The Greatest American National Park Road Trip

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 upon in the middle of Nevada. Glacier-capped mountain peaks, stands of ancient pines, serene lakes, and dark caves make Great Basin a park that can provide days of outdoor entertainment.

The hottest, driest, and lowest place in the country is also a stunning National Park. Death Valley National Park might seem like a barren wasteland at first, 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.

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.

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.

Everything at Sequoia National Park is over the top... it's home to the tallest point in the contiguous United States, Mount Whitney, and the largest tree in the world, the General Sherman Tree. The majority of the park is backcountry wilderness, but there are several trails and groves of trees that are easy to access. Moro Rock, the Crystal Cave, the tunnel tree, and, of course, Crescent Meadow, called "the gem of the Sierra" by John Muir himself, are all absolutely worth visiting here.

Set adjacent to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon is home to some rugged Sierra Nevada landscapes and (of course) massive sequoia trees. Nestled within the glacial valley is the roaring, crystal clear Kings River, soaring cliffs, lush stands of trees, and boundless wilderness waiting to be explored.

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.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a science enthusiast's dream come true. The many geothermal features in addition to the fact that it's home to all four kinds of volcano (shield, lava dome, cinder cone, and composite, also known as stratovolcanoes) mean that there's tons to learn about and observe here. See geothermal power at work in the steaming geysers, bubbling mudpots, and strangely pigmented features across the park.

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, thickest, and most majestic trees.

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.

The mountains of Washington state are a beautiful sight to behold. At Mount Rainier National Park, hike among alpine forests, fields of wildflowers, and glacier-studded mountains. Even if climbing mountains isn't your thing, you can visit the bubbling Christine Falls and Ohanapecosh forest and enjoy the Pacific Northwest's beauty.

Olympic National Park is another Pacific Northwest gem. Drive along Hurricane Ridge for sweeping panoramas of the Olympic Mountains; head to Ruby Beach to walk along the shore and explore the coves, seastacks, and tidepools; or hike into the lush Hoh Rainforest on the Hall of Mosses Trail. There's so much beauty in such a small area here!

You can never experience too much mountain beauty; every few feet you can see different view more stunning than the last. North Cascades National Park is no exception. Jagged peaks crowned with glaciers and verdant valleys filled with pine trees and flowers provide a landscape that's simultaneously serene and exhilarating.

Glacier is often called the "Crown Jewel of the Continent", so it makes for a great spot to end your trip. Bright blue lakes made of glacial melt, soaring snowcapped mountains, alpine valleys filled with stands of evergreens and wildflowers, adorable bighorn sheep, forests loaded with huckleberry bushes ripe for the picking, lush waterfalls, and adorable Swiss Alps-inspired lodges where you can unwind. Even after all of the amazing parks you've seen, driving Going-to-the-Sun Road will remain one of the top most memorable experiences!