Planning a trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton itinerary is a lot of work. I can’t even count how many hours I put into planning my trip there the first time I went (only to have to redo the plan because the Upper Loop closed from flooding that year). You have to figure out…
Yes, you can see Yellowstone in one day. I wouldn’t recommend it because you will only scratch the surface, but one day in Yellowstone is better than no days in Yellowstone. One day gives you the highlights of the Lower Loop: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and some wildlife viewing…
Yosemite is enormous. Things that seem close on a map can mean hours of driving, so where you stay in Yosemite is really important. There are fairly limited options for staying inside the park, but plenty of options for staying outside the park. And those options vary considerably in terms of distance from the park,…
How many days do I need in Yosemite? It’s a great question, and the answer depends on what kind of Yosemite itinerary you want. Casual or rushed? Hit the highlights and move on, or enjoy long hikes? I absolutely love Yosemite, but you need a plan. This park is huge, so it’s tough to just…
Especially when you hear the word “resort.” So, what’s the best family-friendly resort for a national park vacation? Drumroll please. It is the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, right outside Rocky Mountain National Park. If you are like me and grew up on the East Coast, YMCA and resort do not belong in…
There is a hotel for every type of traveler in and around Zion National Park. From value to upscale. From inside the park to an hour outside. Value is harder to find in peak season (summer and spring break to a lesser extent). But if you know where to look and when to book, you…
Planning a trip to one National Park is exciting. Planning a road trip to visit five of them? That can feel overwhelming. There is so much to do in Utah and nearby Arizona that it can be really hard to choose what to do. The Mighty 5 in Utah get a lot of attention, but…
Last Updated: 2/20/2026 Planning a national park trip used to be simple. You showed up, paid the fee, and drove into the park. Not anymore. A few parks require a vehicle reservation before you can enter. Others require timed entry permits for specific roads or hikes. These can be first-come, first-served or lottery systems. Others…
The Going-to-the-Sun Road is widely considered one of the most spectacular drives in the world. It is 50 miles of sheer cliffs, glacial lakes, and waterfalls that you can see right from your car window. But driving it isn’t always a relaxing Sunday cruise. The road is narrow, the drop-offs are steep, and the logistics…
The number one most visited national park in the United States isn’t the Grand Canyon or Yosemite. It’s Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With over 12 million visitors a year, this park is spectacular, but spring is unique. You get the magic of blooming wildflowers, much milder temperatures, and rushing waterfalls, but you may also…