Remove Ads

The Greatest American National Park Road Trip

The ultimate drive around the country's best parks.

  • 36
  • 224:25
  • 12,696 mi
  • $1787
Take This Trip

Created by Shane - August 21st 2016

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 National Parks, from the Everglades to Olympic, and everything in between? It's the adventure of a lifetime!

Photo of Hot Springs National Park
4.4

101 Reserve St, Hot Springs, AR, US

Hot Springs National Park

Start off your journey at one of the country's most unique National Parks: the more-developed Hot Springs National Park. A reminder that not all National Parks are located in the wilderness, this park features more than 40 hot springs, many contained within turn-of-the-century bathhouses, all set in the quaint, vintage town of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

1
491mi 07h 39m
Photo of Mammoth Cave National Park
4.5

1 Visitor Center Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY, US

Mammoth Cave National Park

1
2
273mi 04h 45m
Photo of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
4.9

107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN, US

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

2

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.

3
258mi 04h 27m
Photo of Congaree National Park
4.5

100 National Park Rd,, Hopkins, SC, US

Congaree National Park

3

Some of 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 cool wildlife that call Congaree home: feral pigs, alligators, river otters, bobcats, owls, and more.

4
440mi 06h 55m
Photo of Shenandoah National Park
4.6

Shenandoah National Park, Luray, VA, US

Shenandoah National Park

4

It's hard to believe that the mountainous wonderland of Shenandoah National Park is less than an hour and a half from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC. Forests burning bright with colorful leaves in the fall, rocky mountains providing vast overlooks, cozy and fascinating historic sites, and cool waterfalls tucked away among the woodlands and mountains make this a delightful spot to do some hiking.

5
836mi 13h 24m
Photo of Acadia National Park
4.7

25 Visitor Center Road, Bar Harbor, ME, US

Acadia National Park

5
6
923mi 14h 37m
Photo of Cuyahoga Valley National Park
4.5

Boston Mill Visitor Center, Peninsula, OH, US

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

6

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 forests. There's also a train that runs through the park, stopping off at various villages and visitor centers. The park is also super bike-friendly, so rent a set of wheels and explore all this park has to offer!

7
977mi 15h 39m

3131 Hwy 53, International Falls, MN, US

Voyageurs National Park

7

Named for early French-Canadian settlers, Voyageurs National Park is so filled with unspoiled natural views that it's not hard to imagine yourself as a 17th century explorer! The park is mostly lakes and streams. Rent a canoe and paddle out to the various islands for a quick hike, or even to camp out.

8
578mi 09h 12m
Photo of Theodore Roosevelt National Park
4.5
8

Follow 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 rivers, prairies, and badlands landscapes and loads of wildlife, the park is a fitting tribute to Teddy.

9
286mi 04h 43m
Photo of Badlands National Park
4.8

25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD, US

Badlands National Park

9

The ancient, rough, and rocky landscape of Badlands National Park might not initially appear as appealing as one of the country's more famed parks, but everyone who visits Badlands comes away speechless. Describing the park, though, can't compare to actually walking among the colorful, rolling rocks.

10
102mi 01h 45m
Photo of Wind Cave National Park
4.4

26611 US Highway 385, Hot Springs, SD, US

Wind Cave National Park

10

The Black Hills is 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. You can experience the unique beauty of these dense caverns, with their one-of-a-kind boxwork formations, through one of several guided tours.

11
521mi 09h 06m
Photo of Yellowstone National Park
4.7

S Entrance Rd, WY, US

Yellowstone National Park

11
12
86mi 01h 55m
Photo of Grand Teton National Park
5.0
12
13
670mi 11h 38m
Photo of Great Sand Dunes National Park
4.5

Visitor Center, Mosca, CO, US

Great Sand Dunes National Park

13

America's most impressive sand dunes are nowhere near the water... they're in Colorado! The massive, 750-foot tall mountains of breezy sand are perfect for climbing up and sledding down. The park also has a river that you can tube in, and offers primo stargazing.

14
469mi 08h 10m
Photo of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
4.6

727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM, US

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

14
15
287mi 05h 30m
Photo of Big Bend National Park
5.0

U.S. 385, TX, US

Big Bend National Park

15
16
650mi 10h 26m
Photo of Saguaro National Park
4.5

2700 N Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ, US

Saguaro National Park

16

Sandwiching the city of Tucson, AZ, is Saguaro National Park, named for the cactus species that grows in abundance here. Saguaros only can 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 life can thrive in the harsh desert climate.

17
307mi 05h 17m
Photo of Petrified Forest National Park
4.4
17

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 occurs when minerals replace the organic material in the wood, fossilizing it into stone. Take a day to explore the desert and examine these interesting specimens!

18
236mi 04h 17m
Photo of Mesa Verde National Park
4.5

Mile .7 Headquarters Loop Road, CO, US

Mesa Verde National Park

18

It's not hard to see why ancient Pueblo Indians built their settlement into the cliffs of Mesa Verde: The views are stunning. A visit here gives you the chance to walk in the footsteps of the Pueblo people. The park features several complexes, some that you can visit on your own and others that you must visit 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 incredible that the Pueblo people were able to build such homes into the side of a cliff, and that the buildings have lasted so long!

19
136mi 02h 54m
Photo of Canyonlands National Park
4.5
19

A favorite of adrenaline junkies and outdoor enthusiasts, Canyonlands National Park is filled with heart-stopping activities 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 getting too physical.

Each National Park provides its own unique American landscape and its own unique view of the United States. America is truly a melting pot of different landscapes and different cultures, and it's part of what makes America such an exciting, road-trip-worthy place!