National Parks | Day Trip Nomad

Planning out your next escape to any of the West USA national parks? I’ve got you! Since 2019, I’ve driven through every single western state, putting over 40,000 miles on my van and going to 28 national parks.

I’ve put together a whole encyclopedia of guides outlining the best things to see and do on a day trip or longer. Dive into these awesome guides all based on my first-hand experiences!

General Information

bison herd on the road to yellowstone from bozeman

9 Scenic Drives through US National Parks Everyone Raves About (And How To Plan Them)

Person in Yellow Jacket and Red Pants Skiing

20 Snowiest Ski Resorts Where Epic Powder Is (Almost) a Sure Thing

Tourists hiking a glacier in Alaska, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

These 10 Least Visited National Parks Are So Remote, You’ll Likely Have the Trails to Yourself

Public Domain & Fair Use

Americans Share 26 Things They Love About the USA

American dream girl

14 Uniquely American Things That Baffle Foreigners

The observation deck of Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains.

10 Most Visited National Parks in the USA Everyone Loves

Estes park Colorado A large hotel is a beautiful landmark against the Colorado rocky mountains, but more know as the hotel from the movie The Shinning

8 American National Parks That Keep Showing Up in Your Favorite Films

Sunrise at the Hikes Half Dome Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

10 of the US National Parks’ Most Iconic Landmarks. How Many Have You Checked Off?

Steptoe Butte State Park, Washington, USA. Sunset view of wheat farms in the rolling Palouse hills.

14 Western US State Parks That Rival Any National Park

lassen people with a trail leading towards the peak

Think Yellowstone Has All the Hot Springs? These 6 National Parks Beg to Differ

Milky Way with Flying Meteor at Death Valley National Park, California,

7 US National Parks with Jaw-Dropping Night Skies Perfect for This Summer

The smooth sandstone layers in Arizona The Wave Hike

7 Coveted National Park Experiences that Require Entering a Lottery

The Subway in Zion National Park, Utah

The Top 8 Hardest Hikes in US National Parks and Why They’re Worth It

Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park at sunset with couple

10 National Parks That May Be Too Hot to Handle This Summer

Arches, Utah

Arches National Park Windows Region

Why Now Is the Best Time to Hike Through the World’s Greatest Collection of Stone Arches

Arches national park, Delicate Arch during the Sunset

This Park has Over 2,000 Natural Stone Arches! Here’s How to Visit in a Day

Off road vehicle views of Moab Utah trails on bright sunny days

9 Daring Moab Jeep Tours to Quench Your Thirst for Adventure

Helicopter cockpit with pilot arm and control console inside the cabin on scenic flight of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona and Utah, America.

10 Bucket List Moab Helicopter Tours to Fly Above Arches and Canyons

A panoramic view of the Fiery Furnace with its maze-like collection of narrow sandstone canyons with the la sal mountains in the back

The Best Time to Visit Arches National Park (And Worst)

Delicate Arch standing tall against a clear blue sky at Arches National Park.

Perfect One Day in Arches National Park Itinerary for First-Timers

Big Bend, Texas

the mountains of Big Bend National Park on a one day itinerary

This Is Texas’s Wildest And Most Remote Park! Here’s How To See Its Iconic Landscapes In Just One Day

Sunrise in Big Bend National Park

Perfect One Day in Big Bend National Park Itinerary for First-Timers

Big Bend National Park at Sunset

Best Time to Visit Big Bend National Park: Weather & Events

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado

Steep granite cliffs of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Why Now Is the Best Time to See This Little-Known Colorado Canyon Before the Snow Hits

Panoramic view of the Black Canyon under a cloudy blue sky.

The Best Way to Spend One Day in Black Canyon of the Gunnison This Summer

Steep granite cliffs of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Best Time to Visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Weather & Events

Bryce Canyon, Utah

Scenic view of stunning red sandstone hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA

Why Now Is the Best Time to Capture Utah’s Most Photogenic Canyon Views Without the Crowds

Wall Street Bryce Canyon with two tall trees inside canyon walls

This is the Largest Collection Of Hoodoos On Earth! Here’s How to Visit in One Day

Scenic view of stunning red sandstone hoodoos in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, USA

Best Time To See Bryce Canyon National Park (And Worst)

Sunrise Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Perfect One Day in Bryce Canyon Itinerary For First-Timers

Canyonlands, Utah

Canyonlands National Park Mesa Arch Sunrise in Utah

Why Now Is the Best Time to Experience Zion’s Quieter, More Remote Alternative

Canyonlands Aerial with hiker, Kamchatka Canva

This Is One of Utah’s Most Underrated National Parks! Here’s How To See The Best Views In A Day

buck canyon overlook, a stop on a one day in canyonlands national park itinerary

Best Time to Visit Canyonlands National Park (And Worst)

Off road vehicle views of Moab Utah trails on bright sunny days

9 Daring Moab Jeep Tours to Quench Your Thirst for Adventure

Helicopter cockpit with pilot arm and control console inside the cabin on scenic flight of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Arizona and Utah, America.

10 Bucket List Moab Helicopter Tours to Fly Above Arches and Canyons

cat xu laying in front of The iconic Mesa Arch

Perfect One Day in Canyonlands Itinerary for First-Timers

Capitol Reef, Utah

Cathedral Valley Formations in a row in Capitol Reef

This Is Utah’s Least Crowded National Park! Here’s How To Experience Its Best Sights In Just A Day

The Castle, Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA

Perfect One Day in Capitol Reef National Park Itinerary For First-Timers

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Crater Lake, Oregon

watchman's overlook on a one day in crater lake itinerary

How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to the Deepest Lake in the US This Summer

One Day in Crater Lake Itinerary

Best Time to Visit Crater Lake National Park: Weather & Events

Death Valley, California

cat xu posing in the mesquite sand dunes in death valley national park with a red scarf

First-Timers Can’t Miss These 12 Photogenic Things to Do in Death Valley National Park

Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park at sunset with couple

First-Timers Can’t Miss These 12 Photogenic Things to Do in Death Valley National Park

day trip nomad in the badlands of Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park

7 Amazing Things We Did With Only 24 Hours In Death Valley National Park

cat xu posing in the mesquite sand dunes in death valley national park with a red scarf

This is the Best Time to Visit Death Valley (And The Worst)

Glacier, Montana

Grand Canyon, Arizona

Hiker on the edge of the North Rim looking out over river

This Is One of The World’s Most Famous Natural Wonders! Here’s How To See The Canyon’s Best Views In a Day

Hiker on the edge of the North Rim looking out over river

Why Now Is The Best Time To See The World’s Most Famous Canyon

cat xu sitting on a bench looking out onto the grand canyon

One Day in Grand Canyon South Rim: First-Timers Itinerary

Grand Canyon purple layers in northern arizona

This is the BEst Time to Visit Grand Canyon National Park (And the Worst)

Grand Teton, Wyoming

The reflection in austumn in Grand Teton, Schwabacher's Landing

12 Beautiful Spots in Grand Teton National Park To Photograph Before the Season Ends

bison herd on the side of the road in front of the teton mountains on a yellowstone winter tour

This Is One of The Most Photogenic Mountain Ranges In America! Here’s How To See The Best Sights In a Day

bison herd on the side of the road in front of the teton mountains on a yellowstone winter tour

First-Timers Can’t Miss These 12 Photogenic Things to Do in Grand Teton National Park

Elk herd in Colorado mountains

Why Now is the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone’s Less Crowded Neighbor For the Elk Rut Season

snake river overlook in the grand teton national park, part of a yellowstone tour from jackson hole

Best Time to Visit Grand Teton (And Worst)

jenny lake near the hidden falls and inspiration point hike

Perfect One Day in Grand Teton Itinerary for First-Timers

Great Sand Dunes, Colorado

First morning light - Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado

This National Park has The Tallest Sand Dune In North America! Here’s How to Visit in a Day

Sand Dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Visit the the Tallest Sand Dune in North America

First morning light - Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in Colorado

Why Now is the Best Time to Visit Great Sand Dunes National Park

Sand Dunes Leading to the Mountains in Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado

Perfect One Day in Great Sand Dunes National Park Itinerary

Guadalupe Mountains, Texas

Haleakala, Hawaii

Joshua Tree, California

Silhouettes in California, Stars in Joshua Tree National Park

This Is California’s Ultimate Desert Hippie Hideaway! Here’s How To Explore The Best Spots In A Day

Panoramic view of the bridge in Cholla Cactus Garden with desert landscape in the background

Best Time to Visit Joshua Tree National Park: Weather & Events

Sunset painting the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park behind of cholla cactus garden

Perfect One Day in Joshua Tree Itinerary for First-Timers

Lassen Volcanic, California

Lassen Volcanic National Park, A view of volcanic Mount Lassen in the Cascade range

Why Now Is the Best Time to Visit California’s Most Active Volcanic Landscape Before Snowfall

The rolling landscape of Lassen Volcanic, Painted Dunes

Don’t Miss These 12 Explosive Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic for First-Timers

The rolling landscape of Lassen Volcanic, Painted Dunes

12 Epic Things to Do in California’s Most Geothermal National Park Before the Season Ends

sun setting on a partially shadowed bumbpass hell in a one day in lassen volcanic itinerary

These are the Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Lassen Volcanic National Park

panoromac landscape of golden hour with light streaks through trees in lassen volcanic national park

Perfect One Day Itinerary in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Mesa Verde, Colorado

The cliff palace dwellings of Mesa Verde are some of the most notable and best preserved in the North American Continent.

Don’t Miss These 11 Historic Things to Do in Mesa Verde For First-Timers

The cliff palace dwellings of Mesa Verde are some of the most notable and best preserved in the North American Continent.

Day Trip to Mesa Verde: An Action-Packed Itinerary for First-Time Explorers

The cliff palace dwellings of Mesa Verde are some of the most notable and best preserved in the North American Continent.

Here’s Why Now Is the Best Time to Explore These Incredibly Ancient US Cliff Dwellings

Mount Rainier, Washington

North Cascades, Washington

the diablo lake blue waters in north cascadades national park surrounded by greenery

Why Now Is the Best Time to See Glacier National Park’s Lesser-Known, Quieter Alternative

the diablo lake blue waters in north cascadades national park surrounded by greenery

Best Time to Visit North Cascades National Park (And Worst)

cat xu sitting on the diablo lake overlook on a sunny day with beautiful blue water

The Best Way To Spend One Day In North Cascades This Summer

Olympic, Washington

Hall of Mosses in Olympic National Park, Washington, USA.

This Is One of The Most Ecologically Diverse Parks in the US! Here’s How To Explore It All In One Day

Washington, Olympic NP at Ruby Beach

Don’t Miss These 12 Epic Things to Do in Olympic National Park for First-Timers

Washington, Olympic NP Sol Duc Falls

First-Timers Can’t Miss These 12 Photogenic Things to Do in Olympic National Park

Washington, Olympic NP at Ruby Beach

Why Now Is the Best Time to See the Pacific Northwest’s Most Diverse Park Without the Crowds

Morning Breaks Over the Hoh Rainforest in Washington

This is the Best Time to Visit Olympic National Park (And the Worst)

Olympic National Park Rialto Beach at sunset

One Day in Olympic National Park Itinerary for First-Timers

Petrified Forest, Arizona

Painted Desert Overlook in Petrified Forest National Park

Why Now Is The Best Time To Experience Grand Canyon’s Cheaper, Less Crowded Neighbor Park

Painted Desert Overlook in Petrified Forest National Park

Perfect One Day in Petrified Forest National Park Itinerary

Badlands of Blue Mesa in Petrified Forest National Park

This is the Best Time to Visit Petrified Forest National Park

Redwood, California

Muir Woods redwoods looking up at the tall green trees

Here’s How to Explore the World’s Tallest Trees in This Iconic National Park with One Day

bottom view of the tall redwood forest at Redwood National Park

The Best Time to Visit Redwood National Park (and Worst)

Foggy morning in the redwood forest creating a mystical atmosphere with a road through the picture

Perfect One Day in Redwood National Park Itinerary

Rocky Mountain, Colorado

Season changing, first snow and autumn aspen trees in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA.

Experience the Fall Colors and Elk Rut in This Iconic Colorado Park! Here’s How to Visit in One Day

Dream Lake and reflection with mountains in snow around at autumn. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA.

Why Now Is the Best Time to See the Fall Colors and Elk Rut in This Popular Colorado National Park

Emerald Lake and reflection with rocks and mountains in snow around at autumn. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA.

The Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain National Park (And Worst)

Emerald Lake and reflection with rocks and mountains in snow around at autumn. Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA.

Here’s The Best Way to Spend One Day in Rocky Mountain This Season

Saguaro, Arizona

Arizona, Saguaro Park Landcsape

Why Now Is The Best Time To Visit Joshua Tree’s Cactus-Studded Sibling

Close-up shot of a Saguaro cactus, showcasing its unique ribbed texture and arms reaching towards the azure sky

This is the Best Time to Visit Saguaro National Park (And Worst)

A close-up of a Saguaro cactus arm, revealing the intricate patterns formed by its spines during sunset

One Day in Saguaro National Park Itinerary for First-Timers

Sequoia & King’s Canyon, California

Winding road disappearing into a dense forest of redwood trees

One Day in Sequoia National Park Itinerary: What Not to Miss

Volcanoes, Hawaii

my two friends looking out over the devastated area on a day trip to volcano national park itinerary

10 Unmissable Things to Do in Volcano National Park with Just 24 Hours

Volcano, Thurston Lava Tube, Hawaii

Why Now Is the Best Time to Visit the Park with the World’s Most Active Volcano

Hōlei Sea Arch at sunset with the layered mountains and the waves crashing

Best Time To Visit Volcanoes National Park (And The Worst!)

Volcano National Park Lava Flow up-close

This One Day Volcano National Park Itinerary is Perfect for Your Summer Vacation

White Sands, New Mexico

softer morning contrast for white sands national park new mexico photography

Why Now Is The Best Time To Visit Death Valley’s Surreal, Snow-Like Counterpart

softer morning contrast for white sands national park new mexico photography

This Is The Snowy-Looking Desert Counterpart To Death Valley! Here’s How To Explore Its Gleaming Dunes In A Day

White Sands National Park portrait cat xu jumping in the white sand dunes in the day time

Perfect One Day in White Sands National Park Itinerary

Sand Dunes of White Sands National Park in southern new mexico

When is the Best Time to Visit White Sands National Park

Yellowstone, Wyoming

Yellowstone Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook

First-Timers Can’t Miss These 14 Photogenic Things To Do in Yellowstone

the colorful morning glory pool in yellowstone national park

Why Now Is the Best Time to Discover the Most Legendary Scenic Park in the US Before Winter Sets In

the colorful morning glory pool in yellowstone national park

This Is One of The Most Geologically Active Places On Earth! Here’s How To See Its Best Features In A Day

the colorful morning glory pool in yellowstone national park

This is the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone (And Worst)

Yellowstone Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook

Perfect One Day in Yellowstone Itinerary for First-Timers

Zion, Utah

Adventurous Woman at the edge of a cliff is looking at a beautiful landscape view in the Canyon during a vibrant sunset. Taken in Zion National Park, Utah, United States. Sky Composite.

11 Zion Adventures That Will Make Your Heart Race Like a Wild West Film

cat xu at the top of Angel's Landing Summit at Zion National Park on a road trip from Las Vegas to page az

11 Adventurous Things to Do in Zion for First-Timers with Just 24 Hours

Autumn in Zion National Park

Why Now Is the Best Time to Discover the Most Visited National Park in Utah in Perfect Fall Colors

Zion, Angel's Landing Rails

This Park Has One of the Most Dangerous Hikes in the US! Here’s How To See The Best Sights In a Day

the view from the top of angels landing in zion national park

One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary for Adventurers

the scenic drive on a driving zion national park tour

7 Adventurous Zion Jeep Tours That Will Rock Your World

fall foliage with the monoliths in the background on a one day in zion national park itinerary

This is the Best Time to Visit Zion National Park (And Worst)

Yosemite, California

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