America's National Parks are road trip heaven. They preserve the unique landscapes that make our country so special, and with so many different and individual parks, it can be hard to choose just one to visit. Why not, then, take the Greatest American Road Trip, stopping off at the country's most iconic parks, from the Everglades to Olympic, and everything in between? It's the adventure of a lifetime!
Start off your journey at one of the country's most unique National Parks, the more-developed Hot Springs National Park. A reminder that the way Americans have responded to these landscapes is just as important as the landscapes themselves, this park features 40+ hot springs, many contained within turn-of-the-century bathhouses, all set in the quaintly vintage town of Hot Springs Arkansas.
After a long day of exploring as much of the 400 miles of Mammoth Cave National Park's underground passageways as you can manage, spend the night at the Mammoth Cave National Park Campground. Set in a scenic forest, you'll be reminded that the scenery above the ground can be just as lovely as the cave formations below the Earth's surface.
One of the most-visited National Parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has earned its popularity. Whether you're hiking Clingmans Dome for the sweeping views, cruising Cades Cove to see the wildflowers and historic sites, or going off-the-beaten path and exploring Elkmont, the park's ghost town, the beauty of these misty mountains is completely undeniable.
South Carolina's swampland is protected by Congaree National Park. Plunge into the verdant forests as you hike along the boardwalk or canoe down the river. Keep your eyes peeled for the cool wildlife that call Congaree home: feral pigs, alligators, river otters, bobcats, owls, and more.
It's hard to believe that this mountainous wonderland is less than an hour and a half from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC. Forests that burn bright with colorful leaves in the fall, rocky mountains providing vast overlooks, and cozy historic sites and cool waterfalls tucked away among the woodlands and mountains make this a delightful spot to do some hiking.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is another slightly different park. A former toxic dump that's been cleaned up and restored to its former natural beauty, Cuyahoga Valley also protects the Ohio and Erie Towpath Trail, a former canal towpath that runs along the river, through quaint small towns and peaceful forest. There's also a train that runs through the park, stopping off at various villages and visitor centers. It's also super bike-friendly, so rent a set of wheels and explore for yourself!
Named for early French-Canadian settlers, Voyageurs National Park is so filled with untouched nature that it's not hard to imagine yourself as a 17th century explorer! The park is mostly lakes and streams, so rent a canoe and paddle out to the various islands for a quick hike, or even to camp out.
Head off-the-beaten path in the footsteps of one of our most spirited presidents, Teddy Roosevelt, at Theodore Roosevelt National Park. TR had a special love for the American West, North Dakota in particular. Part of this park protects one of his old vacation retreats, and the rest encompasses the landscape he loved so much. Scrubby and scrappy, with wild river, prairie and badlands landscapes and loads of wildlife, it's a fitting park to memorialize Teddy.
The ancient, rough, rocky landscape of Badlands National Park might not immediately sound as appealing as one of the country's more famed parks, but everyone who visits Badlands comes away speechless... describing the park can't compare to actually walking among the colorful, rolling rocks.
The Black Hills are a remarkable place, but hidden below the prairies and forests of South Dakota lies even more beauty, in the form of Wind Cave National Park. The unique beauty of these dense caverns, with their one-of-a-kind boxwork formations, can be experience through one of several guided tours.
America's most impressive sand dunes are nowhere near the water... they're in Colorado! Massive, 750-foot tall mountains of breezy sand can be climbed up and sledded down, and the park also has a river that you can tube in, and primo stargazing.
Home to gnarled Joshua trees, enchantingly strange rock formations, and endless desert views, Joshua Tree National Park is probably one of the quirkiest parks. Boulder scrambling, rock climbing, hiking, and some of the most scenic campsites in the country can be found here, and its SoCal location puts it near all kinds of roadside attractions worth visiting.
It's the hottest, driest, and lowest place in the country... and it's also a stunning National Park. Death Valley National Park might seem like a barren wasteland, but one only needs to read about the strange sailing stones of Racetrack Playa, the odd salt flats of Badwater Basin, the singing sand of Eureka Dunes, and the views from Zabriskie Point to realize that it's actually teeming with things to see and do. Just remember to pack plenty of water and sunblock.
One of the most underrated National Parks in the country, Great Basin National Park definitely doesn't seem like the kind of place you'd stumble on in the middle of Nevada. Glacier-capped mountain peaks, stands of grizzled, ancient pines, serene lakes, and dark caves make Great Basin a park that can provide days of outdoor entertainment.
From its Wild West history (Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch roamed the park) to its stunning red rocks, Capitol Reef might not be Utah's most famous National Park, but it's still pretty rad. Hike through the striking desert landscape and take in the unique views and unique history of this fascinating and lovely park.
A favorite of adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts, Canyonlands is filled with heart-stopping adventure and beauty. Native American ruins, hidden canyons, sandstone hoodoos, and more can keep even the most extreme adventurer's pulse up. The park also features some intense scenic drives, for those who want a thrill without the physical strain.
Next door to Canyonlands is the equally-epic Arches National Park. Slightly more developed and accessible than Canyonlands, Arches features more than 2,000 impressive stone formations. Delicate Arch and Double Arch are two iconic views here that are easily reached by well-marked and short hikes.
Sandwiching the city of Tucson, AZ is Saguaro National Park, named for the cactus species that grows in abundance here. Saguaros can only grow in a very limited habitat, and you won't find any better views of this famed cactus than here at the park. They can grow to be 20 feet tall and more than 100 years old... proof that the desert can be conquered!
Petrified Forest National Park might be the smallest National Park, but it protects a one-of-a-kind sight: a forest of sparkly, gemstone logs in the middle of the Painted Desert! Petrified wood is made of trees that have been fossilized over time, replacing the organic material in the wood with minerals, preserving it for centuries. Take a day to explore the desert and examine these interesting specimens!
It's not hard to see why ancient Pueblo Indians built their settlement into the cliffs on Mesa Verde at this National Park: the views are stunning. A visit here gives you the chance to visit these ruins for yourself, literally walking in the footsteps of the Pueblo people. There are several complexes here, some that you can visit on your own and others that must be visited on a guided tour. It's also worth it to take a drive through the park and see the structures from a distance; it's crazy that they were able to build such homes into the side of a cliff, and that the buildings have lasted so long!
Each National Park provides its own unique American landscape and its own unique view of the US. America is truly a melting pot of different landscapes and different cultures. It's part of what makes America such an exciting, road trip-worthy place!