ParkPlan National Park Plan

My Trip Guides

My National Park Trip Guides

41 parks, one comprehensive guide each — written from my own trip planning, with real trails, real restaurants, and real parking advice for however many days you've got.

Utah's Mighty 5

Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches — the trip most people plan first.

Zion Canyon
Zion National ParkChain-assisted ridgelines and a river you hike straight up instead of walking beside. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Bryce Canyon amphitheater
Bryce Canyon National ParkThousands of red-orange hoodoo spires in a compact amphitheater. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Capitol Reef Waterpocket Fold
Capitol Reef National ParkThe least-crowded Mighty 5 park — my case for why it shouldn't be. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Canyonlands Island in the Sky
Canyonlands National ParkVast, rugged mesas — the wildest-feeling of the Mighty 5. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Delicate Arch at sunset
Arches National ParkThe highest density of natural stone arches on Earth. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide (paired with Canyonlands).

The Rockies & Northern Plains

Alpine passes, grizzly country, and the original national park.

Longs Peak from the Dream Lake trail at sunrise
Rocky Mountain National ParkTimed-entry reservations, glacier-carved alpine lakes, and a road that tops 12,000 feet. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 The Teton range from Oxbow Bend on the Snake River
Grand Teton National ParkThe range that rises straight out of the valley floor, in real grizzly country. My real itinerary.
 Aerial view of Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone
Yellowstone National ParkOld Faithful, Grand Prismatic, and bison jams in Lamar Valley. My geography-first plan for a park too big to wing.
 Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park
Glacier National ParkA 50-mile alpine road and the exposed Highline Trail. My honest 1, 2 & 4-day plan.
 Badlands pinnacles from the Notch Trail
Badlands National ParkPinnacles, a log ladder, and a prairie full of bison — a one-day park that rewards two. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Dunes and mountains at Great Sand Dunes
Great Sand Dunes National ParkThe tallest dunes in North America, a seasonal creek, and a sandboard. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 The Painted Wall in the Black Canyon
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkA narrow, sheer, dark gorge — the Painted Wall and the best rim walks. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.

The West Coast & Desert Southwest

Canyons, granite, rainforest, and Joshua trees.

Grand Canyon panoramic view from the South Rim
Grand Canyon National ParkSouth Kaibab at sunrise, Hopi Point at sunset, and the honest truth about the climb back up.
 Tunnel View of Yosemite Valley
Yosemite National ParkHalf Dome's cables, the Mist Trail, and Tunnel View at sunrise. My real 1–4 day plan.
 Joshua trees and rock formations in Joshua Tree National Park
Joshua Tree National ParkBoulder scrambles and desert oases. My honest plan for the park everyone underplans.
 Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park
Olympic National ParkRainforest, wild coast, and alpine ridge — three parks in one, on the same ring road.
 Zabriskie Point badlands
Death Valley National ParkSalt flats, badlands, and dunes in the hottest, driest park — and how to schedule around the heat. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Moro Rock trail view in Sequoia
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National ParksThe largest trees on Earth, Moro Rock, and a canyon deeper than most people expect. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Fern Canyon in Redwood National Park
Redwood National and State ParksFern Canyon, fog-draped groves, and the permit rules that trip people up. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Mount Rainier above wildflower meadows
Mount Rainier National ParkParadise, Sunrise, and wildflower meadows under a 14,411-foot glaciated volcano. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde
Mesa Verde National ParkCliff Palace, Balcony House, and the ticket rules that decide the trip. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Big Bend desert peak at sunset
Big Bend National ParkDesert, river canyon, and mountain basin in one very remote Texas park. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Wizard Island in Crater Lake
Crater Lake National ParkThe deepest lake in the U.S., the rim views, and what's closed for construction. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Saguaro cactus silhouettes at sunset
Saguaro National ParkTwo districts, one cactus forest — and the best sunset walk in Arizona. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island
Channel Islands National ParkFive islands, one ferry, and the hikes and sea caves worth the crossing. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 The Big Room in Carlsbad Cavern
Carlsbad Caverns National ParkThe Big Room, the bat flight, and the reservation rules that matter. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 White dunes at sunset at White Sands
White Sands National ParkWhite gypsum dunes, sledding, and the missile-test closures to plan around. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Petrified logs on a badlands slope
Petrified Forest National ParkA 28-mile drive past rainbow wood, painted hills, and a piece of Route 66. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 The High Peaks at Pinnacles National Park
Pinnacles National ParkVolcanic spires, talus caves, condors, and why there's no road through it. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Lake Helen below Lassen Peak
Lassen Volcanic National ParkBoiling mud pots, a volcano you can climb, and the snow calendar. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 A glaciated peak above a boulder slope in the North Cascades
North Cascades National ParkTurquoise Diablo Lake, Cascade Pass, and one highway that closes for winter. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.

The East & Midwest

The most-visited park in the country, and three that most people don't know are national parks at all.

Foggy ridgelines in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National ParkFoggy ridgelines, roadside black bears, and waterfalls most visitors never see.
 Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park
Acadia National ParkIron-rung cliff trails, Cadillac Mountain sunrise, and Jordan Pond popovers.
 Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National ParkReal waterfalls and a canal towpath, 35 minutes from downtown Cleveland.
 Mount Baldy dune at Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National ParkReal sand dunes and a real Lake Michigan beach, about an hour from Chicago.
 Skyline Drive curve at Spitler Knoll Overlook
Shenandoah National ParkA 105-mile ridge drive, waterfalls, and the Old Rag ticket rules. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Shark Valley view of the sawgrass prairie
Everglades National ParkAlligators at arm's length, the Shark Valley tram, and the dry-season rules. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 River Hall inside Mammoth Cave
Mammoth Cave National ParkThe longest cave system in the world, and how to pick the right tour. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.

Alaska & Hawaiʻi

The far-flung ones: a single road into the tundra, a crater above the clouds, and a volcano that's still erupting.

Denali across Wonder Lake
Denali National ParkOne 92-mile road, a bus system, and the tallest mountain in North America. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Haleakalā crater at dawn
Haleakalā National ParkA summit sunrise above the clouds and a bamboo forest on the far side of Maui. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.
 Kīlauea Iki crater
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkKīlauea, a hike across a crater floor, and a coastal drive made by lava. My 1, 2 & 3-day guide.

10 Best Things to Do, Park by Park

Shorter reads — my picks for each park if you just want the highlights, plus when to go and what I'd pack.

Angels Landing trail in Zion
10 Best Things to Do in ZionMy honest list, plus how it compares to Bryce.
 Bryce Canyon amphitheater
10 Best Things to Do in Bryce CanyonMy honest list, plus how it compares to Zion.
 Capitol Reef Waterpocket Fold
10 Best Things to Do in Capitol ReefMy honest list, plus how it compares to Zion.
 Mesa Arch Canyonlands
10 Best Things to Do in CanyonlandsMy honest list, plus how it compares to Arches.
 Delicate Arch at sunset
10 Best Things to Do in ArchesMy honest list, plus how it compares to Canyonlands.
 Longs Peak from the Dream Lake trail at sunrise
10 Best Things to Do in Rocky MountainMy honest list, plus when to go and what I'd pack.
 The Teton range from Oxbow Bend
10 Best Things to Do in Grand TetonMy honest list, plus how it compares to Yellowstone.
 Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone
10 Best Things to Do in YellowstoneMy honest list, plus how it compares to Grand Teton.
 Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier
10 Best Things to Do in GlacierMy honest list, plus when to go and what I'd pack.
 Grand Canyon panoramic view
10 Best Things to Do in Grand CanyonMy honest list, South Rim edition.
 Tunnel View of Yosemite Valley
10 Best Things to Do in YosemiteMy honest list, plus my hiking checklist.
 Joshua trees and rock formations
10 Best Things to Do in Joshua TreeMy honest list, plus when to go and what I'd pack.
 Hall of Mosses in the Hoh Rainforest
10 Best Things to Do in OlympicMy honest list across all three sub-regions.
 Foggy ridgelines in the Smokies
10 Best Things to Do in Great Smoky MountainsMy honest list for the most-visited park in the country.
 Jordan Pond in Acadia
10 Best Things to Do in AcadiaMy honest list for coastal Maine.
 Brandywine Falls
10 Best Things to Do in Cuyahoga ValleyMy honest list for a real day-trip park.
 Mount Baldy dune
10 Best Things to Do in Indiana DunesMy honest list for a Chicago-area day trip.
 Zabriskie Point badlands
10 Best Things to Do in Death ValleyZabriskie Point at sunrise, Badwater, and the dunes — timed around the heat.
 Moro Rock trail view in Sequoia
10 Best Things to Do in Sequoia & Kings CanyonThe big trees, Moro Rock, and Cedar Grove — ranked.
 Fern Canyon in Redwood National Park
10 Best Things to Do in RedwoodGroves, Fern Canyon, and elk — plus which stop needs a permit.
 Mount Rainier above wildflower meadows
10 Best Things to Do in Mount RainierParadise, Sunrise, and the best meadows — ranked.
 Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde
10 Best Things to Do in Mesa VerdeCliff dwellings, ladders, and overlooks — ranked.
 Big Bend desert peak at sunset
10 Best Things to Do in Big BendSanta Elena Canyon, Lost Mine, and the Window — ranked.
 Badlands pinnacles from the Notch Trail
10 Best Things to Do in BadlandsThe Loop Road, Notch Trail, and Sage Creek — ranked.
 Skyline Drive curve at Spitler Knoll Overlook
10 Best Things to Do in ShenandoahSkyline Drive, Hawksbill, and waterfalls — ranked.
 Shark Valley view of the sawgrass prairie
10 Best Things to Do in EvergladesAnhinga Trail, Shark Valley, and Flamingo — ranked.
 Denali across Wonder Lake
10 Best Things to Do in DenaliThe park bus, Savage River, and Mount Healy — ranked.
 Haleakalā crater at dawn
10 Best Things to Do in HaleakalāSunrise, the crater, and Pīpīwai — ranked.
 Kīlauea Iki crater
10 Best Things to Do in Hawaiʻi VolcanoesKīlauea Iki, Chain of Craters, and the summit glow — ranked.
 Wizard Island in Crater Lake
10 Best Things to Do in Crater LakeGarfield Peak, Rim Drive, and Mount Scott — ranked.
 Saguaro cactus silhouettes at sunset
10 Best Things to Do in SaguaroValley View, Cactus Forest Drive, and the bloom — ranked.
 Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island
10 Best Things to Do in Channel IslandsSanta Cruz, Anacapa, and kayaking the sea caves — ranked.
 The Big Room in Carlsbad Cavern
10 Best Things to Do in Carlsbad CavernsThe Big Room, the bats, and the tours — ranked.
 White dunes at sunset at White Sands
10 Best Things to Do in White SandsSunset, sledding, and the Alkali Flat Trail — ranked.
 Petrified logs on a badlands slope
10 Best Things to Do in Petrified ForestBlue Mesa, Crystal Forest, and Painted Desert — ranked.
 The High Peaks at Pinnacles National Park
10 Best Things to Do in PinnaclesHigh Peaks, the caves, and the condors — ranked.
 Lake Helen below Lassen Peak
10 Best Things to Do in Lassen VolcanicBumpass Hell, Lassen Peak, and quiet lakes — ranked.
 A glaciated peak above a boulder slope in the North Cascades
10 Best Things to Do in North CascadesDiablo Lake, Cascade Pass, and Thunder Knob — ranked.
 Dunes and mountains at Great Sand Dunes
10 Best Things to Do in Great Sand DunesHigh Dune, Medano Creek, and sandboarding — ranked.
 The Painted Wall in the Black Canyon
10 Best Things to Do in Black Canyon of the GunnisonThe Painted Wall, Warner Point, and the North Rim — ranked.
 River Hall inside Mammoth Cave
10 Best Things to Do in Mammoth CaveThe Historic Tour, Frozen Niagara, and the surface trails — ranked.

Build Any of These Trips, Free

I built ParkPlan to turn any of these itineraries into a real day-by-day plan with your own dates, travelers, flights, and budget.

Start Planning →