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!
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 history of this fascinating and lovely park.
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 you can easily reach via well-marked and short hikes.
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.
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!
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!
Of course, no Great American Road Trip is complete without a stop at the Grand Canyon. Words really can't describe the overwhelming feeling of seeing the massive, deep, twisting, and colorful canyons carved into the Earth. Less crowded than the South Rim, the park's North Rim offers equally impressive views, the Bright Angel Trailhead, and a nice visitor center. Come at sunset or sunrise for extra mind-blowing scenery.
Home to gnarled Joshua trees, enchantingly strange rock formations, and endless desert views, Joshua Tree National Park is probably one of America's quirkiest parks. It's a perfect spot for boulder scrambling, rock climbing, and hiking. Also, some of the most scenic campsites in the country can be found here, and the park's SoCal location puts it near all kinds of roadside attractions worth visiting.
Yosemite National Park is almost too beautiful to be true, and once you reach Glacier Point or the Tunnel View Overlook and see the views into the valley, you still might not believe that it's all real. From Half Dome and El Capitan to the many waterfalls and stands of trees, the landscape of this Sierra Nevada wonderland is one of the country's most iconic parks.
For a more serene experience, head to Northern California's Redwood National Park. Home to stands of massive, stately redwood trees, the forests here are unlike anything anywhere else in the world. Trails take you through mossy, fern-covered woodland and past some of the country's tallest and thickest trees.
From Medford - Route 62 north and then east. From Klamath Falls - Route 97 north to Route 62 north and then west., OR, US
Crater Lake National Park is a very unique place. The calm waters of the deep, clear lake hide an explosive past: The lake is actually a filled in volcanic crater, left behind from a violent eruption. Drive around the rim of the lake for ever-changing and beautiful views of the landscape, or take a boat ride out to Wizard Island to experience what it's like right in the middle of it all.
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!