National Park Tour USA

Cradling soaring mountains, sun-bronzed deserts, lush forests and sparkling shorelines, America’s national parks are the epitome of natural beauty. From east to west you’ll find 58 parks and almost 400 areas operated by the US National Park Service, covering a colossal 84 million acres.

Whether you’re a seasoned Stateside traveller or are visiting America for the first time, the sheer variety on offer from the US National Park Service is guaranteed to whet your appetite for travel. Want to know more? Read on for inspiration, ideas and top tips on how to tour America’s national parks.

Invest in an America the Beautiful Annual Pass

First things first, if you’re taking off on a US National Park tour it’s essential to invest in an America the Beautiful Annual Pass. Instead of paying an individual entrance fee for each park you visit, this credit card sized pass will have you breezing through the gates of more than 2,000 federal recreation sites located across the country. At just US$80 it’s an absolute bargain, especially considering parks like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Shenandoah and Bryce Canyon can all top US$35 per vehicle.

Campervan and RV touring

Campervans and RVs are the quintessential way to travel America, offering freedom, flexibility and absolute comfort. Most offer full-sized beds and depending on how fancy your rig you could also enjoy mini kitchenettes, living areas and bathrooms. Plus, a home on wheels means you can cruise into your national park campsite, unfold your chairs, crack open a bottle of wine and enjoy the sunset. Prices can vary significantly so be sure to shop around for a deal that matches your budget.

Hotel hopping

Whether you’ve got cash to splash or are celebrating a special occasion, America’s national parks don’t scrimp on luxury. From Grand Canyon National Park to Cumberland Island National Seashore, you’ll find a bevy of stunning properties set in the heart of America’s most iconic destinations. In California, Majestic Yosemite Hotel lures park hoppers with rustic décor, blazing fireplaces and most importantly, piping hot showers. If a suite is beyond your budget stop by for dinner and drinks in the sumptuous dining room, which boasts soaring stone walls, candlelit chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows with magnificent views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point.

Ticking off parks in the Golden State

Short on time and want to roll a handful of national parks into one epic road trip? Look no further than California, aka the Golden State. Home to more national parks than any other state in America, California offers a little bit of everything. Between Redwood and Sequoia, you can gaze up at both the biggest and the tallest trees on the planet, not to mention the oldest if you throw in a trip to Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in Inyo County. Get your fix of towering boulders, golden sand and Dr Seuss-esque landscapes in Joshua Tree National Park, where you’ll find a wonderland of cinematic landscapes. After dark, the desert skies light up with a blanket of twinkling stars. For an off the beaten track experience take a boat or plane to Channel Islands National Park, an archipelago known for its gorgeous coastal hiking trails, secluded campsites and incredible biological diversity. Lassen Volcanic National Park is another hidden gem, cradling steaming sulphur vents, bubbling mud pots and thermal springs, not to mention crystalline lakes and flower-strewn meadows. You could easily spend months touring California’s amazing national parks, though if you’re on a time budget it’s still possible to visit a handful of top picks in two weeks. Along the way you’ll find yourself stopping for brunch in historic villages, sipping your way through boutique vineyards and stocking up on artisan cheese at local goat farms.

Visit in low season

America’s national parks definitely don’t ‘fly under the radar, with the National Park Service reporting over 330 million recreational visits in 2017. To put it into perspective, that’s more than the current population of the USA. As a result, you can bet that if you visit during school holidays or the summer months, most parks will be packed to the brim. Think lines at the gate, traffic jams and serious price hikes when it comes to accommodation. If you want to beat the crowds skip summer and visit in shoulder season. Sure, you may encounter shorter days, colder weather and limited access to some parks. But the payoffs come in the form of fiery fall foliage, kaleidoscopic springtime wildflowers, increased wildlife activity and of course, thinner crowds.

Venture off the tourist trail

While marquee parks like Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite harbour huge reputations, consider venturing off the tourist trail and discovering your own slice of America. For example, while on a typical summer’s day Yellowstone welcomes over 25,000 visitors, Michigan’s remote Isle Royale National Park gets less than half that number in an entire year. Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park dazzles visitors with its multicoloured cliffs, canyons and domes, while Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is home to North America’s highest concentration of glaciers.

Whether you want to share travel tips with the GrownUps community or let us know about your national parks wish list, we’d love to hear from you.