Katie and Pierce
From ancient cliff dwellings to towering redwoods, America’s national parks showcase our country’s most spectacular landscapes. While the dream of visiting all 63 parks might require quitting your job and living in a van, these carefully crafted national park road trips deliver unforgettable experiences within a reasonable timeframe.
1. Utah National Parks
Red rock spires, delicate arches, and rainbow-hued canyons await on this spectacular journey through Utah’s five national parks. Covering just 15 hours of driving time, this national park road trip from Salt Lake City delivers an astonishing diversity of landscapes that can be explored in 5-7 days.
The Route at a Glance:
- Total drive time: 15 hours
- Parks visited: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion
- Recommended trip length: 5-7 days
Begin in Moab to explore both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. In Arches, witness the iconic Delicate Arch at sunrise and hike to Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in the world at over 300 feet. Just 30 minutes away, Canyonlands offers Mesa Arch, where morning light creates a spectacular glow photographers travel globally to capture.
From Moab, drive three hours to Capitol Reef National Park to see Hickman Bridge and hike through Grand Wash’s towering canyon walls. Don’t miss picking seasonal fruit from the historic orchards or grabbing a homemade pie from Gifford Homestead.
Scenic Highway 12 – A Drive to Remember
The journey from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon along Highway 12 is considered one of America’s most scenic drives. The route passes through Escalante with sweeping vistas of multicolored plateaus and canyons that will have you stopping frequently for photos.
At Bryce, descend into a wonderland of orange and pink hoodoos on the Wall Street Trail and catch a less-crowded sunrise at Inspiration Point rather than the more popular Sunrise Point.
Your final stop, Zion National Park, offers thrilling hikes like Angels Landing with its chain handrails and breathtaking views, or The Narrows, where you’ll wade through the Virgin River between towering canyon walls. Before returning to Salt Lake City, consider a quick detour to Kolob Canyon, a stunning but less-visited section of Zion.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway: Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains
Winding through misty blue mountains and lush forests, the 470-mile Blue Ridge Parkway offers one of America’s greatest scenic drives. This meandering mountain road connects two beloved national parks and serves as an attraction itself, with countless overlooks and hiking trails along the route.
Begin this road trip at Shenandoah National Park, where 200,000 acres of forests, waterfalls, and mountain peaks await just 70 miles from Washington, D.C. Challenge yourself on the 9.2-mile Old Rag Circuit with its rock scrambles and panoramic views (reserve your permit in advance), or cool off on the Whiteoak Canyon/Cedar Run Circuit featuring multiple waterfalls and swimming holes.
Parkway Highlights:
- Sharp Top Trail near Bedford, Virginia (panoramic Appalachian views)
- Grandfather Mountain State Park’s Profile Trail (ladders and scrambles)
- Julian Price Campground with lakeside sites and canoe rentals
As you head south, the parkway offers countless scenic pullouts, picnic areas, and short trails. The entire route traces the peaks and valleys of the Southern Appalachian range, with elevations topping 6,000 feet and a lush landscape that changes dramatically with the seasons.
The journey culminates at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park. Despite crowds, find serenity at Midnight Hole, a deep swimming pool beneath a waterfall, or hike the eight-mile Ramsey Cascades Trail to see the park’s tallest waterfall. Don’t miss Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower, a circular wooden structure offering spectacular mountain views.
Accommodation options range from the historic Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah to Julian Price Campground along the parkway, or glamping tents at Under Canvas near Great Smoky Mountains.
3. Joshua Tree to Death Valley, California
Bizarre boulder formations, otherworldly sand dunes, and some of the darkest night skies in America make this 250-mile desert adventure an unforgettable experience. The journey connects two completely different desert ecosystems best explored in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate.
Start at Joshua Tree National Park, where bizarre rock formations rise among fields of the park’s namesake yucca plants. Hike the 2.5-mile Split Rock Trail to scramble over boulders and explore small caves, or take the 6.5-mile Panorama Loop for stunning views of dense Joshua tree groves against mountain backdrops. The park offers world-class rock climbing and spectacular stargazing under some of Southern California’s darkest skies.
On your drive north, detour to Mojave National Preserve to see the world’s largest concentration of Joshua trees and hike the three-mile trail to Kelso Dunes, where you might experience the unusual “booming” sound produced by shifting sand.
Death Valley Extremes
Death Valley National Park, the largest in the lower 48 states, offers incredible diversity from bottom to top. Badwater Basin sits 282 feet below sea level (North America’s lowest point), while Telescope Peak rises to 11,049 feet. Walk across the vast salt flats where geometric patterns create an otherworldly landscape, then hike the six-mile Fall Canyon trail through a narrow slot canyon where you can touch both walls simultaneously at some points.
Weather Warning: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 120°F! If visiting in summer, explore only at dawn and be back in air-conditioning before noon. Always carry more water than you think you’ll need.
Stay at the historic Inn at Death Valley with its spring-fed pool or camp among the boulders at Joshua Tree’s Indian Cove Campground.
4. White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, and Guadalupe Mountains
Venture beyond the beaten path to discover three extraordinary national parks within a 300-mile radius. From glistening white dunes to massive underground chambers to Texas’s highest peak, this southwestern circuit showcases some of America’s most dramatic yet least-crowded landscapes.
You’ll go from White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico, home to the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Unlike typical sand, these cool-to-the-touch white dunes create a landscape that seems almost otherworldly. Hike the five-mile Alkali Flat Trail through waves of pristine white sand, and bring a plastic sled to slide down the steepest slopes. Stay for sunset when the white landscape transforms into a canvas of pinks and purples.
Next, visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, protecting an underground wonderland of 119 limestone caves. Skip the elevator and enter through the Natural Entrance, descending switchbacks from bright desert sun into a cool, dark underworld. Explore the Big Room, America’s largest single cave chamber, filled with fantastical formations like the “Giant Dome” and “Rock of Ages.”
Ranger’s Tip: For more adventure, book a ranger-led tour of Lower Cave, where you’ll descend 60 feet via ladders to see unique features like “cave pearls” that look like clusters of eggs (reservations required).
Complete your journey at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to eight of Texas’s ten tallest mountains. Hike to the 8,751-foot Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, for endless views stretching east over the plains. The real hidden gem is Devil’s Hall Trail, where you’ll scramble through a dry riverbed and climb the natural “Hiker’s Staircase” to reach a narrow slot canyon with towering walls.
For accommodation, Pine Springs Campground in Guadalupe Mountains serves as an excellent base camp for both parks, while Oliver Lee Memorial State Park offers desert campsites near White Sands.
5. Denali to Kenai Fjords, Alaska
Alaska’s breathtaking wilderness unfolds on this 400-mile adventure connecting two dramatically different landscapes. From North America’s tallest peak to coastal glaciers calving into the sea, this journey showcases the untamed beauty of America’s last frontier.
At the start of this is Denali National Park, six million acres of wilderness centered around North America’s tallest peak. Unlike most parks, private vehicles can only drive the first 15 miles of Denali Park Road. To go deeper, rent bicycles and pedal to Sable Pass for mountain views and wildlife watching. The mostly treeless area attracts bears, caribou, and Dall sheep that often graze near the road. Alternatively, raft the glacier-fed Nenana River, choosing between thrilling Class IV rapids or a gentler family-friendly trip.
Drive south through spectacular scenery to Kenai Fjords National Park near Seward, where 600,000 acres of glaciers, islands, and fjords create a coastal paradise. Hike the 8.2-mile Harding Icefield Trail, climbing through forests to views of the massive 700-square-mile ice field that feeds nearly 40 glaciers.
Water Adventures in Kenai
For an adrenaline rush, book an ice climbing adventure to scale vertical ice walls. To experience the marine side, kayak among massive icebergs in Bear Glacier Lagoon. Keep watch for marine wildlife including sea otters, harbor seals, and even humpback whales.
Wildlife Viewing Tips:
- Dawn and dusk offer the best wildlife sightings
- Bring binoculars for distant viewing
- Maintain safe distances from all animals
Stay at Savage River Campground in Denali with easy access to river views, or at the free Exit Glacier Campground in Kenai (first-come, first-served). Non-campers can try the Seward Adventure Lodge minutes from Kenai Fjords.
6. California National Parks
From scorching deserts to ancient redwood forests, California’s nine national parks showcase more ecological diversity than anywhere else in America. This ambitious 36-hour driving route offers a comprehensive tour of the Golden State’s natural wonders, ideally explored over 8-14 days.
This national park road trip starts at Las Vegas and sends you two hours to Death Valley, North America’s hottest and driest national park. Experience Badwater Basin (282 feet below sea level), catch sunrise at Zabriskie Point, and explore the rippling Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes.
Continue south to Joshua Tree National Park, where two desert ecosystems meet. Hike to Arch Rock, explore Hidden Valley’s enclosed rock garden, and photograph the peculiar Skull Rock formation.
Next, drive west to Channel Islands National Park, “America’s Galapagos.” Park in Ventura, take a ferry to the islands, and enjoy hiking to Inspiration Point, kayaking sea caves, or snorkeling kelp forests.
Sierra Nevada Parks
Head northeast to Sequoia National Park to stand beneath General Sherman, the world’s largest tree by volume. The drive up into Sequoia features dramatic switchbacks ascending 6,000 feet with temperature drops that might require a jacket even in summer. Continue to Kings Canyon National Park to see the magnificent General Grant Tree and its surrounding grove.
Drive north to Yosemite National Park, with its iconic granite cliffs and waterfalls. Experience the classic Tunnel View entrance, visit Glacier Point for valley views from above, and explore Mariposa Grove’s giant sequoias. John Muir described Yosemite Valley as “by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.”
From Yosemite, travel to Pinnacles National Park to hike through volcanic spires, narrow canyons, and talus caves while watching for California condors overhead. The longest stretch takes you north to Lassen Volcanic National Park, with its bubbling mud pots and steam vents at Bumpass Hell.
Complete your journey with a drive to Redwood National Park, home to the world’s tallest trees. Wander through Stout Grove among ancient giants reaching 380 feet, and take in coastal views from Redwood Creek Overlook.
7. Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Ancient cliff dwellings and a dramatically deep gorge make this 160-mile Colorado adventure a perfect blend of cultural and natural wonders. With minimal driving distance, this three-day weekend trip maximizes exploration time in two of America’s most fascinating but less-visited national parks.
Begin at Mesa Verde National Park, protecting over 5,000 archaeological sites including remarkable cliff dwellings built by Ancestral Pueblo people. Drive the six-mile Mesa Top Loop Road past excavated villages with cliff dwelling overlooks, then get closer through ranger-led tours.
Can’t-Miss Experiences:
- Cliff Palace Tour to North America’s largest cliff dwelling with 150 rooms
- Balcony House Tour, requiring ladder climbs and tunnel crawls
- Petroglyph Point Trail (2.4 miles) to ancient rock art panels
From Mesa Verde, drive northeast through San Juan National Forest, passing 14,000-foot peaks and through picturesque Telluride. Consider stopping for lunch and hiking the panoramic Jud Wiebe Trail, or detour to Ouray’s natural hot springs.
Continue to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, protecting a dramatic gorge plunging nearly 2,500 feet to the river below. Parts of the canyon floor receive only 33 minutes of sunlight daily due to the sheer vertical walls. The park has separate North and South Rims (no connecting bridge), with the South Rim offering more development and viewpoints. Visit Painted Wall, featuring Colorado’s highest cliff at 2,250 feet with distinctive light-colored patterns in the dark rock.
Casual visitors can stroll the two-mile Rim Rock Nature Trail, while adventurous hikers might tackle the challenging Tomichi Route, dropping nearly 2,000 feet in one mile to reach the gold-medal fishing waters of the Gunnison River (free permit required). Anglers should bring fly rods to try their luck at catching rainbow and brown trout in the clear, cold waters below the canyon walls.
Stay at Morefield Campground in Mesa Verde or the convenient South Rim Campground at Black Canyon. For a taste of local culture, spend a night at Telluride’s upscale hostel The Bivvi between park visits.
