Exploring America’s national parks by road is one of the best ways to experience the country’s breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and historic sites. Whether you choose to rent a car, a campervan, or embark on an epic cross-country journey, careful planning will ensure your trip is smooth and unforgettable. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your national park road trip.

Renting a Car or a Campervan

When embarking on a national park road trip, you’ll obviously need a vehicle (unless you book an organized tour). If you’re not able to bring your own car, then you can always rent a car or campervan. So, your first major decision is whether to rent a car to drive to and around the parks, or get a larger campervan for camping.

• Renting a Car: Popular rental companies like Avis, Budget, and Hertz (check car rental prices here) offer a variety of vehicles suited for long-distance travel. A car or SUV is a good choice if you plan to stay in hotels or lodges, as it provides better gas mileage and a smoother driving experience. Also, plenty of travelers use their car for camping, too. Depending on the size of your group and how much equipment you plan to bring, it could be very reasonable to camp with an SUV or even in a normal sedan. Most campsites inside or around the national parks allow you to drive your car right up to the site.
• Renting a Campervan: Companies like Escape Campervans, Outdoorsy, and Cruise America provide campervans or RVs that double as transport and accommodation. Campervans offer the advantage of flexibility, allowing you to camp inside or near the parks. However, they tend to be more expensive in rental and fuel costs, and they can be challenging to park in some areas depending on the size of the vehicle. Many campervans are smaller than you might guess, though, making it easier to get around.
• Pros and Cons: While a car offers better maneuverability and lower fuel costs, a campervan allows you to stay closer to nature while staying comfortable and reduces lodging expenses. The choice depends on your budget, comfort preferences, and how much time you plan to spend in the parks.

Camping or Hotels

Another major decision is whether to camp or stay in hotels along your route.

• Camping in the Parks: National parks have designated campgrounds, but reservations through Recreation.gov are essential, especially in peak seasons. Campgrounds outside of the parks are usually plentiful, but can also fill up during peak summer seasons. Camping offers a more immersive experience with nature and is often more budget-friendly. You’ll also find yourself much closer to the main attractions because you’ll be spending the night in the parks or other scenic areas.
• Hotels and Lodges: For those who prefer comfort, many national parks have lodges inside or near park entrances. Some are rustic, while others can be very high-end. Additionally, nearby towns usually offer hotels ranging from budget motels to luxury resorts. Staying in hotels means you won’t need camping gear, but it can be more expensive and may require advance booking. Also, hotels often have nice amenities such as swimming pools, restaurants, and spas.
• Choosing What’s Best for You: If you enjoy rustic outdoor experiences and want to save money, camping is the way to go. If you prioritize comfort and amenities, hotels and lodges might be a better fit.

Planning a Route

Mapping out an efficient route is crucial when visiting multiple national parks. Here are some tips:

• Decide Which Parks to Visit: Research which parks you’d like to see and check their accessibility depending on the season. For most parks in the U.S., summer is the peak travel season, so expect crowds. Also, be aware of winter season road closures which can limit access to some parks.
• Use Mapping Tools: Google Maps, Roadtrippers, and national park websites can help plot an optimized route. In our experience, it’s best to find a starting and ending city for your route. This might depend on the price of airline tickets if you’re flying into the region.
• Factor in Drive Times: National parks can be hours apart, so account for travel time and fuel stops. It’s always a good idea to find some scenic stops along the way if the distances are long.
• Include Other Attractions: Many parks are near scenic highways, historical sites, and charming towns worth visiting along the way. For quirky roadside attractions and unusual sites across the U.S., check out Roadside America and Atlas Obscura.

Popular Routes

Here are some of the most popular road trip routes through America’s national parks. Naturally, you can modify these routes to fit your schedule and desired destinations. From our experience, it’s best to find plane tickets into nearby major cities, rent a vehicle, and head in some sort of circle, loop, or point to point journey. Find the best price for a flight and rental car, then plan your route from there.

• Southwest National Parks Route: One of the most popular routes is a loop visiting the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches (Moab), Mesa Verde, Four Corners, and Monument Valley. This route showcases dramatic desert landscapes and iconic rock formations. You can also add on additional places in Colorado, Arizona, or even Southern California depending on your schedule. Look for flights to Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, or Los Angeles and plan a route accordingly. (See also this trip through the region.)
• Northwest National Parks Route: Visiting the best of Washington State, this route includes Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades National Parks, offering lush forests and towering peaks. Starting and ending in Seattle, Portland, or Vancouver is ideal for this region. You can add on locations in British Columbia, Vancouver Island, or the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon, too. 
• Colorado & Wyoming National Parks Route: A loop through Rocky Mountain NP, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks, featuring alpine lakes, geysers, and abundant wildlife. From here it’s also easy to head north into Montana, or southwest into Utah.
• Montana National Parks Route: Glacier National Park is the highlight, with stunning mountain drives and incredible hiking trails. This area can also be included with a trip up into Canada or south towards Wyoming, Colorado, or Utah. Or, head west across Idaho towards Washington and Oregon.
• Pacific Coast Route: A scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, with stops at Redwoods National Park, Crater Lake, and Olympic National Park. Basically, plan a north-south route between San Francisco (or even Southern California) and Seattle.
• The Great Lakes: Often overlooked, a road trip around the upper peninsula of Michigan, through southern Canada, and the Midwestern States has a lot to offer. You can combine natural scenery with fun activities in major cities such as Chicago and Toronto, too.
• Florida: It’s more than just Orlando and Disney, as this route can attest to.
• Shenandoah: Epic Beauty!

Travel Tips

To make your trip enjoyable and hassle-free, keep these tips in mind:

• Buy a National Park Pass: The America the Beautiful Pass ($80) provides access to all U.S. national parks for a year, saving money if visiting multiple parks. One pass also covers up to 4 people in the same vehicle, too. You can buy it online in advance, or buy it at the entrance of whichever park you get to first.
• Pack Food & Water: Many parks have limited food options, so bringing supplies can save money and time. During our trip, we would always have a cooler full of drinks and food. Buying food outside of the park is always cheaper than at the smaller grocery stores inside the parks.
• Respect Wildlife: Keep a safe distance from animals and never feed them. In the last few years, a surprising number of tourists have been featured on the news for dying while attempting to approach very large animals. Just keep your distance!
• Check Park Conditions: Park roads and trails can close due to weather or maintenance, so check NPS.gov before heading out.
• Start Early: Parking fills up quickly at popular parks, so arrive early to beat the crowds. Check park websites ahead of time, as some parks have special circumstances that keep vehicles in specified areas. Zion, for example, only lets cars into some areas while other areas require you to take the shuttle buses. Knowing ahead of time will save you time, effort, and make your trip more enjoyable.

Start Planning Your National Park Adventure

A road trip through America’s national parks is an unforgettable experience. Whether you choose to camp under the stars or relax in a cozy lodge, proper planning will ensure you make the most of your adventure. So, rent your vehicle, map out your route, and set off to explore the incredible natural wonders the U.S. has to offer!