There is something special and even historical about the great American road trip.  Indeed, taking recent world events into account, road trips may even be more attractive to travelers concerned about flying.  If you also enjoy the variety of national parks, then have we got a trip idea for you!  Without further ado, here are the best US national park road trips to take any time.

The Best US National Park Road Trips To Do Anytime 

Centennial National Park Road Trip

This column was inspired in part by a nearly 15,000-mile road trip completed by road trip optimizer Randy Olson in 2016.  He spent two months visiting the 47 national parks located in the conterminous United States.  The trip went from southern California to northern Montana, Maine to Florida, and all places in between too.

Travel experts agree, that if you decide to attempt this same trip, that you start at Acadia National Park in the fall, and then hit Southern Utah and Texas next when the heat is “less oppressive.”  Can’t afford two months off?  Try shorter road trips to these national parks.

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Redwood National Park

This is one of several great California road trips for your bucket list.  Unlike a number of other US national parks, the rugged redwoods can be found in more than one park.  While a road trip here can be enjoyable any time of year, it is even better in the summer.  In the summer more energetic travelers can include a healthy hike through famed Fern Canyon, and a walk along Gold Bluffs beach.  Enjoy the water and see the tall conifers in the moonlight too.

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Theodore Roosevelt And Badlands National Parks

A well-planned road trip to this pair of national parks in North and South Dakota, will also take you through the lesser-known Custer State Park.  Get a good look as you get stuck in an actual “bison traffic jam” and don’t forget to cruise past the presidents found in the Black Hills at Mount Rushmore.  Indeed, a young Theodore Roosevelt visited this territory in 1883 and became enamored with it.

The conservation ethic born in him there later shaped the country’s future conservation efforts.  Visit the rough and ready Badlands.  No other place is quite like it.  Most importantly, before heading off, be sure to purchase a National Park Pass that will provide you with unlimited entrances to all 422 US national parks, historical sites, and almost 1,500 federal recreation areas too, for a once-a-year cost.

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Glacier National Park

Veteran visitors say the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, first open to visitors in the summer of 1933, is arguably the “greatest stretch of asphalt” in the USA.  Mainly because it runs through the much-underrated Glacier National Park in Montana along the border of Alberta and British Columbia in Canada.  If you don’t like snow, the best time to visit is in the summer.

You can see forests, mountains, waterfalls, wildflowers, and (naturally) glaciers too.  You may even spot bears and mountain goats.  Hikers have their choice of several scenic hiking trails.  Enjoy the engineering marvel known as The Loop where this famous road rises right along the mountain’s edge and makes hairpin turns.  It was the first US road to be listed as both a National Civil Engineering Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.”

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Death Valley National Park

While this is another park you can visit any time, taking a road trip here in the summer is reportedly more memorable because you can stop and check out the three numbers on the super-sized Furnace Creek thermometer.  Mind you, the otherworldly dry heat at this park that straddling the California-Nevada border can be risky for the faint at heart as it has been as high as 128 degrees Fahrenheit there recently.

They have almost matched what experts note is the official “hottest temperature ever recorded” on the entire planet.  Local highlights include Badwater Basin.  It’s the official “lowest point” on the entire continent.  See the singing sand dunes and the popular mysterious moving rocks there too.

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Olympic National Park

Washington State’s The Puget Sound separates this particular park from the city of Seattle.  This place has a surprising history of myths, legends, and torrid tales.  Indeed, if you’re a fan of Twilight you won’t want to miss a stop in Forks.

The best time to take a road trip here is roughly between the months of May and August.  In fact, Pacific Northwesterners prefer this time of the year but tend not to advertise it.  All the trails and roads are open then too.

Into geography?  You can enjoy the official “westernmost point of the continental U.S.” on this wet and wild road trip.  Outdoor athletes can hike Hurricane Ridge.  Just remember to head out early.  The trail itself is easily accessible and provides a memorable view of the awesome Olympic Range too.

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Acadia National Park

Sure, everyone knows New England is one place to go to see fantastic fall foliage.  Ah, but regular readers also know that there is another great place to visit in the spring and summer–Acadia National Park nestled along the coast of Maine.  Yes, if you like towering pine trees, cooking pots filled with freshly prepared lobster, and lonely lighthouses located on rugged, rocky shores, this is the place for you.  Spend three days there and you can also check out Bar Harbor’s other attractions including Thunder Hole,  and the oldest bookstore in Maine.

You can also go camping and sample some popular popovers at the Jordan Pond House.  If you can spare the time, cruise over to New Hampshire and hit the cool Kancamagus Highway as well.

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Crater Lake National Park

This national park in Oregon is praised for its “starry night skies”, “scenic highways”, and beautiful blue water.  You will find it roughly four hours out of Portland. Or a good six hours north of the popular Bay Area.

The water here is said to be very refreshing here after a good hike.  Explore the outskirts of the park and enjoy the outdoors.  Some travelers enjoy the park so much they actually plan road trips to explore the entire state.  See what you think!

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Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks

You want an epic multi-day national park road trip?  See the sights at five famous national parks in Southern Utah. Travel the remote roadways running through the rough-hewn heart of the American West via the “Mighty Five” parks: Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion.

This park road trip is praised for the rainbow of colors, noteworthy day hikes, striking photographic opportunities both in and out of your vehicle, and the fact that the trip is made incredibly easy thanks to the proximity of the five parks.  Visitors have easy access to parking and free shuttles, and the trailheads lead hikers to breathtakingly beautiful views.

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Indiana Dunes National Park

You begin this road trip in Chicago, Illinois.  In less than half an hour, you will find yourself in this comparatively new national park.  Mind you, you won’t be driving around the park’s sand dunes in your car, but you can get a super view of them and even stop and explore them more closely if you wish.

According to Indiana’s official tourism website though the signature sand dunes are only part of what you will find around here.  There are unique plants and animals, brewery and winery trails, a fun waterpark, and even casinos.  What’s more, this particular national park road trip can also be a relatively easy and fun “beach getaway.”

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Yellowstone National Park

As previously noted, travel writers generally agree that well-known Going-to-the-Sun is pretty much the best road in a US national park, a day or more of road-tripping through world-famous Yellowstone National Park is not like anything else on this list.  This huge park covers areas of three states– Wyoming, Montana and Idaho.  Officially, it is the first national park in the USA and possibly even the world.

Here you might see such resident animals as bears, bison, coyote, and elk.  Don’t forget out the geysers here either.  If you are concerned about crowds, avoid visiting in July.  Although veteran visitors agree that the place is so large that once you hit the major attractions such as the famous geyser Old Faithful, there is plenty of room ro find a natural niche of your own both in and out of your vehicle.  Roughly 80 percent of the tourists don’t go more than 15 minutes away from their car.  So explore a little and enjoy the relative privacy.

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Yosemite National Park

Despite recent concerns in some of the big cities, California remains an incredible place to take a road trip.  Enter this gorgeous national park from the east after you first check out the gateway to the park, magnificent Mono Lake.  Your next stop is Yosemite Valley where you can experience this popular park just as famous photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams once did with Half Dome and El Capitan looming large in the background.

If you follow this plan, it gives you more flexibility to check out not only Mono Lake but striking Tuolumne Meadows and even Tioga Pass, providing you travel there in summer when all the snow has been cleared.  Don’t forget to save time to see the waterfalls as well.

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Everglades National Park

This park is the third largest national park in “the lower 48.”  It is surpassed in size only by Death Valley and Yellowstone.  Regular readers know that much like many other national parks on our road trip list, for a number of different reasons, it is also a popular one.  Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this reportedly fragile ecosystem is also an official International Biosphere Reserve.

Perhaps more importantly, it is also home to such wildlife as birds, manatees, panthers, and American crocodiles.  Unlike the previously mentioned parks, this is a huge, watery place so you will only see a limited portion of it unless you stop and occasionally exit your vehicle.  Take an airboat ride or go kayaking to see more of this park.  Unless you enjoy hot and sticky weather, do not visit in the height of summer.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park

This park in Tennessee always makes the list of “most visited national park” and often tops it.  The best time to visit if you like lots of color to your lovely landscapes, is during the fall.  The Blue Ridge Parkway site suggests a park road trip that involves not only this park but also Gatlinburg, and Pigeon Forge.

Many travelers to this area visit both the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway.  The area comes complete with natural beauty, rich culture, and a lot of things to do.  This area of both Tennessee and North Carolina are also said to be quite beautiful in the fall.  Be sure to cruise the lovely Tail of the Dragon too if you have the time.

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Joshua Tree National Park

Undoubtedly made famous in part by the 1987 U2 album of the same name, this national park might appear to be nothing but trees and rocks.  (Your rovin’ writer has hiked there and understands that misconception!)  Still take the road trip and really explore the place.  You will find that this park, less than two-and-a-half hours out of Los Angeles, is more than its namesake trees and rugged boulders.

The best time to visit this popular park is early in the day during March or April when you will also see a lot of desert wildflowers.  The 11th most-visited park, it also features at least 500 archeological sites and some of the best places in the country to go rock-climbing.  Go four-wheeling on Geology Tour Road if you have the right kind of vehicle.  Other places to add to your list for this road trip include Pioneertown, the Integraton, and have a meal at the popular Natural Sisters Cafe as well.  Don’t forget to check out Keys View either!

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