Visiting All The U.S. National Parks

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Visiting All The U.S. National Parks

Last year the National Park Service celebrated 100 years of managing the numerous national parks in the United States. There are 59 protected areas in the U.S. and you can visit them all with a little bit of planning.

What You Will Have To Visit By Plane

There are 12 national parks that are located in Hawaii, Alaska and U.S. territories, so they will most likely have to be visited by flying on a plane. However, there are still 47 national parks that can be visited by taking the ultimate road trip throughout the country.

Here’s how to visit all of the national parks in the continental United States by going on the ultimate road trip.

National Parks By State

Arizona: Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, Saguaro National Park

Arkansas: Hot Springs National Park

California: Channel Islands National Park, Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Pinnacles National Park, Redwood National and State Parks, Sequoia National Park, Yosemite National Park

Colorado: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mesa Verde National Park, Rocky Mountain National Park

Florida: Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park, Everglades National Park

Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park

Maine: Acadia National Park

Michigan: Isle Royale National Park

Minnesota: Voyageurs National Park

Montana: Glacier National Park

Nevada: Great Basin National Park

New Mexico: Carlsbad Caverns National Park

North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Oregon: Crater Lake National Park

South Carolina: Congaree National Park

South Dakota: Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park

Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Texas: Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Utah: Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Zion National Park

Virginia: Shenandoah National Park

Washington: Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park

Wyoming: Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park

Making The Trip

You can start your trip in virtually any state. You will need to drive to the closest park and then work your way around in a similar fashion. For example, if you are in Colorado, it makes sense to visit all of the parks in that state then moving onto the next one rather than driving back and forth to different parts of the country. If you find that there are just too many national parks to visit at once, concentrate on certain parts of the country. For instance, you could visit all of the national parks in the south and then move on to the central part of the United States at a different time. No matter how you plan on making the trip, just make sure that you reserve enough time so that you can fit everything into your itinerary.

We have a great selection of National Park 2021 tours that range from 7 days to 3 weeks. Why not let someone else do the driving and planning so that you can sit back and relax.

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Sue Lobo
Sue, our esteemed Operations Manager, has been honored as a Top Travel Specialist by Condé Nast Traveler for 2023 and 2024. With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue brings a wealth of expertise to our company, particularly in the areas of group travel, event planning, and blogging. As a passionate traveler herself, Sue has explored more than 20 countries across three continents, including captivating destinations such as Cuba, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. Her firsthand experiences allow her to provide invaluable insights and recommendations to our clients, ensuring that their travel dreams become a reality. Sue's dedication to the travel industry extends beyond her role as Operations Manager. She has successfully coordinated over 200 travel groups, meticulously planning and executing each trip to perfection. Her attention to detail and commitment to excellence have earned her a reputation as a trusted and reliable travel professional. In addition to her operational expertise, Sue is a gifted writer at heart. She leverages her writing skills to share her love of travel and provide consumers with essential industry-related news and updates. Her engaging blog posts offer a unique perspective on the world of travel, inspiring others to embark on their own adventures. When she's not planning extraordinary trips or writing captivating travel content, Sue indulges in her passion for cooking, exploring the diverse flavors and culinary traditions of the places she visits. With her unwavering enthusiasm and extensive knowledge, Sue continues to be an integral part of our team, ensuring that every traveler's experience is truly unforgettable.