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A 36-Day National Parks Grand Tour of the United States

This source-faithful national parks itinerary follows the creator's broad geographic sequence and their guidance that many parks can be experienced in about two days. Plan around seasonal closures: Yellowstone and Glaci…

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Travel inspiration for A 36-Day National Parks Grand Tour of the United States

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Travel inspiration behind this plan

20 Best USA National Parks To Visit in 2026 4K Watch on YouTube

Plan notes

Useful context before you go

This source-faithful national parks itinerary follows the creator's broad geographic sequence and their guidance that many parks can be experienced in about two days. Plan around seasonal closures: Yellowstone and Glacier are generally best from late spring through early fall, Zion is especially appealing in winter because summer temperatures exceed 100°F, and Hawaii Volcanoes remains open year-round. Consider the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass if visiting multiple fee-charging parks; the creator specifically notes $35 vehicle fees at several parks, $30 at Hawaii Volcanoes and Olympic, and free access across much of Redwood National Park. Carry plenty of water for Grand Canyon rim-to-rim or canyon descents, secure food at Yosemite and carry bear spray where grizzlies are common in Glacier and Grand Teton, and check Glacier's Going-to-the-Sun Road reservation requirements before arrival. This plan intentionally includes only places and features identified in the supplied source.

Itinerary highlights

What is in this plan

Days 1-4 Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Base this opening phase around the connected Wyoming parks. Yellowstone's roads are generally most accessible in summer, while Grand Teton offers summer access, fall colors, winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and active wildlife in spring.

  1. Yellowstone National ParkYellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

    Start with the park's volcanic landscape: Yellowstone contains thousands of hydrothermal features and more active geysers than anywhere else on Earth.

  2. Old FaithfulOld Faithful, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA

    Visit Old Faithful as the signature geyser experience within Yellowstone's geothermal basin.

  3. Yellowstone Grand Loop RoadGrand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

    Look for bison, elk, wolves, bears, moose and bald eagles, while treating the wilderness as wildlife habitat rather than a viewing guarantee.

  4. Yellowstone National Park North EntranceYellowstone National Park North Entrance, Gardiner, Montana, USA

    Use a private vehicle for Yellowstone and remember the source's $35 seven-day vehicle pass reference.

  5. Jenny LakeJenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA

    Make Jenny Lake the central scenic stop in Grand Teton, with the mountain backdrop as the park's defining feature.

  6. Grand Teton National ParkGrand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA

    Hike cautiously in Grand Teton's forests: the source emphasizes frequent bear encounters and active wildlife in spring.

Days 5-10 Grand Canyon and Southern Utah

Allow two days around the Grand Canyon and roughly two days each for Zion and Bryce Canyon. Choose the Grand Canyon rim carefully because the south, north and west areas are widely separated.

  1. Grand Canyon South RimGrand Canyon South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

    Use Grand Canyon Village as the source-identified south-park base and spend time with the canyon's immense scale.

  2. Grand Canyon National ParkGrand Canyon National Park, Arizona

    Compare the South Rim, North Rim and West area only if your route supports the distances; the source stresses that the canyon is enormous.

  3. Colorado River, Grand CanyonColorado River, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA

    Treat a descent toward the Colorado River or a rim-to-rim attempt as a demanding undertaking, not a casual hike; carry plenty of water.

  4. Angels LandingAngels Landing, Zion National Park, Utah, USA

    Make Angel's Landing the high-intensity Zion objective only if you secure the required lottery permit for its final section.

  5. The NarrowsThe Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah, USA

    Explore the Narrows as Zion's other major physically demanding experience, checking current conditions before entering the water route.

  6. Bryce Canyon National ParkBryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

    Use Bryce Canyon as a compact one-day or two-day stop; the source specifically describes it as possible in a full day depending on hiking ambition.

Days 11-18 California's Granite, Giant Trees and Desert

This California phase combines Yosemite, Sequoia, Redwood and Joshua Tree. Secure food at Yosemite campsites, remember that Sequoia and Yosemite can be combined, and treat Joshua Tree as a desert and stargazing environment.

  1. Yosemite ValleyYosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California, USA

    Begin in Yosemite Valley for the park's granite cliffs, broad mountain scenery and concentrated landmarks.

  2. El CapitanEl Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California, USA

    View El Capitan as Yosemite's internationally recognized rock-climbing landmark.

  3. Yosemite FallsYosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California, USA

    Schedule Yosemite Falls for a major waterfall viewpoint, noting the source's description of its dramatic height.

  4. Mariposa GroveMariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California, USA

    Walk among the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove, a source-highlighted nearby grove of enormous trees.

  5. General Sherman TreeGeneral Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park, California, USA

    Visit General Sherman, the signature giant tree of Sequoia National Park, and use the groves as a slower forest-focused counterpoint to Yosemite.

  6. Sequoia National ParkSequoia National Park, California, USA

    Keep Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite in one California planning block, as the source specifically identifies them as combinable.

  7. Redwood National and State ParksRedwood National and State Parks, Crescent City, CA, United States

    Explore Redwood National Park for coastal redwoods, including trees that can be exceptionally wide and ancient; many areas generally have no entrance fee.

  8. Joshua Tree National ParkJoshua Tree National Park, California, USA

    Finish this phase in Joshua Tree with desert scenery, stargazing and the park's extensive climbing potential.

Days 19-24 Glacier, Crater Lake and Olympic

This northern and Pacific phase spans Glacier's alpine road, Crater Lake's volcanic caldera and Olympic's unusual combination of rainforest, mountains and coast. Glacier is largely snowbound in winter, so confirm access and reservations.

  1. Going-to-the-Sun RoadGoing-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

    Drive the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road as Glacier's defining scenic route, after checking the current reservation system.

  2. Lake McDonaldLake McDonald, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

    Use Lake McDonald for Glacier's signature clear-water landscape and mountain reflections.

  3. Glacier National ParkGlacier National Park, Montana, USA

    Carry bear spray and remain alert for grizzlies in Glacier's wilderness.

  4. Crater LakeCrater Lake, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon, USA

    Stand at Crater Lake's caldera, formed after Mount Mazama's eruption roughly 7,000 years ago.

  5. Olympic National ParkOlympic National Park, Washington, USA

    Explore Olympic's temperate rainforest ecosystem, one of three distinct environments within the park.

  6. Olympic National Park Pacific CoastOlympic National Park Pacific Coast, Washington, USA

    Complete Olympic's three-environment contrast with its alpine mountains and Pacific coastline, both highlighted as part of the park's identity.

Days 25-26 Rocky Mountain National Park

Keep this focused two-day mountain phase around the park's high elevations and Longs Peak, the source-identified highest peak within the park.

  1. Rocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

    Use Rocky Mountain National Park as the base for Colorado's high-elevation landscape.

  2. Longs PeakLongs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

    Plan around Longs Peak, which the source identifies as standing around 14,250 feet inside the park.

  3. Rocky MountainsRocky Mountains, Colorado, USA

    Use the mountain range context to understand that the Rockies extend north through Wyoming and Montana into the Canadian Rockies.

  4. Rocky Mountain National Park Alpine RegionRocky Mountain National Park Alpine Region, Colorado, USA

    Treat the high country as an altitude-focused outdoor stop rather than a quick urban excursion.

  5. Rocky Mountain National Park Mountain RangeRocky Mountain National Park Mountain Range, Colorado, USA

    Pair the park's peaks with the broader Colorado mountain landscape before moving east.

  6. Rocky Mountain National ParkRocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

    Keep this phase compact: the source's general planning guidance is that many individual parks can be covered in about two days.

Days 27-30 Acadia and Great Smoky Mountains

This eastern phase contrasts Acadia's Atlantic coastline and fall foliage with Great Smoky Mountains' misty forest, long trail network and salamander diversity.

  1. Acadia National ParkAcadia National Park, Maine, USA

    Explore Acadia along the Atlantic coastline, where the source highlights a more approachable eastern wildlife setting.

  2. Cadillac MountainCadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park, Maine, USA

    Climb or view Cadillac Mountain, Acadia's highest point at roughly 1,530 feet.

  3. Acadia National ParkAcadia National Park, Maine, USA

    Time Acadia for autumn if foliage is a priority; the source identifies fall color as one of the park's strongest draws.

  4. Great Smoky Mountains National ParkGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina, USA

    Enter Great Smoky Mountains for its dense green forest and blue natural mist.

  5. Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky MountainsAppalachian Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina, USA

    Use the park's extensive trail network for a dedicated hiking block; the source cites 850 miles of trails, including 72 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

  6. Great Smoky Mountains National Park ForestsGreat Smoky Mountains National Park Forests, Tennessee and North Carolina, USA

    Look for salamanders in damp forest habitat; the source calls the park the salamander capital of the world.

Days 31-32 Hawaii Volcanoes

Use this two-day island phase for volcanic landscapes. The park is open 24 hours a day year-round, but eruptions are not guaranteed and the source identifies April through October as warmer and generally drier.

  1. Hawaii Volcanoes National ParkHawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA

    Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park's broad volcanic landscape from sea level toward Mauna Loa.

  2. KilaueaKilauea, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA

    Focus on Kilauea, the active volcano identified by the source, while remembering that visible eruption activity changes with conditions.

  3. Volcano HouseVolcano House, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA

    Use the lodge area as one possible place to observe volcanic activity, without treating an eruption as guaranteed.

  4. Mauna LoaMauna Loa, Hawaii, USA

    Keep Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea in the volcanic context of the Big Island, while the national park's active focus remains Kilauea.

  5. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park EntranceHawaii Volcanoes National Park Entrance, Hawaii, USA

    Use the park's year-round, 24-hour access as a flexible scheduling advantage, while checking current volcanic alerts before approaching viewing areas.

  6. Hawaii Volcanoes National ParkHawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii, USA

    Use the source's $30 vehicle-fee reference or the America the Beautiful pass when applicable.

Days 33-36 Alaska's Denali and Glacier Bay

End with four days split between Denali and Glacier Bay. Denali sits between Anchorage and Fairbanks but has limited roads and unpredictable wildlife sightings; Glacier Bay is a glacier-rich Inside Passage destination associated with Juneau.

  1. Denali National Park and PreserveDenali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

    Use Denali's road as the main access line through a vast park with comparatively limited road coverage.

  2. DenaliDenali, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

    Look toward Denali, also referred to in the source as Mount McKinley, the highest mountain in the United States at about 20,000 feet.

  3. Denali National Park WildlifeDenali National Park Wildlife, Alaska, USA

    Keep wildlife expectations realistic: the source reports seeing only one caribou despite traveling deep into the park.

  4. Denali Park RoadDenali Park Road, Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

    Use the Anchorage-to-Fairbanks position of Denali to understand its place in an Alaska route, without assuming wildlife or road access beyond what conditions allow.

  5. Glacier Bay National ParkGlacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

    Enter Glacier Bay's Inside Passage landscape for a glacier-focused finale and UNESCO World Heritage setting.

  6. Margerie GlacierMargerie Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

    Look for Margerie Glacier, a tidewater glacier identified as one of Glacier Bay's most famous features.

  7. Juneau HarborJuneau Harbor, Juneau, Alaska, USA

    Use Juneau as the source-identified access context for exploring the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay region.

  8. Glacier Bay National ParkGlacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA

    Allow Glacier Bay extra time for the scale of its glacial environment; the source notes more than a thousand glaciers in the wider park landscape.