US National Parks Travel Guide
US National Parks are spectacular treasures that should be explored by everyone. Visitors every year end their adventures with their own respect and appreciation for the awesome beauty that each and every park has to offer. With hundreds of destinations across the country, you can find plenty of National Parks and Monuments, Seashores, Historic Parks, BLM's and more. Everyone has an opportunity to travel to and explore one of these beautiful parks. From Acadia, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Zion National Parks to White Sands National Monument, it's time to get out and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!
Spring isn't far off, it's time to start thinking about where to go for your
next National Parks adventure! Need an idea for a road trip? Check out our Road Trip pages
to get some ideas for your next journey.
Road Trip
Planning
Park Locator
Park by Alphabet
National Parks
Yellowstone
Great Smoky Mountains
Grand Canyon
Yosemite
Acadia
Everglades
Arches
Rocky Mountain
Zion
Bryce Canyon
National Monuments
White Sands
Colorado
Devils Tower
Pinnacles
Sunset Crater
Lava Beds
Gila Cliff
Dinosaur
Canyon De Chelly
Bandelier
Outdoor Gear: Shopping
Shopping couldn't be easier on US-Parks.com. Being comfortable during a visit to US National Parks, Monuments, etc. can often depend on the proper gear and clothing. Search our store for anything from fleece, hiking boots, shirts, pants, backpacks, water bottles and more. No matter who you are shopping for, we have something for every outdoor enthusiast. Outdoor Gear Store or Shop by Brand
Lodging and Camping
Finding a place to stay near parks couldn't be easier. Find lodging or campgrounds located conveniently to your destination so you can plan your stay before you take your next trip. Remember, it is always wise to book in advance, lodging and campgrounds can fill up quickly in or near the parks. Lodging : Camping
Road Trip Planning
Looking to plan a road trip to the National Parks? Maybe considering a road trip to various parks like National Monuments, BLM's, maybe a park from the Forest Service? Check out our Road Trip Planning to get some ideas to help you put together your own route. Road Trip Planning
Park Fees
Find everything you need to know about the different Parks Passes and how to get one. For information about individual park fees, visit the park of interest to see the fees. Park Fees
Featured Geologic Wonder
The Geologic Story at Grand Canyon: Hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Grand Canyon exhibits the largest section of geologic time on earth. Hiking to the bottom, one passes through a third of the planet's age. The Park also contains excellent exposure of the world renowned Great Unconformity, an impressive angular unconformity, occupying 1.2 billion years in the rock record. More
Park, Nature or News Article
Lesser Known Parks: A list of parks that are lesser known but spectacular and unique in their own way. More
Hiking Trails
Hiking the trails of any of Americas beautiful National Parks can be an experience for any level of hiker. From easy ambles to long strenuous multi-day hiking trips, each park has something to offer. Don't forget to have water and sun hats. More Hiking Trails Information
Wildlife Viewing
Are you interested in viewing wildlife during your next trip to the US National Parks? Are you planning a trip based primarily on wildlife viewing? A few parks in particular you might want to consider would be; Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain and Everglades. More Wildlife Viewing
Money Saving Travel Tips
Find some quick tips about lodging, camping, park fees, road trip planning, outdoor gear and more. If you are planning a road trip that includes multiple parks, you should consider saving yourself a few entrance fees by purchasing a pass. Find our more of ways you can save for your next trip.
Keep a watch out for early bird specials! Often the parks and towns nearby will offer specials if you visit early in the year. This is great because it is a less populated time of the year and you can save a few extra pennies. More Travel Tips
US National Parks Travel
For featured travel we are highlighting our attention to some of the most spectacular U.S. sceneries such as; Death Valley National Park, Yellowstone and Zion, Capitol Reef and Great Smoky Mountains. These parks vary by offering everything from awe inspiring geysers, gorgeous red rocks and spectacular fall foliage and beautiful deserts. We can't forget the spectacular wildlife opportunities!
Death Valley National Park:
Hottest, Driest, Lowest: Death Valley is a land of extremes. It is one of the hottest places on the surface of the Earth with summer temperatures averaging well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At 282 feet below the level of the sea, it is the driest place in North America with an average rainfall of only 1.96 inches a year. More Info
Yellowstone National Park:
Yellowstone is famous for hosting more than 10,000-plus hot springs and geysers , the majority of the planet's total. Yellowstone's geothermal wonders are created by one of the world's largest active volcanoes; its last eruption caused a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the parks size. More Info
Zion National Park:
Zion has become quickly a popular park for national park explorers. Zion is a wilderness preserved, full of the unexpected. It includes what might be the world's largest arch - Kolob Arch, spanning 310 feet. It also boasts some more simpler natural wonders such as; small waterfalls and clear backcountry pools. Zion is part of the Southwest's "Grand Circle" of national parks, monuments, historical areas, and recreation areas - one of the world's great concentrations of outstanding natural and cultural features. More Info
Capitol Reef National Park:
The Waterpocket Fold defines Capitol Reef National Park. A nearly 100-mile long warp in the Earth's crust, the Waterpocket Fold is a classic monocline: a regional fold with one very steep side in an area of otherwise nearly horizontal layers. More Info
Nature and Wildlife Featured Topic
Crocodiles and Alligators
Ever wondered what the difference is between an Alligator and a Crocodile when visiting a park? Learn some interesting differences between the two to help you distinguish which one you are visiting! Click here.
National Parks and Monuments History
On March 1, 1872, President Grant signed the bill into law, establishing the Yellowstone region as a public park and setting a major conservation precedent. The Nation had its first national park; an area of exceptional beauty was set aside for the enjoyment of generations to come, and a tradition of preserving similar areas was established. President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Devils Tower the first national monument in 1906.
There are over 390 spectacular US National Parks, Monuments and other units to be explored across America so isn't it time to pack your bags and go on an adventure? Use our park locator or our National Monuments Guide and National Parks Guide to find your park.
US National Monuments
From Devils Tower, Bandelier, Devils Postpile, Craters Of The Moon, Canyon De Chelly National Monuments to White Sands National Monument, the US has an abundance of these gorgeous parks for you to explore.
Devils Tower National Monument
The nearly vertical monolith known as Devils Tower rises 1,267 feet above the meandering Belle Fourche River. Once hidden below the earth's surface, erosion has stripped away the softer rock layers revealing Devils Tower. More Info
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site
In the fall of 1808, Thomas and Nancy Lincoln settled on the 348 acre Sinking Spring Farm. Two months later on February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in a one-room log cabin near the Sinking Spring. More Info
National Parks System Quick Facts
- The first National Park established, Yellowstone in 1872
- Largest NP, Wrangell-St. Elias NP and Preserve, Alaska
- Smallest Site, The Thaddeus Kosciuszko N. Memorial
- Number of acres of NPS stewardship land, 79 Million
- Percent of the U.S. in the National Park System, 3.6
- Number of acres managed by the NPS, 84.6Million
- Largest NP in contiguous 48, Death Valley, 3.3M Acres
- 58 National Parks, 74 National Monuments
- Number of National Park System Units, 391
- 3,565 Miles of US National Scenic Trails
- 4 National Parkways managed by the NPS
- 12,250 Miles of Unpaved Trails
Time to Take a Road Trip
Take a scenic road trip from one park to the next. Explore Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion and more of these amazing parks. Taking a road trip can be fun for the whole family. We have a variety of road trips to chose from with more on the way! See our National Parks Road Trips and Pre-Planned Routes. So pack your bags, load up the car and start exploring by taking a road trip to one of these amazing destinations!
Road Trip Planning
The Grand Circle Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
1 Week Grand Circle Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
Northern California Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
Olympic and Mt St Helens Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
Portland and Crater Lake Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
Yellowstone and Arches Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
Yellowstone and Badlands Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
Yosemite and Big Sur Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles
Road trip planning is always fun! Visit multiple parks in one route and experience several different types of scenery. From Arches to Yellowstone, check out some of these wonderful trips. See all the road trips
Featured Road Trip
The Grand Circle Road Trip
Mileage: Approximately 1187 miles.
Points of Interest: Zion National Park, Bryce
Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National
Park, Monument Valley Tribal Park and the Grand Canyon. Learn more about
this road trip
Leave No Trace
Protect our Parks and its' Wildlife
Help keep our US National Parks and Monuments safe and clean. Protect wildlife by remembering not to feed them and always clean up after your visit. The future of these destinations is in our hands.
National Parks Lodging
Find Lodging in or Near Parks
Planning a visit to the US National Parks during the upcoming seasons? Lodging in most parks and surrounding towns fill up fast so planning ahead is crucial for a stress free vacation. Visit the Lodging Pages.
Acadia : Arches : Badlands : Big Bend : Bryce Canyon : Canyonlands : Capitol Reef : Carlsbad Caverns : Crater Lake : Death Valley : Dinosaur NM : Everglades : Glacier : Grand Canyon : Grand Teton : Great Sand Dunes : Great Smoky Mountains : Joshua Tree : Kings Canyon/Sequoia : Lassen Volcanic : Mesa Verde : Mount Rainier : Olympic : Petrified Forest : Redwood : Rocky Mountain : Saguaro : Shenandoah : Theodore Roosevelt : Yellowstone : Yosemite : Zion
Geology of the Parks
Discover How These Parks Were Formed
Interested in learning how America's National Parks came to be? These geologic wonders are just a few of the spectacular sceneries you will find exploring America's Natural Wonders.
The Geologic Wonders of Our National Parks
Yellowstone National Park Geology : The Geology of Grand Canyon : Arches National Park Paradox Formations : The Rocks of Yosemite : Rocky Mountain National Park Glaciers : Hawaii Volcanoes Natural Features : Petrified Forest National Park Geology : Sunset Crater National Monument Geology : The Volcanoes of Lassen : Geology of Badlands National Park : Pleistocene Epoch and Joshua Tree : Natural Features of Death Valley : Geology of the Smokies : More
