US National Parks Road Trip: Big Bend to Zion, 7 Stops
Explore seven of America's most iconic national parks across the Southwest and Rocky Mountains. This 1,927 km route connects Big Bend in Texas with Utah's stunning red rock country - Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Zion - plus Grand Teton in Wyoming and Crater Lake in Oregon, showcasing diverse landscapes from deserts to alpine peaks.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Big Bend National Park
- End
- Zion National Park, Utah
- Stops
- 7
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Big Bend National Park — National park set in a dramatic meander of the Rio Grande on the Texas-Mexico border, featuring the Chisos Basin with mountain views and the Chihuahuan Desert home to roadrunners…
- Crater Lake National Park — The only national park in Oregon, named after the eponymous crater lake.
- Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Vast desert landscape carved by the Colorado River into dramatic canyons, mesas, and buttes showcasing millions of years of geological history.
- Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming — Jagged mountain peaks rising abruptly from the valley floor offer world-class hiking, mountaineering, and pristine alpine lakes surrounded by wilderness.
- Arches National Park, Utah — Over 2,000 natural stone arches carved by erosion create surreal desert landscapes, including the iconic Delicate Arch photographed worldwide.
- Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah — Amphitheater of crimson-hued rock spires and hoodoos descends into a labyrinth of canyons, accessible via scenic rim trails and viewpoints.
- Zion National Park, Utah — Towering red sandstone cliffs frame the Virgin River canyon, offering iconic hikes like The Narrows and Angels Landing through stunning sculptural terrain.
Useful for your trip
- Timing
- Most trails at Crater Lake National Park are only accessible in summer; snow covers trails for much of the year.
- Timing
- Visit Shenandoah National Park in autumn for brilliant orange and red fall foliage from trees.
- Timing
- Visit Mount Rainier National Park in spring and summer when carpets of flowers bloom in the foothills.
- Avoid
- At Mesa Verde, walking off-trail is forbidden and entering ancient dwellings requires a ranger escort.
- Transport
- Take the Skyline Drive at Shenandoah National Park for stunning vistas without hiking; alternatively, drive Going-to-the-Sun Road at Glacier National Park.
- Transport
- Use the elevator at Carlsbad Caverns to descend to the Big Room (equivalent to Empire State Building height), or take a snaking pathway into the caverns.
- Where to stay
- Redwood National Park offers campgrounds and backcountry sites for overnight stays amid the ancient forests.
- Tip
- The Rincon Mountain District (eastern portion) of Saguaro National Park offers horseback rides and camping opportunities.
- Tip
- Explore Everglades National Park via kayak through mangrove waterways, airboat tour of the swamp, or nocturnal ranger walks.
- Tip
- Yosemite National Park receives 4 million visitors annually; plan accordingly despite large areas available.
- Timing
- Some areas of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park remain closed due to recent volcanic activity (Kilauea erupted in 2018).
- Tip
- Saguaro National Park is divided into East and West portions separated by Tucson; both offer abundant desert trails.
Video on this route
25 Best National Parks in the USA