Public travel plan
Epic USA Road Trips: National Parks, Wild Rivers & Scenic Byways
This curated overland route covers iconic American landscapes from Gulf Coast beaches and Louisiana bayous to the rugged Chihuahuan Desert, Rocky Mountain high passes, and the Pacific Northwest. Essential gear includes…
Source videos
Travel inspiration behind this plan
Big Bend National Park Is Bigger Than We Expected
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24 Hours in Key West, Florida (On a Golf Cart)
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The Million Dollar Highway — One of America’s Most Epic Drives
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Only in Florida… Our Strangest Camping Trip Yet
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Fort Pickens National Seashore - Why You Should Visit
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Moab: The Ultimate Camping & Biking Adventure
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Grand Tetons and Jackson Hole 2 Days of Nonstop Adventure
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This State Park in New York Feels Unreal
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The Oregon Coast (First Impressions)
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New Orleans Travel Guide: The Most Unique Camping Experience
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Plan notes
Useful context before you go
This curated overland route covers iconic American landscapes from Gulf Coast beaches and Louisiana bayous to the rugged Chihuahuan Desert, Rocky Mountain high passes, and the Pacific Northwest. Essential gear includes a durable 3-season tent or campervan setup, portable solar bank, camp kitchen equipment (propane 2-burner stove, cast iron cookware, and cooler), dry bags for water outings, and sturdy trail footwear. Reserve state and national park campsites well in advance, check seasonal road passes in mountain elevations, and carry sufficient water when exploring arid desert trails.
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Itinerary highlights
What is in this plan
Days 1-3: Florida Gulf Coast, Hidden Springs & Key West
Experience the diversity of Florida's coastlines and inland forests. Camp right behind the coastal dunes at Fort Pickens, explore deep sinkhole waterfalls, paddle freshwater springs, and navigate Key West by golf cart.
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Fort Pickens CampgroundFort Pickens Campground, Pensacola Beach, FL
Camp directly at the national seashore campground nestled behind white sand dunes and historic fortifications.
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UWF Mountain Bike TrailsUWF Mountain Bike Trails, University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL
Ride technical singletrack through pine forest trails located on the university campus grounds.
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The KennedyThe Kennedy, 1 S Palafox St, Pensacola, FL
Enjoy craft cocktails and small plates in downtown Pensacola after a full day outdoors.
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Falling Waters State ParkFalling Waters State Park, 1130 State Park Rd, Chipley, FL
Hike to Florida's highest cylindrical waterfall dropping 73 feet into a limestone sinkhole.
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Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State ParkEdward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, 465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL
Take a guided riverboat tour over crystal clear freshwater springs rich with manatees and birdlife.
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Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A., Key West, FL
Rent a street-legal golf cart to navigate the island alleys and reach landmark photo stops effortlessly.
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The Key West Butterfly & Nature ConservatoryThe Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory, 1316 Duval St, Key West, FL
Walk through an enclosed lush tropical garden filled with hundreds of vibrant butterfly species and flamingos.
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Key West LighthouseKey West Lighthouse, 938 Whitehead St, Key West, FL
Climb the historic lighthouse stairs for panoramic 360-degree vistas across Key West and the surrounding gulf.
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Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State ParkFort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, 601 Howard England Way, Key West, FL
Explore the brick fort fortress grounds and relax at the island's best beach for sunset gazing.
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Days 4-6: Louisiana Bayous & Historic French Quarter
Base yourself at a scenic bayou state park just across the Mississippi River. Combine deep swamp airboat adventures with historic plantation tours and classic New Orleans cuisine.
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Bayou Segnette State Park CampgroundBayou Segnette State Park Campground, 7777 Westbank Expy, Westwego, LA
Pitch your tent or park your camper at peaceful wetland campsites with easy access to New Orleans.
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Oak Alley PlantationOak Alley Plantation, 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA
Tour the famous avenue of 300-year-old live oaks and understand the complex historic sugarcane grounds.
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Creole House Restaurant & Oyster BarCreole House Restaurant & Oyster Bar, 509 Canal St, New Orleans, LA
Sample authentic Cajun jambalaya, crawfish dishes, and charbroiled oysters in the heart of the French Quarter.
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Café Du Monde French MarketCafé Du Monde, 800 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Start the morning with powdered sugar beignets and traditional chicory cafe au lait at the iconic 24-hour stand.
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Louisiana Tour Company Swamp ToursLouisiana Tour Company, 9706 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA
Speed through winding bayous on a high-powered airboat to spot wild alligators and native marsh wildlife.
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French Market Restaurant & BarFrench Market Restaurant & Bar, 1001 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA
End the day with boiled crawfish and fresh Gulf seafood right along historic Decatur Street.
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Days 7-9: Far West Texas: Big Bend Desert & Emory Peak
Journey into one of the most remote and expansive national parks in the country. Base at the high-elevation Chisos Basin, conquer Emory Peak, and cook campfire meals under some of the darkest night skies on Earth.
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Chisos Basin CampgroundChisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, TX
Camp in the high mountain basin surrounded by soaring desert peaks, offering cooler temperatures and trailhead access.
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Emory Peak TrailEmory Peak Trailhead, Chisos Basin, Big Bend National Park, TX
Tackle the strenuous 10.5-mile round-trip hike through oak-pinyon forests up to the final rocky scramble on Emory Peak.
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Emory Peak SummitEmory Peak Summit, Big Bend National Park, TX
Scramble the final 25 feet of rock to take in panoramic views spanning the vast Chihuahuan Desert.
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Chisos Basin Sunset PointChisos Basin Trailhead, Big Bend National Park, TX
Return to your campsite to prepare chorizo tacos on a camp stove while watching the desert mountain sunset.
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Days 10-13: Utah Red Rocks & Colorado San Juan Mountains
Traverse the Southwest's most spectacular geology. Mountain bike the world-renowned Slickrock trails in Moab, drive through Capitol Reef, and navigate the steep sheer drops of the Million Dollar Highway.
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Ken's Lake CampgroundKen's Lake Campground, Moab, UT
Camp near the reservoir with dramatic views of the red sandstone cliffs and La Sal mountains.
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Slickrock Bike TrailSlickrock Bike Trail, Sand Flats Recreation Area, Moab, UT
Ride the undulating Navajo sandstone domes on Moab's most famous technical mountain bike trail.
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Grandstaff Canyon TrailheadGrandstaff Canyon Trailhead, UT-128, Moab, UT
Hike through a shaded canyon alongside a year-round stream leading to the impressive Morning Glory Natural Bridge.
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Spanish Valley Vineyards & WinerySpanish Valley Vineyards & Winery, 4710 S Zimmermann Ln, Moab, UT
Visit Utah's southernmost estate winery for a relaxed outdoor tasting beneath the La Sal mountain backdrop.
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Miguel's Baja GrillMiguel's Baja Grill, 51 N Main St, Moab, UT
Refuel with hearty Baja-style fish tacos, enchiladas, and fresh margaritas in downtown Moab.
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Million Dollar HighwayMillion Dollar Highway, US-550, Ouray, CO
Drive the dramatic 25-mile stretch of US Route 550 between Silverton and Ouray with cliffside turns and alpine panoramas.
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Ouray Riverside Resort CampgroundOuray Riverside Resort, 1804 N Main St, Ouray, CO
Camp in the 'Switzerland of America' boxed valley surrounded by jagged 13,000-foot San Juan peaks.
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Black Canyon of the GunnisonBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Montrose, Colorado, United States
Marvel at some of North America's steepest vertical cliffs dropping nearly 2,000 feet to the Gunnison River.
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Days 14-16: Grand Teton National Park & Jackson Hole
Two days of nonstop mountain thrills. Paddle calm glacial lakes directly below Cathedral Group peaks, hike to roaring alpine waterfalls, and take on Class III whitewater on the Snake River.
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Shadow Mountain Dispersed CampingShadow Mountain, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Kelly, WY
Camp under the pines in Bridger-Teton National Forest with rapid morning access to the park entrance.
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Hidden Falls TrailHidden Falls Trail, Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park, WY
Hike the forested trail around Jenny Lake to view the thunderous 100-foot cascading Hidden Falls.
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String Lake Boat LaunchString Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Moose, WY
Launch inflatable paddleboards on the shallow, crystal-clear alpine waters with Mount Moran towering above.
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Hand Fire PizzaHand Fire Pizza, 120 N Glenwood St, Jackson, WY
Eat wood-fired artisan pizza inside a historic restored movie theater building in downtown Jackson.
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Mormon Row Historic DistrictMormon Row Historic District, 13040 Antelope Flats Rd, Moose, WY
Photograph the iconic Moulton barns with the jagged Teton peaks rising straight out of the valley floor.
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Dave Hansen Whitewater RaftingDave Hansen Whitewater, 225 W Broadway, Jackson, WY
Run the thrilling Class III rapids of the Snake River Canyon with professional guides.
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Days 17-19: Oregon Coast Seacoast & New York Canyon Waterfalls
Finish your nationwide journey by connecting two coastal and canyon marvels: the moody sea stacks of the Southern Oregon Coast and the massive waterfalls of Letchworth State Park in Upstate New York.
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Cape Blanco State ParkCape Blanco State Park, 91100 Cape Blanco Rd, Port Orford, OR
Wake up to dramatic ocean vistas on the westernmost point of Oregon above rugged sea cliffs.
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Face Rock State Scenic ViewpointFace Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Beach Loop Dr SW, Bandon, OR
Walk along the sandy beach to see the famous sea stacks and tidal formations at Face Rock.
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Tony's Crab ShackTony's Crab Shack, 155 1st St SE, Bandon, OR
Grab fresh local Dungeness crab sandwiches and clam chowder served on the Bandon waterfront boardwalk.
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Letchworth State Park CampgroundLetchworth State Park Campground, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY
Camp under mature hardwood trees inside the canyon dubbed the 'Grand Canyon of the East'.
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Gorge Trail Letchworth State ParkGorge Trail, Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY
Hike the Gorge Trail connecting Lower, Middle, and Upper Falls with staggering cliffside views over the Genesee River.
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Glen Iris InnGlen Iris Inn, 7 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY
Enjoy a scenic lunch on the historic estate grounds overlooking Middle Falls.
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Canadice Lake Boat LaunchCanadice Lake Boat Launch, Canadice Lake Rd, Springwater, NY
Paddle inflatable SUPs on one of the Finger Lakes region's most pristine, undeveloped and peaceful lakes.
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