Title	Plan a Road Trip to a National Park Near You
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Description	Taking a road trip to wide-open spaces in national parks now makes perfect sense.
Alt text	The morning sunlight illuminates Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park.
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Plan a Road Trip to a National Park Near You

The morning sunlight illuminates Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park.

Story by Patricia Corrigan

Patricia is a journalist, photographer and book author based in San Francisco.

Exploring wide-open spaces now makes perfect sense.

The protected wilderness areas that comprise our country’s 63 national parks allow you to relax, breathe deep and explore mountains, beaches, rainforests, deserts and even a coral reef at your leisure.

Whether you plan a solo road trip, a romantic getaway for two or a family gathering that allows you to spend time together in the great outdoors, rent a car and explore a park in your part of the country.

Indiana Dunes features many beach trails. Photo by Derek Jerrell

The Milky Way stretches across the night sky in Arches National Park. Photo by Derek Jerrell

The West

If you live in or near the West, you have multiple choices, and they all rock. We’re talking primarily granite, sandstone, shale and limestone — all geologic manifestations responsible for jaw-dropping rock formations.

Dramatic sandstone formations grace Utah’s national parks, and each park also is known for inspiring contemplation of nature’s beauty by day and at night, when the stars form a vast canopy above. Your itinerary may include Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park.

Yosemite National Park in Northern California never fails to astonish visitors. Here, spectacular granite cliffs rise 3,000 feet, soaring sequoia trees reach for the sky and rowdy waterfalls — including one of the tallest in the continental U.S. — are scattered throughout the park.

Straddling two deserts in Southern California, Joshua Tree National Park offers wide-open spaces and an other-worldly landscape. If you travel offseason, you can explore that famous geyser and the metamorphic rock at Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park in relative solitude.

Saguaro National Park, in southern Arizona, is home to arresting cacti that can grow to 50 feet tall and “layer-cake” Javalina Rocks, situated along the park’s eight-mile Cactus Forest Drive. Next, drive north 328 miles to a place likely on most travelers’ bucket lists: Grand Canyon National Park, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Farther east in Arizona, be dazzled by fossilized trees at Petrified Forest National Park.

In northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park specializes in mountains, lakes and a road with the glorious name of Going to the Sun. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado promises family fun year ‘round.

And on the western edge of Washington, Olympic National Park is known for its coastal drives and mountain trails. The park also delights visitors with numerous scenic overlooks, one the largest temperate rainforests in the U.S. and a plethora of rushing waterfalls.

The Narrows is a popular hike in Zion National Park. Photo by Charles Williams

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular park. Photo by Joe Howard

The South

The ancient Appalachians in Great Smoky Mountains National Park invite leisurely, ridge-top drives that showcase forests, meadows and the storied mountains located in North Carolina and Tennessee.

In the southeast, if you’re deep into diving, Dry Tortugas National Park is an ideal destination. A day trip from Key West delivers you to this park on the Florida Reef, literally in the Gulf of Mexico.

Veer southwest, and the number of ideal destinations increase exponentially. Fill up the tank and head out for Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas, where you’ll find solitude and stunning vistas.

Then point your rental car toward White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico, where the dunes that roll through the Chihuahuan Desert for 250 square miles look like snowdrifts.

A boat or airplane ride is required to reach Dry Tortugas National Park. Photo by Brad Clement

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse draws photographers to Acadia National Park. Photo by Michael Ciaglo

The North

The Northeast houses just one national park, perched on the rugged Atlantic coast in Maine. Acadia National Park charms in any season, but the views are especially splendid in autumn. Cars are not allowed on the 45 miles of winding carriage roads, but you can drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain, where stunning views await.

Cadillac Mountain is especially popular at sunrise. Photo by Michael Ciaglo

Indiana Dunes has a wide variety of wildlife, including red foxes. Photo by Derek Jerrell

The Midwest

The southern shore of Lake Michigan provides pristine beaches, over 50 miles of hiking trails and some of the world’s largest lakeside dunes at Indiana Dunes National Park. Birdwatchers visit as often as beachgoers, as the ecosystems in the park provide prime habitat for more than 350 bird species.

Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas boasts thermal springs that spew out about 700,000 gallons of water each day. You may encounter some baseball fans, because in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, players at spring training soaked in the heated baths after their strenuous workouts.

For immediate stress relief, pack a bag, rent a car and head for a national park near you. Before you go, check the park’s website for current weather conditions, social distancing recommendations and any route closures.

Hot Springs National Park's most famous feature is Bathhouse Row. Photo by Charles Williams

Hiking to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon

Six family members immerse themselves in nature and attempt to bond.

National Park Tradition Renews Family Ties

After suffering loss, a lifelong traveler reconnects with relatives and creates lasting memories.

Five National Parks Near Los Angeles

All the destinations are beautiful and within a day’s drive.

Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park

The Love family embraces winter in Colorado to experience a new adventure.

Road Trip to See Waterfalls in Tennessee

A loose travel itinerary allows discoveries around every turn.

Grand Teton National Park – The Ultimate Summer Getaway

Sharing one of Wyoming’s scenic gems is particularly satisfying.

Yellowstone National Park in Winter

During the cold-weather months, the park offers spectacular scenes of wildlife.

Weekend Getaway in Joshua Tree National Park

Chasing the Light in Joshua Tree National Park

College friends reunite in a desert wonderland with a deepened appreciation for each other.

Road Trip Through Northern California

A world traveler reconnects with her California roots.

Saguaro National Park Drive Features Unique Beauty

The iconic saguaro cactus is a symbol of the Southwest.

A Traveler's Tribute to Trees

The drive from Olympic National Park to San Francisco features spectacular views of towering forests.

Colorado’s Great Sand Dunes National Park

A road trip through the San Luis Valley promises otherworldly experiences.

Going Alone on Highway 50 — the Loneliest Road in America

The 409-mile drive across Nevada features sand dunes and hot springs.

Road Trip to Death Valley National Park

Death Valley National Park features ghost towns, salt flats and sand dunes, and a road trip from Las Vegas in an Enterprise rental car takes you there in style and comfort. Along the way, visit Red Rock Canyon and an opera house in the desert.

Road Trip to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

The iconic bridge is stunning, and our newest national park offers much more.

Driving California’s Majestic Mountain Loop

Two Californians explore three national parks in their home state.

Road Trip from Denver to Glacier National Park

A road trip from Denver to Montana shows off the vast and varied scenery in the U.S.

Driving Through The Smoky Mountains

Leisurely journeys appeal? A rental car from Enterprise will take you along scenic roadways on a getaway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina and beyond to Virginia on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

A Different Side of Mount Rainier National Park

For the first time, a professional climber chooses to explore the lower elevations.

Acadia National Park Fuels Photography Passion

A road trip to Maine’s Acadia National Park offers carriage rides, autumn foliage and spectacular ocean views. Rent a car from Enterprise in Bar Harbor and drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain to capture beautiful photos at sunrise, sunset or any time in between.

Explore Dry Tortugas National Park on a Day Trip from Key West

On a road trip to Florida’s Key West, park your Enterprise rental car and board a boat for Dry Tortugas National Park, which spreads across seven small islands in the Gulf of Mexico. Explore an historic fort, snorkel, fish or go kayaking. Camping also is available.

Quality Time at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

You haven’t seen all Colorado has to offer until you steer your Enterprise rental car to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. A road trip from Denver to the western part of the state reveals a 2,722-foot-deep canyon and a river boasting an abundance of trout.

Washington’s North Cascades National Park

Outdoor enthusiasts revel in this remote park’s opportunities for adventure.

Winter Wonderlands: 7 Road Trips in Our National Parks

From A (Acadia) to Z (Zion), national parks offer ideal destinations for a weekend trip or longer vacation.

Road Trip to New Mexico’s White Sands National Park

Visit the Southwest’s most otherworldly natural attraction.

Petrified Forest National Park Keeps Its Secrets

Geologists, paleontologists and other riddle-solvers will enjoy spending time at this Arizona treasure.

Road Trip Through Central Oregon

Mount Hood, Smith Rock and Crater Lake are high spots of the state’s interior.

Road Trip to Zion National Park for Artistic Inspiration

Zion National Park: The Intersection of Inspiration and Art

Utah's first national park spawns creativity in visitors.

Cold Weather Photography Tips

Protect your gear and yourself from freezing temperatures.

Hot Springs, Arkansas, is a Relaxing Getaway

Hot Springs National Park features Bathhouse Row and the first brewery in a national park.

Road Trip to Dark Sky Parks in Utah

A father and daughter bond while photographing the Milky Way.

Celebrate the Seasons at Yosemite National Park

From roaring waterfalls to colorful trees, the park is a year-round spectacle.

Plan a Road Trip to a National Park Near You

Exploring wide-open spaces makes perfect sense.

Exploring Isle Royale National Park, “The Good Place”

An Enterprise rental car delivers you to the passenger ferry for Minnesota’s Isle Royal National Park, where hikers and campers revel in the uncrowded verdant wilderness. The 300-mile road trip from Minneapolis takes you along North Shore All-American Scenic Drive.