Discover the best coastal trails, lighthouse views, and cozy places to stay on Mount Desert Island with this one day in Acadia National Park itinerary. If you’re visiting the Maine destination for the first time, this Acadia guide will help you to plan the perfect trip.
After visiting nearly 30 national parks solo (and 40 in total), these are some of of my favorites outdoor adventures around U.S., from the Grand Canyon to the coast of Maine.
One day at the Grand Canyon might not seem like enough, but you can manage to squeeze in a lot of activities, even if you’re short on time. This itinerary will help you plan a one-day itinerary at the Grand Canyon South Rim, with ideas for where to hike and watch the golden sunset.
This 4 days in Yellowstone itinerary features the best geysers, waterfalls, lakes and valleys of the first national park in the U.S. Yellowstone National Park covers more than 2.2 million acres of wilderness in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, and is known for its hydrothermal features like hot springs, mud pots and boiling rivers. This guide highlights the best spots to include on a Yellowstone itinerary for 4 days, with tips for where to stay each night, what to pack, and more.
This Zion to Bryce Canyon road trip itinerary features the best hikes and views at the two most popular Utah national parks. If you’re planning a road trip to see the pink cliffs and orange hoodoos at Bryce Canyon and Zion, this map and guide will point you to the best trails, activities and places to stay.
Looking for cities and towns near Rocky Mountain National Park for your next vacation? We’ve rounded up 10 places to stay in Colorado near the popular park, ranging from the bustling Denver metro to old mining villages in the mountains.
This one day in Rocky Mountain National Park Itinerary includes the best things to do in the famous Colorado park. With more than 100 mountain peaks and lakes and 300-plus miles of hiking trails, it takes some planning to visit Rocky Mountain National Park in one day. I’ve put together this Rocky Mountain itinerary for first timers who want to see a little bit of everything, from reflective lakes to the tallest peak in the park.
This Utah national parks road trip itinerary includes incredible scenery and hiking in the Southwest. Southern Utah is home to Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands national parks, also known as the Utah Mighty 5. This guide has the ultimate Utah parks road trip to see it all, plus a map and itineraries for 7, 8 or 9 days.
Spring is one of the best times to visit Grand Canyon National Park — the temperature is perfect for hiking, crowds and prices are lower than in summer, and days are longer than in fall and winter. If you want to see the Grand Canyon in spring, we’ve got all the tips and info you need for planning your trip, from what weather to expect to where to stay and what to do. Keep reading for how to plan a Grand Canyon spring vacation.
Looking for the best town to stay in when visiting Zion National Park? These cities near Zion range from small scenic communities to larger hubs of hotels and restaurants. We’ve added recommendations for exactly where to stay near Zion for camping, cozy lodges, or modern hotels.
These cities near the Grand Canyon are the best places to stay during your national park vacation. They range from a historic village on the South Rim to a remote ranch on the canyon floor to cities full of shopping and dining. We’ve also included recommendations for the best places to stay near Grand Canyon National Park, whether you’re looking for rustic lodges, campgrounds or hotels with a pool.
This guide to the most and least popular national parks in the United States ranks all 63 using the annual visitation numbers from the National Park Service. You’ll also find tips like the top things to do in each national park, how to see the busier ones with fewer crowds, and reasons why the least visited ones often get overlooked.
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Arizona on your next vacation, these deserts, waterfalls, and canyons will quickly fill your Arizona bucket list. The state is full of breathtaking parks and hidden gems in landscapes that range from pine forests to red rocks to boulder-filled lakes. It’s the perfect destination to get outdoors and try new adventures or even sightsee from the front seat on a road trip.
Pink sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, a gushing blue river — this one day in Zion National Park itinerary is packed with the breathtaking landscapes of southern Utah. For adventure seekers, Zion offers heart-pumping treks through the Virgin River and up ridges with sweeping views. There’s also nature trails, scenic drives, bike paths, ranger programs, and much more. Check out the top things to put on your Zion National Park bucket list.
A four-day Utah and Arizona road trip is the perfect introduction to the region along the border of the two states, where the Colorado River and its tributaries create breathtaking scenes. This itinerary in the southwest is perfect for first-timers looking for famous landmarks, national parks, photo-worthy views and epic hikes.
This 3 days at the Grand Canyon itinerary includes the best hikes, viewpoints and adventures along the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Following switchbacks into the canyon, riding bikes along the rim, hopping between lookouts to find the best sunset views — it’s all in the plan with this Grand Canyon itinerary for 3 days.
Soaring pink cliffs, gushing rivers and breathtaking hikes along canyon rims and ridges are all a part of this Grand Canyon to Zion National Park itinerary that combines two of the best places to visit in southern Utah and northern Arizona into one unforgettable road trip. Keep reading for a Grand Canyon Zion road trip guide to help you plan your route and hikes and find the best places to stay.
This Grand Canyon packing list will help you figure out what to wear to the Grand Canyon on your national park vacation. We’ve included what to pack for the Grand Canyon in summer and winter, and what types of activities you should plan for. Keep reading for our complete Grand Canyon packing checklist and tips.
With just 2 days at the Grand Canyon, you’ll have time to see quite a bit of the national park if you plan ahead. That’s where this handy guide comes in. We’ve broken down the top things to do at the Grand Canyon South Rim for your first visit, from the best sunset views to hikes you don’t want to miss.
Looking for the best towns near Acadia National Park? The stunning coastal destination on Mount Desert Island in Maine is known for its cliffs, lakes, mountains and lighthouses. Many Acadia towns and villages are located along bays and harbors, with views of offshore islands. Whether you’re looking for the best campground in Acadia, a charming historic hamlet, or a larger city with amenities, this list of towns close to Acadia National Park lays out the pros and cons of different options.
Autumn in the national parks brings vibrant fall foliage, cooler weather, and fewer crowds at popular spots like Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. That’s why a fall national parks trip is the perfect chance to see some of these natural gems in the United States. These are our top picks for the best national parks for fall.
This 3-day Great Smoky Mountains itinerary features gushing waterfalls, misty mountains, scenic drives, and the best hikes in the popular national park. Located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park offers over 800 miles of trails, dozens of falls, and historic settlements in areas like the Cades Cove valley.
These cities and towns near Smoky Mountains National Park range from buzzing tourist hot spots to quiet creekside communities. The national park on the Tennessee and North Carolina border is the most popular in the country, so picking the right place to stay in the Smokies can mean the difference between traffic and bright lights or the sounds of birds chirping and streams rushing. This list of towns and cities near Smoky Mountains National Park includes a wide variety of ideas for exactly where to stay.
The best places to stay in Death Valley National Park include desert villages and campgrounds on the border of California and Nevada. At 3.4 million acres, Death Valley is the largest national park in the Lower 48, so it can be hard to figure out exactly which hotels are the closest. We’ll weigh the pros and cons of each location to help you figure out where to stay at Death Valley National Park.
This 4 days in Grand Teton and Yellowstone itinerary wraps the best of both national parks into one epic road trip. Use the guide to plan what to do, when to go and where to stay.
These towns and cities near Yellowstone National Park are the best places to stay to access all the wilderness and wildlife in the famous park. We’ve broken down how to pick the best Yellowstone entrance, which towns near Yellowstone National Park have hotels and lodges, and what nearest cities to Yellowstone National Park you should fly into.
These towns near Bryce Canyon National Park get you close to the famous orange hoodoos and stunning sunsets at the popular Utah destination. If you’re looking for the closest town to Bryce Canyon for your next trip to the national park, this list has all the best retro motels, budget inns and cozy cabins.
Sand dunes, salt flats and colorful hills are all on the agenda for this one day in Death Valley itinerary. The national park on the border of Nevada and California covers over 3.4 million acres from the lowest and hottest point in North America to frosty mountain peaks. If you’re wondering what to see in Death Valley in one day, this itinerary will guide you to the best activities, hikes, scenic drives and more!
Snow melting into gushing waterfalls, wildlife awakening from winter slumber, hiking trails warmed by perfect temperatures — these are just a few of the reasons to get outdoors this spring with a vacation to some of the best parks, lakes and islands in the United States. Check out which nature-fueled escapes top our spring vacation bucket list!
Planning a solo trip to Everglades National Park? My guide includes ideas for glamping, boat rides and hikes. The Everglades offers the perfect blend of wildlife encounters, outdoor adventures and unique landscapes.