National Parks
There’s something about a national park that can turn me into a person who’s suddenly willing to get up ridiculously early on vacation.
Sunrise over the mountains? I’m up.
Wildlife before the crowds arrive? Hand me the coffee.
A scenic drive with 14 overlooks? Apparently, we’re stopping at every single one.
National parks are some of my favorite places to explore, especially when we’re road-tripping or traveling by RV. From the red rocks of Utah to the wildlife of Alaska and the geysers of Yellowstone, every park seems to have that one moment that makes you stop and think, “Yep. This is why we came.”
Whether you’re planning your first national park vacation or you’re already working your way through a giant park bucket list, you’ll find travel guides, things to do, road trips, lodging ideas and plenty of practical tips here.
So grab your hiking shoes, fill up the gas tank and let’s figure out which national park you’re visiting next.
Not Sure Where to Start?
I get it. There are a LOT of national parks.
If your bucket list currently looks something like “all of them,” you’re definitely not alone.
A good place to start is my USA National Park Bucket List. It’ll give you plenty of ideas and, fair warning, probably add a few more trips to your future travel plans.
USA National Park Bucket List – Must See →
And if you’re traveling with an RV, I’ve got you covered there too.
Exploring National Parks by RV – Trip Guide →
Explore Utah’s National Parks
If you’re going to plan a national park road trip, Utah makes it almost too easy.
Red rocks, massive arches, crazy-looking hoodoos and landscapes that seem to change every few miles make this one of the best national park destinations in the country.
Plus, Utah is home to the famous Mighty Five: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion.
I’ve explored several of them here on That Traveling Chick, so let’s start with a few favorites.
Arches National Park
Arches is one of those parks where you keep saying, “Okay, THAT one is my favorite.”
Then you drive another mile and change your mind.
With more than 2,000 natural stone arches, scenic drives and plenty of hiking opportunities, it’s easy to understand why this park is so popular.
Things to Do in Arches National Park →
If hiking is high on your list, you’ll also want this one:
Arches National Park Trip Planner for Hiking Lovers →
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon doesn’t really look like anywhere else.
Those famous orange and red hoodoos fill the landscape, and honestly, pictures don’t quite prepare you for seeing the whole thing in person.
Explore Bryce Canyon National Park →
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands sometimes gets overshadowed by its very famous neighbor, Arches. However, don’t make the mistake of skipping it.
Massive canyons, dramatic overlooks and wide-open landscapes make this another Utah park worth adding to the itinerary.
Canyonlands National Park Travel Guide →
Zion National Park
Zion is another park that belongs on just about every national park lover’s bucket list.
Between the towering canyon walls, scenic drives and hiking opportunities, there’s plenty to keep you busy.
Exploring Zion National Park →
Wondering where to stay while you’re visiting?
8 Best Towns Near Zion National Park →
And if hiking your way across Utah sounds like your kind of vacation:
Explore Arizona & the Grand Canyon
Arizona was basically made for road trips.
The desert scenery is incredible, the weather can be a welcome escape from winter and, of course, there’s that little hole in the ground called the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon
Seeing the Grand Canyon in pictures is one thing.
Standing there looking across it is something completely different.
If you’re visiting from Las Vegas, I’ve put together a guide to help you turn the trip into an adventure of its own.
Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Guide →
Heading specifically to Grand Canyon West? Start with these:
15 Expert Tips for an Unforgettable Grand Canyon West Rim Visit →
12 Best Things to Do at Grand Canyon West Rim →
Saguaro National Park
You know those giant cacti that instantly make you think of Arizona?
This is where they steal the show.
Saguaro National Park surrounds Tucson and gives you a completely different national park experience from the Grand Canyon.
The Complete Guide to Saguaro National Park →
Want to see what else Arizona has to offer?
Exploring Arizona National Parks: A Comprehensive Guide →
Yellowstone & Glacier Country
This part of the country practically screams ROAD TRIP.
Yellowstone and Glacier are two of America’s most iconic national parks, and both deserve more than a rushed drive-through.
Yellowstone National Park
Geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, wildlife and scenery everywhere you look — Yellowstone has a lot going on.
It’s also HUGE.
In other words, this isn’t the place where you want to arrive without at least some sort of plan.
Start here:
10 Best Things to Do in Yellowstone →
Then read these tips before you go:
10 Insider Tips to Yellowstone National Park →
Need somewhere to stay?
Best Lodging in Yellowstone National Park →
There’s also a unique place near Yellowstone’s East Entrance that deserves a look:
Pahaska Tepee Resort at Yellowstone’s East Entrance →
Glacier National Park
Mountains, lakes and some of the prettiest scenery in the country make Glacier another park that deserves plenty of time.
If you’re figuring out where to stay:
Best Hotels Near Glacier National Park →
Better yet, turn the whole thing into a road trip.
Epic Banff to Glacier National Park Road Trip Itinerary →
Alaska National Parks
Alaska doesn’t exactly do anything small.
The mountains are bigger. The wilderness feels wilder. And the wildlife encounters can make you forget you’re supposed to be taking pictures.
Denali National Park is one of those destinations that makes an Alaska trip feel like an actual adventure.
Denali National Park
Wondering whether Denali is worth adding to your Alaska itinerary?
Short answer: yes.
Longer answer:
15 Reasons to Visit Denali National Park →
And here’s something every budget traveler likes to hear: you don’t have to spend money on everything.
17 Amazing Free Things to Do in Denali National Park →
Florida National Parks
National parks aren’t all mountains, deserts and hiking boots.
Florida proves that.
Here you’ll find tropical islands, wetlands, wildlife and two park experiences that couldn’t feel more different.
Everglades National Park
Alligators, wetlands, birds and a landscape that feels completely different from the beach vacations Florida is famous for.
The Everglades are absolutely worth making time for.
Everglades National Park Florida Travel Guide →
Dry Tortugas National Park
Now THIS is a national park adventure.
Dry Tortugas sits about 70 miles west of Key West and isn’t somewhere you simply pull into on your way past.
Getting there is part of the experience.
10 Essential Tips for Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park →
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is famous for a reason.
Massive granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant trees and those classic views you’ve probably seen in travel magazines a hundred times make it one of America’s bucket-list parks.
However, the adventure doesn’t necessarily end when the sun goes down.
10 Amazing Things to Do in Yosemite at Night →
If you’re exploring more of California and Nevada, you can also turn Yosemite into part of an incredible road trip.
Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary →
More National Parks Worth the Trip
Of course, Utah, Yellowstone and Yosemite aren’t the only parks worth planning a vacation around.
Here are a few more to put on your radar.
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park makes you feel like you’ve driven onto another planet.
The rugged formations, wide-open views and wildlife make it an especially fun addition to a South Dakota road trip.
Badlands National Park Travel Guide →
Rocky Mountain National Park
If your idea of a great vacation involves mountains and hiking trails, Rocky Mountain National Park probably doesn’t need much convincing.
Still, deciding WHICH trails to tackle can be another story.
The Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park →
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of those places where it’s easy to turn a park trip into a full Tennessee getaway.
There are scenic drives, hiking trails, mountain views and plenty to explore nearby.
Ultimate Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park →
Big Bend National Park
Way out in West Texas, Big Bend offers mountains, desert landscapes, canyons and some seriously wide-open spaces.
It’s a bit of a commitment to get there, but that’s also part of what makes it special.
Big Bend National Park Travel Guide →
Acadia National Park
Mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean at Acadia, giving this Maine park a completely different feel from the parks out West.
Add charming nearby towns and a New England road trip, and you’ve got the makings of one pretty fantastic vacation.
Acadia National Park Travel Guide →
Take a National Park Road Trip
Here’s where things get dangerous.
You start planning a trip to ONE national park. Then you look at the map and realize another park isn’t that far away.
Suddenly you’ve rented a car, mapped out 1,800 miles and somehow added four states to the itinerary.
I fully support this behavior.
National parks and road trips just go together. Plus, driving gives you the freedom to explore the small towns, scenic highways and unexpected stops between the big destinations.
If you’re looking for inspiration, these are great places to start:
Epic Banff to Glacier National Park Road Trip Itinerary →
Lake Tahoe to Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary →
Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon: The Ultimate Guide →
Visiting National Parks by RV
National parks and RV travel are a pretty natural combination.
You have your own bed, your own kitchen and room for all the stuff that somehow multiplies every time you take a road trip.
Plus, RVing makes it easier to slow down and spend more time exploring an area instead of constantly packing up another hotel room.
Of course, RV travel near national parks takes some planning. Campgrounds can fill quickly, roads aren’t always RV-friendly and popular parks may require reservations or timed-entry planning.
That’s why I put together this guide:
Exploring National Parks by RV – Trip Guide →
Start Planning Your National Park Adventure
The hardest part about planning a national park trip might be choosing which park gets to be next.
Do you want mountains?
Desert?
Wildlife?
Waterfalls?
Beaches?
Or are you like me and thinking, “Can’t we just make this one giant road trip?”
Whatever kind of adventure you’re looking for, America’s national parks give you plenty of reasons to pack a bag, grab the camera and get outside.
And once you’ve visited one, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll start planning the next one before you’ve even made it home.