Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, on the border of Oregon and Washington, Portland is the ideal starting point for a Pacific Northwest national parks road trip. This outdoorsy, eco-friendly city offers easy access to some of the greatest U.S. national parks.
Florida is unlike the rest of the U.S. in more than one way—that’s not exactly a secret. And that’s also very much true when it comes to national parks. While many of America’s parks protect either mountain scenery or desert landscapes, the three national parks in Florida have everything to do with water…
National Park Service sites in the Upper Midwest may be relatively few and far between, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put together a great national parks road trip from …
Explore Southwestern Deserts in These El Paso National Parks There are many American cities that serve as hubs for national park road trips—Denver, Seattle, San Francisco and Las Vegas are …
Set on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago has no lack of natural areas and parks, offering visitors a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities. From wind surfing, SUPing …
A major city in southern Arizona, Phoenix is a gateway to the national parks of the Southwest. On a road trip from the Arizona capital, you can visit several of America’s most famous parks, including Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree and Saguaro.
From the five Utah national parks in the south to Rocky Mountain parks like Grand Teton and Yellowstone to the north, Salt Lake City is less than five hours from several epic parks. So, pack your camping and hiking gear, rent a car and go for a once-in-a-lifetime national parks road trip from Salt Lake City.
There are half a dozen National Park Service sites within a half day’s drive from San Diego. Three of those are actual national parks. Joshua Tree, Channel Islands and Death Valley are all easily accessible on a road trip from San Diego, while there’s also an archipelago, national monument and desert preserve to be explored.
San Francisco is one of the greatest cities for a national parks road trip. The Bay Area itself is home to several beautiful and fascinating National Park Service sites, while half a dozen epic national parks are dotted across northern California, within maximum half a day’s drive from San Francisco.
Washington, the Evergreen State, is a destination that offers endless adventures. Encompassing the rugged Pacific coast, unspoiled temperate rain forests, numerous glaciers, and the waterfalls and volcanoes of the Cascade Range, the three national parks in Washington State are world-class outdoor playgrounds.
See the Rocky Mountains, towering sand dunes, deep canyons and countless Native American archaeological sites in these amazing national parks Near Denver, Colorado: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Mesa Verde and Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
A city famous for its glitz and glamour, celebrities and beach life, Los Angeles is so much more than Hollywood. Few people are aware that just beyond the urban sprawl of L.A., some amazing nature awaits. These seven beautiful national parks offer a fantastic escape from bustling L.A.
More than 80% of Americans currently live in an urban area. Whether it’s a small town or huge metropolis, people gravitate more and more toward population clusters. This, combined with the increasing popularity of nature getaways and outdoor activities, makes the creation and upkeep of urban national parks even more important.
Start your day with a cup of fair-trade coffee at a hip coffee bar before picking one of the many nature day trips from Portland. Afterward, you can chill out and relive your adventures at one of the 50+ craft breweries in Portland.