There are 63 national parks in the US, each with its own breathtaking attractions. You’ll find whatever you’re looking for on your road trip to national parks. Whether it is impressive glaciers, lush forests, soaring mountains, vast deserts, or shimmering rivers and lakes. These national parks also offer a wide variety of activities and attractions, catering to all age groups and interests.
So, the next time you’re itching to get away from it all, do a US national parks road trip. Getting in your car and hitting the open road may be just what the doctor ordered. Read this guide before you do a road trip to USA national parks. With these tips, you and your family can enjoy a stress-free adventure on four wheels.
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Top Travel Tips For A Road Trip To National Parks
Create a National Park trip itinerary
Most of the national parks are enormous, so you can’t do it all unless you have a lot of time on your hands. However, with careful planning, you can enjoy an adventure tailored to your and your family’s preferences.
Do your research before you set off and create an itinerary that covers your absolute must-sees and must-dos. If, for instance, you’re heading to Yosemite National Park but know in advance that the Valley will be crowded, you could plan your route to include Dorothy Lake or Upper Cathedral Lake. So you still get to enjoy an awesome road trip to Yosemite with incredible scenery and plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors.
Know when best to visit
Part of your planning should focus on the weather. The spring and fall seasons are best for milder weather and fewer people. But check information on the National Park Service website to narrow down the right time for you to visit. Your car needs to be able to handle the weather. So if it gets too extreme, it’s best not to risk it.
The size of your car also impacts when it is best to travel. In winter, you’ll need a lot more kit to stay warm and likely need more firewood and food. Consider this when planning a road trip to a national park during winter. As you want everyone to be comfortable on their journey and not overly cramped.
Do a pre-trip car inspection
You’re going to be spending a lot of time in your car, so make sure it’s in good working order before you set off. As part of our US West Coast itinerary, the car drive we had done first from Phoenix to Sedona, and further to explore Grand Canyon South Rim was long. We were glad the car was inspected fully before the trip start.
Start by popping the hood, checking your engine oil and water levels, and topping them up if necessary. Make sure you have enough brake fluid and top your windscreen washers’ water up. Then, examine the car’s battery, taking note of any warning signs, like your car being sluggish to start or an engine light flickering.
Look at your car’s tires, too. Inflate them to the recommended pressure and check the tread. You can find this information on the inside of the driver’s door or near the gas tank. The minimum tread depth in the US is 2/32, so you’ll need new tires if you’ve reached it. Remember, not all of the roads in the national parks are smooth, and some are not tarred.
Even if your car is in pristine condition and you’ve done all your checks, it’s still a good idea to check your car insurance. You need to determine if the insurance includes roadside assistance in case of any incidents. This will give you peace of mind just in case something does go wrong.
Pack an emergency kit
Accidents can happen at any time. And if you’re in the middle of a national park, you need a well-stocked emergency kit. I remember on the drive from Lower Antelope Canyon to Sedona, there were no vehicles are vast stretches. We encountered no issues thankfully, but it was good to have an emergency kit in the car.
Your kit should contain:
● Basic tools for minor car repairs
● A full first aid kit with antiseptic ointment, bandages, and basic medicines
● A flashlight and extra batteries
● Jumper cables
● Snacks and bottled water
Having these items means you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way on your trip and feel more confident on the road.
Organize your vehicle
How well your car is organized will have a huge impact on the success of your national park road trip! Assign designated zones within your vehicle with sturdy storage containers. Put camping and other gear in one area, food supplies in another, and emergency equipment in the third. This systematic approach prevents frustrating scrambling for items when you suddenly need them. Especially when you unexpectedly spot interesting wildlife or have the urge to go on a spontaneous hike.
It’s also a good idea to install a cargo net across the rear of your car to prevent lighter items from moving around when you drive on uneven roads and terrains. You can use hanging hooks to store items such as camera bags, daypacks, and wet raincoats. This way, you’ll have clear sightlines as well as optimized storage spaces.
Set realistic driving limits
Many national parks are enormous, with Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska being the biggest at a whopping 20,900 square miles. This means that you should set daily driving limits that are sensible and realistic upfront. This hack will help you have a safe, comfortable road trip that meets your expectations. It’s best to aim for no more than 500 or 600 miles a day. And take breaks every two hours or 100 miles, whichever comes first.
Manage your waste
All national parks have a Leave No Trace policy, meaning you must take your trash with you when you leave. While some campsites have waste disposal facilities, many don’t. You don’t want your car to start smelling like a trash can because you’re hauling bags of rubbish around.
To avoid this, invest in sealable trash bags or an airtight container to store all your trash. This locks in odours and ensures you can carry all your rubbish without worrying about the smell or hygiene impact. Pop a hand sanitizer in your car, too, as you can use this to clean your hands after disposing of your trash at a drop-off or rest stop.
Use apps to enhance your experience
Although taking a break from technology will definitely enhance your experience of the national parks, selectively employing it can really improve your trip. You can use applications like AllTrails or Gaia GPS to discover more secluded attractions. The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and Carrot Weather can help you anticipate and prepare for changing conditions.
However, in some parks, there is little to no signal. So be sure to download offline maps of the regions you want to visit before you set off so you don’t get lost.
If you are taking kids to a national park road trip, you can also swap travel board games for apps that offer educational insights into the parks or fun trivia that helps them learn as you go.
Enjoy the ultimate national parks road trip
By planning carefully and following these tips, you’ll be able to create a fun, memorable, and safe experience for the whole family. Even a day in one of these stunning spots gives you plenty of opportunity to soak up the scenery and enjoy a little slice of the wilderness in the US.
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Have you done any road trips to US national parks? What activity did you enjoy the most? Share in the comments below.
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I didn’t realize that many national parks do not allow dogs. This is a problem when you are traveling and you don’t want to leave your dog back in your hotel room alone.
For sure. Like you, I would have imagined that every park would allow pets.
Realistic driving limits and checking the car are such good tips – I always overestimate what I can do and it leaves no time for little stop offs along the way.
Yeah, quite basic and common sense tips – yet so may of us need a reminder.
Great tips, it can be frustrating to visit especially during busy times. Thanks for sharing.
I love how they have leave no trace policy. A sealable trash bag is indeed an useful thing to carry.
That policy is mandatory if we have to preserve nature anywhere.