My Top Road Trip Destinations
As a travel enthusiast, I'm always excited to discover top-rated destinations, especially when they involve our incredible National Parks. In honor of National Park Week, here's a listicle of fantastic road trip destinations within and around some of the most popular National Parks in the United States. So buckle up and get ready to create lasting memories on your next adventure!
1 | Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. Nestled in southeastern Colorado, this park offers a unique landscape for outdoor enthusiasts to explore. Whether you decide to hike the trails or take a 4x4 through Medano Pass into the higher elevations, Great Sand Dunes offers a very unique experience for Colorado. If you decide to drive Medano Pass, you will need to air down your tires to 15 PSI and maintain a continuous speed to ensure you do not get stuck in the sand fields.
The park is also close to a number of outdoor attractions but I recommend visiting Zapata Falls, right outside the park.
Must-Do: Driving Medano Pass, Visting Zapata Falls and Hiking the Sand Dunes.
Pro tips: Visit in the Spring & Fall to avoid the heat; Avoid the line at Medano Pass by carying an air compressor to deflate and re-inflate your tires.
2 | Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park is another standout in the state of Colorado. With majestic peaks, alpine lakes, and abundant wildlife, this park is a haven for nature lovers. As the name suggest, you are surrounded by mountains, break-taking (literally) hikes and tons of wildlife including bears and elk. The park is within a couple hours of cities like Denver and towns such as Boulder and Fort Collins. But a noteworthy visit is the bordering town of Estes Park, home of the Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King’s novel The Shining.
Visiting during the non-Winter months are going to be your best chance to see the entire park since the Trail Ridge Road which connects the two sides of the park is closed due to seasonal conditions. Even during the other months of the year, the drive across the ridge is not for those fearful of heights.
Must-visit spots: Estes Park
Pro tips: Visit any time other than Winter; the Scenic Loop connecting both sides of the park is closed during the Winter season.
3 | Bryce Canyon National Park
Zion might be the most-visited national park in Utah but Bryce Canyon National Park is my favorite. Known for its hoodoos, this park showcases a unique landscape of geological formations. The park offers vast overlooks, amazing hikes in to the canyon via the Fairyland Loop and amazing views at both sunrise and sunset. And for those night-owls, Bryce Canyon is an official International Dark Sky park meaning the Milky Way is in full view during the new moon cycles throughout most of the year.
And if you are looking to add another stop to your road trip, make sure you visit Cedar Breaks or Escalante National Monuments. Both are within a few hours drive.
Must-visit spots: Cedar Breaks National Monument, Fairyland Loop
Pro tips: Visit the sunset and sunrise points for stunning views; take a burro tour along the Fairyland Loop; don't miss the Scenic Loop drive through the park.
4 | Shenandoah National Park
Rounding out the list, we make our way to the east coast to visit the enchanting Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This park features stunning vistas, cascading waterfalls, and lush forests, perfect for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Due to it’s geographical location, visiting nearby places like Washington, DC are within reach. The well-known Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the park itself. And you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t hike the infamous Old Rage Mountain trail, one of the most challenging hikes where you will be rewarded by wide sweeping views of the Appalachian valleys.
Must-visit spots: Old Rag Mountain Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway
Pro tips: Be aware of bears in the area; drive the Blue Ridge Parkway between Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains for a breathtaking journey.
Conclusion
Those are just a few of my top road trip destinations. These are some of the most top-rated trip destinations in and around some of America's most beloved National Parks. Whether planning a road trip during National Park Week or any other time, these incredible destinations offer something for everyone.
But what did I leave out? Head on over to our Instagram page and let us know and let’s continue to inspire others to explore the natural beauty of our National Parks!
