How to Plan a National Park Road Trip (Even If You've Never Done One Before)
There are 63 national parks in the U.S., and if you’ve ever tried to plan a road trip around them, you know how quickly things spiral. You start with one or two must-sees, then someone mentions a hidden gem, then you’re staring at a giant map trying to figure out how to “just swing by” Utah and California in the same week.
We’ve been there. On our first attempt, we had a Google Map full of color-coded pins, a vague idea of what was close to what, and no clue how long anything actually took. It was chaotic. But it worked out—and we learned a lot that made the next trip easier.
This guide is for anyone feeling a little lost in the planning phase. Whether you’re bringing kids, doing your first big road trip, or just trying to make the most of a week off, here’s how to make it manageable and memorable.
So… how do you even begin?
There are 63 national parks in the U.S., and trying to figure out which ones to visit (and in what order) can be a bit of a headache. You start off googling “1 week national park road trip” and somehow end up staring at Google Maps with 25 tabs open, wondering if you can drive from Yosemite to Zion in a day. (Spoiler: don’t do it)
We’ve done this a few times now. Some trips with just a weekend, others with a whole week to explore—and no matter how many parks we visit, planning the route is always the hardest part. The goal of this guide is to make it easier for you. Whether you’re traveling with kids or just want to see the beauty of the land without turning your trip into a survival challenge, here’s what actually works.
Step 1: Choose your region first
It’s tempting to build your dream route with all your favorite parks, but unless you’ve got a month off, you’ll want to narrow your focus. Here are a few realistic options for a 1 week national park road trip:
California National Park Road Trip: Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon make a tight and unforgettable trio. Add Death Valley if you don’t mind long drives.
West Coast National Park Road Trip: Think Olympic, Mount Rainier, and Crater Lake. Cooler temps and lots of forests.
Grand Circle Road Trip (Utah + Arizona): Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, and Grand Canyon. Big on views, short on shade.
Pick a region and work from there. You can always come back for more later.
Step 2: Be honest about your energy level
This is a big one. Are you okay with driving 5+ hours a day? Do you want to squeeze in sunrise lookouts, quick hikes, and park ranger talks? Or would you rather pick two parks and really settle in? When I’m planning, I always think I want to pack as much in as I can, but when I’m on the trip I regret it. I’ve learned to ignore my planning instinct and to trust my experience on these trips and like to focus on seeing as much as I can of just a few spots.
Most one week national park road trips are packed. The tradeoff is that you see a lot. But don’t expect much downtime. If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who likes a slow morning, you’ll want to build in buffer days (or keep your park list short).
Step 3: Book your accommodation early
A lot of national park areas fill up fast, especially if you’re looking at summer or school holidays. If you’re not the camping type (we usually aren’t), here are some realistic options:
Hotels and Lodges inside or just outside the park (great for short drives to sunrise spots)
Vacation rentals for longer stays or groups
Motels along the route for one-night stopovers
This is where your national parks road trip route starts to take shape. Use Google Maps to figure out driving times between stops and look for towns with a few restaurants or grocery options.
Step 4: Add a few scenic hikes and viewpoints
You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to enjoy a national park. Most have amazing viewpoints that are either drive-up or a short walk. Here are a few that we always recommend:
Yosemite: Glacier Point (drive or shuttle), Lower Yosemite Falls trail (easy)
Zion: Canyon Overlook Trail (short and sweet)
Bryce Canyon: Sunrise Point and the Navajo Loop (can be shortened)
Olympic: Hurricane Ridge (drivable) and Hoh Rainforest trails
We usually aim for one or two walks a day, max. That way you get the experience without needing a foot massage every night.
Step 5: Build a loose itinerary
Here’s what a realistic 1 week national park road trip itinerary might look like in the Grand Circle area:
Day 1: Land in Las Vegas, drive to Zion
Day 2: Zion hikes and viewpoints
Day 3: Drive to Bryce Canyon, explore the rim
Day 4: Arches National Park
Day 5: Canyonlands, then drive toward Grand Canyon
Day 6: Grand Canyon South Rim
Day 7: Back to Vegas or Flagstaff for your flight
This itinerary is full, but doable. You’ll be moving every day, which some people love and others hate. But if your goal is to see as much as possible in one week, it works.
If you’re new to road trips or just testing the waters with national parks, start with one week. You’ll get a feel for the pace, the planning, and whether this kind of travel works for you. Not sure where to begin? Check out our Ultimate 1-Week National Park Road Trip Itinerary—it’s an action-packed route through some of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest.
Step 6: Make room for last-minute stops
Leave a little flexibility in your plan. On our last trip through Utah, we made a random stop at Capitol Reef Gifford Homestead—just outside the Fruita campground—and picked up one of their homemade mini fruit pies. We weren’t even planning to stop there, but it turned into one of the highlights of the day. Road trips are like that. Sometimes the best part isn’t the view from a canyon rim, it’s a warm apple pie on a picnic bench under cottonwood trees.
National Park Road Trip Planning Resources
These are tools and services we use ourselves, and they support the blog when you book through them (at no extra cost to you):
Kiwi – great for finding flights, one-way car rentals, and more for road trips
Booking.com – ideal for finding hotels just outside park entrances
VRBO – For families who want a cabin stay near the parks with room to spread out
Ekta Travel Insurance – peace of mind if your plans change
National Park Annual Pass – totally worth it if you’re hitting 3+ parks