Guide to Road Tripping US National Parks
You don’t need to cross an ocean or fly around the globe to take a vacation; the United States has plenty of sights to see within its borders! If your wandering spirit has been clamoring for a change of scenery but an international trip isn’t in the cards, a road trip through the US National Parks System might just be the cure.
Background on the US National Parks System
Did you know that the US has 419 national park sites? These parks stretch across more than 85 million acres of land, spanning from coast to coast. While the majority of these parks have some sort of historical significance (e.g. an important battleground, the birthplace of a president, etc), some are recognized for their awe-inspiring scenery alone.
No park is exactly alike, so as you begin picking out which ones will go on your road trip itinerary, keep in mind what you’re most interested in and choose accordingly.
Planning a Road Trip
Figure Out Your Timeline
Before you get too deep into researching which national parks you want to visit, first determine roughly how much time you can alot to this vacation. There are far too many parks to visit all in one trip, so having an idea of how long you can spend in total can help you make other decisions more easily, such as if you should fly to the starting point and rent a car or if you can set out by car directly from your home.
Focus on Where You Want to Go & What You Want to Do
It’s often a good idea to have both a region in mind and a central theme to your itinerary. Some national parks, like Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, and Canyonlands National Park in Utah are relatively close to one another. You could maximize your time spent enjoying the great outdoors if you picked areas with several parks in close proximity.
Did you know that the US has 419 national park sites? These parks stretch across more than 85 million acres of land, spanning from coast to coast. While the majority of these parks have some sort of historical significance (e.g. an important battleground, the birthplace of a president, etc), some are recognized for their awe-inspiring scenery alone.
No park is exactly alike, so as you begin picking out which ones will go on your road trip itinerary, keep in mind what you’re most interested in and choose accordingly.
Planning a Road Trip
Figure Out Your Timeline
Before you get too deep into researching which national parks you want to visit, first determine roughly how much time you can alot to this vacation. There are far too many parks to visit all in one trip, so having an idea of how long you can spend in total can help you make other decisions more easily, such as if you should fly to the starting point and rent a car or if you can set out by car directly from your home.
Focus on Where You Want to Go & What You Want to Do
It’s often a good idea to have both a region in mind and a central theme to your itinerary. Some national parks, like Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, and Canyonlands National Park in Utah are relatively close to one another. You could maximize your time spent enjoying the great outdoors if you picked areas with several parks in close proximity.
If you have more time though, you could pick destinations that are farther apart. For the Civil War history buffs, you could take a few weeks to tour all of the top battlegrounds from Virginia to the Carolinas.
Think About How You Want to Go
Would you want to rent a luxury RV for all your navigation needs, or are you more interested in renting a car for the day and staying in bed and breakfast places along the way? Do you want this trip to be part food tour and part history education, or are you all about getting to the parks themselves? Your desire for speed and comfort will help you decide what sort of overall experience is best for you.
Resources for Your Road Trip
Now that you have a better understanding of what you want out of this trip, it’s time to start researching the parks in detail to further narrow down your options. The following are some great resources for planning your National Parks road trip:
Find a Park by State - Map by the National Parks Service
List of US Parks by Type - National Parks Service
Road Trips for US History Buffs - Conde Nast Traveler
Popular National Park Road Trip Routes - Jetsetter
Ultimate National Parks Road Trip Route (All Parks) - Matador Network
Beyond these free tools, it can be useful to enlist the assistance of a travel advisor. Some of the most popular national parks require permits that can sell out months in advance; important details like this are often best left in the capable hands of an expert planner, especially if your itinerary is long and complicated.
Think About How You Want to Go
Would you want to rent a luxury RV for all your navigation needs, or are you more interested in renting a car for the day and staying in bed and breakfast places along the way? Do you want this trip to be part food tour and part history education, or are you all about getting to the parks themselves? Your desire for speed and comfort will help you decide what sort of overall experience is best for you.
Resources for Your Road Trip
Now that you have a better understanding of what you want out of this trip, it’s time to start researching the parks in detail to further narrow down your options. The following are some great resources for planning your National Parks road trip:
Find a Park by State - Map by the National Parks Service
List of US Parks by Type - National Parks Service
Road Trips for US History Buffs - Conde Nast Traveler
Popular National Park Road Trip Routes - Jetsetter
Ultimate National Parks Road Trip Route (All Parks) - Matador Network
Beyond these free tools, it can be useful to enlist the assistance of a travel advisor. Some of the most popular national parks require permits that can sell out months in advance; important details like this are often best left in the capable hands of an expert planner, especially if your itinerary is long and complicated.
An advisor can also serve as your liaison between hotels or rental companies, should anything unexpected arise. You always have the option of doing everything on your own, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone else worry about the details while you enjoy your vacation. If you are interested in learning more about how a travel advisor can assist you in planning your National Parks road trip, reach out to Tasteful Voyages to set up a consultation.