On the Road Again
Are you looking for a fun road trip to tackle this summer with some of your best friends? Then this article is totally for you.
Following COVID-19’s initial peak, the summer of 2020 saw many restless Americans road tripping across the country to satisfy their traveling itch when countries across the globe had their borders closed. When flights and traditional vacations weren’t an option, many had to make do with what they could, and turning to the widely-open (and free) national parks across the country became a popular solution. The U.S. National Park System, founded in 1916, protects 63 parks in thirty states. California, Alaska, Utah and Colorado are home to the most parks, but locations span all across the country in a variety of climates and geographies.
National Park road-tripping has become an increasingly popular pastime – and bucket list item – for many, so whether you’ve always had a taste for the great outdoors or are just looking to try something new, here are some of the best places to look into this summer.
Southwestern Sands Trip
Texas, New Mexico, Arizona
The Parks: Petrified Forest, Saguaro, White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, Big Bend
This trip has all that the “Land of Enchantment” and beyond has to offer – the gorgeous desert views, big Southwestern skies, and sprawling sand dunes. Be sure to visit the millions-of-years-old-Carlsbad Cavern in New Mexico, comprising over 119 individual caves beneath the Chihuahuan Desert, and the highest point in Texas at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. There are also plenty of other spots of interest along this trip – Phoenix, Arizona is famous for its art museums and hot air balloon tours, and Ruidosa, New Mexico is a very popular ski town. There’s no better way to witness the natural beauty of the American Southwest than by visiting these National Park hotspots.
The Great California Trip
California
The Parks: Redwood, Lassen Volcanic, Yosemite, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Channel Islands, Pinnacles
There’s a reason California is the state that serves as home to the largest number of national parks in the United States. Its diverse geographical landscape – featuring everything from beaches to forests to deserts and more – offers a variety of unforgettable sights, especially when guided by these 9 national parks across the state. Yosemite, one of the most popular parks to visit across the country, sits almost at the heart of California and is known for its mountains (Half Dome and El Capitan are two of the most famous), ancient sequoias, and most of all for its breathtaking waterfalls. Other distinct parks in the state include Southern California’s Joshua Tree – part of the Mojave desert – as well as Northern California’s Lassen Volcanic (which, as the name suggests, features numerous volcanoes), Sequoia in the southern Sierra Nevada, and Redwood (home to the tallest trees on earth!) Of course, most of these California parks aren’t far from many busy cities. Along the way, check out San Francisco’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge and waterfront wharfs, Los Angeles’ Getty Center (especially the Getty Villa – featured in the movie La La Land) and numerous theme parks, and San Diego’s beaches.
The Grand Circle Road Trip
Utah, Arizona
The Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon
This famous road trip features a lot of the views you might typically think of when you think of National Parks – lots of wide-open spaces, canyons, and more! Arizona’s Grand Canyon – one of the official Seven Natural Wonders of the World – is one of the most popular tourist spots on the continent, and a must for many National Park enthusiasts. But, this trip features plenty of other iconic sites. Canyonlands, Arches, and Bryce Canyon are known for sprawling arches, buttes, plateaus, rivers, and canyons – and Bryce Canyon’s iconic red rock formations make for a great place to watch sunsets and sunrises. Zion is also one of the most popular National Parks, for its Kolob Arch (one of the world’s largest) and sandstone cliffs. If you decide to embark on the Grand Circle, be sure to make a short detour from Zion to Las Vegas!
Pacific Northwest Trip
Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming
The Parks: Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Olympic, North Cascades, Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton
Looking for a trip beyond Texas? And I mean, way beyond? The Pacific Northwest is home to numerous National Parks and gorgeous coastal and inland views. Be sure to visit Mount Rainier to see Washington’s famous active volcano covered in snow, North Cascades to take in any of the over 700 glaciers, and Grand Teton to look at – or scale – the Teton Range (featuring the famous Grand Teton peak). One of the most unique National Parks in the U.S. also calls this region home – Yellowstone. Home to over 10,000 hot springs (don’t skip out on the Grand Prismatic Spring) and geysers (including the famous Old Faithful), this park is famous for its almost unreal colors and sights… and for being the first National Park in the nation! Spend some extra time in Washington state if you take this road trip – Seattle is famous for its Pike’s Place market, Space Needle, the first Starbucks (and one of the best Starbucks Reserves) and more.
Appalachia Trip
Virginia, Tennessee
The Parks: Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains
Though this trip only features two National Parks, there are plenty of other national scenic trails, seashores, and parkways to visit on this trip surrounding the Appalachian Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the U.S.’s most visited National Park, and is especially known for its gorgeous mountain views, diverse plant and animal life, and waterfalls. Keep in mind that this spot is also famous for its fall foliage, making it a worthwhile place to visit at any point in the year! Shenandoah National Park, located along the Blue Ridge Mountains (of “Country Roads” fame, of course), is a highlight on this trip for its seemingly endless fields of wildflowers. Be sure to also visit Blue Ridge Parkway – a great scenic drive along the way – and Assateague Island National Seashore if you visit this region. The latter is just off the coast of Washington, D.C. – which is a necessary visit on this road trip! Check out a few Smithsonian museums, any of the national monuments, or enjoy the city’s buzzing nightlife if you make a stop in the nation’s capital.
Obviously, there’s plenty more National Parks to visit – Alaska, though a bit of a trip away, is home to eight breathtaking National Parks that should not be missed, and one of the closest National Parks to us here in C-Stat is Arkansas’ iconic Hot Springs. But these recommendations give a bit of an idea of how easy – and worthwhile – it can be to take on a National Park road trip with friends or family over summer break. Or, even better – create your own road trip map! Make a bucket list of your must-see spots and use that as a road map (pun not intended) for your next trip. From A (Acadia) to Z (Zion), the United States’ National Parks truly have it all.
Written by: Bella Correa, Photography: Angel Frando and Gretchen Evans, Design: Josh Carley, Social Media: Ferrell Tugman