Lonely Planet USA's National Parks

By Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet's USA's National Parks is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Hike beautiful Yosemite, marvel at the Grand Canyon and spot volcanoes in Hawai'i; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of USA's National Parks and begin your journey now!

Inside the Lonely Planet's USA's National Parks Travel Guide:

User-friendly highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices, emergency information, park seasonality, hiking trail junctions, viewpoints, landscapes, elevations, distances, difficulty levels, and durations

Focused on the best hikes, drives, and cycling tours

Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, camping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, summer and winter activities, and hidden gems that most guidebooks miss

Contextual insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, geology, wildlife, and conservation

Over 52 full-color trail and park maps and full-color images throughout

Useful features- Travel with Children,Clothing and Equipment, andDay and Overnight Hikes

Covers California, The Southwest, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, Great Lakes and Great Plains, New England and the Mid-Atlantic, The South, Florida, Hawaii

The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's USA's National Parks, our most comprehensive guide to these US national parks, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled.

Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's USA for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer.

Looking to visit more North American national parks? Check out USA's National Parks, a new full-color guide that covers all 59 of the USA's national parks.

Just looking for inspiration? Check out Lonely Planet's National Parks of America, a beautifully illustrated introduction to each of the USA's 59 national parks.

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Release date: Mar 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9781837585489

Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet has gone on to become the world’s most successful travel publisher, printing over 100 million books. The guides are printed in nine different languages; English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and Korean. Lonely Planet enables curious travellers to experience the world and get to the heart of a place via guidebooks and eBooks to almost every destination on the planet, an award-winning website and magazine, a range of mobile and digital travel products and a dedicated traveller community.

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Front CoverLonely Planet Logo

USA’S NATIONAL PARKS

MapHow To Use This eBook

Contents

Plan Your Trip

The Journey Begins Here

Map

Our Picks

Regions

Itineraries

When to Go

Get Prepared

Health & Safety

Gear & Clothing

The Outdoors

The Guide

California

Kings Canyon National Park

Sequoia National Park

Yosemite National Park

Redwood National Park

Channel Islands National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Death Valley National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park

The Southwest

Arches National Park

Big Bend National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Grand Canyon National Park

Great Basin National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Mesa Verde National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

Saguaro National Park

White Sands National Park

Zion National Park

Alaska & the Pacific Northwest

Crater Lake National Park

Mt Rainier National Park

North Cascades National Park

Olympic National Park

Denali National Park & Preserve

Gates of the Arctic National Park & Preserve

Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

Katmai National Park & Preserve

Kenai Fjords National Park

Lake Clark National Park & Preserve

Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve

Rocky Mountains

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Glacier National Park

Grand Teton National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Great Lakes & Great Plains

Badlands National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Gateway Arch National Park

Isle Royale National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Voyageurs National Park

Wind Cave National Park

New England & the Mid-Atlantic

Acadia National Park

Shenandoah National Park

The South

Congaree National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hot Springs National Park

Mammoth Cave National Park

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Florida

Biscayne National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park

Everglades National Park

Hawaii

Haleakalā National Park

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Toolkit

Arriving

Getting Around

Money

Accommodations

Family Travel

Travel with Pets

Responsible Travel

Accessible travel

Nuts & Bolts

Storybook

A History of USA’s National Parks in 15 Places

Meet the Rangers

The First Peoples

This Land Is Your Land: Public Land & Politics

A Changing Sierra

The Yellowstone Supervolcano

This Book

USA’S NATIONAL PARKS

THE JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

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Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone | cb_travel/Shutterstock ©

Some of my earliest travel memories revolve around America’s national parks: marveling at Mesa Verde’s ancient cliff dwellings, crawling through Mammoth Cave’s chilly passageways and watching the fireflies dance around the family tent in the Great Smoky Mountains. Although I’ve traveled the globe since then, I’m convinced that the world’s greatest treasures are right in my own backyard. Every time I’ve visited a national park, I’ve fallen in love with a new place.

National parks have always been an important part of the American identity – ‘the best idea we ever had’ as writer and historian Wallace Stegner put it. Today, those treasured outdoor spaces are more important than ever — both for the ecosystems they protect and the people who visit them.

Regis St Louis

@regisstlouis

The son of two Coloradans, Regis has spent two decades exploring the world’s wild places. He is the author of more than 100 Lonely Planet guides.

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My favorite experience is tramping through wintry forests in snowshoes while tracing the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Seeing the park under heavy snowfall is magical.

WHO GOES WHERE

Our writers and experts choose the places which, for them, define USA’s National Parks

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kojihirano/Shutterstock ©

My toughest day hike was a solo trek to the summit of Half Dome from Yosemite Valley. The sense of accomplishment and relief at the summit, shared by all the hikers up there, is one-of-a-kind. And yes, the steep slope of the rock and the steel-cable ‘ladder’ on the final stretch are as scary as they look, but just keep going. You’ll be glad you did.

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Amy C Balfour

@amycbalfour

Amy writes about travel, culture and the outdoors. She has authored more than 60 books for Lonely Planet.

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Francisco Blanco/Shutterstock ©

The largest subtropical wilderness in the US, the Everglades is a great place to see wildlife, including alligators and birds. I love the diversity of experiences on offer here, from short strolls along a boardwalk to deep backcountry immersion in the 10,000 Islands in a kayak. The Everglades feels like a soul-enriching antidote to Florida’s overdeveloped coastline.

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Anthony Ham

@AnthonyHamWrite

Anthony writes about wildlife and culture; he is the author of The Last Lions of Africa.

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Allen.G/Shutterstock ©

Zion National Park in Utah stirs up every emotion in me. The Narrows, where the trail is simply the Virgin River coursing between sheer-cut canyon walls, is one of my favorite hikes I’ve done anywhere in the world. Wading through the water and wondering what’s around the canyon’s next corner fills me with pure joy and brings back a childlike sense of awe.

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Lauren Keith

@noplacelike_it

Lauren is a travel writer and an avid hiker whose boots have trekked trails all over the world.

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MightyPix/Shutterstock ©

It’s hard to beat Crater Lake – Oregon’s only national park – for the sheer wow factor. The lake itself is breathtaking, but it’s also situated in the midst of some of the state’s prettiest territory, full of creeks and waterfalls and hiking trails. The best way to experience it is to spend the night at one of the park’s campgrounds so you’ll have plenty of time to relax into the surroundings.

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Becky Ohlsen

@fasterbecky

Becky writes about travel and outdoor adventures in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.

Country Map

WILDLIFE WATCHING

Some come to spot the big five: bear, moose, elk, bison and wolf. Others are drawn to exquisite rarities – like the arctic tern, which migrates more than 18,000 miles each year. Whether you hope to spot an animal you’ve never seen in the wild before or simply want to reconnect with nature’s raw power, America’s vast national-park system harbors an astonishing array of plant and animal life, with every season offering one-of-a-kind wildlife encounters.

Sunrise & Sunset

Pick a prime viewing spot at dawn or dusk for the best chance to see wildlife, and be patient as nature plays itself out before your eyes.

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B Norris/Shutterstock ©

Visual Advantage

Binoculars are a must when looking at wildlife, and a spotting scope is even better. If you’re lacking, stores in the parks are well stocked.

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Wakllaff/Shutterstock ©

Roadside Etiquette

If you spot an animal off the road while driving, don’t block traffic. Instead, pull completely off and view safely from the side of the road.

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Bison, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park | BlueBarronPhoto/Shutterstock ©

BEST WILDLIFE-WATCHING EXPERIENCES

Observe huge bison herds and wolf packs on the move from a vantage point overlooking Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley 1.

Look for alligators, manatees and a wide variety of birdlife while exploring the diverse ecosystems of the Everglades 2.

Scan the banks of ponds and mountain streams for well-concealed moose while hiking Grand Teton trails at Jenny Lake 3.

Time your visit to see the wondrous display of synchronous fireflies flashing in unison in Congaree National Park 4.

Enjoy cool early mornings in the Chisos Mountains, a fine time to look for more than 450 bird species found in Big Bend 5.

WILDERNESS LANDSCAPES

With thundering waterfalls, snow-covered peaks and chiseled canyons, national parks have been dazzling visitors for centuries. There are countless ways to experience the magic, whether trekking through the backcountry or admiring from an easy-to-reach lookout. Make sure your camera is charged: you’re in a photographer’s paradise.

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Sequoia National Park | My Good Images/Shutterstock ©

Early Risers

Beat the worst of the crowds by getting an early start and hitting key attractions at first light. Alternatively, come in the afternoon, when most visitors have dispersed.

Deeper Knowledge

Many visitor centers help bring the parks to life, with thoughtfully designed exhibitions and films that showcase the geology, wildlife and often-times human history.

BEST WILDERNESS EXPERIENCES

Pace the trails of Yosemite’s Mariposa Grove 1, where sequoias rocket to the sky.

Make the intensely rewarding hike along the top of Zion Canyon’s cliffs to Observation Point 2.

Feel the roar of the Lower Falls as they plunge over 300ft through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone 3.

Step into a forest of verdant splendor in the Hoh River area of Olympic National Park 4.

Walk trails amid the rock formations, palm-filled oases and desert plants of Joshua Tree National Park 5.

GEOLOGICAL WONDERS

America’s national parks protect some of the earth’s great treasures. You can walk the trails around steaming geysers and gurgling mud pools, or peer back through the eons at billion-year-old rock formations. There are fossilized remnants of ancient forests, jewel-like glaciers and vast, glittering caverns. You could spend a lifetime and not see it all.

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Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park | JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock ©

Ranger Talks

It’s worth timing your visit to coincide with a ranger-led talk. Knowledgeable National Park Service (NPS) staff can give you a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Off the Beaten Track

You can escape overtourism and experience quiet corners of the parks by seeking out lesser-known sites (such as Yellowstone’s Fossil Forest trail).

BEST GEOLOGICAL EXPERIENCES

Stroll the Upper Geyser Basin amid numerous spouters in Yellowstone National Park 1.

See cathedral-sized chambers on a tour through Mammoth Cave National Park 2.

Walk through trails past logs that turned to stone 200-plus million years ago in Petrified Forest National Park 3.

Feel like you’ve left planet earth behind on a wander through Badlands National Park 4.

Peer back into prehistoric times at the hoodoos, craters and mesas of Canyonlands National Park 5.

HITTING THE TRAIL

Hiking can mean just about anything in America’s national parks. You’ll find easygoing paths tracing canyon overlooks, challenging treks to craggy summits and soul-affirming walks through primeval forests. There are accessible trails for all ages as well as remote hikes that draw only a handful of visitors. The benefits of walking for physical and mental health are well documented, and there’s no better place for a bit of fresh-air medicine than on a national-park trail.

Be Prepared

Many trails are well marked but no matter where you’re heading it’s sensible to travel with a good map – along with rain gear, sunscreen and other essentials.

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Theron Stripling III/Shutterstock ©

Weather Wise

Be sure to check the forecast before heading out. When lightning flashes, take cover – and avoid ridges, isolated trees and exposed areas.

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Tupungato/Shutterstock ©

Bear Spray

Unless you’re traveling in winter, have a can of bear spray handy on a hike. Keep it within easy reach and know how to use it.

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Rim Trail, Grand Canyon National Park | mexiwing/Shutterstock ©

BEST HIKING EXPERIENCES

Rise early for a stroll along the Rim Trail of the Grand Canyon National Park 1, one of the park’s best sunrise spots.

Climb past wild rock formations on the steep Alum Cave Trail 2 in a lush stretch of forest in the Great Smokies.

Catch your breath after the ascent up Longs Peak 3, a 14,259ft summit that towers above the surrounding mountains in the Rockies.

Pull your way up iron ladders and walk (carefully) along exposed cliffs on the Precipice Trail 4 in Acadia.

Feel the cooling mists of cascades while hiking one of Yosemite’s best hikes to Vernal and Nevada Falls 5.

ON THE WATER

Whether soloing in a kayak or bundling the family into a canoe, paddling is a great way to glide into nature at your own pace. When your arms tire, shore up on empty beaches for a picnic or a swim. With a permit you can also backcountry camp in appealing spots a few paces from the shore.

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Kayaking, Everglades National Park | mariakray/Shutterstock ©

Permits

To boat in some parks, you’ll need to purchase a permit (available on recreation.gov). This often applies to kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

Staying Warm

Make sure you have the right clothing: warm layers and a waterproof shell. Things can get chilly on the water even in the height of summer.

BEST AQUATIC EXPERIENCES

Splash along the white water rushing through the New River Gorge National Park 1.

Paddle across the mirror-like waters in the Everglades 2 amid great blue herons and ospreys.

Peer out over the edge of a catamaran while gliding past cliffs, icebergs and puffins in Glacier Bay National Park 3.

Go for a soak at Hot Springs National Park 4 – the perfect ending after a day on the trail.

Rent a houseboat and spend a few days exploring Voyageurs National Park 5.

WINTER WONDERLAND

The parks are mostly warm-weather havens. But you’ve only really experienced half the action if you haven’t been in the winter. After November, the northern landscapes gradually become more snow-covered and challenging (even the bears retire). Skiing is the obvious lure. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fatbiking attract the more adventurous.

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Showshoeing, Bryce Canyon National Park | Galyna Andrushko/Shutterstock ©

Gear Essentials

Make sure your clothing is up to the task: winter here can bring extreme temperatures ranging from just above freezing to well below zero.

Getting There

Plan your route carefully as some roads at higher elevations remain closed for the duration of winter. Get up-to-date weather reports from parks.

BEST WINTERTIME EXPERIENCES

Take in the views while riding in the glass-topped dome car of the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad 1.

Strap on your snowshoes on a guided hike at Taggart Lake 2 in the Grand Tetons.

Escape the frigid winter while taking in volcanic terrain on a visit to Haleakalā National Park 3.

Enjoy the dramatic contrast of snow on red rocks in Bryce Canyon National Park 4.

Glide through snow-covered meadows on a cross-country ski outing in Glacier National Park 5.

SCENIC DRIVES

A head-spinning road snakes up the mountainside to deposit you in a different world, high above the tree line, onto a rolling plateau overlooking topaz lakes and craggy rock faces where marmots sunbathe. Or you might find yourself motoring across desert, through misty forests or along a rocky, wave-kissed shoreline. Wherever you roam, you won’t stray far from some magnificent drives – with little-known hikes, remote campsites and charming little towns along the way.

Summer Driving

Plan your road trip carefully as the higher mountain roads open for only a short window during the summer, typically from late May through September or October.

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Benny Marty/Shutterstock ©

Picnic Supplies

Services are sparse, and many national parks lack food options once you’re inside. Prepare for a long drive by bringing plenty of snacks and water.

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Oomka/Shutterstock ©

Fuel Up

Gas stations can be few and far between, so fill up before reaching the park. And try to arrive before nightfall to avoid wildlife on the road.

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Delicate Arch, Arches National Park | TRphotos/Shutterstock ©

BEST ROAD-TRIP EXPERIENCES

Enter an enchanting world of lush rainforests, glacial-carved lakes and windswept beaches on a trip around the Olympic Peninsula 1.

Photograph the mountain views while driving in Grand Teton National Park 2, with roaming pronghorn, deer and moose on the Jackson Hole Valley flats.

Cruise along a scenic drive in Arches National Park 3 for views of balanced rocks, delicate arches and the La Sal Mountains.

Take in the grandeur of Hawai’i Volcanoes on the Chain of Craters Road 4, a drive featuring petroglyphs, lava flows and jagged craters.

Admire ancient giant sequoias as well as waterfalls, lakes and mountain panoramas on the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway 5.

REGIONS

Find the places that tick all your boxes.

ITINERARIES

California & the Southwest

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Allow: 7 days    Distance: 1300 miles

You’ll see some of America’s most famous western parks on this route that takes in forested valleys, towering sand dunes and breathtaking canyons. While it’s possible to do it in seven packed days, you can easily stretch this to two or more weeks, hitting other nearby attractions along the way.

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El Tovar Hotel, Grand Canyon National Park | Linda Harms/Shutterstock ©

1 Yosemite National Park 1 Day

Start off with Yosemite, the park that inspired the great conservationist John Muir in the late 19th century. Take in scenic views of Yosemite Valley and soaring El Capitan, then head off on a hike, either to the lofty Yosemite Falls or the mystical duo of Vernal and Nevada Falls. Later cool off in the Merced River. Spend the night in the historic Ahwahnee Hotel.

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Maridav/Shutterstock ©

2 Death Valley National Park 1 Day

Spend the day exploring Death Valley, one of America’s most captivating desert parks. Enjoy the dramatic panorama from Zabriskie Point. Take a hike amid the rock walls of Mosaic Canyon. When the hillsides are bathed in golden hues, take a spin on the Artists Drive scenic loop road.

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David Rajter/Shutterstock ©

3 Zion National Park 1 Day

The majestic red-rock landscape of Zion provides a dazzling contrast to Death Valley. Get your bearings on the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, stopping for a snack at the Zion Lodge. Gear up for adventure on a watery walk through the Narrows, or if you prefer to stay dry take to one of Zion’s many lofty trails, like Emerald Pools, or for adrenaline junkies, Angels Landing.

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Geir Olav Lyngfjell/Shutterstock ©

4 Bryce Canyon National Park 1 Day

Northeast of Zion, you’ll enter the hallowed world of Bryce Canyon. See what makes this place so extraordinary on the 17-mile drive up to Rainbow Point, with stops at canyon-rim overlooks along the way. Next up is the Queen’s Garden Trail, a memorable hike that takes you down into the canyon. After sundown, spend some time stargazing or taking part in a ranger-led astronomy program.

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Unai Huizi Photography/Shutterstock ©

5 Grand Canyon National Park 2 Days

Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, it’s impossible not to feel the sense of awe while gazing across the Grand Canyon. Start day one by learning about geological history on the Trail of Time. Later explore Grand Canyon Village, and have dinner at the storied El Tovar. On day two, head below the canyon rim on the Bright Angel Trail.

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Christopher Moswitzer/Shutterstock ©

6 Joshua Tree National Park 1 Day

Back in California, get your fill of the surreal, iconic Joshua trees while exploring the rocky, sunbaked landscape of the eponymous national park. If you’re not here for the legendary rock climbing, hit the trail. For an easy 1-mile outing, opt for the Hidden Valley Trail. With more time (and energy) at your disposal, instead go for the Lost Palms Oasis Trail.

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Mary Elise Photography/Shutterstock ©

ITINERARIES

Across the Northwest

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Allow: 7 days    Distance: 1740 miles

America’s northwest is a must for mountain lovers, with a mix of eroded peaks and chiseled summits, as well as the picturesque valleys surrounding them. Other highlights include the dramatic geothermal features of Yellowstone and the lush rainforests of Olympic. There’s also great wildlife watching, with bison, bears and moose, among many other creatures.

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1 Badlands National Park 1 Day

Start things off in Badlands on a high with a scenic drive along the Badlands Loop Rd. Stop for views over the otherworldly rock formations, then head to the Sage Creek Rim Rd for a look at the prairie-dog towns. Take a hike before calling it a day: though just 1 mile long, the Door Trail immerses you in the rugged landscape of the eroded canyons.

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Brian A Wolf/Shutterstock ©

2 Grand Teton National Park 1 Day

Shake off the long drive to Grand Teton on a walk along the Jenny Lake Trail. Stop for photos at Hidden Falls and aptly named Inspiration Point. If you’re not ready to quit, keep going all the way up to Cascade Canyon, then catch the boat back across the lake. Later, treat yourself to drinks and appetizers at lovely Blue Heron at Jackson Lake Lodge.

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zijin/Shutterstock ©

3 Yellowstone National Park 2 Days

Get an early start at Yellowstone at the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful and countless other geothermal features. Afterwards, see more steaming wonders at the Grand Prismatic Spring, Fountain Paint Pot and Mammoth Hot Springs. On day two, see the viewpoints and walk the south rim trail of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. End with wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley.

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BlahDesign/Shutterstock ©

4 Glacier National Park 1 Day

Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road to experience some of the best mountain views in northern Montana’s Glacier National Park. Along the way, stop off at St Mary Lake, dramatically set in a glacier-carved valley. Look for wildlife on the Beaver Pond Trail, then learn more about the indigenous connection to the park in the St Mary Visitor Center.

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Stacy Funderburke/Shutterstock ©

5 Mt Rainier National Park 1 Day

Start in Paradise, one of the best gateways to Washington’s beloved mountain. Get insight into Mt Rainier National Park at the Henry M Jackson Visitor Center, then head up the Skyline Trail for a hike that takes in one of Rainier’s best views, from Panorama Point. Later on, check out the Longmire National Historic District and spend the night at the delightfully rustic National Park Inn.

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SKPG_Arts/Shutterstock ©

6 Olympic National Park 1 Day

Make your way to the Hoh River area in Olympic National Park, where you can see virgin rainforest featuring massive (and centuries-old) cedars, Sitka spruce and hemlock. Deepen your knowledge at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center, then take in every possible shade of green on the lush Hall of Moss Trail. Afterwards, drive out to Ruby Beach, an enchanting place to explore Olympic’s rugged shoreline.

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Eric Kreager/Shutterstock ©

ITINERARIES

Highlights of the Southeast

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Allow: 7 days    Distance: 1750 miles

There’s ample variety on this road trip that takes you to national parks in seven states in the southeast. You’ll see vast wetlands, primeval swamps, the Appalachian Mountains and the biggest cave system on the planet. Adventure takes many forms here, including white-water-rafting trips, summit hikes and lamplit cave crawls.

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1 Everglades National Park 1 Day

Just south of Miami, the wetlands of the Everglades immerse you in a watery landscape full of wildlife. Make the most of the park by hiring a kayak or canoe (from Flamingo Marina) and heading off on a backcountry adventure. Nine Mile Pond is a great spot to spy egrets, herons and other birdlife. Afterwards, look for gators along the Loop Road off Tamiami Trail.

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FloridaStock/Shutterstock ©

2 Congaree National Park 1 Day

You’ll find more aquatic beauty up in South Carolina’s Congaree. After the long drive from the Everglades, stretch your legs on the elevated boardwalk trail. The walk takes you into the heart of the old-growth swampland, with bald cypress trees dripping with Spanish moss and woodpeckers flitting through the forest. If time allows, take a guided paddling trip on the Cedar Creek Canoe Trail.

3 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 2 Days

Leave the flatlands behind as you drive the winding roads into the Great Smoky Mountains. On your first day, check out the highlights along the Newfound Gap Rd, a motorway bisecting the park, with hiking trailheads and scenic overlooks along the way. Start day two with sunrise from Clingmans Dome, then hike up the Alum Cave Trail, going all the way to Mt LeConte if you have time.

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Alum Cave Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park | Theron Stripling III/Shutterstock ©

4 Mammoth Cave National Park 1 Day

It’s a scenic drive over the foothills of the Appalachians into central Kentucky. There you can spend a day spelunking your way through the subterranean wonders of Mammoth Cave. Though there are many different tours, the Violet City Tour gives a fascinating insight into the cave’s history. Afterwards, enjoy some above-ground scenery on a forested hike along the Cedar Sink Trail.

5 New River Gorge National Park 1 Day

Strap on your helmet, tighten your life vest and prepare to get wet on a thrilling white-water-rafting trip along the New River Gorge. After the adrenaline-fueled half-day trip, you can check out some of the great views of the area overlooking the picturesque New River Gorge Bridge. Later, toast the day’s adventures over pizza and craft beer at Pies & Pints.

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Jon Bilous/Shutterstock ©

6 Shenandoah National Park 1 Day

The final stop takes you back into the Appalachian Mountains amid the forests of Shenandoah. Start off at Rockfish Gap at the southern end of Skyline Drive and follow the ridgeline road as you wind past viewpoints on your way north. Stop off at the Hawksbill Loop Trailhead and make the rewarding 2.8-mile hike up to the highest point in the park.

WHEN TO GO

Seasonality is key when visiting mountain parks, when access is limited outside of summer. Elsewhere, you’ll have more flexibility.

From mid-June to mid-September it’s high season in most of America’s national parks. These are the months when the roads through the Rockies, Sierras and Cascades are guaranteed to be open. It’s also when the parks reach full capacity, so you’ll need to plan well ahead. If you don’t have your sights set on summiting mountain slopes, spring and fall can be lovely times to roam, with wildflowers in April and May, and blazing autumn colors in late September and October.

Winter is a great time to focus on parks like the Everglades in Florida, Big Bend in Texas and the desert parks of the Southwest.

Saving Money

Shoulder seasons (April to mid-May and mid-September to October) are the best time to travel if you want to beat the crowds and higher accommodations costs. Prices typically drop even more during the winter, apart from areas near ski resorts and popular winter destinations such as Florida.

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Blue heron and pelican, Everglades National Park | Roberto La Rosa/Shutterstock ©

I LIVE HERE

SPRING IN THE EVERGLADES

Founder of Garl’s Coastal Kayaking in the Everglades, Garl Harrold is a trusted guide for top media companies including National Geographic. @garlscoastalkayaking

‘I came down to southern Florida from Michigan many years ago, fell in love with the place and never left. It’s amazing to visit the Everglades in the springtime, especially in April or May. That’s when the water level is at its lowest, and you can spot so much wildlife in the cypress domes and freshwater ponds.’

Fiery Fall Colors

Peak foliage season can run from mid-September through October depending on the destination, with leaves morphing into shades of yellow, orange and red at higher elevations first. Fall is the busiest time of year at some parks (such as Shenandoah).

SPECTACULAR WILDFLOWERS

The Great Smokies win Best in Show when it comes to wildflowers, with more than 1500 types of flowering plants – more than any other national park. Thriving at elevations above 3500ft, catawba rhododendrons bloom in June, and you can hike to colorful explosions of flaming azaleas atop the park’s balds in early July.

Music, Theater & Fireworks

Various bands gather in the desert for the family-friendly Joshua Tree Music Festival, spanning four days in both spring and fall. Pitch a tent in the desert and join the creative-arts-minded community. May and October

Fireworks happen all across the country during America’s Independence Day, so wherever you are on July 4, there are celebrations nearby. If you’re in Acadia, it’s a short hop to the parades, lobster races and pyrotechnics in Bar Harbor. July

Near Zion National Park, Cedar City hosts a summer-long Utah Shakespeare Festival, featuring top-notch performances, classes, literary seminars, magic shows and more. June through October

The dramatic red rocks near Canyonlands become the backdrop to memorable performances during the Moab Music Festival. There are even floating concerts held on the Colorado River. August and September

Cowboys, Creatures & Frontier Life

In Furnace Creek, you can join the fun at Death Valley ‘49ers, a historical encampment featuring cowboy poetry, campfire sing-alongs and a gold-panning contest. November

Every year the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count sees thousands of people taking to the wilds to look for and record birds, with some parks organizing events. December

East of Yellowstone, cowboys from across the country saddle up at the Cody Stampede Rodeo to compete for top honors at this four-day event. Parades, food booths and a craft fair add to the fun. July

Just outside of Grand Teton, you can experience a classic slice of Wyoming at the Teton County Fair, complete with a farm petting zoo, cornhole tournaments and horse shows. July

I LIVE HERE

THE MAGIC OF WINTER

Jeff Henry is the author of numerous books, including Yellowstone National Park: The First 150 Years.

‘I’ve always liked the snow and cold weather, which is one reason I was drawn to Yellowstone. In the winter, there’s a solitude to the landscape and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. The contrast between the erupting geyser with 190-degree water with the 50-below air is staggering. The ice formations are incredible for photography.’

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Grand Prismatic Spring | sirtravelalot/Shutterstock ©

SNOWED IN

The mountains, especially above 6000ft, experience long snowy winters that last from late October to April. In the spring, crews spend weeks clearing the roads, which requires bulldozers, graders and other heavy equipment to break up the dense snowpack.

Weather Through the Year

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JANUARY

Hawai‘i Volcanoes Avg daytime max:

75°F (24°C)

Days of rainfall:

12

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FEBRUARY

Everglades Avg daytime max:

78°F (26°C)

Days of rainfall:

6

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MARCH

Death Valley Avg daytime max:

82°F (28°C)

Days of rainfall:

2

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APRIL

Great Smoky Mountains Avg daytime max:

71°F (22°C)

Days of rainfall:

8

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MAY

Grand Canyon Avg daytime max:

70°F (21°C)

Days of rainfall:

2

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JUNE

Yosemite Avg daytime max:

75°F (24°C)

Days of rainfall:

4

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JULY

Yellowstone Avg daytime max:

75°F (24°C)

Days of rainfall:

5

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AUGUST

Olympic Avg daytime max:

75°F (24°C)

Days of rainfall:

7

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SEPTEMBER

Badlands Avg daytime max:

81°F (27°C)

Days of rainfall:

7

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OCTOBER

Shenandoah Avg daytime max:

64°F (18°C)

Days of rainfall:

6

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NOVEMBER

Zion Avg daytime max:

56°F (13°C)

Days of rainfall:

5

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DECEMBER

Big Bend Avg daytime max:

69°F (21°C)

Days of rainfall:

4

GET PREPARED

FOR USA’S NATIONAL PARKS

Be prepared when it comes to permits, apps and etiquette, plus inspiring viewing, reading and listening.

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Zion National Park | Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock ©

Permits

Permits are required for some activities, including canyoneering, overnight backpacking trips, rock climbing and rafting trips. Generally, you don’t need a permit to day hike in a national park. Some exceptions are the popular day hikes to Angels Landing (Zion) and Half Dome (Yosemite). Apply well in advance for permits, which are sometimes based on a lottery system. Find more information on individual park websites.

Manners

Be respectful of wildlife. Don’t approach animals, and keep a distance of 25yd from most creatures (100yd for bears).

Don’t park in the road or block traffic. Use pullouts and get fully off the road if stopping to view wildlife.

On the trail, uphill hikers have the right of way. Cyclists should yield to hikers and everyone should yield to horses.

Maps & Apps to Download

AllTrails Lists of trails, reviews and current conditions. Free, but it’s worth paying for AllTrails+ to download maps offline and get wrong-turn alerts.

what3words This company has given every 3m square of the world a unique three-word address. Emergency services are increasingly using what3words to know exactly where to send help.

Recreation.gov Indispensable app: reserve permits, campgrounds and day-use passes for national parks and other federal areas.

Reserve America Book Utah state park campsites.

READ

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Our National Parks (John Muir; 1901) Captures the importance of the wilderness and inspired a nation to embrace national parks.

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Ranger Confidential (Andrea Lankford; 2010) A former park ranger describes what it takes to fill a ranger’s shoes.

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Empire of Shadows: The Epic Story of Yellowstone (George Black; 2012) About exploration, American Indian Wars and the frontier.

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A Sand County Almanac (Aldo Leopold; 1949) This nature classic embodies the conservation ethic at the heart of the USA’s national parks.

Words

Bald A treeless area on top of a mountain in the Appalachians, typically surrounded by forest.

Slot canyon A narrow passageway with towering rock walls. Slots are formed by water cutting through sedimentary rock, such as sandstone.

Flash flood A sudden rush of water that can rise within a few hours – or minutes – of a heavy rainstorm; most commonly occur during the summer monsoon season and are particularly dangerous in canyons, where they sweep away everything in their path.

Hole Used by early settlers in the Rockies to describe a high mountain valley.

CFS Cubic feet per second, ie how much water a river is carrying. One cubic foot is roughly equivalent to 7½ gallons of water. Popular hikes in some areas (eg the Narrows in Zion) are closed when the flow rate rises above a certain CFS.

Wash A dry streambed that fills with water seasonally; called arroyo in some states.

Hoodoo A column of rock sculpted by erosion; also called a fairy chimney. Bryce Canyon has more hoodoos than anywhere else in the world.

Petroglyph Carvings created by chiseling or pecking straight onto a rock surface, often one with desert varnish, a thin and dark mineral coating, which allows the petroglyphs to appear more vividly.

Pictograph Paintings on a rock surface.

WATCH

Into the Wild (Sean Penn; 2007; pictured) Follow Chris McCandless as he hitchhikes to Alaska.

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Cavan-Images/Shutterstock ©

The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (Ken Burns; 2009) Captures the challenges of creating the national parks.

Wild (Jean-Marc Vallée; 2014) A woman undertakes a hike of self-discovery on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Vacation (Harold Ramis; 1983) Perfect comedy kick-starter for any family road trip.

Reservation Dogs (various directors; 2021–) Blending drama and comedy, this series sheds light on the lives of present-day Native Americans.

LISTEN

Native Lands (various artists; 1996) Native American music and ambient nature sounds recorded on location in various Southwestern national parks.

The Dirtbag Diaries (Fitz Cahall; 2007) A podcast about adventurers in wild places, with stories ranging from the humorous to the profound.

Volunteer (Old Crow Medicine Show; 2018) Top album by the high-energy, feel-good folk and bluegrass band who celebrate the southern landscapes.

Highway 61 Revisited (Bob Dylan; 1965) The famed album by the legendary singer-songwriter makes a perfect soundtrack for a national-parks road trip.

TRIP PLANNER

HEALTH & SAFETY

Heading out into the wilderness means taking extra precautions to make sure you return safely. This is true whether you plan to be gone for an hour or a week. Make sure you have all the essentials before hitting the trail and have a back-up plan in case things don’t go as anticipated.

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Rocky Mountain National Park | David Spates/Shutterstock ©

Before You Go

Some of the walks we cover are physically demanding and most require a reasonable level of fitness, even the easy or moderate walks. If you’re aiming for the demanding walks, training is essential.

If you have any medical issues, or are concerned about your health in any way, it’s a good idea to have a full checkup before you start walking.

In the Parks

Visiting city dwellers will need to keep their wits about them in order to minimize the chances of suffering an avoidable accident or tragedy. Dress appropriately, tell people where you’re going, plan a hike that matches your skills and experience and, above all, respect the wilderness and the inherent dangers it conceals.

Crime is far more common in big cities than in sparsely populated national parks. Nevertheless, use common sense: lock valuables in the trunk of your vehicle, especially if you’re parking it at a trailhead overnight, and never leave anything worth stealing in your tent.

Walk Safety: Basic Rules

Allow plenty of time to accomplish a walk before dark, particularly when daylight hours are shorter.

Study the route carefully before setting out, noting the possible escape routes and the point of no return (where it’s quicker to continue on rather than turn back). Monitor your progress during the day against the time estimated for the walk, and keep an eye on the weather.

It’s wise not to walk alone. Always leave details of your intended route, number of people in your group and expected return time with someone responsible before you set off, and let that person know when you return.

Before setting off, make sure you have a relevant map, compass and whistle, and that you know the weather forecast for the area for the next 24 hours. In the Rockies always carry extra warm, dry layers of clothing and plenty of emergency high-energy