The U.S. is home to an incredible array of national parks, each with its unique flavor of natural wonder. From towering mountains to deep canyons and lush forests to sprawling deserts, these parks are begging to be explored.
Ready to plan the adventure of a lifetime? Here’s a roundup of the best road trips that’ll take you through America’s natural treasures.
The Grand Circle, Southwest USA
Imagine a road trip that packs in more incredible rock formations than you imagine. The Grand Circle loops through Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, serving up a feast of national parks, including the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Arches.
Pacific Coast Highway, California
Beach lovers, this one’s for you! While not exclusively about national parks, this coastal drive includes stops at Redwood National Park and Channel Islands National Park. Think dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches, towering redwoods, and unique island ecosystems – all in one epic journey.
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Yellowstone and Grand Teton Loop, Wyoming
Talk about a dynamic duo! This trip combines the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone with the jagged peaks of Grand Teton. From bubbling geysers and colorful hot springs to mirror-like lakes reflecting snow-capped mountains, this journey is a nature photographer’s dream come true.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia and North Carolina
Ready for a drive that feels like cruising through a painting? The Blue Ridge Parkway winds through the Appalachians, connecting Shenandoah National Park with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Expect breathtaking mountain vistas, forests that seem to go on forever, and a hefty dose of Appalachian charm.
Alaska Highway, Alaska
For the true adventurers out there, the Alaska Highway is calling your name. This epic journey takes you through North America’s last great wilderness, with stops at Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, and Kenai Fjords National Parks. Prepare for towering mountains, massive glaciers, and wildlife galore.
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Olympic Peninsula Loop, Washington
Can’t decide between mountains, rainforests, and beaches? Why choose? The Olympic Peninsula Loop gives you all three, circling the diverse wonderland that is Olympic National Park. From misty coastlines to moss-draped forests and snow-capped peaks, this trip is like three vacations in one.
Florida Keys Overseas Highway
Here’s a road trip that’s more about the journey than the destination – until you reach the destination, that is. The Overseas Highway island hops its way down to the Florida Keys, culminating in a boat ride to Dry Tortugas National Park. Crystal-clear waters, historic forts, and some of the best snorkeling in the country await.
Death Valley and Joshua Tree, California
Desert rats, this one’s for you. Link up two of California’s most otherworldly landscapes in one unforgettable trip. From the below-sea-level salt flats of Death Valley to the whimsical rock formations and twisted trees of Joshua Tree, this journey feels like a trip to another planet.
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Acadia and White Mountain Loop, New England
Fancy a taste of New England’s finest nature? This trip combines the rocky coastline of Acadia National Park with the forested peaks of White Mountain National Forest. Lighthouses, lobster rolls, and leaf-peeping – it doesn’t get more New England than this.
Badlands to Yellowstone, Great Plains to the Rockies
Watch the landscape transform before your eyes on this cross-country adventure. Kicking off in the otherworldly rock formations of Badlands National Park, this trip takes you through the Black Hills and Devil’s Tower before culminating in the wonderland of Yellowstone. Prairie to Peaks, anyone?
Crater Lake to Redwoods, Oregon and California
From the deepest lake in the U.S. to the tallest trees in the world – now that’s range. This Pacific Northwest journey connects the sapphire waters of Crater Lake National Park with the skyscraping redwoods of Northern California. Prepare for some serious neck craning.
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Rocky Mountain National Park Loop, Colorado
High-altitude adventure awaits in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Wind your way along scenic routes like Trail Ridge Road, drinking in views of snowcapped peaks and watching for elk, moose, and bighorn sheep. Don’t forget to pack your hiking boots – the trails here are calling.
Everglades to Biscayne, Florida
From swamps to coral reefs in just a short drive? Only in Florida! This South Florida adventure takes you from the ‘River of Grass’ in Everglades National Park to the underwater wonderland of Biscayne National Park. Alligators to angelfish – talk about variety.
Shenandoah to Great Smoky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains
Get ready for a hefty dose of misty mountain magic. Following the Blue Ridge Parkway, this trip connects two East Coast favorites: Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. Scenic overlooks, cascading waterfalls, and a chance to dip your toes in Appalachian culture await.
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Glacier to Yellowstone, Montana, and Wyoming
Brace yourself for some serious mountain majesty. This northern Rockies road trip links up glacier-carved valleys and azure lakes with bubbling geothermal wonders. From Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road to Yellowstone’s Old Faithful, this trip is packed with iconic sights.
Utah’s Mighty 5
Why settle for one national park when you can hit five? This ultimate Utah adventure covers Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks. Red rock cliffs, delicate stone arches, and landscapes that look straight out of a sci-fi movie – Utah’s got it all.
Black Hills to Badlands, South Dakota
The Midwest isn’t all flat farmland – just check out this South Dakota trip. From the granite peaks and ponderosa forests of the Black Hills to the striped rock spires of Badlands National Park, this journey showcases the surprising diversity of America’s heartland.
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Sequoia to Yosemite, California
Giants, both leafy and rocky, feature in this Sierra Nevada adventure. Start among the massive sequoias of Sequoia National Park, then head to Yosemite for those classic views of Half Dome and El Capitan. Just try not to get a crick in your neck from looking up so much.
Grand Canyon to Petrified Forest, Arizona
From one of the world’s most famous holes in the ground to a forest turned to stone – Arizona knows how to do weird and wonderful. The Grand Canyon speaks for itself, while Petrified Forest National Park offers colorful badlands and the chance to see 225-million-year-old trees turned to rainbow-hued stone.
North Cascades to Mount Rainier, Washington
Alpine lakes, jagged peaks, and one very famous volcano await on this Washington state adventure. Start in the less-visited North Cascades National Park, then make your way to the iconic snow-capped cone of Mount Rainier. Paradise indeed.
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Great Smoky Mountains to Mammoth Cave, Tennessee and Kentucky
Go from misty mountain tops to the depths of the earth on this southern journey. Kick things off in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most visited national park, then head underground into the vast cave system of Mammoth Cave National Park. Above ground or below, there’s plenty to explore.
Voyageurs to Isle Royale, Minnesota, and Michigan
Looking to get away from it all? This northern adventure explores two of the Midwest’s most remote parks. Canoe through the lake-dotted landscape of Voyageurs, then hop a boat to the isolated wilderness of Isle Royale in Lake Superior. Moose sightings are practically guaranteed.
Hawaii Volcanoes Circuit, Big Island
Okay, so it’s not a traditional road trip, but can you pass up the chance to drive around an active volcano? Circle Hawaii’s Big Island, making sure to spend plenty of time in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Where else can you see newborn earth in the making?
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Canyonlands to Mesa Verde, Utah, and Colorado
Canyons and cliff dwellings star in this Four Corners region trip. Start among the red rock canyons and spires of Canyonlands National Park, then head to Mesa Verde to explore ancient Puebloan cliff dwellings. It’s a perfect blend of natural and human history.
Channel Islands to Joshua Tree, Southern California
Island vibes meet desert quirk in this Southern California adventure. Hop a boat to Channel Islands National Park for some coastal hiking and wildlife watching, then head inland to the boulder piles and twisted trees of Joshua Tree National Park: two worlds, one great trip.
Ready, Set, Explore!
From sea to shining sea (and everywhere in between), America’s national parks are just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re into mountain vistas, deep canyons, pristine beaches, or quirky desert landscapes, there’s a road trip out there with your name on it.
So grab a map, pack the car, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. The open road – and some of the world’s most incredible natural wonders – are calling!
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