US National Parks Travel Guide
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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!
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
National Parks Lodging
Finding a place to stay near National Parks couldn't be easier. Find towns located conveniently to your destination so you can plan your lodging before you take your next trip. Remember, it is always wise to book in advance, lodging can fill up quickly in or near the National Parks. Find Lodging
Outdoor Gear
Being comfortable during your visit to US National Parks, Monuments, etc. can often depend on the proper gear and clothing. Search our store for anything from hiking boots, shirts, pants, backpacks, water bottles and more! Dress in layers and have plenty of water with you during your hikes! Outdoor Gear Store
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
National Parks Fees
Find everything you need to know about the different Parks Passes and how to get one. Park Fees
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 - Featured National Parks
For featured travel to the National Parks we are highlighting our attention to some of the most spectacular U.S. sceneries such as; Rocky Mountain National Park, Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks, Bryce Canyon and Arches National Parks as well as Yosemite National Park. These parks vary by offering everything from awe inspiring mountains, gorgeous red rocks and sandstone arches. We can't forget the spectacular wildlife opportunities!
Rocky Mountain National Park:
Established on January 26, 1915, Rocky Mountain National Park is a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. With elevations ranging from 8,000 feet in the wet, grassy valleys to 14,259 feet at the weather-ravaged top of Longs Peak, a visitor to the park has opportunities for countless breathtaking experiences and adventures. More Info
Glacier National Park:
Glacier preserves over 1,000,000 acres of forests, alpine meadows, and lakes. Its diverse habitats are home to over 70 species of mammals and over 260 species of birds. More Info
Bryce Canyon National Park:
Bryce Canyon, famous for its worldly unique geology, consists of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. More Info
Arches National Park:
Arches National Park is known for its' remarkable natural arches. Over 2,000 catalogued arches range in size from a three-foot opening, to Landscape Arch which measures 306 feet from base to base. More Info
Yosemite National Park:
Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada and harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things. More Info
National Parks News
Salazar Announces National Park Service Will Waive Fees on Three Summer Weekends to Increase Tourism, Boost Economy: Jun 20-21, Jul 18-19, and Aug 15-16, 2009. Read More
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.
Canyon De Chelly National Monument
Reflecting one of the longest continuously inhabited landscapes of North America, the cultural resources of Canyon de Chelly exhibit remarkable preservational integrity that provides outstanding opportunities for study and contemplation. More Info
White Sands National Monument
Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and have created the world's largest gypsum dune field. The brilliant white dunes are ever changing: growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. 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 national 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 National Parks, 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
National Parks Lodging
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
Arrive Prepared
You should be prepared for your visit by having the appropriate clothes which you can layer depending on the park you visit, water bottles, footwear, suntan lotions and hats. National Parks like Arches, Zion, Grand Canyon or Bryce, as examples, will start cool in the mornings and heat up during the afternoons. These are just a few of the necessities for a happy and healthy visit! Get the gear
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.
