It doesn’t matter if you’re headed West, Midwest or to the East Coast—there’s profound beauty to explore in every US national park. Mountains, waterfalls, caves, volcanoes, rainforests, and grasslands are some of the diverse environments you’ll get to experience along the way.
I’ve organized these national parks by region to help you plan the ultimate national park road trip. Whether you plan on traveling for just a few days or for much longer, there’s a national park road trip for everyone here.
Pacific Northwest National Parks Road Trips
The stunning Pacific Northwest has four national parks to explore. You can link all four parks together over two weeks, or visit each one individually. All three Washington parks are also within a few hours of each other, so it’s easy to link these national parks together too.
There’s so much to explore here, and there’s a variety of lodging and camping options at each of these national parks. Read on to learn more about these national parks highlights.
252. Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lake National Park is home to the deepest lake in the United States, reaching a depth of almost 2,000 feet. It also has some of the clearest water in the country.
If you want secluded lake life, this is the place to be. Located in Southern Oregon, the best time to visit Crater Lake National Park is from spring to fall. Winter offers white-capped landscapes, but many park roads close due to snow. I recommend at least two days to fully experience Crater Lake National Park.
Hike the Cleetwood Cove Trail down to the lake and go for a swim. Enjoy scenic views from the pullouts on Rim Drive. Hike up Scott Peak for impressive vistas, and reserve a boat tour to explore Wizard Island.
There are minimal services in and around the park, so fuel up your car before entering Crater Lake National Park. If you want to stay in a hotel within the park, check out Crater Lake Lodge. There are also cabins and other accommodations available nearby, or you can camp. Outside of the park, there are minimal accommodation options. Dispersed camping is allowed in Umpqua National Forest.
253. North Cascades National Park
Washington’s North Cascades National Park, also known as the “American Alps,” is one of the least visited parks in the country—and yet it’s also one of the most strikingly beautiful. Located in the northern park of Washington, this glacially carved range is covered with snow-topped peaks with water flowing down into alpine lakes,…
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