Here Are Some Excellent U.S. National Park Itineraries For Your Next Outdoor Adventure Or Road Trip
Visiting a National Park can be one of the most relaxing and enriching vacations a person can take.
But it can also be intimidating and overwhelming to decide where to start and how to tackle trips like these.
As someone who has explored several of them over the past ten years, I wanted to write up a guide to three of my absolute favorite National Parks so far. If you're planning a future trip, read on for tips and tricks on where to stay, what to do, and how to make the most of your next adventure.
If and I missed your favorite park, leave it in the comments below!
1. Zion National Park in Utah: Less than a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, Zion offers up astonishing natural craters, unparalleled hiking and mountain biking, and sandstone cliffs perfect for canyoneering.
"Why Zion?" you might be asking. Well, let me tell you. At 2,000 feet deep, Zion Canyon offers spectacular hiking opportunities along its floor in the 20 to 30 foot wide area known as The Narrows and the more challenging area known as The Subway. If you're looking to work up a sweat while taking in breathtaking views, this is the place for you.
Lodging-wise, you can't go wrong with hotels *or* camping — and Zion offers excellent options for both.
This portion of the trip is really all about personal preference. If you like to come back after a day of sweating under the sun to a full hotel shower and incredible amenities like a pool and waterfall hot tub that are located steps away from the Virgin River, the Cliffrose Lodge in Springdale might be the place for you.
Other options include The Advenire in St. George, which is an Autograph Collection boutique hotel with a restaurant as incredible as their adorable rooms. Sleek and unpretentious, you also won't want to miss out on their craft cocktails.
If you're a true outdoorsy folk and are looking for the perfect camp or glamp site, consider the Zion Wildflower Resort for gorgeous bungalows with breathtaking views or a stay at the The Lava Point Campground, a top recommendation by the National Park Service.
Cost: Free to camp, $179+ nightly for hotels
When it comes to hiking at Zion, there's something for just about every skill level.
As far as scenic hikes go that aren't going to leave you breathless and regretful, Kolob Canyons is an excellent option. Take the 5-mile drive along Kolob Canyons Road, which has many spots to pull over for a scenic viewpoint of the crimson canyons and access to a hiking trail if you're feeling like breaking a sweat.
Other options include the ever-popular The Narrows, which, as the name suggests takes you along the canyon's 1,000 feet tall walls and guides you to the Virgin River. You can turn The Narrows into an all-day hike if that's your jam, or try The Subway for an even more rigorous option, but be forewarned that it's only recommended for advanced hikers.
Cost: Free for Kolob Canyons, $15+ for The Narrows permits
Beyond hiking, there are also many other outdoor activities — including several on wheels.
Sand Hollow State Park offers ATV adventures for every skill level and can last anywhere from three hours for a morning cruise around the park to a full-day excursion where you'll certainly be covering lots of ground.
Looking to get some more exercise on your outdoor vacation? Zion features some truly spectacular mountain biking trails that have rightfully earned a reputation for both its picture-perfect scenery as well as its exciting terrain. Try the Gooseberry Mesa trail for an incredible view of the wide gorges.
Cost: $149+ for ATV adventures, free for biking
2. Acadia National Park in Maine: Situated on the coast of Maine near Bar Harbor, it offers incredible hikes in the summer, skiing in the winter, autumnal leaves in the fall, and fishing in the spring.
Looking to take a long weekend getaway from one of the major Northeastern cities and take in the Maine coastal views? Acadia National Park's breathtakingly diverse landscapes might be the perfect vacation for city slickers seeking a break.
When it comes to lodging at Acadia, there are hundreds of options.
I'd never tell someone to shy away from camping if that's their prefered way to travel, especially with such a gorgeous landscape available to them. However, if you're just escaping the city for the weekend and aren't looking to get totally down and dirty with the whole nature thing, here's what I recommend:
Bar Harbor Grand Hotel, Bar Harbor Manor, and Sand Bar Cottage Inn are some of the most popular hotels near Acadia National Park. Located in the town of Bar Harbor (if you couldn't guess) these stays offer the traditional hotel experience with a cottagey feel within an adorable coastal town. If you're looking for as much charm as you are natural beauty, this may be the fit for you.
If you're someone who prefers a more private travel experience, one of Airbnb's scenic homes might be right for you. With hundreds of options available, depending on the season, you can have your pick of their offerings based on your preferences, which is always a treat.
Cost: $129+ nightly for a hotel, $145+ nightly for an Airbnb
There are also countless scenic trails and loops — including some set against the famed Cadillac mountain.
It wouldn't be a travel guide to Acadia National Park unless it included the famous Cadillac Mountain, which features granite rocks and autumn-colored red ground cover with a view of the small town of Bar Harbor, along with the Porcupine Islands and Bar Island in Frenchman Bay in the background. Not only is it the tallest mountain in the park, but it's the tallest mountain in the North Atlantic seaboard. You can either hike up the 1,530 foot trail or drive the 3.5 mile narrow access road for stunning views — I recommend going at sunrise or sunset.
Cost: Free
And in trademark Maine style, the ponds and iconic lighthouses are (of course) everywhere.
Whether you're a seasoned swimmer or just one that likes to paddle around and enjoy the cool water on a hot summer day, the gorgeous crystal clear Jordan Pond that mirrors the surrounding mountains will be sure to capture your attention. It's a beautiful oasis from the everyday hustle and bustle and will definitely put you in the vacation mindset.
If you're looking for hiking options, take in the landscape with a light stroll along the Nature trail among the evergreens and, for more difficult terrain seekers, check out the Shore Trail for a trek across the rocky coastline.
Other incredible attractions in the area are Schoodic Point, located about an hour's drive from Bar Harbor, it's best known for its roaring surf that crashes spectacularly on the craggy shoreline, and the iconic Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Constructed in the late 1800s, it's emblematic of Maine's rich fishing history.
Pro tip: If you're looking for a quick bite or a meal with a view of the immaculate scenery, hop on over to the Jordan Pond House Restaurant for classic Maine fare, such as Lobster rolls and crab cakes, as well as afternoon tea and popovers, a New England favorite.
Cost: Free
3. Joshua Tree National Park in California: Located near Palm Spring in the Indio Valley, Joshua Tree is known for its stunning rock formations, distinct trees reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss drawing, and incredible ecosystem that's home to more than 57 different species of mammal.
Where two deserts meet — the Mojave and the Colorado — becomes the incredible topography that is Joshua Tree National Park. The rich cultural history and gorgeous sculpture-esque mountains of Joshua Tree are just two of the reasons it's one of the most popular parks in the country.
If there ever was a place to truly live the desert lifestyle, it might just be Joshua Tree.
When it comes to lodging, there's really no better way to go than pitching a tent on a quiet piece of land, especially since, unlike other national parks, Joshua Tree has no hotels located within park grounds. You can either choose to stay inside the park, north of the park in the towns of Joshua Tree or Twentynine Palms, or west of the park in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or Indio, where there's no shortage of incredible hotels.
Another unique option that feels almost specific to the desert lifestyle is staying in an airstream trailer. An excellent option for this stay is Joshua Tree Acres, which offers several different full renovated trailers with desert themes that are sure to enhance your stay.
Cost: $150+ nightly
You'll want to set aside plenty of time for exploring the famed rock formations and taking the glorious sunrise — and sunset.
As far as trails go, there's no shortage of incredible offerings within the park, the most popular of which is Skull Rock Nature Trail, which is considered mild at 1.7 miles with about 150 feet elevation gain. Ahh, the beauty of the desert.
If you're looking to cover more ground and maybe even work up an appetite for dinner, the Wonderland of Rocks might be the choice for you. It takes you through nearly 5.5 miles of winding rock formations so you can see all the pebbles, stones, and giant boulders that Joshua Tree is famous for all within the span of a nice trek up the incredible mountains.
Pro tip: Head out early to beat the crowds and take in the magnificent view of sunrise or sunset, when the sky paints beautiful hues of pink and purple on the impressively large surrounding mountains.
Cost: Free
Don't skip the rock climbing, either.
Between bouldering, stargazing, and scenic trails along the sides of monstrous mountains, there's no shortage of activities to do at Joshua Tree. If there's one thing the National Park is known for though, it would have to be their superb rock climbing. With incredible climbing trail names such as Yabba Dabba Don’t, Breakfast of Champions, Room to Shroom, and many more, it's difficult not to find joy in the zany offerings of this alien landscape.
If climbing isn't really your thing, you can certainly get your fix of rocks from ground level. Both Giant Rock and Arch Rock are worth checking out for their sheer incredible scope. Plus, it's a great photo opportunity for those who forget to pull out their phones while on vacation.
Cost: Free
What's your favorite National Park — and why? Share in the comments below!
