You might want to spend some time in cities, pop into state parks, or skip some regions. While that is the perfect, see-everything-save-on-gas route, obviously that won’t be the best route for everyone. Route 5: Lassen to the Grand Canyon (map).Route 1: Grand Canyon to Everglades (map).It excludes parks in Alaska, Hawaii, and other territories) but still manages to cover 47 US National Parks. In 2016, data scientist Randy Olson created an interactive map that optimized driving times to create the ultimate US National Parks road trip itinerary. There are 61 National Parks in the US, which is A LOT of ground to cover around 14,498 miles if you go the most efficient way. If you fall into the second camp, ask yourself: how long do you have? What states are interesting to you? What season are you traveling in? What’s your overall budget for the trip? Suggested US National Parks Road Trip Itinerary Ultimate Centennial Parks Road Trip Narrowing down your list of parks can be easy if you already know where you want to go, and very daunting if you don’t. Grab a guidebook or check out some of our featured Outlandish National Park Guides.įocus on one park at a time and look at photos, watch videos, or check out things to do. So where do you start planning a US National Parks road trip itinerary? Start by making a list of parks you want to see. There are vast distances between the coasts and you can even expect long drives between parks in the same state. Ready to go on an adventure? Here’s a massive guide to planning a US National Parks trip including everything from route planning to suggested itineraries to making reservations to costs.

But you’ll get every bit of energy you pour into planning back when you’re out there, experiencing some of nature’s greatest works.

Planning a US National Parks trip takes time and effort, and A LOT of time and effort, at that. There’s a lot of competition for campsites and backcountry permits. And the stuff in Utah? Well, that might as well be in another world.īut unlike the good ol’ days of the American road trip, the US National Parks are no longer well suited to an off-the-cuff style of travel. Visit both Yosemite and Big Bend, and you’ll doubt that you’re in the same country. The trip is about varied terrains and diverse landscapes.

Bagging peaks during the short summer when the highest altitudes are within reach. Wading through knee-deep water in narrow canyons. Going off-trail to explore strange rock formations weathered over millions of years. A US National Parks trip is kind of a right of passage for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Road trip planner national parks