tab to follow along while you read the rest of this post!

West Coast National Parks Road Trip Itinerary

As you’ll see, this is an ambitious itinerary. I mean, my Roadtrippers map above estimates over 60 hours of driving over 3,000 miles to visit every National Park on the West Coast. This is a big road trip!

The quickest I think you could do this road trip and visit all of the National Parks in Washington, Oregon, and California is 14 days – but ideally, you’d spend 20+ days to do this entire West Coast National Parks road trip itinerary.

However, you may want to drop some of the National Parks to enjoy others for longer. Here are a few itinerary ideas if you don’t have 14 days but want to visit as many parks as possible:

No matter how long you have, you can definitely visit a number of National Parks along the West Coast – it just depends on how long you have as to how many you can visit!

How to Plan a West Coast National Parks Road Trip

Let’s dive into each of the stops I showed on that map – and the full itinerary I recommend to road trip all the National Parks on the West Coast. I’ll try to cover each one with enough detail to show you why it’s worth a stop.

Start: Seattle

I recommend starting your West Coast National Parks road trip in Seattle, and doing a sort of funny J-shaped route to end in San Francisco. You can of course do it in reverse – just scroll to the bottom and read up this post!

While I love Seattle and called it home for four years, your goal is to visit the National Parks. So, stay long enough to grab fuel and stock up on road trip essentials and snacks before setting out.

Optional: North Cascades National Park (Seasonal)

If you are absolutely committed to visiting every National Park on the West Coast during this road trip, you actually want to head north first to visit North Cascades National Park. This park is only open seasonally but is home to stunning mountain vistas and tons of hiking trails. I put it as “optional” because it is out of the way and only open seasonally.

Many people set out on multi-day backpacking trips in North Cascades, though you’ll probably want to limit yourself to a day hike before continuing on your road trip.

1. Olympic National Park

Passing back through Seattle along I-5, you’ll turn west at Olympia to loop around Olympic National Park. I’ve already detailed that I think three days is the minimum you should spend on an Olympic National Park road trip , but you can probably cut it down to two days in a pinch – or just do an up-and-back journey to hike along Hurricane Ridge and stop by the Visitor Center.

2. Mt. Rainier National Park

Next is another little detour, this time to Washington’s third and final National Park, Mount Rainier. You might be sensing a theme, but hiking (and mountaineering) is the to draw for visitors exploring Mount Rainier.

On a day trip, you can stop by the Sunrise Visitor Center and hike a bit along the Wonderland Trail. This trail makes a 93-mile circuit around the base of Mount Rainier – a bit longer than you can cover as part of this road trip!

Optional: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Along this West Coast road trip route, there are a number of National Park Service units that aren’t actually National Parks – but you might want to detour to visit and stop at them anyway. I’ve marked them optional for that reason.

The first one on this route is John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. It’s definitely a detour off the main route (Interstate 5) that you would normally follow between Mount Rainier and Crater Lake; you have to cross the Cascade mountains to Central Oregon to reach John Day Fossil Beds.

This area has gorgeous scenery but also – and more importantly – a fascinating geological record including fossils from plants to mammals from 40 million years ago. It’s a big detour, but definitely a fascinating and beautiful one!

3. Crater Lake National Park

Oregon’s only National Park, Crater Lake is unique among the natural wonders protected across the country. Formed by a collapsed volcanic caldera, Crater Lake is home to sapphire blue waters and the iconic Wizard Island.

Crater Lake is open all year, but heavy snows in the winter can make the small roads in and out of the park difficult to travel. You can still visit during the snowy months though – and see the whole area covered in snow!

Optional: Oregon Caves National Monument

Cutting southwest from Crater Lake to Redwoods National Park, there’s another optional non-National Park stop you might want to make on this road trip itinerary. Oregon Caves National Monument is located in the Siskiyou Mountains that divide Oregon and California.

Called the “Marble Halls of Oregon,” you can reserve a spot on a tour of these caves – the tour options include a basic electricity-lit discovery tour, a candlelight history tour, and a true spelunking tour which will have you squeezing through tight places with a headlamp to light your way.

This is a great spot for a daytime adventure as you travel between the other National Parks.

4. Redwoods National & State Parks

I’m probably not supposed to choose favorites, but I think Redwoods National & State Parks might be mine in California. I love the Coastal Redwoods, and how their towering, seemingly-timeless presence provides me with a sense of humility and perspective on the world.

The protected lands that comprise Redwoods National & State Parks stretch from the California border south along the Pacific Coast Highway . I recommend visiting them near Crescent City , then cutting back inland across California’s coastal range to continue on your road trip.

There are a number of places you can explore and walk among the Redwoods. Stout Grove in Jedidiah Smith Redwoods State Park is a great option; if you end up traveling further south, Humboldt Redwoods State Park is home to the Avenue of the Giants, another favorite spot of mine.

5. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Did you know: Lassen Peak is the southernmost of the Cascade volcanoes? Those mountains you were exploring in North Cascades National Park stretch all the way down here to Northern California! (Mount Rainier and Crater Lake are also Cascade volcanoes.)

Lassen is one of the most volcanically active areas of the Cascades too – here you can walk among giant lava formations and steaming fumaroles that tap directly in to the molten heart of the planet. The two best areas to explore on a stop here are Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell Hydrothermal Area.

6. Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is the crown jewel of California’s nine National Parks, and is many people’s favorite park in the whole country. As I mentioned, it’s not mine – but that’s partly because it’s so popular that there’s always a crowd in the Yosemite Valley! (I think, having grown up in Alaska where National Park access is regulated, I’m still shocked that the parks in the Lower 48 are open-access and can end up so crowded.)

The best way to experience Yosemite as part of this road trip is by driving the park road on the Yosemite Valley floor. You can park and get out to walk to sights like Bridalveil Fall, Mirror Lake, and other sweeping views of the Yosemite Valley. (I have guides for spending both one day and three days in Yosemite , which covers all of these and more if you want to spend more time and go hiking in Yosemite.)

Optional: Devils Postpile National Monument

From Yosemite, you’ll want to cross the Sierra Nevadas at Tioga Pass. This road is only open during the summer months, so if you’re planning a winter West Coast road trip, be sure to re-route a different way across the mountains further south, or adjust the order of parks you’re visiting (instead of Yosemite-Death Valley-Joshua Tree-Sequoia/Kings Canyon, do Yosemite-Sequoia/King’s Canyon-Death Valley-Joshua Tree).

If you do head to Death Valley from Yosemite, you can make an optional stop at Devils Postpile National Monument. This fascinating rock formation was created the same way as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland and Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Volcanic action and cooling created a towering mass of geometric columns; you can visit them by parking and taking the mandatory shuttle bus to the various stops throughout the monument. Don’t skip Rainbow Falls

7. Death Valley National Park

You might wonder: isn’t Death Valley just an empty, super hot place? Yes, pretty much – but that’s also what makes it unique enough to earn National Park status! Death Valley is the hottest, driest, and lowest National Park in the whole National Park System.

Hiking and stargazing are two of the most popular activities in Death Valley. If you’d rather explore by car, Badwater Road will take you through Badwater Basin to sights like Devils Golf Course, Golden Canyon, and Zabriskie Point; my one-day guide to Death Valley is perfect for helping you plan your stop on this road trip.

8. Joshua Tree National Park

If I had to choose another favorite California National Park after the Redwoods, I would definitely say it’s Joshua Tree – maybe I should have been a botanist! I love this park for its namesake trees, crazy cacti, otherworldly scenery, and fantastic stargazing opportunities.

With just one day in Joshua Tree during your West Coast National Parks road trip, I recommend starting with sunrise in Cholla Cactus Garden, followed by an auto-tour of the sights in the park: Arch Rock, Skull Rock, Keys View, Hidden Valley, and Barker Dam. You can do some hiking at many of these spots too, to stretch out your legs after so many days in the car.

End the night with stargazing ; like Death Valley, this is one of the best places to do so on the whole itinerary!

Optional: Channel Islands National Park

I really debated on marking Channel Islands National Park as optional on this list – it’s actually not optional on the map for this West Coast National Parks road trip at the top of the post.

In the end, I decided it was optional, as it requires adding several days (at least two) if you want to stop and visit Channel Islands National Park since you need to catch a ferry out to the islands and back.

If you do decide to visit the Channel Islands, start your journey from Los Angeles . The Catalina Express runs from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point twice daily (with seasonal adjustments), and the Catalina Flyer sails from Newport Beach once daily. You can explore and spend the night in Catalina Island, go hiking, and keep an eye out for whales off the coast

9. Sequoia National Park

Mr. V and I made our first trip to Sequoia National Park in 2020 on our honeymoon road trip. As a huge (Redwood pun!) fan of the Coastal Redwoods and after a trip to northern Calaveras County with other Giant Sequoias, I was eager to see the biggest of the biggest trees on the planet.

Due to its proximity to Los Angeles, Sequoia National Park does draw crowds (like Yosemite and the San Francisco Bay Area), so I recommend staying in nearby Three Rivers, and starting your day early to explore Sequoia (and Kings Canyon) before continuing north on this read trip.

If you need inspiration for spending one day in Sequoia National Park , you can hike up to Moro Rock and walk to the largest tree (by volume) on earth, General Sherman. This tree towers 275 feet and over 100 feet in circumference.

10. Kings Canyon National Park

Kings Canyon National Park neighbors Sequoia National Park to the north, so it’s easy to visit both of these parks in a single day (morning in Sequoia, afternoon in King’s Canyon). Be sure to stop by the Visitor Center, and the General Grant tree – the largest in Kings Canyon National Park – and walk the trails at Sunset Loop and Dead Giant Loop to see other massive sequoias.

11. Pinnacles National Park

As you make your way north to end your West Coast National Parks road trip, there’s still one more park to visit! Pinnacles National Park is located south of the Bay Area, and is one of the lesser-visited despite all it offers.

Formed by volcanoes roughly 23 million years ago, Pinnacles is home to fascinating rock formations, cool caving opportunities, and a number of wildlife species you won’t find elsewhere – including some of the last population of wild California Condors. You can definitely do a day visit to Pinnacles as part of your final stretch on this road trip itinerary.

End: San Francisco

Finally, roll your wheels into San Francisco and take a breath – you’ve visited all (or almost all) of the National Parks on the West Coast! As I said, this is an epic – and long – road trip itinerary, but it’s also a chance to see many of the unique natural wonders that make the West so wonderful.

From here you can explore San Francisco more at your leisure, or check out other National Park units in the area (below).

Optional: San Francisco Area National Park Units

It should probably be no surprise that there are a number of National Park units in the Bay Area. Here are some you may want to visit – if you’re not completely wiped from the itinerary s ofar!

Alcatraz Island

The famous prison of Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay is now a tourist attraction. Catch a Ferry from Pier 39 to do a day or night tour and learn about the history.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Golden Gate National Recreation Area protects the Marin Headlands on the north side of the Golden Gate. It’s an awesome spot for photos, but also popular for hiking and strolling along the beach on the Pacific coast.

Muir Woods National Monument

You’ll need a car to reach Muir Woods , which is north of San Francisco on the Marin peninsula – but this is a great option if you skipped Redwoods National & State Parks earlier in the trip. You can explore famous Coastal Redwood groves here. Note that you need a reservation to visit.

Presidio of San Francisco

Formerly a military post to protect the Golden Gate, the Presidio of San Francisco is today a popular spot for outdoor recreation and enjoying sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay.

Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Monument

Across the Bay in Richmond (near Berkeley, not the one in San Francisco), you can visit the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Monument . It commemorates the civilian efforts in World War II.

San Francisco Maritime Historical National Park

Located near Fisherman’s Wharf, this Historical National Park covers the long and varied history of maritime activities in the San Francisco Bay and along the Pacific coast. It’s great for history buffs and nautical nerds.

One Last Tip for your Road Trip

If you’re totally sold on doing this West Coast National Parks road trip – or some version of it – I have one last tip to help you save money.

Be sure to invest in the America the Beautiful Pass .

I have a full review of why the America the Beautiful Pass is worth it, but in short, it will definitely save you money on this road trip itinerary. The pass, which costs $80, will get you access to every National Park and National Park unit on this itinerary; in total it will save you $170 compared to the $250 it would cost to pay for access to each park individually.

You can get the  America the Beautiful Pass from REI .

Have other questions about planning your own West Coast National Parks road trip? Let me know in the comments!

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I was born on the East Coast, grew up in Alaska, lived on the West Coast as an adult, and currently call the Midwest home. I share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and knowledge.

10 Comments

natosha scott

What is the best month to do this..thinking of the heat

Great question, Natosha. I recommend doing this trip in September or October. I hope that helps!

Kausr Talat

It would help if you can recommend lodging along this west coast road trip

Thanks for the feedback! I’ll work on that for a future update.

I just want to say THANK YOU for sharing this itinerary. Planning to do this in the near future, God willing. 🙂

You’re very welcome! Have a great road trip!!

I would like to do this on my motorcycle any suggestions.

Sounds like a great time! Enjoy!

I want to go camping this year at the Redwoods National Park and explore nearby towns and beautiful places.. Can you give me some hints on which campgrounds are best for tent camping with school age youth to make the best of our trip?

Thank You very much for your help. We have never visited the Redwoods of N CA and are excited about the idea.

Ligia, hi! I haven’t done any camping along the PCH, so I’m not able to provide suggestions. Sorry about that!

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West Coast National Parks Road Trip – Your Itinerary (2023)

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. At no cost to you, I might earn a small commission if you make a purchase through the links in this article. 

 West Coast National Parks road trip is the ultimate adventure that so many travelers dream about.

From steaming geysers to towering mountains, incredible sequoia trees to red buttes, mesas, and glaciers, National Parks along the West Coast are full of diverse scenery that will leave you in awe. 

The U.S. National Parks System has 63 parks and 41 of them are in the west.

Given the fact that they are spread out across 11 western states, it’s hard to choose a few and let alone one national park. This article provides a complete overview of best national parks to help you map out the best stops along your road trip.

BEST WEST COAST NATIONAL PARKS: OVERVIEW

For example, if you decide to stay in Moab , a gateway to the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, you can spend up to a weak hiking, rafting along the Colorado River and exploring some of the most stunning backcountry in the United States.

✅ Arrive in Moab via Salt Lake City International Airport where you can rent a car and quickly get on the road.

Utah National Parks

Utah is home to five national parks: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion and Bryce Canyon that attract millions of visitors and are often referred to as “ The Mighty Five .”

Utah’s red rock country boasts some of the most spectacular landscapes with incredible red mesas, towering buttes, arches and spires that have been carved out by wind and erosion over millions of years.

Utah national parks take time and effort to explore. If you have limited time, consider joining one of guided tours of Utah national parks to get the most out of your trip.

Best guided tours of Utah national parks

PRO TIP: To plan your adventure around Utah National Parks, check my complete to the “Mighty Five.”

Arches National Park

Where to stay:  Expedition Lodge

Famous for more than 2,000 sandstone arches, Arches National Park is a must stop on your itinerary. 

The image of the gorgeous Delicate Arch, the crown jewel of this national park, can be found on many things from Utah’s license plates and road signs to tourism brochures. It’s hardly a surprise to see this park packed with tourists from all over the world, especially during summer. 

GOOD TO KNOW: Check my complete guide to best hikes in Arches National Park

You can also hike the Devil’s Garden Trail, a full-day adventure that will take you through the stunning Fin Canyon. If you want to do easier hikes, you can opt for the Park Avenue lookout or Skylight Arch. 

PRO TIP: If you visit Arches in summer, bring a hat and sunscreen and carry plenty of water because temperatures often reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Plan your hikes for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and excessive heat.

Top things to do:  Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, Devil’s Garden, Double Arch, Park Avenue Viewpoint, Landscape Arch, Sand Dunes Arch 

Canyonlands National Park

Where to stay: Inca Inn Motel

A close neighbor of the Arches, Canyonlands National Park boasts a spectacular landscape dotted with flat mesas, steep canyons and sharp cliffs – similar to Grand Canyon in Arizona, but not as crowded.

Nestled by the Colorado River, Canyonlands offers access to some of the best rafting in the Southwest. The most famous feature of this national park is Mesa Arch that attracts many photographers during sunrise and sunset when the sun is peering out from the red buttes in the distance creating a gorgeous sight. 

Canyonlands is a huge park that is divided in several areas: the Maze, the Rivers, the Needles and the Island in the Sky – the most popular area of the park due to its easy access.

Top things to do:  Grand View Point, Mesa Arch, Buck Canyon Overlook, Aztec Butte.

Monument Valley

Where to stay: Goulding Lodge 

After spending a few days in Moab, many travelers head south to Monument Valley, an amazing red-sand area along the Utah-Arizona that is known for its towering buttes.

 Monument Valley is one of the symbols of the American Southwest. However, Monument Valley is NOT a national park, and it is not covered by the America the Beautiful Pass. If you want to drive along Monument Valley’s scenic loop and do some hiking, you will have to pay a $20 cash fee. 

Capitol Reef National Park

Where to stay: Capitol Reef Resort 

The least visited of all Utah national parks, Capital Reef is a true treasure that stretches for over 60 miles along the red-rock backcountry. 

Located away from the major travel route, Capitol Reef is Utah’s hidden gem. It requires more time and effort to reach, but when you get here, you will be treated to truly remarkable landscapes!

Best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park

This national park is dominated by arches, and gigantic sandstone walls above the Fremont River. One of the highlights of the park is Capitol Reef Scenic Drive where you can find many overlooks and trailheads.

PRO TIP: To learn about the best things to do in Capitol Reef National Park, check my complete guide to best hiking trails and overlooks in Capitol Reef that will help you to plan your trip.

Spend at least two days in Capitol Reef to explore some of its highlights like Cathedral Valley, a variety of spectacular hikes where you very well might be the only hiker!

Top things to do:  Sunset Point, Rim Overlook Trail, Capitol Gorge Trail, Grand Wash Trail and Cassidy Arch. 

Bryce Canyon National Park

Where to stay: Bryce Canyon Resort

 If you have a limited amount of time and not sure what national parks in Utah you should visit, head to Bryce Canyon National Park. You can reach Bryce Canyon from Capitol Reef National Park, via Utah Scenic Byway 12, a 122-mile road that is considered one of the most spectacular roads in the United States.

Famous for its collection of bright orange spires called hoodoos, Bryce Canyon is a sight to behold.

Bryce Canyon is more compact and remote than Zion, and while it doesn’t see as many visitors as Zion, summers here can get busy. The best thing about Bryce is that you can check out most of its overlooks and major hiking trails in just a day, making it a perfect stop along your road trip. 

Use my guide to plan your adventure in Bryce Canyon.

Top things to do:  Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Scenic Drive, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point.

Zion National Park

Where to stay: Cable Mountain Lodge  

One of the most visited national parks in the United States, Zion is a small but breathtaking national park in the heart of Utah’s desert roughly 3 hours away from Las Vegas.

Although this park tends to get busy during summer, mid-to-late fall sees less traffic and winter is the most quiet time as temperatures drop and the park gets dusted with snow.

Best tours of Zion National Park from Las Vegas

The most popular hike in Zion is the Angel’s Landing, a challenging trail that leads to a panoramic overlook of the park, but requires a permit If want to explore easier trails in Zion, check out Emerald Pool Trail, Weeping Rock and Riverside Walk. 

Thrill seekers should head to the Narrows , one of the most famous hikes in Zion that requires trekking through the river. Another option is the Subway , a remote portion of the National Park where you will need canyoneering skills. Both of these places require a permit that you need to obtain ahead of your visit.

Top things to do : Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, Angel’s Landing, Riverside Walk.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Where to stay: Peak to Peak Lodge

Located in the heart of Colorado’s Rockies, Rocky Mountain National Park (or RMNP shortly) has become one of the busiest national parks in the United States. RMNP makes a great addition to your road trip, if you have extra time.

Rocky Mountain National Park is under 2 hours away from Denver , and it offers a perfect escape from the city with its gorgeous trails, snow-capped mountains and wildlife like elks, marmots and bighorn sheep.

Best things to do in Rocky Mountain National Parks

Hiking is the main activity at Rocky Mountain National Park, so get ready to hit the trail! From easy hikes like Bear Lake to more advanced Mount Ida, Chasm Lake and Longs Peak, the only “fourteener” within RMNP, there’s a trail for every level. 

PRO TIP: Check my complete guide to Rocky Mountain National Park to learn about best hikes, overlooks and campsites.

One of the top highlights of Rocky Mountain National Park is Trail Ridge Road, the highest continuous highway by elevation in United States that reaches 12,183 feet. 

The best time to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is from June through September when most trails and roads are open to traffic. If you visit in winter, you will see significantly fewer people, however, many trails and some of the roads also will be closed during this time.

Top things to do:  Emerald Lake Trail, Bear Lake, Trail Ridge Road, Alberta Falls, Chasm Lake, Sky Pond 

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Where to stay: The Sunset Inn

Great Sand Dunes is Colorado’s newest national park that was designated in 2003. Located at the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range, Great Sand Dunes National Park spans for 30 miles.

It is also home to the tallest sand in North America that reaches 750 feet! 

This national park is a perfect stop along your Colorado road trip, as it is about 4 hours away from Denver.

Best things to do in Great Sand Dunes National Park

Some of the most popular activities here are hiking alone the sand dunes and sand boarding. You can rent a sand board in Alamosa, the closest town to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Great Sand Dunes is located in southern Colorado against the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, and temperatures here can vary. October often sees the first snow, and April can have chilly temperatures. If you want to spend time outside, plan your visit for September when crowds begin to dwindle. 

Top things to do: Hiking, sand boarding, camping, swimming in Medano Creek.

Yellowstone National Park

Where to stay: Yellowstone West Gate Hotel

The oldest national park within U.S. National Parks System, Yellowstone spans whopping 2.2 million acres – more than U.S. states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined! Home to half of the world’s active geysers, Yellowstone is easily one of the most famous national parks in the United States. 

Yellowstone is located in the western state of Wyoming, so it’s not along the West Coast. I decided to include Yellowstone in my guide because of its impressive geothermal features like hot springs, geysers and mud bubbles. 

PRO TIP: Since Yellowstone is huge, consider joining a guided tour to see the park’s highlights and learn some history of this impressive national park without having to drive all day long.

Best guided tours of Yellowstone

Yellowstone is huge and exploring it takes time, that’s why you should spend at least 3 days here. Make sure your Yellowstone itinerary includes Old Faithful, West Thumb, Norris Geyser Basin, and Lamar Valley where you can watch wildlife and of course, Grand Prismatic Spring. 

Check my suggested Yellowstone itineraries for your trip. 

Top things to do: Grand Prismatic Spring, West Thumb, Old Faithful, Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Biscuit Basin, Norris Geyser Basin, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Grand Teton National Park

Where to stay: The Alpine House 

Yellowstone’s neighbor to the south, Grand Teton National Park is best known for its iconic mountain peaks. This compact but mighty national park is perfect for nature lovers because it has plenty of hikes from easy to more technical ones that require good navigation skills. 

Best things to do in Grand Teton National Park

You can explore the highlights of Grand Teton in a day, although I recommend at least two days in Grand Teton. If you are short on time, take a ride along the park’s 42-mile scenic loop that offers a number of overlooks including Oxbow Bend Turnout , Snake River Overlook and Schwabacher Landing .

And if you want to visit the famous Mormon Row and take photos of the barn, make sure to begin your trip early morning, because that’s when you will have the best light for your photos. 

PRO TIP: It takes about 30-40 minutes from Grand Teton to the south entrance of Yellowstone, and many visitors combine these national parks into one trip.

Top things to do: Jenny Lake, Inspiration Point, Hidden Falls, Taggart Lake, Elk Island.

Glacier National Park

Where to stay: Glacier Park Lodge 

Glacier is a remote national park in northwestern Montana not far from the border with Canada. 

Glacier is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country , and once you get here, you will understand why: its stunning alpine lakes, snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls and gorgeous meadows create a superb scenery.

Best things to do in Glacier National Park

Besides driving along the famous “Going-to-the-Sun” road from where you can see many highlights of the park, you should also take time and hike at least a couple of trails. One of the most famous hikes within the park is the Highline Trail that brings you to the cool glacier.

Glacier National Park is also home to an incredible array of biodiversity. Here you can spot marmots, big horn sheep, elk and bears.

Top things to do:  Logan Pass, Hidden Lake, Highline Trail, Many Glacier, Grinner Glacier, Iceberg Lake

Grand Canyon National Park

Where to stay: Comfort Inn Lucky Lane  

 Grand Canyon’s National Park is a major bucket item for travelers from all over the world, so your trip through Arizona isn’t complete without stopping here.

Spend at least 3 days in Grand Canyon, so you could see more than just a bunch of overlooks. Grand Canyon is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, and it offers amazing opportunities for hiking, rafting and camping year-round. 

PRO TIP: If time is short, take a helicopter tour of Grand Canyon from Las Vegas. The tour lasts about 4 hours and includes several stops along the North and West Rim of Grand Canyon.

Best tours of Grand Canyon from Las Vegas

Top things to do: Havasupai Falls, Yavapai Point and Maricopa Point.

Make a quick stop in Las Vegas

Las Vegas might be known as a party city, but it’s also a great starting point for the road trips to many national parks . After touring national parks in Utah and Arizona, make a stop in Las Vegas to take a quick break from the road and have some fun. 

Whether you want to party or not, try to explore Las Vegas beyond the Strip. 

✅ Learn about the best national parks near Las Vegas

Great Basin National Park

Where to stay: Stargazer Inn Nevada

Nevada’s best kept-secret, Great Basin is one of the least visited national parks in the United States. Situated in the eastern part of the state near Utah’s border, Great Basin National Parks takes time and effort to get to, and its remote location keeps crowds at bay.

Unlike some of the most popular national parks that attract millions of visitors per year, Great Basin has had under 100,000 visitors as of recently. 

GOOD TO KNOW: If you want to spend a couple of days in Las Vegas, learn about best places near Las Vegas that you can visit by car.

Best things to do in Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park boasts several peaks that are great for hiking. The highest mountain in the park, Wheeler Peak is 13,063 feet tall. Great Basin is also home to a cool system of caves with stunning formations that is worth a stop.

And, if you like stargazing, you might want to know that this national park is home to some of the most clear dark skies in the United States. Designated as the Dark Sky Park , it has a signature Great Basin’s Night Sky Program that offers ranger-led astronomy talks, full-moon hikes and telescope view events.

Top things to do: Wheeler Peak Hike, Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, Bristlecone Pines, the oldest trees in the world.

Best national parks in California

After spending a few days in Las Vegas, it’s time to head to California that boasts nine national parks, the most of any state in America!

While you can spend weeks or even months trying to visit all of California’s national parks, I’m going to highlight the most scenic ones that you can easily fit into your itinerary. 

Death Valley National Park

Where to stay: Amargosa Opera House and Hotel

Death Valley , is the largest national parks in the lower 48 states that covers over 3 million acres. It is also the hottest, the driest and the lowest place in North America.

What makes Death Valley worth a visit?

It has some of the highest temperatures in North America that reach up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit! It’s also full of incredible geological features, gorgeous vistas and wonderful history that goes back to the days of California Gold Rush. 

GOOD TO KNOW: You can reach Death Valley in less than two hours from Las Vegas, which makes it a perfect starting point for exploring California national parks. You can also visit Death Valley National Park with a guided tour from Las Vegas which will save you a lot of time on the road.

Best tours of Death Valley from Las Vegas

Death Valley is a huge national park with scare cell phone coverage, big distances and limited amenities. Check my guide to stay safe in Death Valley , especially if you visit in spring or summer.

While some people stop in Death Valley only to take a few photos with a giant thermometer near the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, spend at least a day here, because Death Valley has so much to offer!

Top things to do: Zabriskie Point, Badwater Basin, Mesquite Sand Dunes, Dante’s View.

PRO TIP: It takes about 2 hours to drive through the whole Death Valley National Park toward Lone Pine , a town near the western entrance of the park. From Lone Pine, it’s about 1,5 hour drive north on State Route 395 toward Mammoth Lakes, a popular place to stay the eastern entrance of Yosemite National Park .

Joshua Tree National Park

Where to stay: El Rancho Dolores 

Joshua Tree is a popular national park under two hours from Los Angeles. 

With landscapes that look like they were taken out of Dr. Seuss books, it’s no surprise that Joshua Tree has become the most popular national park in Southern California.

Why visit Joshua Tree National Park

Home to quirky Joshua Trees that reach up to 10 feet and bizarre-looking boulders,   this park covers 800,000 acres of prime desert habitat . This national park offers spectacular landscapes and wildlife thanks to the two deserts that meet here: the Mojave and Colorado . 

Although visiting Joshua Tree is more convenient if you plan to continue your adventures in Southern California, you should spend a couple of days in Joshua Tree, because of its scenery and clear dark skies.

Top things to do : Skull Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Rock Climbing, Stargazing, 49 Palms Oasis Trail, Hidden Valley, Barker Dam. 

Channel Islands National Park

Where to stay: The Shores Inn

Nicknamed “the Galapagos of North America,” Channel Islands are separated from the mainland by the Santa Barbara Channel and can be reached by boat from Ventura. 

About 2,000 species call these islands home, and because they had to adapt to this unique, isolated environment, many of them exist nowhere else in the world.

✅ Check my guide to the best things to do in Santa Barbara

Best things to do in Channel Islands National Park

Some of the most popular things to do in Channel Islands are kayaking, hiking and wildlife watching. This national park is an adventurer’s paradise as it offers plenty of solitude and incredible untouched landscapes. If you plan to spend a night here, you have to bring your own camping equipment and food.  

Channel Islands boast the rugged beauty and offer a quiet atmosphere with fewer crowds compared to California’s most popular national parks like Joshua Tree and Yosemite.  

Top things to do:  Whale watching, hiking, camping, kayaking and snorkeling.

Make a stop in Lone Pine

To continue your national park road trip from Death Valley, get on the U.S. Route 395 north , aka Eastern Sierra Highway that will bring you all the way to the eastern entrance of Yosemite National Park

To crash for the night, stop at Lone Pine, a cute mountain town that looks like a set of a Western movie. But besides having a rugged charm, Lone Pine is also a gateway to adventure in the Eastern Sierras!

Lone Pine sits at the foothills Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous United States. Although you need a permit to climb Mount Whitney, you can take a 5-mile hike to the gorgeous Lone Pine Lake trail that starts at Whitney Portal. 

Alabama Hills

If you don’t feel like hiking, make a stop at Alabama Hills, a group of hills and rock formations on the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada just outside of Lone Pine. Alabama Hills is a popular stop for travelers making their way across California.

A number of movies have been filmed in the area, and you can find a sign at the turnout that will tell you what movies were filmed here. 

You can learn all about them at the Museum of Western Film History at 701 S. Main Street.

After stopping at Alabama Hills head to Bishop along US 395. This town in the Eastern Sierras has become a resort location thanks to a big number of outdoors options.

The largest city in the Owens Valley, Bishop has the most stores and amenities, so it’s a good place place to stock up on food and other essentials before continuing your West Coast National Park road trip.

Here, you can camp, check out Bishop Pass Trail, a popular day hiking trail and rent a boat at Lake Sabrina Boat Landing. 

Mammoth Lakes

Your last stop before the entrance to Yosemite National Parks, Mammoth Lakes is a beautiful mountain town. In winter, it’s a popular location for skiers and snowboarders because of June Mountain and Mammoth Mountain ski resorts. In summer, it’s a great place to hike and camp. 

Many travelers who visit Yosemite National Park overlook a real gem next to it – Mono Lake!

 Located 13 miles east of Yosemite, Mono Lake contains saline soda that accumulates in high quantities because of the lack of an outlet. The combination of snow-capped Sierras around it and the rock formations make for a truly remarkable scenery. 

The Sierras can have snow all the way through early June, which often affects road conditions. The eastern entrance of the Yosemite National Park near the Tioga Pass is closed when the road gets covered by snow. The pass typically remains closed well into June because of the snow. 

Yosemite National Park

Where to stay: Yosemite Valley Lodge

Yosemite is a real gem that can take you weeks to explore. Don’t think that you can spend a day here and check it off your list. Instead, plan to spend three to five days in this national park, especially if you are visiting it for the first time.

When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite is stunning at any time of the year, but summer is the busiest time with thousands of visitors flocking to the park. Early fall is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park thanks to mild temperatures and thinner crowds.

The area sees the first snow between October and November, which often leads to road closures and limited hiking opportunities.

One of the major downsides of visiting Yosemite National Park in fall is that you will not see the gorgeous waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley. Because of the snowmelt coming down the mountains, May and June are the best months to see waterfalls in the Yosemite Valley such as Yosemite Falls and Nevada Falls. 

If you plan to visit Yosemite in winter, you will need a high clearance vehicle or chains on your tires. 

A number of events take place during the winter season in Yosemite Valley. The biggest of them happens in February when thousands of visitors come to Yosemite Valley to watch the Yosemite Firefall, an amazing natural phenomenon during which creates an illusion of a hot lava flowing down the cliff. 

Top things to do: Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Mariposa Grove, Mist Trail, Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Tenaya Lake. 

Check my guide to Yosemite to help you plan your adventure!

Sequoia National Park

Where to stay: Stony Creek Lodge 

On the other side of the Sierra Nevada mountains you will Sequoia National Park. 

Sequoias reach up to 275 feet and although they are not as tall as redwood tress that you can find at Redwood National Park in Northern California, they are considered the largest trees in the world! There are many sections of the park where you can walk among them.

Sequoia National Park is home to General Sherman , the tallest tree in the world located in the Giant Forest.

Another popular spot at Sequoia National Park is Moro Rock. 

After climbing 400 stairs, you will be treated to a spectacular view of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Don’t forget to bring the camera to capture the stunning views along the way.

Kings Canyon National Park

One of the least crowded national parks in California, Kings Canyon National Park MUST be on your list if you plan to explore one of the best California national parks.

This national park is home to spectacular valleys carved by glaciers over thousands of years – somewhat similar to those in Yosemite, except nowhere near as busy! It boasts one of the deepest canyons in the United States and General Grant Tree – the second largest tree in the world.

Best things to do in Kings Canyon National Park

One of the best hikes at Kings Canyon is Zumwalt Meadow , a stunning vista surrounded by sheer granite walls. The trail to Zumwalt Meadows is just 1.5 miles but it offers superb views with meadows dotted with spectacular wildflowers, a gurgling river, and giant sequoia trees.

Kings Canyon is home to several impressive waterfalls such as Grizzly Falls and Mist Falls . You can easily spend a few days roaming around this national park without noticing how quickly time goes by.

Things to do: Zumwalt Meadow, Grizzly Falls, Mist Falls, General Grant, Grant Grove

Optional stop in San Francisco

The largest city in Northern California, San Francisco is a must-stop on your California national parks’ itinerary.

From San Francisco, you can take flights to many cities within the United States and overseas. San Francisco is home to a thriving food scene, amazing scenery and plenty of world-class museums – a perfect combo to end your trip on a great note!

The drive from Sequoia to San Francisco is about 4,5 hours, but you will not get bored because driving along some of the most scenic areas in the entire United States. 

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Where to stay: Comfort Suites Redding – Shasta Lake 

Lassen Volcanic is one of the most underrated national parks.

Located east of Redding and about 3.5 hours away from Sacramento, it boasts stunning hikes, wonderful geothermal activity and tons of wildlife.

Since this national park is pretty remote, it’s a perfect stop if you are driving from California to Oregon.

The coolest thing about this national are it’s untouched landscapes and less-discovered trails that take you to unspoiled backcountry.

While you can stay in one of accommodations nearby, camping at Lassen Volcanic National Park is a surreal experience because the entire area has incredible dark skies. There are several campgrounds throughout the park where you can find spots for tents and RVs.

Many trails and some roads at Lassen Volcanic National Park tend to close in winter because of heavy snowstorm. May through early September is the perfect time to plan your trip.

Things to do: Bumpas Hell, Manzanita Lake, Lake Helen, stargazing, hiking up Cinder Cone.

Crater Lake National Park

Where to stay: Golden West Motel

The only national park in Oregon and home to the deepest lake in the United States (1,943 feet deep), Crater Lake National Park is another less visited west coast national park.

The cobalt-blue Crater Lake was created about 7,700 years ago by the eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama. Over time, the volcano’s basin was filled with water and turned into a lake.

Since there are no inlets into the lake, the water in the lake remains crystal clear and maintains its amazing color. There are several designated areas for swimming throughout the area, however the water here is very cold.

Best things to do in Crater Lake National Park

One of the top activities at the park is driving long the scenic Rim Road that has over 30 overlooks of the lake as well as scenic areas like Videa Falls, Pinnacles Overlook and Pumice Castle Overlook . Crater Lake National Park is covered by snow for about 8 months out of the year, as the area gets about 43 feet of snow per year.

It’s common to see snow at this national park as late as June and even July.

Top things to do: Rim Drive, Wizard Island, hiking up Garfield Peak, hiking Mount Scott, camping at Mazama Campground.

Wizard Island, the top of the dormant volcano sits in the middle of the lake and is home to ancient trees. To see it, you can get a boat tour of Crater Lake.

Mount Rainier National Park

Where to stay: Mountain Meadows Inn

One of the most famous peaks in North America, Mount Rainier towers 14,410 feet above sea level. It can be seen from many parts of Seattle and sits within the namesake national park that is revered by many travelers for its jaw-dropping landscapes.

A favorite spot of John Muir, Mount Rainier National Park is a must stop if you make your way to the Pacific Northwest. Located about 75 miles away from Seattle, it makes for a perfect getaway from the city.

Best time to visit Mount Rainier National Park

It’s one of those national parks that’s best visited in summer because it’s the time when you can see dozens of incredible wildflowers dotting the green hills around Mount Rainier. You can hike to glaciers and enjoy gurgling waterfalls around the park.

FUN FACT : This national park is also home to one of the most popular mountaineering routes: As a “fourteener,” Mount Rainier requires a combination of hiking and mountaineering skills, and many mountain climbers come here to summit the mountain.

Top things to do: Camp Muir Hike, Comet Falls Hike, grove of Patriarchs, Sunrise Point, The Wonderland Trail, The Paradise Region.

Where to start your road trip

There’s no right or wrong way to create your West Coast National Park road trip, with most western states in America having at least one national park.

Start your itinerary in Utah, home to the big five national parks . You can spend weeks roaming around Utah’s red-rock country, kayaking on the Colorado River, and camping under the clear dark skies.

From Utah, you can go north to Wyoming, Montana or continue your trip south to Arizona before arriving in California and finishing your adventure in Oregon or Washington.

If you have more time, you can also start your West Coast National Parks road trip in Colorado, home to three national parks: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dune and Black Canyon of the Gunnison and make your way to Utah from there.

West Coast National Parks suggested itinerary

• Begin your trip in Utah – This way you could visit either one or several of Utah national parks or spend a few weeks exploring them.
• Proceed to Nevada via Arizona – After exploring Utah, make a stop in Grand Canyon National Park, where you should spend at least a few days.
• Make a stop in Las Vegas – Las Vegas makes a great stop thanks to its proximity to many national parks in the region and natural areas like Red Rock Canyon and Cathedral Gorge State Park. Read my guide about best road trips from Las Vegas
• Continue to California – You can spend a while exploring the best national parks in California , but if time is short, I recommend Death Valley, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks as some of the musts!
• Proceed toward Oregon and Washington – If time allows, continue driving north to Oregon where you can visit Crater Lake National Park and further to Washington, home to Mount Rainer National Park and North Cascades National Park.

Tips for visiting

• Fill up your tank – Only a fraction of West Coast National Parks have gas stations, and gas prices there tend to be higher than normal. If you plan to spend a day exploring one of national parks, fill up your tank ahead of your visit.
• Don’t rely on your cellphone – Cell phone coverage is sporadic in many national parks, that’s why you should always bring a paper map or download an offline map. For example, many parts of Yosemite have no cell phone coverage, and you should have a paper map especially if you plan to hike.
• Leave no trace – This is self-explanatory, but I want to restate it: Leave these national parks exactly as you found them: Pristine and beautiful . Pack all your trash, stay on trails and do not leave any marks (or graffiti) on rocks, trees and other objects.
• You might need a bear spray – Bear spray is a necessity in places like Yosemite and Glacier. Whether you are hiking or camping, carrying a bear spray is a good idea in case you come across a bear and need to quickly get to safety.
• Amenities could be limited – Many national parks have limited services which means food and gas might not be available before you get outside the park. Some popular national parks like Zion and Yosemite have small convenience stores and restaurants, but prices there tend be higher than in regular stores. Stock up on food and water before visiting the park to avoid unnecessary expenses.
• Skip weekends – Avoid weekends and big holidays like the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Many popular national parks get really crowded on these days, and it can be tough to enjoy the trails and all the scenery simply because there’s too much traffic.
• Book your hotels in advance – Hotel near many national parks can be pricey . Book your hotels at least a few weeks in advance, especially if you are traveling during summer. Agoda is the best website for booking budget-friendly stays and Hotels has many great deals.
• Get good gear – Whether it’t the coast, mountains or deserts, proper gear is a must for your West Coast National Parks road trip. REI is one of the best stores whether you can get hiking shoes, a new tent for your camping trip or rock climbing gear.
• Don’t forget to rent a vehicle – Whether you decide to rent an RV or a regular car depends on your plans. If you are looking for an RV, check out  RVshare , a website with a great selection of all sorts of RV’s, and if you are looking for a regular car, check out DiscoverCars , one of my favorite websites for car rentals with good prices and big inventory.
• America the Beautiful Pass Is Your Best Friend – If you plan to visit multiple national parks, consider  buying the annual America The Beautiful Pass.  For only $80 you will be able to get into any national park in the United States for one year. An entrance to the national park costs $35 on average, and you can save you a good chunk of money if you plan to hop around.

More resources for planning your trip

Agoda.com  – a great website for budget accommodations near may national parks.

WorldNomads  – Great service for insurance coverage that will keep you safe on the road.

Safety Wing  – Excellent insurance plan for long-term travelers that offers competitive rates is you are planning to stay on the road several weeks in a row. 

GetYourGuide  – Some national parks like Yellowstone or Grand Canyon are really big, and if you are limited on time, Get Your Guide is a great platform that offers awesome tours and top-notch guides.

DiscoverCars  – There’s nothing like exploring some of the best national parks at your own pace. Consider renting a car at Discover Cars , if you want more freedom.

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A West Coast National Parks road trip is the ultimate adventure. It’s the best way to see some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United States and see many regional differences. I recommend no less than two weeks for your adventure if you want to visit some of the best national parks along the West Coast and have time for some extra stops along the way.

Two Itineraries for Taking in the National Parks of the American West

By Frommer's Staff

Even though distances seem vast in the western United States, it's possible to visit more than one of the region's national parks in a single trip. In fact, people often combine visits to Yellowstone and Grand Teton, Yosemite and Sequoia, and Zion and Bryce Canyon.

You can knit the parks of the California desert (Death Valley, Joshua Tree, and Mojave Preserve) into a nice itinerary that might even leave you time to stop off in the resort town of Palm Springs. A popular trip for families is a drive through Badlands National Park and the Black Hills of South Dakota, all the way through Devils Tower to Yellowstone. It's not a small stretch, but it's doable if you have more than a week.

Although it can be a lot of fun to combine several national parks in your vacation trip, try not to make the all too common mistake of attempting to see everything there is to see in too short a period of time. Be realistic about how much you want to see at each park, and create an itinerary that lets you thoroughly enjoy one or two aspects of a park rather than just glimpsing every corner as you speed by. And try to schedule a little relaxation time, especially for trips of more than a week -- perhaps loafing in the campground one afternoon, or lounging by the motel swimming pool.

Following are two of our favorite national park tours.

This long circle drive hits five states and involves a lot of driving (or flying regional airlines and renting cars), but it takes you to a fantastic variety of parks -- desert, cave, mountain, and deep canyon, plus one of the world's most fascinating archaeological preserves. We begin and end in Phoenix, Arizona, where almost all major airlines serve the airport, and car and RV rentals are available. We've laid it out for just under 2 weeks, but allowing more time would make it more satisfying.

Day 1: Phoenix, Arizona

After arriving and picking up your rental car or RV, Phoenix is a good spot to stock up on supplies. The city is also famous for its golf resorts, so you may want to hit a few balls before heading south.

Day 2: Saguaro National Park

This is one of America's few national parks dedicated to protecting one specific plant -- the saguaro cactus. Here you will see forests of them. But you'll also see a variety of other plants and animals, such as javelinas -- odd pig-like animals that have mouths so tough they can bite through prickly pear cactus pads. The park has two good scenic drives as well as numerous trails through the Sonoran Desert, including the Valley View Overlook Trail, which provides a close-up view of the desert, and the Signal Hill Petroglyph Trail, where you'll get a good look at some ancient petroglyphs.

Day 3-5: Carlsbad Caverns & Guadalupe Mountains National Parks

One of the largest and most spectacular cave systems in the world, Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico has practically countless cave formations, ranging from the fantastic to the grotesque. Be sure to take the Big Room Self-Guided Tour and the King's Palace Guided Tour. For a genuine caving experience, get your clothes dirty on the Slaughter Canyon guided tour. Just over the state line in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains is a rugged wilderness of tall Douglas firs, offering panoramic vistas and the highest peak in Texas. Recommended for experienced hikers is the trek to the top of Guadalupe Peak. Everyone can enjoy the colors in McKittrick Canyon -- either the trees in fall or the wildflowers in spring.

Day 6: Santa Fe, New Mexico

It's a long drive from Carlsbad Caverns to Mesa Verde National Park, so we recommend breaking it up with an overnight stop in Santa Fe, famous for its art, history, and picturesque adobe buildings. For information, see Frommer's New Mexico.

Day 7-9: Mesa Verde National Park

The largest archaeological preserve in the United States, Mesa Verde contains intriguing, well-preserved cliff dwellings, plus mesa-top pueblos, pit houses, and kivas, built by the ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) people hundreds of years ago. Recommended stops here are Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the Southwest, and Balcony House.

Day 10: Petrified Forest National Park

Especially colorful after a rainstorm has washed away the dust, this national park is a fascinating look at an unreal world of wood turned to stone. Take the 28-mile scenic drive, stopping at the pullouts and walking some of the short trails. We especially recommend the Giant Logs Trail, where you'll see some of the park's largest petrified logs, and Blue Mesa Trail, one of the prettiest and most otherworldly hikes in the park. At Newspaper Rock, early inhabitants pecked dozens of petroglyphs into the dark stone, including an image of the famous humpbacked flute player, Kokopelli.

Day 11-12: Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim

The Grand Canyon truly is grand, and no matter how many photos you've seen, being there in person is an awe-inspiring experience. After stopping at the information center for a quick geology lesson, take the shuttle to some of the South Rim viewpoints, and perhaps walk the Rim Trail a bit. Then, if you're physically able, walk down Bright Angel Trail at least a little way, watching the vegetation and rock layers change as you descend. Unless you are in very good condition, however, it is probably best to not go beyond the One-and-a-Half-Mile House, which has restrooms and drinking water, before heading back up to the rim.

Day 13: Back to Phoenix

Back in Phoenix, you can practice your golf swing or visit some of the city's excellent museums before catching your plane for home.

Southern Utah has five delightful national parks and several national monuments, the North Rim of the spectacular Grand Canyon is just over the border in Arizona, and perched along the state line is an awe-inspiring Navajo Nation park. Together they form a somewhat circuitous loop. This jaunt begins and ends in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is accessible by almost all major airlines and has car and RV rentals. You can complete this tour in 2 weeks, but it is much more satisfying in 3 weeks, as described here.

Day 1: Las Vegas, Nevada

Fly in, pick up your rental car or RV, lay in some supplies, and maybe try the slot machines for a half-hour or so. Then hit the road and head northeast into the mountains of southern Utah.

Days 2-4: Zion National Park

Famous for its mammoth natural stone sculptures and unbelievably narrow slot canyon, this park begs to be explored on foot. Hop on the shuttle bus that runs the length of the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, getting off to take trails. We especially recommend the easy Riverside Walk, which follows the Virgin River through a narrow canyon past hanging gardens, as well as the Emerald Pools Trail. Especially pleasant on hot days, this walk through a forest of oak, maple, fir, and cottonwood trees leads to a waterfall, a hanging garden, and a shimmering pool.

Days 5-6: Grand Canyon National Park's North Rim

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon receives far fewer visitors than the South Rim, but that doesn't mean it's any less spectacular. The North Rim (which is open in summer only) provides views of and access to the same overpowering canyon as the South Rim does, just from the other side. You'll want to stop at the Grand Canyon Lodge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and then hike a few of the Rim Trails. If you're in good enough physical shape, you might want to hike partway down into the canyon on the North Kaibab Trail.

Days 7-8: Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Although not a national park, this Navajo Tribal Park is well worth a stop (and it's on your way). Monument Valley is, to many of us, the epitome of the Old West -- we've seen it dozens of times in movies and on television. Part of the vast Navajo Nation, the park has a 17-mile self-guided loop road that lets you see most of the major scenic attractions, or you can get a personalized tour with a Navajo guide. Either way you'll see classic western scenery made famous in movies such as 1939's Stagecoach, which starred a young John Wayne.

Days 9-12: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks

Famed for its massive red and orange rock formations, this area is home to two national parks and the lively town of Moab. Canyonlands National Park is a great hikers' park. Make sure you stop at the Grand View Point Overlook, in the Island in the Sky District, and hike the Grand View Trail, especially scenic in the late afternoon. Arches National Park is a bit more user-friendly. Take the scenic drive and walk a few trails -- on the Devils Garden Trail, you can see 15 to 20 arches, including picturesque Landscape Arch.

Days 13-14: Capitol Reef National Park

Relatively unknown, this park offers brilliantly colored rock formations and a bit of history. The Fremont River created a lush oasis in this otherwise barren land, and 19th-century pioneers found the soil so fertile that they established the community of Fruita, named for the orchards they planted. Today you can explore the buildings and even pick fruit in season. Hikers can examine Pioneer Register, a rock wall where traveling pioneers "signed in," and explore canyons where famed outlaw Butch Cassidy is said to have hidden out between train and bank robberies.

Days 15-18: Scenic Utah 12 & Bryce Canyon National Park

From Capitol Reef, go south on Utah 12 over Boulder Mountain and through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, possibly stopping for a short hike to Calf Creek Falls, before heading to Bryce Canyon National Park. Spend the night in the park or nearby so you can be on the rim of Bryce Amphitheater at sunrise, the best time to see the colorful and often whimsically shaped rock formations called hoodoos. Top hikes here include the colorful Queen's Garden Trail, named for a formation that resembles Britain's Queen Victoria.

Days 19-20: Cedar Breaks National Monument

This small, high-altitude park has an amphitheater reminiscent of Bryce Canyon's as well as a 5-mile road that offers easy access to the monument's scenic overlooks and trailheads. Hike Spectra Point Trail along the rim for changing views of the colorful rock formations. The trail also takes you through fields of wildflowers, which are especially colorful in late July and August, and past bristlecone pines that are more than 1,500 years old.

Day 21: Back to Las Vegas

Back in Sin City, you can catch a stage show or feed the one-armed bandits before boarding your flight home.

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Western US National Park Road Trips

Road trips to the best national parks in the west.

Stuart Thornton

Amy Balfour

• West coast national parks road trip

Grand Canyon to Rocky Mountains road trip

Western national parks driving loop.

• Rocky Mountain road trip
• Utah's national parks
• Grand Canyon loop
• California road trips
• Skyline & Blue Ridge Parkway
• Western North Carolina
• West Virginia To Shenandoah NP
• Great Smoky Mountains
• NC's Outer Banks
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• Chicago to the Ozarks
• Renting an RV

Combining the awe-inspiring national parks of the Western USA into a single road trip makes for a true Americana adventure.

From the Grand Canyon to the Rocky Mountains, here are a few spectacular long-distance routes.

Larger than life in Yosemite National Park

West coast national park road trip route

Take in the magnificence of the western United States mountains, while also walking among some of the world’s biggest trees and get sprayed by a few of North America’s largest waterfalls on this route. This inland tour of the best mountainous parks in Washington, Oregon, and California includes crowd favourites Olympic National Park, Crater Lake National Park and Yosemite National Park.

Approx. distance: 1,700 miles

Duration: 14 days

Suggested route: Seattle, Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Los Angeles.

Just three hours from the northwest city of Seattle – including a ferry ride – is Olympic National Park, which is home to glacier topped mountains, rainforests and a wild and rugged coastline.

Another three-hour drive takes visitors from Olympic National Park to the year-round splendour of Mount Rainier National Park. The route heads south of Puget Sound and its tributaries.

Getting from Mount Rainier National Park in Washington down to Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon is a more involved 6 ½-hour drive. Luckily, the route passes through both Portland and Eugene, where you can stop for a few hours or overnight.

From Crater Lake National Park to northern California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park is a four-hour drive. Detour to Lava Beds National Monument to explore one of the preserved area’s 800 caves.

During summer, take US 395 alongside the eastern portion of California from Lassen Volcanic National Park to Yosemite National Park. It takes 5 ½ hours and passes through Reno in the state of Nevada, which is a perfect place for a stop or an overnight stay.

Less than three hours from Yosemite are the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, which is less busy than Yosemite but almost as beautiful. The adjacent parks are about four hours from both San Francisco and Los Angeles.

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What to see

Olympic National Park

With nearly a million acres, Olympic National Park offers a variety of experiences including hiking, soaking in hot springs (Sol Duc Hot Springs and Olympic Hot Springs), and sliding down a snowy peak at the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area. Port Angeles is the biggest city on the Olympic Peninsula and a great place to plan your trip into the park.

Mount Rainier National Park

While its namesake 14,410-foot-high (4,392m) peak dominates the scenery, Mount Rainier National Park also has worthwhile hiking in the Tatoosh Range and waterfalls in the Carbon River area. In springtime, the park has a profusion of blooming wildflowers and rushing waterfalls.

Try a day hike along the 5.5 mile-long Skyline Trail, which butts up against Mount Rainier. Check out the views at Panorama Point. Alternatively, take alpine lakes, mountain peaks and stunning views on the Snow Lake Trail, which is a much easier 2.5-mile round trip.

Mount Rainier National Park is well-known for its many waterfalls, but perhaps the easiest one to see is the 176ft high Narada Falls. It’s a short hike from the car park of the same name to the bottom of the waterfall.

Sierra Nevada mountain range

Crater Lake National Park

Oregon’s dazzling blue Crater Lake, a remnant of a volcano, is worth spending some time staring at. To see the water up close, take one of the park’s many boat tours. Another option is to do the 33-mile long (53km) Rim Drive for views down into the lake from different vantage points. Roads are generally open in the Crater Lake National Park between July and October. If you come in winter, the park’s North Entrance Road is excellent for snowmobiling, while some trails become passable for cross-country skiing.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

A hotbed of geothermal activity, Lassen Volcanic National Park has mud pots, boiling pools and fumaroles (an opening near a volcano which releases gas). There’s boating, kayaking, and fishing in the park, but hiking through a lava tube at Lassen is one of the park’s singular experiences. Try the wincingly-named Bumpass Hell Trail – so named for Kendall Bumpass who fell into scalding water here – for views of boiling mudpots, turquoise pools and Brokeoff Volcano. Alternatively, try the 4.2 mile Devil’s Kitchen Trail for steaming streams and alpine lakes.

Lassen is one of the best places in California to go star-gazing. Park rangers lead astronomy tours during the summer, and the annual Dark Sky Festival, held in August, offers nightly stargazing tours and talks by professional astronomers.

Bubbling sulphur pool, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Yosemite National Park

The most popular national park in California, Yosemite includes the world-renowned Yosemite Valley, which is beneath notable granite peaks including Half Dome and El Capitan – famous among rock climbers for their stunning views and difficult climbs. Head to the 7,214ft Glacier Point for views over Yosemite Valley, or head inside the granite Geology Hut for vistas of Half Dome. Come at sunrise or sunset, when the giant granite peaks turn a rosy pink. There’s more than just towering peaks in Yosemite. Mariposa Grove showcases giant sequoia trees, while Yosemite Falls is North America’s highest waterfall at 2,425 feet (739 metres). It is possible to hike up to the upper fall’s crest, but be aware that the water’s spray can be very cold.

Such is the diversity of activities in Yosemite National Park, that you can do anything from fishing and gold panning to spas and shopping.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

The adjacent parks of Sequoia and Kings Canyon are a fine place to take in the splendour of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the towering sequoia trees, and geologic formations like Moro Rock. Sequoia is where you can find legendary trees including the General Sherman Tree (allegedly the largest tree on earth) and the General Grant Tree.

Spring and summer bring wildflower blooms to both parks and bears are plentiful. This is a great stop for those looking for wilderness away from the busier Yosemite National Park.

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Best of the West

A grand tour of the american southwest.

Southwest Highlights

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Horseshoe Bend, Colorado River in the Grand Canyon

Experience the dizzying peaks and deep canyons of the American southwest on this route. The drive includes the alpine scenery of the Rocky Mountain National Park and the mile-deep Grand Canyon, as well as stops to visit the tallest sand dunes in the United States (Great Sand Dunes National Park) and North America's oldest archaeological site (Mesa Verde National Park).

Approx. distance: 1,400 miles

Duration: 10 days

Suggested route: Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Grand Canyon, Phoenix.

Start your journey in Denver, Colorado, before driving an hour and a half to Estes Park, at the eastern entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. After a couple of days hiking and marvelling at the Rocky Mountains, it is a five-hour drive to Great Sand Dunes National Park. Consider detouring into the pleasant city of Colorado Springs and visiting Garden of the Gods, where you can walk around fanciful sandstone rock formations.

It’s a four-hour drive across southern Colorado to reach Mesa Verde National park from Great Sand Dunes National Park. Just 40 minutes from the park, Durango is a pleasant city at 1,981 metres with a historic downtown.

The drive to the Grand Canyon from Mesa Verde takes four hours with much of it passing through the Navajo Nation. Fans of western movies should detour off US Route 160 onto US Route 163 at Kayenta, Arizona to make the 45-minute drive to Monument Valley, a butte-studded desert featured in many western movies.

From the Grand Canyon, it’s an hour and a half to Flagstaff, a pleasant college town, and a four-hour drive to Phoenix, where there is a major airport.

Dream Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountains National Park

One of the highest national parks in the United States, the Rocky Mountain National Park includes the 14,258-foot-high Longs Peak (4,345 metres) and 300 miles of hiking trails. Much of the park can only be accessed during the summer months, with winter snows closing mountain roads. During peak season of mid-June to Labor Day, consider spending time in the less crowded western side of the park. In that area are opportunities to hike, picnic, and visit the Holzwarth Historic Site, a homestead from the early 1900s.

Be aware that altitude sickness can be an issue in the Rocky Mountains, even when driving. For example, Trail Ridge Road is more than 3,500m above sea level, so go slow, drink plenty of water and pay attention to the signs of altitude sickness, such as headaches and shortness of breath.

A couple of hiking trails to consider are an easy two-mile hike through Dream, Nymph and Emerald Lakes (extend to Lake Haiyaha for an alpine lake surrounded by boulders and ancient trees), or a waterfall hike to Alberta Falls near Glacier Gorge Junction. Before starting any hike, it's worth heading to the Park's visitor centre to get maps, find out about road and trail closures and to speak to rangers.

Be aware of wildlife while hiking on more remote trails. The Rocky Mountain National Park is home to elk, deer, mountain lions and bears, and you are likely to encounter wildlife on your trip. If you see a bear, stand still and stay calm, giving the bear the opportunity to leave. If it doesn't leave, make yourself look as big as possible and throw small rocks to try to scare it away. If the bear charges, the advice from the US National Park Service is to fight back.

Great Sand Dunes National Park

One of Colorado's lesser-visited parks, Great Sand Dunes National Park has 30 square miles of dunes including one that is 750 feet tall (228 metres). You can hike up the towering dunes (it is a five hour round trip to the summit), or even better, ride down them on a sleigh, even in the summer. Also, the park is a great place to take in the Milky Way stretching across the night sky, with the park open all day and night.

Mesa Verde National Park

The reason to visit Mesa Verde National Park is to see one of its ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings. Ranger-guided tours of the unique structures including Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, are offered in the park.

The park also has hiking trails including the 7.8-mile round-trip (12.5km) Prater Ridge Trail and the 2.4-mile round-trip (3.8km) Petroglyph Point Trail that goes to a petroglyph (rock carving) panel.

Grand Canyon National Park

Once in Grand Canyon National Park, there’s much more to do than stare into the amazing chasm. The Rim Trail offers different views from the top of the canyon on a mostly paved path. Though it’s 13 miles long (21km), hikers can utilize the park’s shuttle bus system in place of doing the whole hike. The Bright Angel Trail (12 miles round-trip, 19km) is one of the US national park system’s best-known trails. It heads to the bottom of the canyon, a marvellous experience for those with plenty of water and stamina. It is recommended that hikers do just a portion of the hike down Bright Angel and back up to the rim as there are many rescues each year for underprepared hikers who overestimate their abilities.

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California's Death Valley National Park

California has more national parks (nine) than any other state in the US The Golden State is diverse, and its national parks reflect that diversity with national parkland that preserves offshore islands, starkly beautiful deserts, and temperate rainforests with redwood trees. This route is designed to hit all nine national parks in a loop around the state.

Approx. distance: 2,000 miles

Duration: 18 days

Suggested route: San Francisco, Redwood National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Death Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, Channel Islands National Park, Pinnacles National Park, San Francisco.

Start in San Francisco and make the drive six hours north to Redwood National and State Parks. Make sure to detour off US 101 just north of Garberville for a drive along the Avenue of the Giants, a roadway amongst redwood forest along the Eel River. The North Coast towns of Arcata and Trinidad are worth a stop on your drive too. Arcata, 45 minutes south of Redwood National Park, is a great place to stock up on groceries, especially at Wildberries Marketplace.

The drive to Lassen Volcanic National Park from Redwood National Park heads east for four hours and passes through miles of national forest land. Stop in Redding, an hour out from Lassen, for supplies.

In the summer, it’s a 5 ½ -hour drive from Lassen Volcanic Park to Yosemite National Park. Stop in Reno, Nevada for some gambling or a night’s stay.

Three hours from Yosemite is Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The drive dips into California’s Central Valley and passes through the city of Fresno.

Driving from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to Death Valley National Park involves a 5 ½ -hour route around the southern end of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The route passes through Bakersfield, where country music fans should stop into Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace.

To reach California’s other desert park, Joshua Tree National Park, from Death Valley, it’s a four-hour drive through the Mojave Desert.

For a wildly different experience, drive four hours from Joshua Tree National Park to Ventura Harbor, where you can reserve a ride on a boat run by the concession Island Packers out to one of the Channel Island National Park’s five islands.

From Ventura Harbor, it’s a four-hour drive to Pinnacles National Park in the Salinas Valley. If possible, stop in the pleasant California coastal cities of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara for a meal or to view some worthwhile sites including the historic Santa Barbara Mission.

To close the loop, drive from Pinnacles National Park 2 ½ -hours to San Francisco.

Redwood National and State Parks

Redwood National and State Parks are home to the world’s tallest trees, which grow more than 350 feet tall. See them from the national park’s Lady Bird Johnson Trail or within Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park on Cal-Barrel Road or the Cathedral Trees Trail. Head out of the redwoods for a hike in Prairie Creek State Park’s Fern Canyon for a different kind of hike: a walk through a gorge with fern-draped walls that was the backdrop for scenes in Jurassic Park 2 .

Once you’ve worked up a thirst, head to Lost Coast Brewery for drinks and dinner.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a wonderland of volcanic activity including bubbling pots and lava tubes. Hikers should attempt to hike up 10,457-foot high (3,187 meters) Lassen Peak. A different way to experience the park is to kayak or stand-up paddleboard around Manzanita Lake.

It’s well worth seeing the world-famous Yosemite Valley. Some of the valley’s best hikes include the 2.4 miles (3.9 km) hike up Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall or the mile hike up to Columbia Rock for superb valley views. Head to the park’s Hetch Hetchy region or Tuolumne Meadows off Tioga Road for more solitude.

For a self-guided tour, hire bicycles at Curry Village and take a two-mile ride to Mirror Lake, or hire them at Yosemite Valley Lodge for a more strenuous 5-mile ride to Half Dome Village.

As ever, the climbing hotspots of El Capitan and Half Dome offer stunning walls of granite, which are best viewed at sunset or sunrise.

Giant Redwood tree in Redwood State Park

Sequoia National Park has forests of giant sequoia trees including the world’s largest, the General Sherman Tree. In addition to hiking through giant sequoia trees, visitors can go horseback riding or rock climbing in the park.

Death Valley National Park

In Death Valley, you will be in the largest national park in the continental United States. Take a scenic drive along Badwater Road to Badwater Basin, located 282 feet below sea level, or take a tour of the Star Wars filming locations within the park.

For hiking, take on the moderate two-mile Golden Canyon trail, or for something longer, head to Dante’s View for lookouts across the Valley to Telescope Peak and Badwater Basin below.

Death Valley’s arid climate and range of elevations mean it is home to lots of different animals, including roadrunners, lizards, coyotes and even bobcats. Visitors in spring to Salt Creek can see the pupfish – the only landlocked fish in the United States.

Joshua Tree National Park

Named for a unique looking desert plant, Joshua Tree National Park offers hiking, birding, and horseback riding along with climbing, bouldering, highlining, and slacklining on its many rock formations. Take the short Indian Cove walking trail for the best views of the eponymous Joshua tree, or head to Keys View – the highest point in the park – for views across the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs and peaks as far as Mexico. Come at sunset for orange and red hues that spread out across the desert.

Be sure to visit the nearby Pioneertown, a hip community built around a 1940s movie set, or cut short your California National Park loop by heading to Los Angeles, a two and half hour drive west.

Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park

Channel Islands National Park

Whether you visit the tiny Channel Islands National Park’s Anacapa Island or Santa Cruz Island, you’ll experience a California coastal landscape devoid of development. Recreational opportunities abound from hiking to sea kayaking to snorkelling and scuba diving.

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park was formed from the eroded sections of an old volcano. Its unique scenery includes rock spires and talus caves. One recommended hike from the park’s western entrance is the 4.3-mile Juniper Canyon Loop, which includes a section of trail with stairs cut into a ridge of rock. Look out for the endangered California condor flying overhead. The condor is the largest land bird in North America.

Best times for Western US road trips

Climate, seasons, and how to avoid the crowds.

The seasons greatly affect travel in the national parks of the western United States. During the summer months between May and September, temperatures in desert parks like Death Valley can soar to 110 degrees and higher. These months are also the busiest times for visitors to national parks like Yosemite National Park and Crater Lake National Park.

Meanwhile, winter snowfall in mountainous parks (Yosemite National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park) results in facility closures and limited access, particularly between November and March. Destinations including Yosemite’s Tuolumne Meadows and Rocky Mountain National Park’s Trail Ridge Road are closed during this time of year.

January and February are ideal times to visit Death Valley National Park. Daytime temperatures in the park hover around 60 degrees (15.5 Celsius), while nighttime brings cool but not freezing temperatures around 40 degrees (4.5 Celsius). February is when the desert’s many wildflowers begin to bloom, painting the park with colour.

Nearby Joshua Tree National Park is prime for visiting in March due to that month’s mild temperatures and wildflower displays. It’s also the best time to go hiking or rock climbing on the park’s granite rock formations.

With snow on the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains melting, April and May is when Yosemite’s famed waterfalls roar to life. Though the park’s higher elevation areas will still be closed, visitors are treated to Yosemite Falls and Vernal Falls at their grandest along with blooming wildflowers and smaller crowds.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the highest national parks in the country and ranges from 7,680 feet (2,396 metres) to 14,259 feet (4,346 metres) in elevation. The park’s popular Trail Ridge Road, which gives visitors access to alpine tundra, is only open from June to September. Likewise, the summer months of July and August are the best times to visit Olympic National Park due to less rainfall in the region and the park offering more activities to the public.

September and October are prime visiting times for Grand Canyon National Park, when there’s both cooler temperatures and smaller crowds. The autumn months also offer a window to visit rugged Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California. Before the winter rains come, the islands are warm and dry.

November and December bring cooler temperatures out west and snow at high elevations. For the unique experience of ice skating in a national park, head to Yosemite to glide around on the Curry Village Ice Skating Rink. Or, wait until mid-December to enjoy skiing or tubing at Yosemite’s Badger Pass Ski Area.

Festivals and events

In the summer months, western US national parks have a full schedule of guided hikes, talks, campfire presentations and more. The offseason find the parks hosting more specialised annual festivals and events meant to draw people into the parks during less busy times.

Spanning six sessions in January, Chef’s Holidays brings world-renowned chefs to Yosemite National Park’s Majestic Yosemite Hotel for cooking demos and multi-course meals. In February, Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park puts on a Winterfest, where visitors can explore the park in moonlight while being warmed up by hot chocolate and hot cider.

At the height of summer, Grand Canyon National Park throws the Grand Canyon Star Party in June, one of the best times of the year to see the night sky in all of its glory. Throughout the park, volunteer astronomers set up telescopes to bring stars, planets, and more into focus for visitors.

Celebrate the old, wild west at the Death Valley 49ers Encampment and Western Music Festival at Death Valley National Park in early November. Expect music, scenic horseback rides, blacksmithing, and gold panning at Furnace Creek inside the park.

Step back in time for the holiday season at Yosemite National Park’s Bracebridge Dinner, which has been going on since 1928. The December festivities in The Majestic Yosemite Hotel are meant to evoke Christmas Day in England in 1718 with song and a seven-course feast.

The Best East Coast USA Road Trips

About the authors.

Stuart is a California-based travel writer and guidebook author. His books include Moon California Road Trip , Moon Coastal California and the forthcoming Moon Northern California Road Trips . For more about Stuart and his books, visit his website.

Amy has authored or co-authored 26 books on the USA for Lonely Planet. Her articles and essays have appeared in Backpacker, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Houston Chronicle, Redbook, Southern Living, Women’s Health, Vegetarian Times, the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post.

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Two Girls Getaway

Travel tips for girls on a budget!

Awesome Itinerary for a Western National Parks Road Trip – Seeing the Best of the Best in 9 Days!

Country: USA States: Nevada, Utah, Arizona, California Sites: Las Vegas, Canyonlands, Moab, Arches National Park, Goosenecks State Park, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Bryce Canyon National Park, Antelope Canyon, Zion National Park, Death Valley National Park, Rhyolite (ghost town), Gold Point (ghost town)

Are you dying to see the world but short on time? This 7 day itinerary packs in the best sites and hikes at various US National Parks in the western part of the country! Add 1 day at the beginning and end if you want to spend some extra time in Las Vegas!

We kept this itinerary budget friendly by renting a car and staying in Airbnbs. This particular itinerary starts and ends in Las Vegas, but it is also possible to have different start and end locations, depending on what’s cheapest for you!

Day 1: Getting to Las Vegas

The reason this trip actually happened is that I found a super cheap round-trip flight to Las Vegas from our home airport in Philadelphia using my award miles connected to my United MileagePlus Explorer credit card . (Check out the card to receive countless travel benefits and earn up to 40,000 BONUS miles!)

The flight was at the beginning of November, so we were a little worried about it being too cold, but it ended up being the perfect time to go! The parks were much less crowded than usual, the weather was beautiful (not too hot for a long hike), and accommodations were cheaper because it was the off-season.

We landed in Las Vegas in the evening and rented a van through Budget , although make sure to do your own homework and compare rental prices as these often change! That night we stayed at an Airbnb about a mile from the strip (to save money) which was on the way to the National Parks. Of course, we took some time to drive down the strip and take in the sites and sounds of Las Vegas while we could.

Day 2: Las Vegas to Moab

Make sure to get started early as this is a long day of driving! The drive without stops takes approximately 7 hours, but we made a full day of it as there was so much to see. There are several lookout points along the way, but one of our favorites was the Salt Wash View Area .

We also stopped at an adorable gas station with a Conestoga wagon and old farmhouse! This was right on the main road into Moab so you can’t miss it!

Our plan was to go to Canyonlands, but the sun had set faster than we expected so we checked into our Airbnb , which was actually a hostel-like accommodation. I was traveling with my aunt and mother who had never stayed in a hostel, and they loved this place! There was a shared bathroom and kitchen, but private sleeping quarters. There was also a fire pit and picnic tables, great for socializing with other travelers!

That night we drove over to Ken’s Lake to give me some time to play with my new DSLR lens (I am very much a newbie photographer!). The location was quite beautiful, and we all hung out and listened to coyotes howling in the distance until it was time to go to bed.

PRO TIP: If you are into photography, I used the Sony a6000 for most of this trip, along with this ultra-wide lens for nighttime photography.

Day 3: Arches National Park and Canyonlands

This day was one of my favorite days of the trip! Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to do the hikes, although a lot of beautiful scenery can just be seen from the car as well. First things first – you will need a pass to enter pretty much any National Park. The fees for Arches can be found here .

PRO TIP: If anyone in your group is over the age of 62, they should purchase an America the Beautiful lifetime pass (it covers all companions and most National Parks). If the cost is still too much, consider going on a “Fee Free” day, but note that the parks WILL be crowded on these days.

There is basically one main road to follow through Arches National Park, with multiple off-shoots to different attractions. The main scenic road is about 30 miles long and is where you will start once you enter the gates to the park. Just driving along this road is beautiful enough, but if you get out and hike at some of the stops, you will REALLY understand the magnitude of these formations.

The first turnoff you will come to is Park Avenue viewpoint and it’s one of the major viewpoints in the park. There is also a hike here, but we skipped it due to time.

Continuing along the road, there are several other viewpoints (take your pick!), but we decided to stop at Balanced Rock and do the short hike around it.The way this rock has come to be balanced still blows my mind, and walking under it actually was a little bit scary!

Next, we pulled off a side road towards Double Arch and The Windows . Don’t worry, the roads are all well marked so it’s easy to find your way (a map is also provided upon arrival)! This section is regarded by many to be the most beautiful of Arches National Park. First, we took the short hike to the Double Arch. Aptly named, the Double Arch is a unique geological formation in which two arches come together in one point.

If you climb up the Double Arch, you are rewarded with a beautiful view. But be careful, once we got up there, coming down was a bit scary!

Next, we drove over to the Windows, just a short distance away. There are technically 3 main arches in this section, including the North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. This hike was a bit longer than the Double Arch hike, but by no means strenuous.

Next we drove over to Delicate Arch . This is by far the most photographed arch in the park! However, it requires a 3 mile round-trip hike which can be a bit difficult at times (but definitely do-able, considering my aunt and mom made it!).

At the beginning of the trail near the parking lot, you will find Wolfe Ranch. This is a hut built by an early American explorer, and nearby you can easily find petroglyphs on the surrounding walls. This was an interesting little detour, and didn’t add too much time to the hike.

Continuing along the trail, there are a few sections that are a bit scary, but push through it! It’ll be worth it in the end.

At least we reached our destination – the Delicate Arch! There were LOTS of people in this area, and a line to get a picture under the arch (even in November). This is a great spot to stop and rest though, before your hike back down.

I should also mention that this entire area is shaped like a bowl into a giant dropoff. You will be walking on a sideways incline to get anywhere. This terrified my mom, who had to scooch on her butt to come take my picture (no judgement, it was scary!).

After taking many photos, we hiked back down to the trailhead and hopped in our car. The next stop would be the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint . There is a hike here, but we opted for the view from the parking lot.

Our next stop would be Sand Dune Arch . To get to this arch, there is a short hike (.3 miles) through the slot canyons. There were some narrow spots on this hike, but there were alternative paths marked as well.

The arch itself was a little underwhelming, but I enjoyed the hike very much.

Lastly we drove to Devil’s Garden . There is a nice hike here, but we skipped it due to time. Finally it was time to turn around and head back towards the entrance. On our way out, we stopped at Park Avenue Viewpoint one more time.

Leaving Arches, we drove 30 minutes to Canyonlands National Park . There are plenty of hikes and overlooks here, but it was getting dark so we drove towards the Grand View Point Overlook . We watched the sun set over the beautiful valley below.

We stayed for some time after sunset (I got to practice with my nighttime lens some more!) and the temperature turned to FREEZING. Remember to pack a sweater/jacket, as the temperature can change dramatically once the sun sets. After that, we ventured into downtown Moab, grabbed dinner at one of the many restaurants, picked up some souvenirs and went to bed.

Day 4: Moab to Page (Goosenecks State Park, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend)

The drive from Moab to Page takes about 4 1/2 hours without stopping. However, factor in all of the stops and this is an all day affair. We got on the road early and made our way out of Moab.

About 2 hours into our drive, we came to Goosenecks State Park . There is a $5 fee to enter the park, but we used this as our lunch stop as there are plenty of picnic benches around, and we had a great view!

We continued our drive and soon we could see Monument Valley in the distance. There are plenty of spots to pull over and take the infamous “Forrest Gump” photo, as many people were doing. In fact, it was a bit difficult to get a shot with no one else in it!

Continuing along towards Page, we came across the Utah/Arizona border. Of course we had to stop and take a photo to commemorate the event!

Next up would be Monument Valley. Monument Valley is a Najavo Tribal Park with many interesting geological formations. It has been featured in many movies and there are plenty of tour options , but we decided to do the self-drive Tribal Park Loop. This 17 mile loop takes you through some of the park’s most interesting sites, and although not recommended, we took our mini-van through it and were totally fine (4 x 4 is typically recommended).

Our first stop would be the Visitor’s Center, which not only had maps and souvenirs, but also great views of the entire park below.

Next, we hopped in our van and drove to the Tribal Loop. The map from the Visitor’s Center points out different interesting formations and their history, and it’s very easy to follow. Keep an eye out for West Mitten Butte (named for it’s mitten-like shape)!

After a short while, we got to John Ford’s Point. This is a popular lookout point made famous by it’s multiple appearances in Western movies. This spot was definitely the most crowded, and there was a Native American dressed as a cowboy that you could take pictures with for $5. There were also lots of traditional souvenirs sold here.

After spending some time at John Ford’s Point, we headed back the way we came and exited the loop. Our next stop would be John Wayne’s Cabin , just a short drive away. There was some fun movie history, as well as Najavo history, in this little museum. It was also FREE, but donations were accepted. (Also a great spot to use the restroom!)

After using the restroom, it was onto Page, Arizona! In Page, we’d be staying at the Best Western View of Lake Powell , because honestly it was the cheapest option we could find (and had a great view)!

But before checking in, we arrived in Page just in time to see Horseshoe Bend at sunset! There is a 3/4 mile hike to reach this incredible viewpoint, but it is not very difficult. It is also a popular tourist destination, and there is no fence, so be careful! Every year there are multiple accidental deaths because people were trying to get the perfect selfie.

After watching the sun set, we checked into our hotel and then ventured out into Page for dinner. We happened upon Big John’s Texas BBQ , which was affordable, delicious and had live music! I’d definitely recommend this place if you like authentic bbq food.

Day 5: Bryce Canyon National Park

So full disclosure, I THOUGHT I booked Antelope Canyon on this day. When in fact, I had it booked the day after. If you are following this itinerary to a T, then book Antelope Canyon when you are in Page (this day). Unfortunately, once we got to the tour place and found out that we had booked for the day after, it was too late. The tour for that day was full and our tickets could not be rescheduled.

Instead, we opted to drive to Bryce Canyon National Park . It was about a 3 hour drive from Page to Bryce. Our first stop would be the Glen Canyon Dam . This is the dam that creates Lake Powell. Stop by the Visitor Center for information about the construction and history of the dam.

Once we arrived in Bryce Canyon, our first stop would be Bryce Point . This is a great overlook with 270 degrees of views! SO MANY HOODOOS! (Hoodoos are the rock formations found in these parks.) There are longer hikes here but we just took the short hike from the parking lot to the overlook.

Next, we drove to Inspiration Point . This is another short hike to a beautiful overlook!

Our next stop would be Sunset Point . Not only is this a beautiful lookout spot, but this is the starting and end point of one of the best trails in Bryce – Najavo Trail ! Take a minute to take in the views from this spot and then if you’re feeling up for it, start descending into the hoodoos for a 1.4 mile loop hike (rated moderate in difficulty).

We finished our hike right about sunset time, so we watched the sun go down over the park with many other tourists. I then got to use my nighttime lens some more. 🙂

That night we stayed at America’s Best Value Inn and Suites – Bryce Canyon .

Day 6: Antelope Canyon

Due to my booking error, we had to drive BACK to Page for our Antelope Canyon tour. Obviously if you were doing this correctly, today would be the day for Bryce Canyon. However, the drive back was TOTALLY worth it! Antelope Canyon was one of my favorite destinations of the trip. There are lots of different options for tours (which are legally necessary to see this canyon), but we opted for the Upper Antelope Canyon tour .

While VERY crowded in the canyon, it was still a beautiful site to behold and you shouldn’t miss it!

After Antelope Canyon, we headed towards our Airbnb for the night, which was my absolute favorite lodging of the trip! It was a “glamping” experience, which included a king size bed in a tent. You were given a heater, chairs, firepit and wood, etc – everything you needed to be cozy for the night! The bathrooms were only porta potties, so if you NEED a real toilet, then this may not be the place for you. The Airbnb was located right outside of Zion National Park, about a 2 hour drive from Antelope Canyon.

We spent the rest of the night relaxing around the fire and stargazing. It was the perfect spot for it!

Day 7: Zion National Park

This morning we woke up and made our breakfast over the fire in the shadows of Zion National Park . Our plan would be to get to the park and do some of the many hikes offered. Some of the most famous hikes are Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. Knowing that I wanted to do these, we stopped by Zion Adventures for gear rental. It was November and the water can be FREEZING at this time (although gear rental is probably a good idea year-round).

PRO TIP: If you plan to hike the Narrows from the top down, you will need a permit. You can request one here .

Once we arrived in Zion, we walked to the Visitor’s Center and found out that Angel’s Landing was actually closed due to someone defecating on the trail! Gross! We hopped on the free mandatory shuttle bus (no personal vehicles are allowed in the park) and headed towards the Temple of Sinawava, the last stop on the shuttle but the start of the Narrows hike.

I would be doing this hike alone, while my mom and aunt rode the shuttle bus and explored the other stops. You can go as far as you like or not into the Narrows. I geared up and started my way on the “trail”. Note – there is no actual trail, you will be walking in the water (sometimes above your waist) the entire time.

I’m honestly not sure how far I went, but I was hiking for several hours. It was very beautiful, but at one point I slipped and my top half fell into the water and I was starting to get very cold, so I headed back.

After the Narrows, we drove 2.5 hours back to Las Vegas and checked into our hostel for the night, Hostel Cat . Since we were close by, we walked to the infamous Little White Chapel and poked around before heading to bed.

Day 8: Death Valley National Park

After another early morning wake-up, we hopped in the car and headed towards Death Valley National Park in California. On the way, we drove past Area 51, so of course had to stop in the gift shop for some fun souvenirs!

Once entering Death Valley National Park, we drove towards Badwater Basin , the lowest point in North America. There are also very interesting salt formations here, so make sure to get out and look around (but bring water!)!

On the way out, we got stuck behind some odd wagon train. I still have no idea what was happening, but lots of people dressed in traditional clothing were driving Conestoga wagons.

Next, we wanted to visit some ghost towns! For this, we headed into the state of Nevada. The first town on the list would be Rhyolite , a town founded around 1904 due to the gold rush. At it’s peak, Rhyolite was home to three train lines, three newspapers, three hospitals and 53 saloons! Now only vacant buildings and remnants of a booming town still stand.

One of the main interest points in Rhyolite is the glass bottle house, built in 1906 by a man with limited building supplies and quite the imagination.

Our next ghost town would be Gold Point , a mining town founded in 1868 with a population today of 27 people. This town was a lot more in tact than Rhyolite had been, and significantly more creepy. It was probably my favorite of the 3 ghost towns we visited.

After exploring the town and nearby mine (be careful – there ARE mine shafts that are not completely closed off), we headed to the “downtown” of nearby “ghost town” (although more populated than the others) Goldfield . This town is known for the Goldfield Hotel , which is supposedly one of the most haunted hotels in the country.

We grabbed dinner nearby at the Hoist House , which was delicious but equally creepy. To be honest, the entire town just gave off a creepy vibe. So to all those ghost hunters out there, head to Goldfield!

After dinner, we drove back to Las Vegas. It took about 3 hours and by that time, my mom and aunt went directly to the airport to fly home. I was staying in Vegas for another night, so I went back to Hostel Cat and got ready for a night on the town! I met some friends at the hostel and we had a great night out!

Day 9: Las Vegas

What better way to spend my last day in Vegas than with some gambling, a show, and some In-N-Out ! I explored the different casinos, won big playing craps (enough to pay for my trip!) and treated myself to Animal Style burger and fries.

That night I had booked a show with Penn and Teller ! I always enjoyed watching them on TV and their live performance was not a disappointment! They even stayed afterwards to take pictures with everyone.

After a great day, it was time to head to the airport and head home.

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us here !

About Caroline

Caroline is a lover of all adventures! Whether it's a weekend backpacking in the wilderness, or a night club-hopping in Paris, Caroline is always down for a good time. She is happily married and plays mother to two sassy cats - Pickles and Einstein!

@twogirlsgetaway

16 Beautiful West Coast National Park Road Trip Stops

Ever dreamed of hitting all the big parks on an epic West Coast national park road trip? I know that it’s long been a dream of mine to drive from Seattle down to Los Angeles hitting as many of the national parks as possible. These days we have visited almost all the parks, but no one says we can’t visit them again. And again!

Below is our guide for visiting the most amazing stops on a West Coast national park road trip starting in Seattle and Ending in Los Angeles. 

Jump to a Heading Below

Map of Your West Coast National Park Road Trip

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Top 7 Spectacular Stops On Your West Coast National Park Road Trip

01 |olympic national park.

Where to Stay

Olympic National Park offers a good deal of charming accomodation options within the park as well as nearby from historic hotels to rustic cabins. The Kalaloch Lodge within the park is a great option if it’s available. Rooms book up well in advance particularly for July and August. Check out the NPS website for more information on lodging both in the park and outside.

02 |MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

Mount Rainier National Park is home to a massive dormant volcano towering above the Pacific Northwest. With most flights arriving to Seattle, this is one peak that you are sure to see as it’s snowy peak is often well above the clouds! This is not one of the largest parks on the list, however it offers a great deal of adventures for those who are willing to give it some time. Day hikes, camping and it’s advanced mountaineering climbs offer something for everyone. Most visitors spend only 1 day exploring this park. While there is always more to see, that is a good start.

03 |CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Crater Lake National Park is located a bit out on it’s own, thus it’s important if you want to get the most out of your visit to stay within the park. Crater Lake Lodge is one of the few options within the park. Note, however it fills up early especially during the summer months.  If you need to stay outside of the park, expect to drive a bit, but you can get some pretty kitschy cool options if you are up to it! We loved our stay at a little roadside motel near Crescent, Oregon. Mazama Village area is also another place to check for a variety of lodging options.

04 |LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

Our 3rd volcanic park in a row, Lassen Volcanic National Park offers a totally unique perspective for visitors venturing inland and away from the famous coastal national park – Redwoods National Park. One of the least known parks on this is one of the most interesting. Lassen Peak, one of the most active volcanoes in the Cascade Range stands at 10,457 feet. It’s last eruption was in 1917. While the volcano has been quiet the park is filled with geothermal activity from mud pots, sulphur springs, and boiling streams. Much of the park can be easily accessed via paved paths and boardwalks at any time of the year. However, the road that goes through the park often does not open until Memorial Day weekend due to snow.

For more information on how to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park, read our guide with everything you need to know about Lassen .

Note for those who are looking to hit ALL the parks possible, you can also venture to Redwoods National Park on the coast, before swinging back inland to hit Lassen Volcanic National Park. Either route offers breathtaking scenery and the chance to get off the beaten path a bit to experience the beauty of Southern Oregon and Northern California. If you find yourself near Redding, there is a national recreation area and spectacular waterfalls that are also worth a detour. 

Lassen Volcanic National Park offers very little in the way of accomodation outside of camping and cabins. This means that most visitors to the park stay outside of the park in the favorite Drakesbad Guest Ranch , in the town Red Bluff or even further afield in Redding.

05 |YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

The main part of the park that visitors flock to is Yosemite Valley which offers guests some of the most incredible sights in the park with little effort. That said, this park offers everything from easy family friendly hikes to more challenging backcountry hiking for the more adventurous. 

Our Yosemite National Park guide provides all you need to know about where to stay, eat and what are the not to miss sights for those with kids and without. Yosemite is great for multi-generation national park family trips as well. 

Yosemite offers a vast number of options for visitors throughout the park. Our recommendation for first time visitors is to snag a place in Yosemite Valley. There are tent sites, canvas cabins and hotels , including the beautiful Yosemite Valley Lodge . We also love the Tenaya Lodge for those willing to stay out of the center of the action, which is about an hour from the Valley.

06 |SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS

One of my personal favorites on this list of west coast national parks is Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. Sequoia National Park is home to some of the largest trees on earth. Compared to the towering tall Redwoods, the trees here are wider and just as massive in height! One of the most famous sights here is the General Sherman Tree that all visitors must have their photo taken in front of. 

Other than seeing massive trees, the other major draw for a visit to Sequoia National Park is searching for bears while hiking through meadows, along rivers and up rock sides.

While you can technically do Sequoia National Park in one day , we highly recommend taking at least 2 days if possible to really soak it all up. Seeing Sequoia National Park in winter is also an amazing sight to behold. The red trees covered in white is breathtaking. 

There are several great lodges that operate throughout the year in Sequoia National Park. We love the Wuksachi Lodge is located in the Giant Forest area and the John Muir Lodge in Grant Grove Village. For those who are just passing through the park and want to stay somewhere outside of the park, there are a variety of options in the nearby town of Three Rivers.

07 |JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

With spectacular rock formations, the ephemeral joshua tree and a variety of unique cacti, you can easily spend days exploring this vast desert landscape. Many visitors pass through the park in one day, snapping photos and hopping out for a quick hike which is easy to do here. However, the desert truly comes alive at sunset and after dark, thus we recommend pitching a tent or looking for a glamping locations nearby to soak it all up.

Like I mentioned above, the best place to stay in Joshua Tree is as close to the desert as possible. Joshua Tree NP doesn’t have any accommodation options of its own, however it is close to the town of Joshua Tree and vast expanses of desert in the area that have a variety of great Airbnb options.  The closest accommodation options to the park are in 29 Palms on the outskirts of the park. Our favorite locations near Joshua Tree are in Joshua Tree town, Pioneertown or further afield in Palm Springs (if you want some city life to your desert escape!).

9 More Stops For An Epic West Coast National Park Tour

If you are like me and want to continue exploring some of America’s most amazing landscapes, you can carry on with your epic road trip a bit further, heading into Arizona and Utah. The next portion of this larger West Coast national park road trip loop offers the scenic red rocks of Arizona, towering hoodoos and arches of Utah before venturing into the mountains for the most well known of the national parks – Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glacier.  

08 |GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

The crowds at the Grand Canyon is often the main deterrent for visitors, however even during the height of summer visitor seasons, you can get beat the heat and get away from the crowds a bit by waking up early for hikes and exploring the shuttle route stops. Regardless, don’t miss our top spots at the Grand Canyon during your visit.

For those looking to stay a few days, a variety of options are available inside and outside the park. As always, when possible we recommend staying inside the park. The Grand Canyon has everything from luxurious lodging at the North Rim’s Grand Canyon Lodge to more rustic camping at the North Rim Campground. In the South, there are places to stay inside the park itself as well as tons of chain hotels right outside the park gates. We recommend staying inside the park if you visit the South Rim if possible. 

09 |ZION NATIONAL PARK

Next on your ultimate West Coast National Park road trip, you will move into Utah and start your visit to one of the state’s Big 5 parks. Zion National Park is an amazing park for those who really want to immerse themselves into the wild. From hiking Zion Narrows to Angels Landing or just relaxing by the river there is so much to do here. This is one of our favorite parks and a must for you if you are anywhere near here! The beautiful sandstone domes that have been shaped by wind and water create some of the most scenic land around. From catching tadpoles and lazing in the river to hiking to emerald pools there is something for everyone here. Our Zion National Park guide covers all the must see destinations in the park as well as where to stay and eat outside the park.

Apart from the national park, there is so much to see and do in this area outside of Zion National Park . We love the area near Kanab for all of it’s amazing hikes and instagram view points. 

Contrary to my recommendations for most parks, I highly recommend staying outside of Zion National Park if you can. There is an abundance of lodging options just outside the gates in Springdale with a range of options from budget hotels to luxury resorts. In addition, there are a ton of really unique Zion lodging options all around the area that are worth exploring too.

Our top recommendations include Zion Park Motel  for a budget motel stay and Cable Mountain Lodge for a little more upmarket resort stay – both with epic views and right in the middle of the action.

10 |BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

For a park as popular as Bryce Canyon, there aren’t a ton of options for last minute travelers. Inside the park, The Lodge at Bryce Canyon is a great option. For those of you (like us!) that miss out on booking far in advance, there are a variety of options outside of the park near and far. Right outside the park is the Best Western Plus, Rubys Inn with a variety of other 2 star hotel options along the highway leading out of town. Most of the options are quite basic, but manageable since you won’t be in your room much anyway!

11 |CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK

One the way to Capitol Reef from Bryce Canyon you will drive one of America’s most scenic drives on Route 12. Capitol Reef is an often overlooked park, but is one well worth the detour on small scenic byways. Capitol Reef is a true hidden gem filled with cliffs, canyons, domes, and bridges in one of the most beautiful settings. Green trees, orchards, and bright red sandstone play off one another to provide epic scenery. This park offers great hikes for all skill levels in a context of learning about the real American frontier including an old schoolhouse, orchards and more. Definitely worth a day or two of explorations.

Most visitors to Capitol Reef National Park either camp within the park or stay in the nearby town of Torrey. If you are up for camping, it will be a beautiful experience, however, Torrey is cute and offers good options for those wanting an actual bed! Some of our recommendations include: Austin’s Chuck Wagon Motel and the Broken Spur Inn .

12 |ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

From Arches you can go through Colorado on the southern route stopping in at Mesa Verde National Park and Great Sand Dunes National Park on your way to Rocky Mountain NP. Heading north in Colorado through Grand Junction is quicker, but to maximize your National Park stops, go south!

13 | ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Moving away from the red rock desert landscapes and into the Rocky Mountains, you will find jaw dropping snow covered peaks and lush alpine forests. There are a multitude of easy day hikes here, waterfalls, drive up overlooks and of course plenty of wildlife. Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park is the perfect segway from desert to mountain scenery. As with all the national parks, you can spend a little time here or a long time. Our recommendation is to spend at least 2 days to get a good feel for what this park offers. 

14 |GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

Unlike the next park, Yellowstone where it is highly recommended that you stay inside the park, Grand Tetons are not massive, so for most visitors they prefer to stay in the adorable town of Jackson Hole. Jackson is about 15-20 minutes from the center of Grand Tetons park that it makes a perfect base. Note that Teton Village is actually a bit further out, so don’t get confused if you want to be near the park. Jackson has a ton of options from chain hotels like Homewood Suites to luxury lodges like The Wort Hotel . There are also a ton of Airbnb type rentals here that are great for larger groups. Whatever you choose here, you can’t go wrong.

15 |YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

One of the most popular and well known national parks in the US, Yellowstone is a must visit on any road trip through the western United States. What’s not to love here with herds of bison criss crossing the park, out of this world colorful hot springs and exploding geysers. This is a park that will never be seen in just one visit, so don’t even try . Plan to return to this park more than once or stay for a least a week!

Highlights of the park include Lamar Valley for animal spotting, Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful and of course the Grand Prismatic are top on all visitors lists. Read on for even more things to see and do in Yellowstone .

Figuring out where to stay in Yellowstone is one of the most challenging aspects of planning a visit here. With 5 entrances over several states and a vast park area to explore, it’s challenging choosing where to stay. On a road trip like stated here, you can either stay inside the park for camping or at Roosevelt Lodge or Canyon Lodge. You can also look at options outside the park near Jackson Hole to the south or West Yellowstone to the west. Our favorite place to stay is a bit far out, but is beautiful and super luxurious – The Sage Lodge near the north entrance to Yellowstone.

16 |GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

The ultimate goal when visiting Glacier National Park is to be close enough to witness the majestic beauty of the park at sunrise and sunset, which means you need to be right in the middle of it. Our recommendations for this would be: Many Glacier Hotel , Lake McDonald Lodge , Swiftcurrent Motor Inn or Granite Park Chalet . 

If you are too late to book within the park, check out the nearby towns of Whitefish and Columbia Falls as there are a lot of options and either town is a short drive away.

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If you are making a grand circle, from here you will venture back to Seattle to fly home. Otherwise, carry on exploring, drop your vehicles in Bozeman and fly home from Montana. Or maybe you want to continue towards the east coast. One of our favorite parks heading east is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Either way, don’t forget to buy your National Park Pass before you set out on the road! Or maybe you are looking for more specific national park roadtrips that focus on one state or region?

Do you think you could ever do this epic of a west coast national parks road trip?It has long been a dream of mine to do all of this. But alas, we have managed to do just one park at a time most summers!

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2 thoughts on “16 Beautiful West Coast National Park Road Trip Stops”

I am thinking about planning this trip for my family. How long do you think it would take to do the entire loop?

I think really it depends on what all you want to do and see at each park. At a VERY minimum I would say 3 weeks, but I could easily spend several days at each park. Some you can whip through especially if you are going during the summer months or just skip because it will be too hot.

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6 Epic National Park Road Trip Ideas [Maps Included]

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

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

Table of Contents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Many National Parks Do You Want To See?

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

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

Which National Park Has The Best Scenic Drive?

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

What National Parks Have The Best Hiking?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Which National Parks Have The Most Unique Experiences?

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

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

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

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

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

Practical tips and essentials for a National Park road trip

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

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

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

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

National Park Road Trip Itineraries

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

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

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

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

Itineraries For Your Trip

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

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

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

Here are our tips on planning your RV trip !

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

Pacific Northwest National Park Road Trip

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

Crater Lake National Park

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

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

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

Olympic National Park

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

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

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

Check out our videos on our time here:

Mount Rainier

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

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

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

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

North Cascades

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

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

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

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

Utah National Park Road Trip

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

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

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

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

Arches National Park

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

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

There are some great hikes to do in Arches:

Canyonlands National Park

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

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

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

Learn more about Canyonlands: Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park

Where To Stay

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

Capitol Reef National Park

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

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

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

Bryce Canyon National Park

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

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

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

Zion National Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mountains National Park Trip

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

Glacier National Park

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

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

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

Ultimate Guide to Glacier

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

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

Check out your video Playlist on our time in Glacier:

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

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

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

Yellowstone

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

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

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

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

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

Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone

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

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

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

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

Grand Tetons

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

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

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

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

California National Park Trip

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

Joshua Tree

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

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

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

Death Valley

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

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

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

When to visit:

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

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

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

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

Video of our time in Sequoia:

Video of our time in Kings Canyon:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out our videos on our time in the Redwoods:

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

Lassen Volcanic National Park

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

Learn more: Lassen Volcanic National Park 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Florida National Park Road Trip

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

Everglades National Park

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

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

Learn more: 7 Things To Do In Miami With Kids

Dry Tortugas

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

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

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

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

East Coast National Park Road Trip

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

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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

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

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

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

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

Mammoth Cave National Park

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

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

Congaree National Park

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

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

Additional National Parks To Visit

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

That includes the following National Parks

18 Amazing Things To Do In Big Bend National Park

Hot Springs National Park

Mount Rushmore and Badlands on a South Dakota Road Trip

Washington DC 2 Day Itinerary

Maine National Park : Acadia National Park and Acadia Itinerary

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

National Park Trip Round Up

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

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

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

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

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

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

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West Coast National Parks Road Trip Planner

Even though the entire USA is home to some pretty incredible national parks , some of the best ones out there are scattered along its western coast.

The states of Washington , Oregon , and California are all gigantic, which means they have enough space to harbor some pretty cool (and incredibly varied) national parks.

Whether you’re planning a north-to-south road trip along the West Coast and want to fit in some serious outdoor time in your itinerary, or you’re simply looking for inspiration on where to go next for a weekend nature escape, here’s a comprehensive guide to the best national parks you’ll find scattered along the West Coast!

• You may also be interested in this epic California national parks road trip itinerary

12 Incredible West Coast National Parks

Top Tip: There’s an entry fee for most west coast national parks. We highly recommend you invest in America the Beautiful – the US annual national parks pass to make the most of road tripping on the west coast and save on entrance fees.

• Jump to the end for our suggested west coast road trip itinerary and detailed map .

First up, let’s look at each of the west coast national parks in detail.

1. Olympic National Park

Location: Washington

Located in the state of Washington, Olympic National Park is one of the most diverse national parks in the United States, especially when it comes to scenery and ecosystems.

Here, you’ll find a wide array of landscapes, ranging from coastal goodness, sky-high waterfalls, lush meadows, mountains, glaciers, and even the largest rainforest in the country. Needless to say, Olympic offers a whole lot of things to do across its terrain, which means you could easily spend weeks here and never have to do the same thing twice.

For first-timers to the park, some of the must-do activities include exploring Hoh Rainforest, hiking in the forest, swimming at Sol Duc Hot Springs, and enjoying beach time at Kalaloch Beach.

Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. An annual Olympic National Park pass is $55 or included with America the Beautiful and other annual national park passes. Camping and wilderness fees are additional.

Best Time to Visit: Olympic National Park is open 24 hours, year-round, though some of the mountainous areas may be subject to winter road closures in extreme weather. Check for road closures due to maintenance and washouts before you set off.

• Although you can tackle some sections of Olympic National Park as a day trip from Seattle , you’ll want to dig deeper into this west coast gem with our 5-day Olympic National Park Road Trip Itinerary

2. Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainer National Park is absolutely splendid, especially when you consider it’s home to an active volcano and the most glaciated peak in the continental United States.

Located in Washington State, this national park offers beautiful views of Mount Rainer Volcano, which you can enjoy on a hike across various terrains, ranging from ancient forests to subalpine meadows. Waterfalls and lakes are abundant here, too!

Beyond being one of the most beautifully scenic drives in Washington , a few of the best things to do at Mount Rainer include hiking the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point, walking the Patriarchs Trail across the forest, and checking out Myrtle Falls. If you’re feeling up for a challenge, you can also head out on a trek of a lifetime to summit the volcano!

Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. Mount Rainier annual passes can be purchased for $55 or included with America the Beautiful and other annual national park passes.

Best Time to Visit: Mount Rainier is open year-round, with peak season experienced in July and August when it is drier under foot, and wildflowers are blooming. Mid-week is highly recommended to try and avoid peak crowds. Spring and fall bring fewer crowds though daily weather can dictate access to certain park facilities. In Winter the park is open to cars only through the Nisqually Entrance.

3. North Cascades National Park

North Cascades is commonly referred to as the Alps of America due to its gorgeous alpine beauty. This national park in Washington is chrome to the largest glacier systems inside the contiguous United States!

Due to the fact that North Cascades National Park isn’t widely known as its Washington counterparts closer to Seattle, solitude during your visit is a guarantee. While exploring, you’ll get the chance to see over 300 glaciers, mountains that reach heights of 8000 feet, hundreds of lakes, and lots of wildlife unique to the region.

Driving over the scenic Highway 20 is a great way to cover a ton of ground in a short time, but you can also hike the many trails on offer in order to get more personal with the landscape. For a dose of culture, you can also visit Stehekin, a small community inside the park!

Entrance Fee: North Cascades is FREE to visit. Permit fees apply for overnight camping.

Best Time to Visit: Although technically open year-round, snow cover outside of summer can make access to most parts of the park impossible in winter. North Cascades is best visited from June to September when it’s drier, and there is less chance of avalanches and road closures (it is the Pacific Northwest, though – pack raincoats whenever you visit).

4. Crater Lake National Park

Location: Oregon

Located in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park is home to a lake of the same name that was once set inside a volcano. Crater Lake is actually the deepest lake in the United States and also one of the most beautiful ones, making this park a must on your national parks bucket list.

Inside the park, you’ll find smaller lakes as well, most of which were formed over 7,000 years ago as a result of a volcanic eruption. A few of the can’t-miss activities at the park include driving the rim road, boating over the lake, and even swimming if you’re not one to be scared of freezing temperatures.

There’s also a pretty fun trolley tour that will take you to see some of the top highlights of the park; this is a great choice for families or for those not too keen on hiking.

Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle in the summer (May 22 – October 31), $20 in the winter (November 1 – May 21). A Crater Lake annual pass (which also covers Lava Beds National Monument) is $55 or included with America the Beautiful and other annual passes.

Best Time to Visit: Much of the park, including Rim Drive, is inaccessible to vehicles due to snowfall in winter, so the best time to visit the park and see the lake itself is late May to October – see estimated seasonal dates here. Winter sports enthusiasts can still enjoy skiing and snowshoeing from November to May, but it’s definitely one of the best national parks to visit in summer.

• Plan a complete road trip through the most scenic parts of central Oregon using this itinerary covering Seattle to Crater Lake , via Portland, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mount Hood and Bend

5. Redwood National & State Parks

Location: California

Covering an area of over 130,000 acres in northern California, Redwood National & State Parks is one of the most unique parks in the United States.

The main thing to do at Redwood is the chance to get up close with the groves of redwoods, which are the tallest trees in the world, and make exploring the park feel as though you’re inside a storybook forest.

One of the best things to do at Redwood is driving the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway, a road that cuts through the park and will have you traversing some of the most popular groves of redwoods. This drive also has several trailheads scattered all over, which makes it a treat to drive as you’ll have plenty of excuses to stop and stretch your legs out.

With much of the Redwoods traversing over Highway 101, it’s the perfect national park to incorporate into a west coast road trip, taking you through some of the most scenic driving territory in northern California all the way to the Oregon border.

Entrance Fee: Redwoods is FREE to enter. At developed campground entrances, there are state park day use fees to pay for Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek Redwoods – though these fees are waived with America the Beautiful and other annual national park passes.

Best Time to Visit: Open year-round, summers are drier under foot and warmer, though do be aware of the coastal fog that occurs in summer. Winters experience a lot of rain and possible washouts and road closures to be aware of when tackling the coastal 101.

• Driving from San Fan? This scenic driving itinerary will take you all the way from San Francisco to the Redwoods along the Pacific coast.

6. Lassen Volcanic National Park

The West Coast is filled with lesser-known national parks, and Lassen Volcanic National Park is definitely one of them.

Located in northern California, Lassen only became a national park a few years ago, which means it still remains a bit of a secret in the national park system. Even many California locals don’t know about its existence!

Lassen is extremely unique because it homes four types of volcanoes – Shield, Composite, Cinder Cone, and Plug Dome. This means the terrain you’ll find here is anything but usual, with bubbling mud pots, geothermal areas, and sulfur vents being just a few of the highlights you’ll get to see here.

Moreover, thanks to its somewhat similar landscape to Yosemite National Park, Lassen makes for a great alternative to visit if you want to escape the crowds. A few of the best things to do at Lassen include kayaking at Manzanita Lake, seeing hydrothermal waters at Bumpass Hell, hiking a cinder cone volcano, and checking out Kings Creep Falls.

Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. An annual pass is $55 or included with America the Beautiful or any annual national park passes.

Best Time to Visit: Although open year-round, snow at high altitudes makes much of the park inaccessible from November through until May. *Some parts of the park are still in rehabilitation following the Dixie Fire.

• Whether you are only stopping through or plan to camp, we share our favorite itineraries to make the most of your available time at Lassen Volcanic National Park

7. Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles became a part of the national park system in 2013, which means it’s still relatively new. Due to lack of advertising, it still remains one of the biggest hidden gems in California – in 2021, Pinnacles National Park registered only 348,000 visitors.

Here, you’ll find a plethora of things to do, especially if incredible rock formations are your jam.

Because the park sits right on top of the San Andreas Fault, it houses some pretty unique-looking rock formations and caves. In fact, most of the visitors to Pinnacles head here in order to find rock climbing experiences, which can range from easy beginner lessons to adventures that last several days.

Moreover, Pinnacles National Park is one of the few places in the United States where you can see a lot of Condors. Even though they’re a critically endangered species, Pinnacles and volunteers have been making a lot of re-introduction and conservation efforts, so spotting them is quite easy here!

Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. An annual pass is $55 or included with America the Beautiful and annual national park passes.

Best Time to Visit: Pinnacles is a great spot to explore year-round. Do note, despite being relatively new, peak crowds are being experienced in 2022, especially on holidays and weekends; visitors should arrive before 8 am to guarantee parking.

8. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Hidden inside the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks are a gorgeous place to visit because, within its grounds, you’ll find sequoia trees – the largest trees in the world!

Pair the forest with views of snow-capped mountains, and you’ve got yourself a scene that looks pretty much as though it came straight out of a painting.

Plus, even though getting to walk amid the world’s largest trees is enough to make Sequoia National Park a must on your travel bucket list, there’s a whole lot more on the park’s menu. Sequoia is also home to Mount Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States, as well as Kings Canyon, which is one of the deepest canyons in North America (it’s even deeper than the Grand Canyon !)

A few of the can’t-miss activities at Sequoia include going in search of the largest tree in the world (General Sherman), climbing a granite dome known as Moro Rock, exploring inside Crystal Cave, and driving through the park’s tunnel log (it’s a tunnel carved out of a Sequoia tree!).

If you’re feeling up for a challenge of a lifetime, hiking the 22-mile trail to Mount Whitney is also an option!

Entrance Fee: $35 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. An annual pass is $70 for Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Hume Lake Ranger District of Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument. America the Beautiful Annual Pass can also be used along with annual national park passes. 

Best Time to Visit: The parks are open year-round; however, high altitudes make many parts of the parks inaccessible in winter. Year-round services are provided at Grant Grove, the Foothills, and Giant Forest & Lodgepole while the Mineral King and Cedar Grove areas are open from spring through fall.

9. Death Valley National Park

Even though the name Death Valley may make the park sound like a place where nothing thrives, it actually happens to be one of the liveliest national parks you can visit on the West Coast!

As you start making your way into the park, the landscape may actually feel a bit desolate at first, but as you start making your way further in, you’ll find yourself uncovering a world of rolling canyons, twisting sand dunes, interesting rock formations, and even hills that are colored in vibrant tones!

There’s so much you can do at Death Valley that listing everything feels impossible, but whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss out on driving the Artist’s Drive in order to see colorful mountains, slide down a few sand dunes, hike over hills of borax, and stand at Badwater Basin, which is the lowest point in the United States.

The hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the USA, it certainly makes for one of the most scenic drives in California .

Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. An annual pass for Death Valley is $55, or included as part of America the Beautiful or other annual national park passes.

Best Time to Visit: Make no mistake, hot, dry, and arid, summer is NOT the best time to visit Death Valley. The park is open year-round; however, the cooler months of winter are definitely the preferred time for exploring the park. Check conditions here before you set out.

10. Channel Islands National Park

Commonly dubbed the Galapagos of North America due to their similar terrain and incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, the Channel Islands is not just one of the most incredible national parks on the West Coast but also one of the least known ones!

Even though it’s not technically on the West Coast, considering it’s an archipelago of islands on the Pacific, getting to the Channel Isl ands National Park can be done by taking a boat trip out from California’s mainland.

Thanks to the fact that it still remains pretty unknown, the park is rarely visited, and as a result, you can expect to find lots of solitude during your visit.

The park is made up of five islands, with the main one being Santa Catalina. Here, you’ll get the chance to hike over dramatic cliffs, enjoy beaches with beautiful views of the ocean, try excellent seafood, and have encounters with both marine and land animals like you never have before!

Entrance Fee: It is FREE to visit Channel Islands, though you will need to pay for transportation from the mainland with Island Packers .

Best Time to Visit: The Channel Islands is open year-round, though check schedules for public holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas .

11. Joshua Tree National Park

California is home to some pretty striking desert scenery, and you’ll find some of the best inside captivating Joshua Tree National Park .

This humongous national park sits at the exact point where two deserts blend together: The Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert. Here, you’ll find an incredibly unique landscape made up of two entirely different ecosystems, both of which bring unique features into the mix.

Scenic driving is a favorite activity at Joshua Tree, especially when you consider temperatures can get extremely hot, making it a great way to explore without having to brave the weather. If you’re up for adventuring, though, you can go horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, and biking across the many trails on offer.

Moreover, if you get the chance, try planning to spend a night inside Joshua Tree. The park is listed as Dark Sky Territory , which means stargazing is out of this world. Luckily, Joshua Tree offers tons of accommodation options, ranging from simple campsites to glamping tents, yurts, and domes!

Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. A Joshua Tree annual pass is $55, or included with American the Beautiful or other annual national park passes.

Best Time to Visit: The moderate weather of spring and fall are the most popular, whilst visitor numbers fall during the heat of summer. Entrances are open daily 7.30 am to 5.00 pm.

12. Yosemite

Possibly the jewel in the crown of the west coast national parks, Yosemite National Park is a treasure trove of natural beauty.

Covering over 1,200 square miles of the Sierra Mountains, you can find deep valleys, dramatic waterfalls, granite cliffs, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, and vast wilderness areas to explore.

Bridalveil Falls is undoubtedly one of the park’s most popular stopping points, along with a hike to Mirror Lake for stunning views of Half Dome and a visit to Mariposa Grove for a glimpse of the giant sequoia trees the Sierra Mountains are acclaimed for.

Tioga Road, the most popular thoroughfare through the park, will reward road trippers with the most spectacular views, but do be prepared for congestion at one of the country’s most popular parks.

Entrance Fee: $35 per private vehicle, valid for 7 days. Annual Yosemite National Park passes are $70 or included with America the Beautiful or annual national park passes.

• Please be aware you no longer need need timed entry permits for peak-time entry to Yosemite; this has been abolished for summer 2023.

Best Time to Visit: Yosemite can be great to visit year-round, with each season offering something special (though there are road closures in some parts of the park in winter). One of the most visited parks in the United States, plan your trip accordingly, and even with timed reservations, expect congestion in the peak summer months, try to visit earlier in the spring and fall for fewer crowds.

• This scenic driving itinerary will take you between Yosemite and Death Valley National Parks , or head north next and take in the stunning mountain scenery Yosemite to Lake Tahoe

Best Route For Seeing The West Coast National Parks

To see all of the US west coast national parks is no small task but still doable in one long road trip if you have the time to spend zig-zagging your way down the west coast.

The total distance, depending on the route you take, is 400 miles, plus you will need a boat to the Channel Islands.

West Coast National Parks Map

Click on the map to create your own itinerary in Google Maps

Summary of West Coast National Parks

Driving guides with scenic stopping points.

For more ideas on how to explore the US west coast national parks, we have these detailed itineraries which will help you plan out your route and interesting stopping points along the way.

• Scenic Stopping Points From San Francisco to Yosemite – via Berkeley, Castro Valley, Oakdale and Columbia State Historic Park
• Drive from Yosemite to Lake Tahoe with several scenic and historic stops along the way
• San Diego to Joshua Tree Driving Guide – your ultimate desert road trip itinerary in southern California!
• San Francisco To Portland – covering Lassen Volcanic National Park and Crater Lake National Parks
• San Francisco to Redwoods – with state park and nature stops along the way to Crescent City
• Best Washington Scenic Drives – incorporating Olympic National Park, Mount Rainer National Park and North Cascades National Park
• Driving Seattle to Yellowstone you can pick up several more US National Parks and state parks on a circular trip through Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana and Oregon on this epic PNW road trip!

We hope this list of the best national parks on the West Coast helped you get some inspiration for your next outdoorsy escape. Even though there are incredible national parks spread all over the United States, there’s something seriously special about the ones you’ll find on the West Coast!

More Tips Before Setting Off On Your Family Road Trip

• Read these pro-tips for visiting national parks before tackling a US National Parks road trip
• For a fun addition to your national parks road trip, grab yourself a National Parks Passport
• Want to avoid the crowds? Try these lesser-known US National Parks for a unique family vacation
• Got a 4th Grader in the family? Don’t forget you may be eligible for a FREE national parks pass as part of the Every Kid Outdoors campaign
• Head further east, and you’ll come across even more US treasurers, including the Mighty 5 in Utah , or complete the Grand Circle for one of the most epic US Road Trip experiences .
• Make sure you download our printable family road trip checklist, so you never forget an important item again

© Family Road Trip 2024

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West Coast National Park Road Trip

By: Author Robyn Robledo

Posted on Last updated: May 26, 2024

This West Coast National Park Road Trip starts at Yosemite National Park and heads north to Crater Lake National Park and then finishes up in North Cascades National Park. This itinerary centers around hiking, rock climbing, and camping. Besides the West Coast National Parks, we also included stopping to check out beautiful waterfalls near Redding, exploring Bend, Oregon, and epic adventures near Leavenworth, Washington.

We did this trip in 4 weeks. I felt like it was enough time to take in all 3 national parks but we really could’ve spent even more time than we did in each of the national parks.

About 600 miles.

About 625 miles.

Our West Coast National Park 4-week Itinerary

In the summer of 2017, we set off on a 5,000-mile, summer-long adventure road trip through the Western U.S. and Canada.  Our goal was to lose ourselves in the mountains, connect as a family, and find incredible hikes and rock climbing destinations along the way.

The U.S. and Canada have some pretty amazing mountain ranges to explore. Whether we were hiking, rock climbing, or mountain biking, it seemed like we were always trying to reach the summit of some glorious peak, see another alpine lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, follow a trail through rows of Aspen trees, or scale a rock wall to see expansive views of more mountains.

We had done a similar trip the previous year in Europe where we did a different adventure every day for 162 days !

This blog just highlights the first 4 weeks of that summer road trip. If you’re looking to extend this road trip, check out these blogs:

• Sea To Sky Highway
• Canada National Parks Road Trip
• Idaho Road Trip
• Yellowstone

Rent an RV through Outdoorsy for your next Adventure Road Trip

Yosemite National Park to Crater Lake National Park

Day 1: We chose to camp at Summerdale Campground in Fish Creek, which is 45 minutes from Yosemite.

Day 2: Explore Tuolumne Meadows .

On Day 3 : We hiked the 13-mile Panorama Trail in Yosemite . This is a great spring hike and the amount of water coming off the waterfalls this year was incredible!

Day 4 : We drove to Redding and then headed east and slept at a pullout right before Burney Limestone where we planned on rock climbing the next day.

Pro Tip: Save a ton of money by signing up for Harvest Hosts ! Back in 2015, it was hard to find free camping spots. Now RVers and Van Lifers can park at wineries, breweries, golf courses, and even people’s driveways with Harvest Hosts . For less than $100, you can camp at 7000+ unique locations.

Day 5: Rock climbing at Burney Limestone .  We liked that this climbing area had a short approach from the side of the road and that the area around the crag was pretty, however, a few of the climbs were a bit sandbagged .   

In the afternoon, we drove a short distance to play in the water at Hatchet Falls .  

That night we camped at Burney Falls , which I highly recommend.  It is a beautiful campground with nice roads for the kids to ride bikes on and the one-mile hike to the lake is pleasant.  Plus, of course, there is a beautiful waterfall to take photos of and it is a state park so we finally got showers!  

Related Blog: Best Campgrounds California

Day 6 & 7: We love seeking out new adventures, but some days it’s nice to just chill by your campsite. For three whole days, we stayed in this campground (that’s a lot for us) relaxing in our hammock, riding bikes, and hiking to the lake to swim in —and got in trouble for jumping off the dock :/ 

Related Blog : 3 Amazing Northern California Waterfall Hikes

Day 8: We got in a quick workout and headed towards Oregon.  On the way, we stopped to hike Middle McCloud Falls and cliff jump into the pools. 

This was a nice short hike from the campground, which I do recommend spending a night at if you have the chance. There are no showers here, but plenty of trees and trails.

Related Blog : Oregon Road Trip Itinerary: 10 Destinations You Can’t Miss

Day 9: We made it to Crater Lake . Unfortunately, there was a lot of snow on the ground so we could only hike part of the Garfield Peak Trail but the part we did hike was incredibly beautiful.  I had been reluctant to stop here and I’m so glad we got to see how blue the water in Crater Lake is and my kids loved all the snow. 

Instead, we camped at McKay Crossing near La Pine, Oregon.  This campground only has a pit toilet but it’s in the middle of the forest and I loved that this campground was right next to the trail we wanted to do the next day.  

Crater Lake National Park to North Cascades National Park

Day 10: We just started mountain biking on this trip and started the day by biking the challenging Peter Skene Ogden Trail . Then, we hiked up just a mile on the same trail to the natural rock waterslide in the creek.

In the evening, we drove the Cascade Highway and camped at Lava Lake Campground . There are many campgrounds along this highway to choose from. Just make sure you bring some form of mosquito repellant. We use essential oils and add extra garlic to our meals to help keep the mosquitos away.

Related Blog : Guide to Hiking & Camping Along the Cascade Highway near Bend, Oregon

Day 11: Today we did two cool hikes– up to Lucky Lake and then around Sparks Lake .  After, we drove to Bend to get Gelato at Bonta.  Camped on a fire access road near Phil’s Trailhead in Bend.

Day 12 : Biked at Phil’s Trailhead .  This place has such great single-track trails and an awesome pump track that is great for kids and adults.  

We then drove to Steelhead Falls and hiked to go cliff jumping at the falls.  That night we camped at the free BLM campground at the trailhead. 

Day 13: Rock Climbed at Smith Rock and climbed the famous 5-gallon buckets and the Northwest Wall. Then rinsed off by cliff jumping at Steelhead Falls and camping at the free BLM here.

Related Blog : 10 Adventures To Do On A Summer Road Trip Through Bend

Day 14: Rest day.  We took care of all the normal chores like cleaning, laundry , grocery shopping, and sitting in a Starbucks to get wifi.  Then we slept outside of Skull Hollow Campground so we could get up early to climb again. 

Day 15: Gabi and I started off the day with an epic multi-pitch climb at Smith Rock— Wherever I May Roam . Then, we drove on to Yakima and camped at Yakima Sportsman State Park (not one of our favorite campgrounds, but the Walmart was too loud and we were tired so we had to camp here). 

Day 16-18: Leavenworth had been one of the places we had been wanting to get to for a long time and while the town is a bit too touristy for us, we loved the area called Icicle Creek which is just fifteen minutes from here. 

We spent almost a week in this area and developed quite a comfortable routine here.

There is a huge pull off about ten miles up Icicle Creek Road that allows RVs to park at overnight for free.  There are also great campgrounds nearby that are inexpensive. 

We started each day by rock climbing along Icicle Creek Road then went into town to grab a beer and WiFi at Icicle Creek Brewery , walked around town and the waterfront park, and played in the river.  

Day 19-20: After three days of rock climbing, we decided that we desperately needed showers so we drove up the road a half hour to camp at Lake Wenatchee State Park .  We spent the next day, which happened to also be my birthday, playing and swimming in Lake Wenatchee.

Related Blog: Best Campgrounds in Washington State

Then, with freshly washed hair, we headed back down to Leavenworth and stocked up on yummy food at their farmer’s market (getting all local ingredients for my birthday dinner) then camped again at the pull off on Icicle Creek Road. 

Day 21: Yep, More rock climbing off Icicle Creek Road and Swimming at Waterfront Park.

Day 22: One of the best days of this trip was today when we did the 19 mile thru-hike of The Enchantments.  It was AMAZING!

Related Blog: How to Thru Hike the Enchantments in One Day

Day 23: On our way towards the North Cascades National Park, we stopped to swim in Lake Chelan near Manson. Then slept at Trailhead for Cutthroat Lake .

Day 24: Today was a hiking marathon for us as we did 3 hikes in one day! 

The first hike was a short two-miler to Cutthroat Lake . The second was a gorgeous short hike to Blue Lake , both are great hikes to do with kids .

Tip : Make sure to stop at Washington Pass to soak in the views of Liberty Bell!

The last hike was an epic seven-miler at Maple Pass . It was covered in snow at the top and it was nearly sunset so we couldn’t finish the loop and had to backtrack, which means it’s back on the bucket list to finish next year. It was so late and we were exhausted, so we just slept at the trailhead for Maple Pass .

Related Blog : Cascade Loop Road Trip: Leavenworth to Newhalem

Day 25: We drove into North Cascades from the east, stopping at the lookout for Ross Lake .  Then got a campsite at Colonial Creek in North Cascades N.P. and did the short hikes around the campground.

Day 26: Today was an eating day!  On the way towards Bellingham, stop for ice cream at Cascade Farms —they have delicious milkshakes.  

Our destination today is Fairhaven – a quaint little town on the outskirts of Bellingham and one of our favorite towns to stop at.  We had the most amazing soup at the farmers market in Fairhaven two years ago so we went back to try and find them again.  Unfortunately, they weren’t at the farmers market this time, but we still got to go to Drizzle and grab delicious olive oil & vinegar for our salads.  Then headed up the street to a brewery and food truck.  

We camped at Larrabee State Park . Supposedly there is rock climbing here, but we wandered for a few hours and couldn’t quite find it, however, our campsite had a great boulder that we played on. For mountain biking enthusiasts, there are some great trails to ride from here.

Related Blog : Washington State National Park Itinerary: For Foodies and Hikers  

Day 27: Gabi and I started the day by getting up at sunrise to bike the Interurban Trail to get wifi and do some work at the Cafe in Fairhaven. This is a great biking and hiking trail! 

Then it was time for chores—laundry, wifi, grocery shopping— and then, as a special treat, we went to the movies.  

If you are in Bellingham, stop at Aslan Brewery—they have great beer and food.  We finished the day by driving into Canada and sleeping near one of the parks in Vancouver.

Want to do this road trip but don’t own an RV? Check out Outdoorsy to find a perfect rental for your next vacation.

Check out these resources to help you plan your next road trip:

• 14 Tips For Your First Road Trip
• 50 Road Trip Essentials You Don’t Want To Forget
• Tips For Your First RV or Camping Trip
• How To Plan A Successful Road Trip
• How To Road Trip On A Budget
• How To Find Free Camping

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Road trip through West Coast National Parks: exploring the mountains

By: Author Rob Taylor

Posted on Published: June 1, 2021  - Last updated: September 5, 2022

There are many ways to approach a West Coast or National Parks road trip.  Seriously, you can do the Pacific Coast Highway from the Olympic Peninsula of Washington all of the way down the Oregon Coast through California to Tijuana, Mexico , or you can shoot down the I-5 corridor, making intentional stops within an hour or two off the freeway. You could even just wing it and pop all over the place.

Road trips are an amazing family travel experience and not to be missed.  We’ve got many great options on our site, but for now let’s plan a West Coast National Parks road trip, including our favorite National Parks in California , Oregon and Washington.

We’re not going to cover every National Park, but we’ll share with you the top National Parks in the mountains that we’ve visited and feel cannot be missed, starting in California and ending in Washington.  This is the essential west coast National Parks road trip itinerary that covers 12-17 days worth of travel… but you can always adjust down or do more!  And don’t forget to bring your National Parks Passport , because you’re going to need it!

Note :  at the end of our itinerary we’ve got a fun infographic to remind you of our ideal National Park road trip plan.  You can download it or Pin it for later!

West Coast National Parks itinerary

You can do this road trip through the west coast National Parks starting either in California or Washington. If you choose to start in California, begin by flying into Los Angeles or Palm Springs . Do some sightseeing in LA and then some hiking in Palm Springs , then begin the official road trip.

Note: if you’re doing a west cost RV road trip , be sure to book your campsites in advance! It’s tricky to get same-day reservations in the west coast National Parks.

Joshua Tree National Park – 1 day

Let’s start in one of the most unusual landscapes in California: Joshua Tree National Park . It’s not just a grove of the bizarre Joshua Trees, but it’s full of hiking spots, bouldering, super blooms, cactus fields and even palm oases. You could spend two days here touring, or just make it a day trip from Palm Springs.

Highlights to not miss if you’re just doing one day include:

• Cholla cactus garden – not an actual garden, but a naturally occurring grove
• Split Rock for bouldering
• Cap Rock for an easy nature trail with incredible Joshua Trees and desert life

Joshua Tree National Park is awesome and you’ll be so glad you started here!

Allotted time in Joshua Tree: up to 2 days, 1 is plenty

Where to stay at Joshua Tree National Park

We recommending staying in Palm Springs if you’re not camping. The city is really fun and there are lots of things to do. Hiking Palm Springs’ Indian Canyons is another must-do activity, so staying in town is an easy way to add that to your epic National Park road trip plan.

If you want to camp within Joshua Tree National Park, there are several options within the park. Reservations are recommended, but if you cannot get one and want to camp, there are options in the Coachella Valley (south side) or Morongo Valley (north side). Also, there are some INCREDIBLE Southern California glamping options around Joshua Tree if you’re interested.

Sequoia National Park – 2 or 3 days

Somehow in all of our travels and through visiting so many National Parks it took us years to visit Sequoia National Park .  Once we finally made it there, it was incredible.  True, our visit was dotted with weird experiences, including putting snow chains on the car when it had been 80 degrees a few days prior, but it was beautiful.  There’s ample hiking and really great Visitors Centers.

The steep cliffs you drive along, the red sequoia trunks against the greenery (or snow) and the breathtaking forests that make you feel so small. Sequoia will probably be your favorite stop during your west coast National Park road trip. 

Highlight:   the General Sherman Tree hike – the hike down through the grove is really breathtaking, and can be as easy or as lengthy as you like. The enormity of the trees and the colors are unreal. It’s an amazing way to begin a west coast National Parks road trip.

Allotted ti m e in Sequoia :  2-3 days

Where to stay in Sequoia National Park

Since we were there mid-spring and stayed at the Wuksachi Lodge , we got to enjoy a cozy hotel within Sequoia National Park while the snow fell… and then melted with the crazy heat.  It was a great option for family travel. 

Had we been there in the summer, there were several campgrounds that looked nice; we love to be in the trees when we’re camping.  Next time, we’ll try to camp at Lodgepole, Cold Springs or Buckeye Flat campgrounds.   Book the Wuksachi Lodge here !

Kings Canyon National Park – 1 or 2 days

I can’t wait to go back to Kings Canyon National Park .  This is the place for hiking through one of the most beautiful valleys in California. For the full Kings Canyon experience with sunshine, wildflowers AND snow, hit the park at the end of April.   Do the west coast National Park road trip a little later in the year and the roads to the most remote reaches of the park will be open and the weather is (usually) awesome.

We loved exploring the Grant Grove and getting really up close and personal with the giant sequoias, including walking through hollowed out fallen logs. Picnics out in the valley are the perfect family activity. It’s a really cool National Park.

Highlight:   exploring the Grant Grove of Sequoia trees is perfect with kids. Here you can actually get inside of fallen trees and amidst burned out trunks.

Allotted time in Kings Canyon :  2 days or less

Where to stay in Kings Canyon National Park

The John Muir Lodge was home for our short stay in the park.  We appreciated having plenty of space in the rustic lobby and out in the rocking chairs for the kids.  It was also great being close to Grant Village, which is where the Visitors Center and a few camping options are located.  

As long as you’re visiting in the summer, all camping should be open.  Adding a lodge stay to a west coast National Parks road trip, either here or another park, is a nice way to break up the journey.   Book the John Muir Lodge here !

Tip :  Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are way up there in elevation.  You should expect cold nights, even in the summer, so be smart about packing.  Peek at our article about camping in Yellowstone for ideas to make camping at high elevations a success.

Yosemite National Park – 3 or 4 days

Even though Yellowstone was the first National Park ( Sequoia was second), Yosemite was the first collection of Federally protected lands in the United States.   Yosemite National Park is unlike any other place we’ve been.  The granite cliffs, valley floor and ample waterfalls make every turn in the Park more amazing than the last, and make it integral to a west coast National Parks trip.  Since we were here with the kids this time, we didn’t do too intense of hiking, but have some suggestions:

• Nevada Falls and Half Dome – really incredible views and hiking in the Sierra forest, access to the back of Half Dome – medium w/o kids
• Tunnel View to Glacier Point – intense
• Bridal Veil Falls – easiest mini-hike ever and really cool with kids
• Yosemite Falls – easy approach and easy hike if you’d like to get to the top of the Lower Falls
• Hetch Hetchy / Wapama Falls – easy hike w/o kids, difficult w/ kids due to sun exposure and rock steps.  Amazing though.  

We had plenty of fun picnicking and doing the Yosemite Valley Tram Tour , as well as just enjoying the sights, such as Tunnel View .  Even with all the people, you’ll have an amazing time.  And if you’re avoiding the crowds, spend a day at Hetch Hetchy and hike to waterfalls and striking views.  

Highlight:   Hetch Hetchy. Even though every stop in Yosemite is iconic, spending time in Hetch Hetchy is amazing. 1/10 the amount of people and 2X the beauty.

Allotted time in Yosemite :  3-4 days

Where to stay at Yosemite

Within Yosemite National Park there are several awesome camping options.  We’ve camped at Upper and Lower Pines campgrounds and both are fine, but both are also quite open and rather crowded.  We have seen bears in both areas.  Oh, and there are several great lodge choices too, both inside and outside the Park.  We can attest to the ones outside…

Tip :  camping or not, take a look at our wildlife safety article for some tips and guidelines for wildlife viewing and precautions in National Parks.

Tenaya Lodge

At the southwestern end of Yosemite National Park is the Tenaya Lodge .  Unlike its sister lodges in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Tenaya Lodge is located outside of the Park and is REALLY GRAND.  It’s a beautiful property with pools, lots of dining options and tons of on-property activities.  

This is a great place to stay if you’re planning on doing other activities in the Sierra Nevadas and also want to visit Yosemite National Park.  It’s 45 minutes+ to the Yosemite Valley, but there are lots of hiking options between there and the Tenaya Lodge, and on the grounds of the Tenaya Lodge you’ll find more fun and relaxation than you probably expect.  It’s a bit pricey, but it’s beautiful and breaks up the wilderness time.   Book the Tenaya Lodge here !

Evergreen Lodge

We are in love with the Evergreen Lodge .  Like we said in our article about the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite, it’s very clear that the lodge and entire property was built with family in mind.  It’s got everything from zip lines and a pool to walking trails and game rooms.  We would love to return here with our extended family, as it’s an incredible property that’s just perfect for family travel.

The Evergreen Lodge is extremely close the the Hetch Hetchy entrance to Yosemite National Park.  It’s a perfect home base if your goals are sightseeing, hiking or relaxing.   Book the Evergreen Lodge here !

Note :  the Evergreen Lodge has wonderful family cabins that are perfect if you’re traveling with kids.

Oregon Caves National Monument – 1 day

I know, it’s not a National Park, but it’s really special and fun. Located not too far from I-5, which you’ll be driving on anyways, Oregon Caves National Monument is a must visit. There are hiking trails all around the preserve, but the highlight is the actual cave tour.

The tour is leg by a ranger and goes through the intricate cavern system. It’s a smaller cave system than Lewis and Clark Caverns in Montana , but is still really cool. From fossils to stories of prohibition era parties in the caves, it’s a one-of-a-kind National Park road trip stop.

Allotted time: 1 day, you don’t need more unless you’re camping

Where to Stay at Oregon Caves National Monument: the Chateau

There is the most remarkable National Park lodge at Oregon Caves. The Oregon Caves Chateau is an immense log cabin castle in the forest. Just as historic and unique as the cave, the rooms are rustic and quiet. There is both a restaurant and a vintage diner within the chateau, so check in and relax!

Crater Lake National Park – 2 days

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon is really cool and unique. It’s similar to Lake Tahoe in that you can drive the loop and it’s amazing blue, but Crater Lake is very different . Being formed from an extinct volcano, the sights and activities are very unique.

Being the deepest lake in the United States, it’s no wonder it’s so blue.  The Rim Drive will take you fully around Crater Lake, and as you go you’ll find ample hiking and picnic opportunities.  And there is an island in the lake, Wizard Island, which you can visit via boat tour.

Crater Lake National Park camping is also a great way to make time in the park memorable (seasonally available).

Highlight:   early morning (view from east rim) and dusk (view from west rim) photography. Amazing!

Allotted time :  2 days

Where to stay at Crater Lake

Crater Lake National Park offers camping, cabins and a National Park Lodge .  We recommend the camping route, which we’d love to do there.  Depending on the type of campground you’re looking for or what side of the lake you’re planning to spend the majority of your time on.  The main campgrounds are in the south end of the park, but backcountry permit camping is available in other areas.  So many options!

Mount Rainier National Park – 2 or 3 days

Gosh, we could say so much about Mount Rainier National Park , but we’ll keep it to this:  go for a day or a week and you’ll have an amazing time.  Check out our articles about the waterfalls of Mt Rainier National Park as well as our guide for easy hiking with kids for some ideas.  It’s really easy to make a home base on either the north or south side of the mountain and then switch to the other side.  

Mount Rainier is all about hiking though, so if you’re looking to spend a few days just relaxing, this may not be the stop for you.  True, you can do some great porch sitting at either of the National Park lodges, but for the waterfalls and amazing views, you’ve got to do some hiking.

Highlights:   the Grove of the Patriarchs and Silver Falls are our two favorite hikes, and both have fewer visitors than Paradise. They’re located very near each other on the southeastern side of the park.

Note :  the south side of Mt Rainier National Park is the busiest, but it’s also the most developed with the most notable sights.  The north side is much more remote with fewer tourists.  It’s 90% hardcore hikers.

Allotted time :  2-3 days per side, or just 3 days on the south side

Where to stay at Mt Rainier National Park

We’ve camped at the Cougar Rock campground for the majority of our visits.  It’s in a great location on the south side of Mt Rainier National Park , has a variety of site types and it’s close to most of our favorite hikes.  Ohanapecosh is the other campground we’d recommend.  It’s very different with more deciduous trees and much flatter area around the river and Grove of the Patriarchs.

If you’re going for the National Park Lodge type of accommodations, there’s either the National Park Inn in Longmire or the Paradise Inn up on the mountain.   The Paradise Inn is amazing with the most wonderful, alpenstyle interiors.  And the bison meatloaf in the dining room is to die for.  Both have the perfect amount of rustic charm, much like the Chateau at the Oregon Caves, but the Paradise Inn is much more grand and closer to the hiking action that the south side of Mt Rainier has to offer.

Olympic National Park – 3 days

Both Chris and I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula , so we know Olympic National Park incredibly well. If you’re visiting as part of a west coast National Parks road trip, you’ll want to visit several sites. We recommend hitting all three of the ecosystems within Olympic NP:  alpine hiking, exploring the rainforest, and enjoying the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. 

You’ll find that due to Olympic National Park being focused on a central mountain range, you cannot drive through the park. You’ll instead circle the park on Highway 101. We have a great Olympic Peninsula road trip plan if you need it…

The best hiking is found at Hurricane Ridge , with sweeping views of the region all the way to Canada.  The best rainforest is found on the west side at the Hoh Rainforest.  The best beach is Ruby Beach : perfect sand, ample wildlife, and epic rock formations.  The most gorgeous waterfall in Olympic National Park is Sol Duc falls , and since it’s between the two main areas it’s an easy addition to the road trip.

Highlight:   visiting the Hoh and Quinault rainforests in the fall when the colors are changing. The rainforests provide some of the best fall foliage in National Parks .

Allotted time :  3 days, as you’ll want to explore one or two of the small towns bordering Olympic National Park, such as Port Townsend or Port Ludlow .

Where to stay at Olympic National Park

Since we are locals, we ALWAYS choose to camp at Olympic National Park. If you’ve packed for it, camping is the way to go. West coast National Parks are made for camping. Olympic National Park has many camping areas. Heart O’ the Hills is perfect for hiking at Hurricane Ridge and exploring Port Angeles. Camping at Kalalo c h is ideal for visiting the Hoh Rainforest, Ruby Beach and the other beaches of the Olympic Peninsula. 

You can find unique B&Bs in Sequim and Port Angeles (we love the Domaine Madeleine Bed and Breakfast !)There are also several lodges surrounding the Park, but you must make reservations far in advance.   Book the Kalaloch Lodge here !

Other west coast National Parks to visit

Beyond the ones in our mountain National Park road trip itinerary above, you can add several more amazing National Parks (and some awesome state parks too).  Easy add-ons include:

• Death Valley National Park (CA)
• Devils Postpile National Monument (CA)
• Lassen Volcanic National Park (CA)
• Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area (CA)
• John Day Fossil Beds National Monument ( the Painted Hills ) (OR)
• North Cascades National Park (WA)

Like we said, our basic mountain National Park road trip itinerary is ideally done in 12-17 days.  Everybody has time restraints though, and depending on the time of year, less time may be needed.  If you’re interested in doing a a road trip through the West Coast parks and historic towns and lighthouses , check out our other NPS coastal road trip itinerary article.  It’s all doable as one huge trip, but in the light of family travel and not wearing anybody too thin, splitting the trip up is ideal to be able to get enough time in each National Park.

Pin this itinerary!

Download or Pin this fun infographic for later!

Tuesday 25th of October 2022

Old thread but hopefully can still grab an answer… are the days allotted to each park also including travel time? I know some are close but others take a decent day of travel. Planning on taking 10-14 days in early May and this is essentially the track I was planning

Monday 31st of October 2022

Great question! They certainly can be. For example, it's an easy few hours between Kings Canyon and Yosemite, but then Crater Lake to Mount Rainier needs a day just for driving. As you map it, you'll be able to determine if you need to not consider a travel day as an activity day.

We just did a portion of this trip again, so I'll update the blog post!

Wednesday 4th of October 2017

If you were doing Crater Lake, Mt Saint Helens, Mt Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades.... how many days would you need with a family with kids (13, 11, 5)? Thanks in advance!

If you're starting at Crater Lake and doing ALL of these stops during regular season, considering travel time between them: at least 12 days. Any less and you'll be traveled out and miss a lot of the must-sees. It gets tricky when you have both North Cascades and Olympic in the same itinerary.

Scott Lichtenfels

Tuesday 29th of August 2017

This posting is a huge help as we are planning on doing some modification of this trip next summer in August 2018! Question though, we will be flying from east coast and are considering doing it by RV. Can this be done by just RV? What I mean is, will we also need a rental car towed behind the RV (I prefer to not tow a car if I don’t have to) to get access to some of the national parks from whatever RV campground we stay at, or would we be better off simply renting some kind of van for our family to travel in and then stay in lodges or hotels? Last year we did an RV at Zion and Grand Canyon with no rental car and it worked just fine. Thanks!

Yes, I would say that each of the parks is very doable with a small RV. If you were to go through Sequoia National Park in a large RV you would find yourself in a pickle trying to escape the park on the south end. I'm sure that it is doable with no more than a 25-foot RV but I would be very cautious due to the jackknife turns. Most of the sights have parking areas that will accommodate campers and such, but there are a few roads, mostly in Sequoia, that are tight.

Wednesday 12th of July 2017

What time of year to you recommend for this kind of trip? Having a honeymoon in mid march next year and really wanting to do a similar road trip!

I'll be honest that mid-March is NOT the best time to do this road trip. We did it at the end of April and faced the whole gambit of weather, including random snow. Much of Yosemite will still be closed to the public, a good deal of Mt Rainier won't be accessible, Sequoia would be a chilly challenge...

If you're able to delay doing this trip until the first or second week of May, you'll have infinitely better luck with weather, I think. Crowds should also still be very small and the wildlife just becoming more active.

Congrats and best of luck in your decision!

yanetibarra19

Thursday 25th of May 2017

I love your articles! They are super helpful. I’m planning a trip to Yosemite and Sequoia soon! I am so excited!

Lucky!! Hopefully we'll be back in Yosemite in July. We want to hike in the Eastern half of the park. Have a great trip!!

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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.”

Related Articles

Want the Perfect Two Week Road Trip Out West? I’ve Got 9 Different Itineraries

Looking for the perfect two week road trip out west?

Two things…

#1 You could spend a lifetime exploring the western United States, so if you’re looking at just two weeks, you’re going to have to narrow it down a bit. You just cannot possibly see the entire thing in two weeks.

#2 Part of “narrowing it down” is going to be deciding on exactly what “out west” means to you…is that Wyoming and Montana? Colorado? The big National Parks in Utah and Arizona? The Pacific Coast Highway from California to Washington? Yosemite? Santa Fe??

We’re talking a looooooot of area that could be considered “the west.”

I personally think of “the west” as Wyoming and Montana. But after doing a lot of research about western road trip itineraries, I see a lot of people are thinking northern Arizona and southern Utah (what I would call the southwest) then you’ve got the Pacific Northwest, California, etc…you’ve got a LOT of options!

You could play this out a million different ways and you’re going to have to make some decisions because these states are BIG out here.

9 Two Week Road Trips Out West

So on that note, I’ve sketched out NINE different two week road trips “out west” and technically, if you’re coming from the right half of the country, all of these are going to fit the bill ; )

They’re all road trips so you’ll definitely need a car, but they all have different starting and stopping points that I’ve organized around major airports so if you’re flying out west and renting a car you should be good to go.

You could also connect some of these together if you have more than two weeks (or want to cut down on the number of days in each place and cover more ground in two weeks).

So I’m going to lay out eight two week road trips out west that I would 100% take PLUS the one that I actually did on my first big western road trip in 2009.

My Favorite Tip

When most people think about the American west, they usually connect that with the big National Parks. And there are sooooo many epic ones in this part of the country. The first big road trip I did when I was about 19, I bought a National Parks Passport at the first park we stopped at and I have FAITHFULLY been taking it with me all over the country to be stamped at National Parks, National Monuments, and National Historic Sites. And it’s become one of my favorite travel traditions.

Top Recommendations

If you’re overwhelmed with all of the planning and just looking for a quick suggestion…

If you haven’t spent much time traveling the American west and want to see the very best, I would strongly recommend trip #2 (the Rockies, Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone via Denver to Bozeman) and trip #6 (the “Utah Big 5” and northern Arizona classics via Phoenix to Las Vegas).

I’ll give basic recommendations about how to break each trip up below and general areas you should consider staying, but so much of what you choose for your western road trip accommodations are going to depend on what you personally like. If you’re camping or traveling in an RV/van then you’re going to have a LOT of options and you can pretty much stop wherever you want.

If you like nicer hotels (me!) then things can get trickier to plan in more remote places and you may end up doing some segments as day trips. I personally don’t like changing hotels every night so I would probably opt to pick 3-4 different places to stay on a two week road trip and stay in each place for longer and do more driving back and forth to places each day.

So I will make recommendations if there’s a place that I personally really like, but a lot of this is going to depend on your budget, preferences, and specific itinerary.

And one final note…if you’re interested in staying at accommodations in the National Parks (especially the lodges, but also campgrounds), you are going to need to book those WELL in advance.

Okay, here are ALL the details:

#1 Albuquerque to Denver

Highlights: Santa Fe & Taos, The Million Dollar Highway, Big Time Colorado Ski Towns, Rocky Mountain National Park

Airport Codes: Albuquerque (ABQ) and Denver (DEN)

If you want to see the best of New Mexico plus some of Colorado’s most epic scenery, this itinerary is for you!

I would plan a week in New Mexico between Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos (with the most time spent in Santa Fe).

Albuquerque : Stay at El Vado (a historic renovated Route 66 motel) or Hotel Albuquerque (a historic luxury hotel in Old Town next to the Sawmill District. Don’t miss breakfast at Tia Sophia’s, all the Route 66 neon, the Sandia Park Tramway, and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Santa Fe : This is one of my favorite towns EVER. Stay at El Rey Court (another renovated motor court) for a cool vibe or if you want to be on the Plaza try La Fonda or Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi. There are some true luxury resorts in the Santa Fe area so if you want to really splurge, try the Four Seasons Rancho Encantado or Bishop’s Lodge. Don’t miss brunch at Cafe Pasqual, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and shopping for turquoise jewelry around the plaza. I also think Bandelier National Monument is a don’t miss!

Taos : Taos feels like a more low key version of Santa Fe. Stay at El Monte Sagrado and don’t miss Taos Pueblo, breakfast at Michael’s Kitchen, dinner at Orlando’s and La Junta Point in the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

The Colorado/New Mexico border is a great place for a scenic train ride and you’ve got a couple of options here both of which are on my to do list:

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad from Chama, NM to Antonito, CO : The 64 miles trip crosses the state border 11 times as it winds along canyon walls, through aspen forests and across high meadows filled with wildflowers. It’s a full day trip.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango, CO to Silverton, CO : This 45 mile trip is probably one of the most jaw dropping train rides in the world

If you choose to do one of the railroad trips, you’re probably going to want to stay the night close to the departure point. It’s a little under two hours to get from Taos to Chama so you could possibly just drive back and forth, but there are quite a few small inns and b&bs in Chama if you want to stay there.

Taos to Durango is almost four hours so you’d definitely want to stay overnight in Durango or possibly even Pagosa Springs if that looks interesting to you.

Also, depending on how you allocate your time, you could detour from Durango to hit Mesa Verde National Park and Canyon of the Ancients National Monument.

Whether you choose to do a railroad trip or not, you’ll eventually want to end up in Durango heading north towards Silverton and Ouray for what is routinely at the top of all of the “world’s most scenic drives” lists. They call it the Million Dollar Highway and there’s a few theories as to why but I personally believe it’s that once people drive it they say “I wouldn’t drive that again for a million dollars!”

Just kidding! It’s a beaut though. They call Ouray “Little Switzerland” and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of my favorite places in Colorado and I’ve spent many summers here riding ATVs on the trails in the area. It’s a great place to spend a couple of days doing mountain activities, hiking, or just driving around.

Telluride isn’t too far away and it’s a great town to visit.

Head north to Montrose to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Aspen, Vail, or Breckenridge : Between Montrose and Denver, I would pick a town to stay for a couple of days to spend some time hiking or doing whatever kind of mountain activities sound fun (fishing, horseback riding, etc.). Aspen, Vail, and Breckenridge are all very cute and charming towns with plenty of amenities and places to stay in all budget ranges (especially in the summer).

Rocky Mountains National Park : Cap your trip off in style with the very best of the Rockies! Plan to spend at least a full day here enjoying the park. Estes Park is the basecamp/gateway for the park and I would recommend staying at Trailborn Estes Park.

From here you could spend a few days in Denver, fly home, or hop on the interstate and start making your way back home.

**The travel bucket lister in me just has to make a note here…my current big travel project is to visit all 50 states so I spend a LOT of time looking at maps, checking places out, and plotting out different routes to make that happen while actually seeing the best stuff instead of just crossing state lines, etc.

Well, if you’re like me and you’re working your way through all 50 states, I just have to mention that this is an excellent time to visit Nebraska. From the Denver area, it’s just about 3 hours to Scottsbluff, NE where you could visit the Scottsbluff National Monument. It was a pivotal stop on both the Oregon and Mormon trails plus it’s incredibly stunning. I will always go out of my way to visit a National Park or a National Monument and this is the big one in Nebraska. I mention it here because it’s sooooo far from the more populated eastern side of the state (Omaha and Lincoln) but super close if you’re already out this way.

#2 Denver to Bozeman

Highlights: Rocky Mountain National Park, Steamboat Springs High Meadows, Jackson Hole & the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone

Airport Codes: Denver (DEN) and Bozeman (BZN)

If you’re starting in Denver, head to Rocky Mountains National Park first. As I mentioned above, Estes Park is the best place to station yourself for exploring the park and I would recommend staying at Trailborn Estes Park.

From Estes Park, head over to Steamboat Springs which is one of my personal favorite spots in Colorado. The hiking around here is phenomenal in the summer and if you like horseback riding, the high meadows are pretty idyllic.

After a couple days in Steamboat, head on to Wyoming to see (what I think is) the best of the west.

Jackson, WY is pretty much the quintessential western mountain town and you could easily spend 4ish days here. It’s the gateway to Grand Tetons National Park, there’s white water rafting on the Snake River, the rodeo in the summer, and just so much to do.

There’s also a lot of places to stay at all budgets and accommodation types so you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect spot.

From Jackson, it’s about an hour to the southern entrance to Yellowstone so a lot of people stay in Jackson and visit Yellowstone for the day, but keep in mind that it’s an hour TO THE ENTRANCE. And there’s nothing at the entrance. You’ll drive another hour+ to get to the sites you want to see.

If it were me, I would probably drive to Yellowstone for the day from Jackson to see the highlights in the southern part of the park including Old Faithful and the lower and midway geyser basins and then when you’re leaving Jackson and moving onto Montana I would drive through the park and be sure to stop at Mammoth Hot Springs near the northern entrance.

Gardiner is the closest town to the north entrance and there are some small hotels there but other than that it’s an hour and a half from Mammoth Hot Springs into Bozeman which is where I would stay.

Bozeman is the place to be in Montana currently if you don’t mind more “transplants” than locals but it’s going to be the most convenient place to stay. Alternatively, you could spend a few days in Big Sky (closest to the western entrance of Yellowstone).

If you’re flying home, Bozeman is the most sizable airport in the area and all the major airlines offer service even if it’s a little $$$.

***Want to save major $$$ on your next trip? I get asked ALL the time how I’m able to travel so often and stay at really nice resorts. Well, my favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free airfare and free nights at high end resorts and hotels. Read my full guide on the exact system I use to max out credit card rewards here . Seriously, it’s going to save you soooo much money.

#3 Salt Lake City to Calgary

Airport Codes: Salt Lake City (SLC) and Calgary (YYC)

Highlights: Jackson Hole & the Grand Tetons, Yellowston, Bozeman, Glacier National Park, Seattle

This is the only itinerary that includes crossing over the Canadian border, but the goal of this itinerary is to get you to Glacier National Park and it’s soooooo remote that it makes a lot of sense to head into Canada to see Banff National Park and fly home from Calgary.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to do Canada, from Glacier National Park it’s about 4.5 hours back to Bozeman OR 8 hours to Seattle where you could tack on some Pacific Northwest sites (see the next itinerary).

So, to start…follow the second half of the itinerary above (Jackson, Yellowstone, Bozeman/Big Sky), and then make your way north to Glacier National Park.

Kalispell is the most sizable town near Glacier so that’s where you’ll want to stay.

From Glacier it’s about 5 hours north to Banff. I don’t know a lot about the area because I’ve never been but it’s high on my list!

#4 Seattle to San Francisco

Airport Codes: Seattle (SEA) and San Francisco (SFO)

Highlights: Pacific Coast Highway along Washington, Oregon, and Northern California; Redwoods National Park

THIS is the trip that I’m currently working on (I’m actually getting ready to leave for the first part of it as I write this) and I am sooooo excited. I’ve wanted to drive the Pacific Coast Highway for a LONG time and everybody says that the northern Californian and Oregon bits are the best parts.

Here’s what I’m thinking/planning so far:

Fly into Seattle and do the typical touristy things: Pike Market, Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Pop Culture Museum, etc.

For me, seeing an orca whale is my #1 priority when I’m in the Seattle area. If you’re short on time, you can do a tour that leaves from downtown Seattle, but if you’ve got longer I’d head to the San Juan Islands north of Seattle and explore that area.

From Seattle, I think Olympic National Park is a DO NOT MISS in the area. The Hoh Rainforest has been on my travel list for YEARS.

Leave Seattle early and head towards Port Angeles to see the part of the park around Hurricane Ridge.

Book two nights at the Woodland Inn in Forks, WA to give yourself the best chance to see everything in the park. Besides the Hoh Rainforest, visit Rialto Beach and if you have time go all the way out to the western tip of Washington and do the Cape Flattery Trail.

When you’re done in the National Park, take the 101 (Pacific Coast Highway) south towards Oregon.

The stretch of coast from Astoria through Tillamook is PACKED with sites to see. The Bowline Hotel in Astoria is a place I would definitely do an overnight and the Ashore Hotel in Seaside, OR looks great too.

Don’t miss the famous Cannon Beach !

From here you’ll have to decide if you want to detour east over to Portland for a few days or make this strictly a coastal trip.

Keep heading south towards California and you’ll definitely want to stay a bit in Crescent City or Eureka to visit Redwood National Park .

The road moves inland a bit until you pick up the California 1 on the coast at Leggett.

This stretch of road in Northern California is supposed to be one of the most stunning parts.

And the closer you get to San Francisco, the better your options are for finding really cool places to stay.

Sea Ranch looks really neat and I’ve been wanting to visit Russian River (Guerneville).

Don’t miss the Muir Woods National Monument and Stinson Beach before you hit San Francisco!

#5 San Francisco to Las Vegas

Highlights: Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Death Valley, Palm Springs

Airport Codes: San Francisco (SFO) and Las Vegas (LAS)

This trip is really more like the “best of California” but California is literally as west as it gets in this country so I think it totally counts ; )

Fly into the San Francisco Bay area and head east towards Lake Tahoe . It is BEAUTIFUL no matter the season and there’s great hiking/lake activities, etc. Truckee is the most sizable town and has a good range of places to stay but try Kings Beach if you want to be right on the water.

From Tahoe, head south to Yosemite to see one of America’s most visited National Parks. It’s pretty phenomenal and depending on how much you like to hike and explore, you may want a couple of days here. I would recommend staying at Autocamp in one of their vintage Airstream trailers.

You could probably also day trip to Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park while you’re staying at the Autocamp.

From here you’ve got a couple of options: If you want to fly home from Las Vegas, you could visit Death Valley National Park on your way across the desert (I’m not sure I would want to do this in the summer though).

OR if you want to extend the trip a bit, you could head south to the Palm Springs area where there is more than enough to keep you busy for several days. You won’t want to miss Joshua Tree National Park and all the famous Mid Century Modern architecture. There are also a ton of really nice resorts plus golf and tennis in Palm Springs. It’s definitely a place where you can have a vacation.

If you pick the Palm Springs option, it would be closer to fly home from one of the SOCAL airports in the LA area. Palm Springs (PSP), Ontario (ONT), LAX, etc.

**If you REALLY want to see the best of California and you’ve got time, consider starting this trip in Napa/Sonoma before you head to Lake Tahoe.

Side Note: If you’re looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount USA Car Rental . They’re seriously the only company I ever use. I started using their sister company (Discount Hawaii Car Rental) on my Hawaii trips almost 10 years ago and now I use their main site for all of my other trips. They’ll give you the very best prices, you don’t have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. It’s a no brainer. Click here to check rates for your trip.

#6 Phoenix to Las Vegas 

Highlights: Sedona, Antelope Canyon, Monument Valley, the Utah Big 5, Grand Canyon

Airport Codes: Phoenix (PHX) and Las Vegas (LAS)

This two week itinerary is definitely the best of the southwest! Make sure you’ve got a National Parks passport because you’re going to be collecting stamps left and right.

Sedona : Those famous red rocks of Sedona are home to some of the best hiking in the Southwest. Whether you’re super active and want to tackle Cathedral Rock Trail or go for a ride on one of the famous Pink Jeep Tours, you’ll find something to love about Sedona. And it just might be that this is a true resort town so good hotels and restaurants are abundant.

Flagstaff : When I did my big Route 66 adventure, Flagstaff became my unexpected favorite town. I LOVED staying at the High Country Motor Lodge and while there’s a lot to do around Flagstaff, I cannot recommend Walnut Canyon National Monument and Wupatki National Monument enough (plus Sunset Crater Volcano). If you’re up for a big day, you can do all three. Walnut Canyon requires a fairly moderate hike, but the other two are more or less drive through (stopping to get out and look around) parks. It’s also possible to do the Grand Canyon as a daytrip from Flagstaff.

Grand Canyon National Park : The Grand Canyon just might be the most famous National Park of them all so you’re definitely not going to want to miss out. The south entrance is the most popular and easily accessible.

Page, AZ : You’ll want to spend at least a full day in Page to see Horseshoe Canyon and Antelope Canyon. Make reservations to tour Antelope Canyon in advance (especially during the summer when the time slots to see the famous light beams book out quickly). And if you’re majorly into collecting National Park stamps, this would be the best place to detour to visit Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

Monument Valley : Monument Valley is at the top of my bucket list for spots to see in the great American west and I haven’t hit it yet because of its remote location, but if you follow this route you’ll drive right past it. You will want to spend the night there to see the sunset and sunrise.

Moab, UT : Moab is getting to be the premier destination in the Southwest so you’ll definitely want to make it your basecamp for exploring as much as possible. A lot of seasonal “glamping” type properties are starting to call Moab home like Undercanvas, Ulum, and Field Station so you can definitely stay in style. Make time to see Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park and you’ll definitely want to squeeze in a little offroad time.

Capitol Reef National Park : Capitol Reef is pretty much right in between Moab and Zion/Bryce so you could get an early start and stop to visit it on your way and then stay the night wherever you’re going to be staying to do Zion/Bryce, but if you want to see and explore much you’re probably going to want to stay the night. Checkout the new Skyview Hotel in Torrey, UT.

Zion National Park & Bryce National Park : Zion National Park is one of the most popular parks in the Southwest and has a LOT of hiking trails. Bryce is a much smaller park but still a must visit. They’re about two hours apart, but I would probably choose to stay near Zion and just drive over to Bryce for the day. Alternatively, if you spent the night in Torrey and you’re quicker at Capitol Reef, you could see Bryce on your way to Zion. There are a lot more places to stay near Zion than Bryce. Springdale has a really nice Springhill Suites plus there are also OverCanvas camps near Zion (and Bryce). Most people will probably spend one day at Bryce and one day at Zion, but if you’re a serious hiker, you’ll want more days at Zion.

From Zion, it’s only about 2.5 hours to Las Vegas.

#7 Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

Highlights: Utah Big 5 (Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches) plus Provo & Park City

Airport Codes: Las Vegas (LAS) and Salt Lake City (SLC)

If you want to see the Utah Big 5 (and don’t care as much about the northern Arizona stops in the previous itinerary) this is the most efficient way to do it.

Flying into Las Vegas will put you closest to Zion and Bryce. From there head to Capitol Reef on route to Moab where you’ll see Canyonland and Arches before heading onto Salt Lake City.

You could add stops in Provo and Park City on the way.

Doing this more slimmed down itinerary is a good option if you want to spend more time in each place to take advantage of hiking or other recreation options (ATVing in Moab, etc.).

#8 Denver to Las Vegas

Highlights: Colorado Ski Towns & the Utah Big 5

Airport Codes : Denver (DEN) and Las Vegas (LAS)

This itinerary is a mash up of two previous ones and you’ll be able to see the best of Colorado and Utah in two weeks.

Starting in Denver, plan to split your time between the Breckenridge, Vail or Aspen areas to enjoy the Rockies before moving visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on your way to Telluride

From Telluride, you could take a roundabout route to Moab that detours to see Mesa Verde National Park, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument and Monument Valley (stay overnight here).

Once you’re in Moab, you’ll follow the itinerary for hitting the Utah Big 5 (working your way east to west) that I’ve outlined in previous itineraries. Arches & Canyonlands > Capitol Reef > Bryce > Zion.

#9 My First Big Western Road Trip 

I’ve traveled quite a bit through the American West, but I usually prefer to do shorter trips concentrated in one area. But in 2009 we set off on a huge two week road trip out west and it was really the first time I’d ever done that.

Parts of this trip are covered in other itineraries above, but since we were starting in Oklahoma, we added in South Dakota and it ended up being such a great state!

If you’re driving from home and your home is in the middle (or eastern) part of the country, you might want to consider adding on a few days in the Great Plains either coming or going.

Okay, if you’re nosy like me and just like to know what other people have done, here’s everything we saw and did on this trip:

We started in Tulsa, OK and instead of getting a sunrise start, we actually left late afternoon/early evening and spent the night somewhere in Kansas to break up the drive.

We cruised through Kansas and Nebraska the next day before arriving in Rapid City, South Dakota.

We stayed at a hotel that had an indoor water park attached because my cousin was still pretty little and we thought it would be more fun than a regular hotel. It looks like it’s now the WaTiki Indoor Waterpark.

We of course saw Mount Rushmore and at the time they were still building the Crazy Horse memorial but we got to see it partially finished. We hiked around Sylvan Lake and it was BEAUTIFUL. We drove over to Wall Drug because everyone kept telling us about it and I guess if you’re not from somewhere where tacky/over the top souvenir shop/gas stations exist then it’s probably really something to see.

We drove through part of the Badlands, but we didn’t go into the National Park and if I had it to do over again, I would make that a priority and also I would add a stop at Wind Cave National Park since it’s in the area.

From Rapid City we drove almost all the way across Wyoming in one day. It’s about an 8 hour drive on the interstate, but we were seeing bears up in trees from the car so keep your eyes peeled!

For the big western portion of our road trip, we decided to use Jackson, WY as our basecamp. In retrospect, I don’t know if we realized how much driving that would mean. It was honestly a lot trying to do Yellowstone while staying in Jackson, but we made it work. If you want to just casually see Yellowstone for the day it’s doable, but if you’re hardcore about wanting to explore the park, then you’re going to want to stay closer.

In Jackson, we stayed at the Rustic Inn and it was BEAUTIFUL. There’s a creek running through the property and you get the feeling of being in a cabin in the wilderness but you’re pretty much in the middle of town.

We went to Grand Tetons National Park where we hiked around Jenny Lake and SAW. A. MOOSE. We went white water rafting on the Snake River which to this date is in my top 5 most terrifying life experiences ; ) We did a BIG day trip to Yellowstone, went to the rodeo, and shopped around town.

I really can’t recommend Jackson enough as a destination if you want to experience “the West.”

We left Wyoming and dropped down into Colorado to stay at Steamboat Springs for a couple of days. We went horseback riding at High Meadows Ranch (it looks like it’s no longer open) because I used to go there as a kid and had the best memories. Seriously though…the high meadows around Steamboat Springs are pretty much the most idyllic place in Colorado.

And we stopped in Breckenridge for a little exploring around town before heading back home through Kansas.

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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.

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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...

Lake Tahoe to Big Sur: the Perfect California Road Trip

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Why van journey is the good selection for a cross nation highway journey - yepmode news.

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

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

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

Ursula Mueller

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

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

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

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How to survive living the van life with your partner, beyond_the_bucketlist.

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

by US Park Pass | Mar 9, 2020

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

We're GIVING AWAY a 2021 Ford Mustang and you could be the lucky winner to hit the road for your next summer road trip.  Enter here to win.

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

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

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

Planning your national park road trip

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

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

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

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

Acadia National Park, Maine

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

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

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

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

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

Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

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

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

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

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

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

Ozarks National Forest, Arkansas

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

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

Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

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

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

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

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

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

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Utah

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

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

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

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

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

Zion National Park, Utah

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

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

Yosemite National Park, California

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

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

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

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

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

Olympic National Park, Washington

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

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

North Cascades National Park, Washington

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

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

Glacier National Park, Montana

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

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

Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

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

Alternate routes

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

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

12 Bucket List National Park Road Trips In The US

• National parks are top US travel destinations, with 64 to explore, especially in states like California, Alaska, and Utah.
• A well-planned road trip can help tackle overwhelming numbers of parks, allowing for a perfect adventure experience.
• Each road trip has unique itineraries for different preferences, whether it's coastal beauty, mountain views, or lush forests.

National parks represent some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the US, preserving deserts, forests, waterways, and even entire underground cave systems. It’s no wonder these unique regions are some of the most visited destinations in the United States, regardless of the time of year. Given the sheer size of many of the best national parks in the US, it’s also no surprise that many travelers opt to visit these gems on a national park road trip.

Before planning a national park road trip worthy of adding to the bucket list, it’s important to have the basic facts. There are 425 areas managed by the National Park Service , including national forests, scenic byways, historic sites, and, of course, national parks. There are 64 national parks to explore around the country, with California, Alaska, and Utah housing the most parks (with nine, eight, and five locations respectively).

With those kinds of numbers to consider, trying to check every park off the bucket list can quickly become overwhelming. Thankfully, a few well-planned US national park road trips , like the ones on this list, may just be the key to a perfect adventure through America’s backcountry.

UPDATE: 2024/03/26 17:07 EST BY ERICA BLAIR

Even More National Park Road Trips That Should Be On Your Bucket List

Looking for more adventures? No problem! We've updated this list of bucket list national park road trip itineraries with even more options. Whether it's a coastal road trip, a route through the mountains, a journey through arid deserts, or an adventure through lush forests, there's a USA national park road trip itinerary for every preference.

Wondering how long these road trips will take? In general, plan to give one or two days per national park on the list, plus two days to factor in the driving itself. For instance, a three-park road trip will likely take five to eight days, depending on how many activities travelers want to do in each location. Of course, road trips are made for spontaneous stops, so it’s always a good idea to leave a little extra room.

7 Arizona National Park Road Trips With Scenic Stops

Grand circle national park road trip, spanning four states and encompassing the grand canyon and the petrified forest.

Utah is home to five unique national parks, each with unique rock formations in the Southwest. Thankfully, Utah's relatively small size makes it possible to visit all five in a single national park road trip and add a few additional parks along the way.

The Mighty 5 is the core of the Grand Circle Road Trip and one of the best national park road trips in the US. Due to its proximity to Las Vegas (which has a major airport), many travelers choose to start at Zion National Park, exploring the many exceptional hiking trails within . From there, the Grand Circle goes to Bryce Canyon National Park , Capitol Reef National Park , Canyonlands National Park , and finally, Arches National Park .

While that may be enough to satisfy most, this national park road trip continues into Colorado, venturing through Grand Junction on the way to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Mesa Verde National Park .

Those not convinced they have seen all that this region has to offer can then head through New Mexico on their way to Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona . The ninth and final national park on this epic road trip? The Grand Canyon itself. From Grand Canyon National Park , travelers can either return to Zion National Park or head toward Las Vegas to catch a flight home.

About the Grand Circle National Park Road Trip

• States Visited: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada
• National Park Route: Zion National Park, Utah → Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah → Capitol Reef National Park, Utah → Canyonlands National Park, Utah → Arches National Park, Utah → Grand Junction, Colorado → Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado → Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado → Gallup, New Mexico → Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona → Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona → Las Vegas, Nevada

5 In 5: Visit Utah's 'Mighty 5' National Parks In Five Days

Washington national park road trip, a celebration of different landscapes and epic views.

If your national park road trip bucket list is full of dense evergreen forests and rocky shorelines, there is no doubt that Washington National Park is it.

Starting and ending in Seattle, road trippers will head first to Olympic National Park, which has a number of things to do and will likely take two or three days to fully explore. From there, check out Mount Rainier National Park and soak up some epic mountain views. On the way to the final national park, travelers can stop in the Christmas City of Leavenworth, one of the best winter destinations on the West Coast .

The last stretch of this drive takes national park road trip travelers to North Cascades National Park , perhaps the most underrated of the national parks in Washington. The drive then loops back to Seattle to head home.

About the Washington National Park Road Trip

• States Visited: Washington
• National Park Route: Seattle → Olympic National Park → Mount Rainier National Park → Leavenworth → Lake Chelan → North Cascades National Park → Seattle

California National Park Road Trip

See the best of the golden state with this park-packed trip.

California has more national parks than any other state in the US, and this national park road trip is a great way to get as much bang for your driving buck as possible. This road trip forms a giant loop through California, starting and ending in Los Angeles.

Your first stop is the Channel Islands National Park, which is absolutely worth visiting . You'll have to take a ferry to get there, so it's technically a bit of a diversion from the road trip, but you'll love this so-called Galapagos of North America.

After the offshore adventure, this road trip follows a more traditional route, heading up the coast to Pinnacles National Park before going far north into Redwood National and State Parks . Moving inward, the scenery takes a shift into Lassen Volcanic National Park , the least visited of California’s national parks (and a great alternative to Yellowstone National Park). Heading back into the forests, Yosemite National Park , Kings Canyon National Park, and Sequoia National Park are all in fairly close proximity.

One of the last of the national parks on this epic loop is Death Valley National Park , home to the hottest temperatures on Earth. From there, Joshua Tree National Park caps out the desert landscapes before road-trippers can either make their way to Las Vegas or return to Los Angeles for the journey home.

About the California National Park Road Trip

• States Visited: California
• National Park Route: Los Angeles → Channel Islands National Park → Pinnacles National Park → Redwood National and State Parks → Lassen Volcanic National Park → Yosemite National Park → Kings Canyon National Park → Sequoia National Park → Death Valley National Park → Los Angeles

The California National Park road trip is hardly a trip to take with tight time constraints, but those with enough time on their hands can take Highway 1, known as the Pacific Coast Highway, on the northbound part of this loop. This will allow travelers to enjoy popular stops like Big Sur, San Francisco, and Monterey along the way.

Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip

The great smoky mountain national park road trip of your dreams.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is actually a part of the National Park System all on its own, but it also happens to take travelers through several road trip-worthy national parks as well. Winding through the forests of both the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Shenandoah National Park , the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway is a unique driving experience and is easily one of the best road trips in US national parks.

Unlike the majority of national park road trips through the US, the Blue Ridge Parkway is all about the drive. There are numerous incredible stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway , including hiking trails and scenic overlooks to enjoy along the way. That said, the drive itself will allow road trip travelers to see some of the best sights on this national park road trip route.

About the Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip

• States Visited: North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia
• National Park Route: Waynesboro, Virginia → Shenandoah National Park → Great Smoky Mountains National Park → Cherokee, North Carolina

7 Florida National Park Road Trips With Scenic Stops

Wyoming national park road trip, tour the state that's home to the united state's first national park.

Wyoming may be easy to write off as a drive-through state, but those looking for one of the best national park road trips in America can’t skip this scenic state. Wyoming is home to the first national park in the US park system , Yellowstone National Park , and this heavy hitter truly lives up to the hype.

However, before entering Yellowstone, the Wyoming National Parks Road Trip starts in Cheyenne, which directs travelers to Grand Teton National Park , Yellowstone's lesser-known cousin. From Grand Teton, Yellowstone is just 130 miles away. Additional stops in Medicine Bow National Forest and Shoshone National Forest add even more scenic stops to this exceptional road trip through Wyoming.

About the Wyoming National Park Road Trip

• States Visited: Wyoming
• National Park Route: Cheyenne → Medicine Bow National Forest → Grand Teton National Park → Shoshone National Forest → Yellowstone National Park

Florida Tip National Park Road Trip

Explore the best tropical parks in the sunshine state.

The southernmost tip of Florida is best known for the Florida Keys, home to iconic all-inclusive resorts and white-sand beaches. This portion of Florida also houses all three of the state’s national parks: Everglades National Park , Biscayne National Park , and Dry Tortugas National Park . Starting in Everglades National Park, travelers will make their way east to Biscayne National Park before following the Overseas Highway down to Dry Tortugas National Park.

The scenic Overseas Highway has a number of incredible stops that make it worthy of its own road trip , but for those specifically looking for a national parks road trip in Florida, venturing all the way past the end of the Keys and onto a ferry is a must. One of several national parks that can only be reached by ferry, Dry Tortugas National Park is an underrated and mostly underwater national park experience.

About the Florida Tip National Park Road Trip

• States Visited: Florida
• National Park Route: Everglades National Park → Biscayne National Park → Overseas Highway → Dry Tortugas National Park

Best Of The Southwest Road Trip

Cruise through the american southwest desert on this memorable trip.

While the Grand Circle Loop explores much of the Southwest's red rock terrain, one other unique national park road trip takes a slightly different approach to this region. Starting in New Mexico, the first major stop on this southwest road trip is White Sands National Park and its miles of gypsum dune fields. From there, things go underground with Carlsbad Caverns National Park before heading into Texas.

Texas has just two national parks, and this road trip passes through both of them. After leaving New Mexico, travelers will first explore Guadalupe Mountains National Park before heading south to Big Bend National Park, a hiking paradise and one of the most remote and underrated national parks in the US , for the final days of this national park road trip.

About the Best of the Southwest National Park Road Trip

• States Visited: New Mexico, Texas
• National Park Route: White Sands National Park, New Mexico → Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico → Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas → Big Bend National Park, Texas

The Great Northern Road Trip

Marvel at the scenic parks that run across the top of the upper united states.

One of the best routes to take on a cross-country road trip through the US , Route 2, also known as the Great Northern Route, is also one of the best national park road trip routes in the US. Starting in Washington across the northernmost states in the US (and a little bit of Canada), Route 2 traverses all the way to Acadia National Park in Maine.

The key stops along the Great Northern road trip include four national parks, starting with Olympic National Park in Washington. From there, the route winds through Spokane on its way to Glacier National Park in Montana. As travelers continue east, Theodore Roosevelt National Park , the only national park named after a person, is next. The final national park on the route is also its grand finale, Acadia National Park in Maine.

In addition to these fantastic national parks, road-trippers will also get to explore major cities throughout the northern states. Those who truly follow Route 2 all the way will enter Canada above the Great Lakes and pass through the Canadian cities of Ottawa and Montreal. Those without a passport can opt to go below the Great Lakes through Michigan and Wisconsin before rejoining the route later on.

About the Great Northern Road Trip

• States Visited: Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Canada**, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington
• National Park Route: Olympic National Park, Washington → Glacier National Park, Montana → Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Dakota → Acadia National Park, Maine

Colorado National Park Road Trip

See wild colorado and the majesty of the rocky mountains on this trip.

Colorado is a haven for outdoor adventurers, with the most beautiful winter town in the US (Aspen, Colorado) and a number of hikes around the state that are breathtaking year-round. Despite the variety of on-foot activities to enjoy, Colorado is also an excellent destination for a national park road trip.

Colorado has four national parks, with some of the most dramatic landscapes in the state. This road trip route starts in Colorado Springs, where visitors can enjoy a number of free activities and scenic views before heading for the national parks themselves. After tackling the Garden of the Gods trails, road trippers can head to the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve .

Next is Mesa Verde National Park, which has its own variety of exceptional hikes , before heading for the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park . The last national park on the agenda is Rocky Mountain National Park , which will take at least a couple of days to explore to the fullest before heading back home.

About the Colorado National Park Road Trip

• States Visited: Colorado
• National Park Route: Colorado Springs → Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve → Mesa Verde National Park → Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park → Rocky Mountain National Park

8 Washington National Park Road Trips With Scenic Stops

Acadia national park loop road, a stunning overview of acadia national park's best sights.

Travelers looking for a mini-road trip that comprehensively covers one of the jewels of Maine, try the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park for size. Drivers can see some of the most incredible sights in Acadia National Park on this short national park road trip route, including Cadillac Mountain, which towers over the Atlantic Ocean.

Those who want an immersive park experience but don't have the time for a full-on road trip will find this scenic national park drive an excellent option.

About The Acadia National Park Loop

• States Visited: Maine
• National Park Route: Acadia National Park

Denali National Park & Kenai Fjords National Park

Visit the best of america's northernmost state on this trip.

The distance between Kenai Fjords National Park and Denali National Park is roughly 13 hours and will allow travelers to fully experience the best of Alaska. Drivers will get spectacular views of the fjords and icy waters around the state's shorelines, including the chance to climb and trek on glaciers and then travel deep into Denali National Park.

Denali contains several ecosystems and climate zones , and visitors be able to see some of Alaska's most interesting wildlife, including grizzly bears and moose.

About Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park

• States Visited: Alaska
• National Park Route: Kenai Fjords National Park → Denali National Park

The Lower 48

The ultimate national park road trip to see almost every national park in the us on a many-month-long journey.

Can’t decide which national parks to visit? Those with six to eight months to explore (or those enjoying the life of a digital nomad) may not have to choose between them. There is no clean loop or out-and-back way to visit every national park in the lower 48, but there are certainly more direct ways to get between destinations.

A road trip through every national park in the contiguous US is best started in Los Angeles near an airport and pointed directly at a number of California national parks. From there, the best loop snakes and winds before ultimately returning right back to where it began.

Interestingly, there are a number of states that are not visited on the ultimate national park road trip. Many states in the Midwest do not have a national park and are therefore bypassed. With that in mind, here is one potential outline that will lead to all 47 national parks in the lower 48:

About The Lower 48 Ultimate National Park Road Trip

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

21 Must-See Day Trips in East Texas Even Locals Keep Going Back To

The East Texas region is arguably the more exciting part of Texas, with most of the cooler places to visit and not as isolated as the other side. Kayak the algae-covered, alligator-filled waters of Caddo Lake or see an actual European castle in Belleville. There are historic train rides, cute small towns, and endless state parks. If you’re in a Texas metropolis, many of these places are doable in a day and deserve the drive. 

After road-tripping around the state for almost two months and doing long stays with friends for years, I’ve cherry-picked a handful of my favorite day trips in East Texas that I consider the most worth it. Would you agree with my list?

Hidden Gem Day Trips in East Texas

1. hamilton pool preserve, dripping springs.

Type:  Water Recreation Best Time to Go : Summer

You have to check out this natural pool when summer hits.  Hamilton Pool Preserve  is an epic swimming hole with a 50-foot waterfall that’s cut right into the limestone, and it looks just like the cenotes of Mexico. 

An underground river keeps it filled, and the whole place is just bursting with green. People can’t get enough of the huge overhang above the pool – it’s all that’s left from when a natural dome caved in a long time ago. 

It’s super popular, so you’ll need to book your spot in advance. Just a heads up: You can’t bring dogs, not even in your car.

2. Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio

Type:  Cave Exploration & Outdoor Adventure Best Time to Go : Year-round

Check out  Natural Bridge Caverns  just up the road from San Antonio. It’s one of Texas’s biggest cave systems, where you can explore massive chambers and rock formations 180 feet underground. 

They’ve got all sorts of tours, from easy walks to more adventurous expeditions. And if you’re more into daylight activities, there’s an aerial ropes course, zip line, and even to mine for fossils. 

During the holidays, they light up the caves with Christmas decorations for their Christmas at the Caverns event. Right next door, you can tack on a trip to the  Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch , where you can have a safari experience and get super close to animals without leaving your car.

3. Pedernales Falls State Park

Type:  Small Town & Outdoor Adventure Best Time to Go : Summer 

Just west of Austin,  Pedernales Falls State Park  is the perfect chill spot. The highlight is the gorgeous Pedernales River, with its limestone ledges and big smooth rocks. 

Jump into the cool waters at the limestone falls for prime swimming and tubing, or grab your hiking boots for the walking trails to sunset views from the top of white cliffs.

4. Caddo Lake, Karnack

Type:  Water Recreation & Wildlife Watching Best Time to Go : Spring to fall

Caddo Lake  in Northeast Texas, right on the Louisiana border, is a more hidden gem destination. This bayou has swamps and ponds spread over 25,400 acres. Spanish moss drapes down from bald cypress trees, turning silver in the winter and making the trees look like they’ve got long, gray hair. You’ve got birds singing, frogs doing their thing, and alligators cruising around the waters.

Back in 1910, this place had a pearl rush. People found freshwater pearls in the mussels here, and for three years, it was all the rage until the water levels went up and made it tough to get to the mussels. The pearl hunters are long gone these days, but folks come by to boat around, fish, bird watch, or watch alligators lurking in the water.

Travel Tip:  Beware the alligators here!

5. Newman’s Castle, Bellville

Type:  Historical & Quirky  Best Time to Go : Anytime for indoor activities

Looking for an awesome roadside stop near Houston? Swing by Newman’s Castle in Bellville . This hand-crafted medieval castle, built in the 90s, boasts a drawbridge, moat, and even a fully operational trebuchet. And it’s actually someone’s house!

Sign up for a castle tour, or you can host a unique event like a murder mystery dinner or an afternoon tea. Want to tour the castle? Just find the owner at his town bakery to grab your tickets.

6. Texas State Railroad, Palestine & Rusk

Type:  Historical Train Ride Best Time to Go : Spring through fall

Hop on the  Texas State Railroad  and enjoy a ride through the piney woods of East Texas. The railroad has vintage steam and diesel trains, each with its own theme, like the fancy First Lady or the open-air Sunset Limited.

During the ride, you’ll stop at an old-timey 1880s train depot, check out some cool exhibits, and even watch a reenactment of a classic train robbery. Plus, they’ve got themed rides! Ever heard of the Polar Express around Christmas? Or maybe a romantic dinner on the tracks for Valentine’s Day? They’ve got that too.

7. Painted Churches of Texas, Schulenburg

Type:  Cultural & Historical Best Time to Go : Anytime for indoor activities

The  Painted Churches of Texas  are small churches all over rural Texas with amazing painted interiors. Some are super old, dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, and no two look the same. 

They might look like your average old small-town church from the outside, but once you step inside, you’re hit with colors and patterns everywhere. It’s almost like a fancy easter egg but way bigger. 

Everything’s hand-painted with incredible details, using stenciling and marbling techniques. You can drive to many of them in a single day, though some require planning ahead, as they have specific visiting hours or require an appointment.

8. River Tubing in New Braunfels, Texas

Type:  Water Recreation Best Time to Go:  Summer for river tubing

Between Austin and San Antonio, New Braunfels is a go-to town in summer, thanks to the Comal and Guadalupe rivers. Perfect for cooling off, you can tube, kayak, or raft and have a blast. You’ll find tons of folks linking up their tubes, floating along with coolers full of beer and snacks. 

And if you’re up for a bit more adventure, there’s a city tube chute that’ll get your heart racing. More into water slides and wave pools? Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort and Six Flags Fiesta Texas have got you covered.

9. San Marcos

Type:  Water Recreation & Outdoor Adventure Best Time to Go to San Marcos : Summer

Smack in the middle between Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos is another perfect destination for river tubing on the super clear San Marcos River. On the day I went, we even got caught in a lightning storm once, and it was still a blast. 

After spending the day out there, hit up local breweries or wineries for killer craft drinks.

10. Wimberley

Type:  Small Town Charm & Outdoor Adventure Best Time to Go : Spring and fall

If you’re up for a chill day trip with a small-town vibe, go to Wimberley. In the rolling hills of East Texas, Wimberly is famous for its cute antique shops, quirky art installations, and awesome views. Go for a swim in the gorgeous Blue Hole or Jacob’s Well, a deep underwater cave that divers have descended more than 100 feet under! 

Try a new activity like glass-blowing at Wimberley Glassworks or grab some tasty local wine from any of the town’s wineries.

Type:  Roses and Outdoor Activities Best Time to Go:  Spring for the Rose Festival or fall

The City of Tyler, Texas, is nicknamed the “Rose Capital of America.” It’s famous for its beautiful rose gardens and charming historic district. If you ever swing by, the Tyler Rose Garden is one of the biggest public rose gardens in the U.S., packed with thousands of rose bushes and colorful flowers. The place is absolutely stunning, especially during the Texas Rose Festival in October.

Otherwise, you can explore the old Carnegie Library, take a step back in time at the Goodman-LeGrand House & Museum, or just relax by Lake Tyler and Tyler State Park.

12. Beaumont

Type:  Nature and Outdoor Adventure Best Time to Go:  Spring to Fall

Beaumont, Texas, might not be on every traveler’s radar, but it’s a hidden gem that outdoor enthusiasts should not overlook. Head to Port Arthur for an eco-tour through the wetlands, marshes, and beautiful coastal views. 

With its warm climate, summer is ideal for water activities at Village Creek State Park, where you can kayak and swim. The Big Thicket National Preserve has a unique mix of pine forests, swamps, and grasslands to hike around in and is home to hundreds of bird species.

13. Fredericksburg

Type:  Small Town & Wine Country Best Time to Go to Fredericksburg : Spring and fall for Oktoberfest celebrations 

Fredericksburg is a cozy little town with German roots in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Thanks to all the wineries and tasting rooms, it’s like Texas’ rival to Napa. 

But there’s more to it. You can stroll down historic Main Street or drive to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area for some gorgeous views. And dig into some German food while you’re there!

In the spring, visit the stunning fields of wildflowers, and come fall, experience their yearly Oktoberfest festivities. As a fan of bat caves, I recommend the abandoned railroad tunnel 10 miles away, which houses up to 3 million bats.

14. Kemah Boardwalk

Type:  Beach & Waterfront Best Time to Visit:  Summer and fall

Admire the views of passing boats and pelicans while enjoying a meal at one of the many restaurants on the boardwalk of  Kemah Boardwalk . You probably want to do that after going on the Boardwalk Bullet wooden rollercoaster or the Drop Zone tower ride, but before stuffing your face with ice cream and funnel cake. 

Otherwise, you can always stroll along the boardwalk, browse local shops, or stop by the Stingray Reef to feed some stingrays!

More Popular Amazing Day Trips in East Texas

15. space center houston.

Type:  Museum & Educational Attraction Best Time to Go : Year-round

If you’re even remotely interested in space and science,  Space Center Houston  is one of the coolest museums I’ve ever been to. I was there for more than half a day and still wish I had more time!

This museum gives you a sneak peek into NASA’s Johnson Space Center and other space exploration activities. It features an actual spacecraft and astronaut gear that you can see and even touch. 

A tram tour can take you behind the scenes to see scientists and astronauts doing their thing. Plus, they do live talks with real astronauts and let you touch a moon rock. If you plan it right, you could catch a rocket launch or attend one of their special events, like the Apollo Celebration or the Galaxy Lights during the holidays.

16. Houston

Type:  City & Culture Best Time to Go to Houston : Year-round, but hot in the summer

Houston, the biggest city in Texas, is packed with things to do. I tried cramming everything into three days, and it just wasn’t possible. It’s the kind of city you probably want to visit on a longer road trip.

If you only do one thing, check out Space Center Houston to dive into NASA’s space missions or marvel at art museums like the intergalactic installations at Seismique or the famous pieces at the Menil Collection. While it serves mainly as a park centerpiece, the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is also very impressive.

Want to explore even more? Drive an hour to Galveston Island’s coast or relax in the Sam Houston National Forest.

Type:  Urban Best Time to Go to Dallas:  Year-round

Reunion Tower really pops in the Dallas skyline, and hanging out at the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a must. You’ll find incredible art collections at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center. The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza stands as perhaps the city’s most notorious site, serving as a moving tribute to President John F. Kennedy’s legacy.

18. Galveston Island

Type:  Beach & Outdoor Recreation Best Time to Go to Galveston Island : Spring to Fall

Head over to  Galveston Island State Park  for some excellent beach vibes. Fun fact: It’s the first place in Texas to get gas lighting back in 1856. And with 32 miles of beaches, there’s tons of space for chilling in the sand. 

Want to do something fun? You can rent kayaks or paddleboards to cruise around the waterways. If you’re not all about just kicking back, check out Moody Gardens. It’s not your usual garden—think giant glass pyramids filled with sharks and monkeys.

Type:  Urban & Foodie Adventures Best Time to Go to Austin:  Spring or Fall 

Austin totally caught me off guard with how great it is for weekend getaways! I loved it so much that I’ve been back three times, chilling for 2 weeks to a month on each visit. It definitely helps that one of my best friends bought a house there.

Austin is buzzing with youth and packed with cool stuff to do, amazing music, and incredible food. Terry Black’s Texan BBQ is a must-try. Take a walk down South Congress Avenue for street art and unique shops, and grab a bite from the many food trucks. Don’t miss seeing the bats take off from the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset – it’s a summer highlight.

You should also paddleboard on Ladybird Lake, party on Sixth Street (Dirty Six), or join one of the many music fests like SXSW or Austin City Limits.

20. San Antonio

Distance:  ~200 miles/3 hours  Type:  Historical & Family Fun Best Time to Go to San Antonio : Fall and spring

San Antonio is worth the trip if you’re in Texas. It’s a great city for a day out as it’s a big city that feels small. Spend most of the day around the River Walk, a place where everyone hangs out, with loads of places to eat, shop, and just have fun. And you can’t skip the Alamo or the Spanish Missions; they are a big part of Texas’ history.

For adventures that the whole family can enjoy, SeaWorld San Antonio and Six Flags Fiesta Texas have exhilarating rides, and Ripley’s and Madame Tussauds offer more entertainment.

21. Fort Worth

Type:  Urban Best Time to Go to Fort Worth:  Spring or fall

Merging the nostalgia of the Old West with urban sophistication, Fort Worth is more than just cowboy boots and rodeos. The Stockyards National Historic District, with its cattle drives and Western saloons, is the heart of cowboy culture and the chance to two-step in Billy Bob’s Texas, the world’s largest honky-tonk. I personally went just to see the Fort Worth Water Gardens.

Fort Worth is a must-visit for its rich history and vibrant art scene, making it an ideal day trip from Dallas. It offers a taste of Texan spirit close to downtown Dallas. Art lovers will find the Cultural District especially appealing, with works from Warhol to Picasso on display.

Fort Worth combines old-school cowboy vibes with urbanness. The Stockyards is where you can taste cowboy life, with cattle drives and old-timey bars. Dance the night away at Billy Bob’s Texas, a sizable honky-tonk. I actually went just to check out the Fort Worth Water Gardens.

Art lovers will find the Cultural District especially appealing, with works from Warhol to Picasso on display.

Final Thoughts: Best Mini Road Trips in East Texas

The East Texas area may be most famous for its big cities, but it’s the smaller towns and hidden gems that make the Lone Star State really special. It’s not just desert and ranchlands in Texas (okay, maybe in West Texas, it is), but the eastern side is full of beautiful places.

If you’re rushing off to explore more around here, don’t forget to check out our other Texas guides below.

Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in Texas?

I’ve stayed with friends and vanlifed around, about, and through much of Texas. If you’re looking for more information on the Lone Star State, check out these other destination itineraries.

• One Day in Dallas Itinerary: Perfect First-Timers Day Trip
• One Day in Big Bend National Park Itinerary for First-Timers
• One Day In San Antonio Itinerary: What To Do In 24 Hours
• Perfect One Day In Houston Itinerary For First Timers

Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

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