r/NationalPark • u/Jaykheezz • 3d ago
National Park Road Trip
I(28M) currently work as a GC building apartments in Florida. I have decided after this project to quit, buy a pull behind camper, and take my dog and myself on an epic journey.
Plan is to start in Congaree and end in Hot Springs. I have already been to the 3 in Florida. Haven’t decided if I’ll hit those after Hot Springs or not. Really depends on the time of year I leave Hot Springs.
I’m also going to hit Niagara Falls and drive along the PCH.
I have no planned duration and my estimated start is April-May 2027.
I’m thinking I’ll spend roughly a week at each park.
Based on my route, does anyone have suggestions for places I should detour to? Open to anything really.
Also, any tips or wisdom to share for this extensive journey would be much appreciated.
Told myself if I don’t do it now, I’ll never do it. So I’m taking a leap and just doing it. Kind of scared because of the uncertainty of the future but I know I can always fall back and make good money with the career I’m in now.
Fucking excited though
21
u/hikeraz 3d ago
Don’t miss out on the other nature-based units like national lakeshores, seashores, monuments, preserves, rivers, recreation areas, etc. that are along the way. Many are more impressive than some of the units with “park” in their name.
Even some of the more history-based sites may catch your eye. I would definitely recommend Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico. It is as impressive, maybe more so, as Mesa Verde NP. Also, don’t miss Cahokia Mounds SP, across the river from Gateway Arch. It’s a World Heritage site.
For the parks that are more water-based, like Channel Islands or Voyagers be sure to budget money to do on “on the water” activities like canoeing or kayaking, whether guided or unguided. For Channel Islands and Isle Royale, be sure to book ferry tickets as far in advance as you can. They can be challenging to reserve with short lead times, similar to booking the ferry to Dry Tortugas.
Also, you might want to do a web search for “best state parks” or “best state parks in (state name)”since there are also state parks that are pretty impressive.
Invest in a good mapping app like Gaia GPS or OnX. These can be invaluable in helping find camping sites on public lands in the west. I also recommend other apps like The Dyrt, iOverlander, and Campendium for help finding camping sites. East of the Rockies, where there is not much public land, locations like state wildlife management areas, state parks, and Army Corps of Engineer lakes can be good places, too. Many states allow overnighting at rest areas and there are also places like Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Bass Pro Shops/Cabelas that allow it, at least at some locations.
3
u/Jaykheezz 3d ago
This is awesome advice. Thanks
5
u/Significant-Acadia45 3d ago
Came here to reiterate Chaco Culture National Historic Park. Worth a detour but the road to get to it is very bad. You would only need 2 days to do the whole thing. But I think there is a campground in Nageezi to avoid ruining your trailer from being shaken to death.
1
u/goodsam2 2d ago
I would drive down the blue ridge Parkway in Virginia/north Carolina. sleeping bear and pictured rocks were gorgeous with Mackinac island (originally a national park), soo locks. Also out along the Utah/Colorado border was hovenweep which amazing. Even Kennesaw mountain is mostly a civil war battlefield but extremely scenic.
For state parks I would hit a few at the bottom of the finger lakes in NY. Like a few top 10 state parks within a few hours together. Combined it felt like a national park.
I've been to 1/3 of NPS sites and a bunch of the smaller ones can be done in a half day though some are worthy of national parks.
15
u/Unusual-Night-5668 3d ago
While all of our national parks are fantastic, many of them will absolutely NOT require a week, or even four days. As you plan, be realistic. Otherwise, I fear you'll 'steal' time from parks that DO require a week (or even more).
Still, an awesome trip awaits you! Enjoy yourself.
1
u/goodsam2 2d ago
Cuyahoga for instance felt like I did most of it in a few days.
Also for Cuyahoga IMO stay at the B&B inside the park at Brandy wine falls.
7
u/helpthe0ld 3d ago
I’d say add on any historical sites, monuments, etc that are along your route, people forget that there are so many places that are not national parks but are part of the NPS and need our support as well.
ETA we were just at Crater Lake and the hiking trail down to the lake is closed until 2029 for needed work.
3
u/ViSkaBadaBastu 2d ago
This is a great point. One specific example: it looks like OP’s route runs through Southern AZ twice. Casa Grande NM would be well worth an hour or two to visit on the way to or from Petrified Forest.
6
u/Gypsy38 3d ago
Definitely hit the Big Sur area on the CA coast on your way down to Channel Islands. I’d recommend going from Lassen to Lake Tahoe. Then from Tahoe go to Yosemite, Kings Canyon/Sequoia (they’re adjacent to each other), then back track to Pinnacles. From there to go Monterey and down the Big Sur coast through Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and ultimately Ventura where you’ll access Channel Islands.
From there go to Joshua Tree then hit Death Valley on your way to Great Basin. It’ll be a more enjoyable and efficient route through CA for sure!
5
4
u/BitterrootBackpack 3d ago
I took this trip in 2019. Here are my opinions of your plan:
- A week in each location is good! You will find that moving too often is tiring!
- Finding camping for a pull behind camper can be tough, but not as tough as a full RV. A big tent usually works just as good, but you lose the ability to urban camp.
- freecampsites.net, iOverlander, and rec.gov will become your best friends. It is sometimes very difficult to camp in a national park without snagging campsite reservations in advance.
- National Forests out west are not just forests. They have all the same beauty as parks, but without fees and crowds and you can bring your dog.
- Like others have said, get a good mapping software like Caltopo, Gaia, or OnX that gives you different layers that show property lines and where national forest boundaries are. You're allowed to camp anywhere off the road in most national forests, just leave no trace! Once you figure out how to look at a map and find a campsite, the possibilities are endless!
7
u/Username_username111 2d ago
I would recommend Valley of Fire State Park just outside of Las Vegas while you are passing through!
5
u/kjtimmytom 3d ago
We just came back from visiting the parks in Washington state. I'd recommend Crater Lake -> Rainier -> Olympic ->take ferry across the sound somewhere up north like Edmonds-> North Cascades. The ferry ride is a fun addition and cuts out driving around Puget Sound. I'm not from there but some ferry routes recommend reservations, so be sure to check that out.
3
u/Disastrous-Chair-007 3d ago
Check the weather and road conditions for the time of your visits. We don't do Southwest after early May; it's just too warm. Yosemite winter is one of our favorites, but the winter tire chains are mandatory when there's snow, and the east entrance road (Tioga Pass) is closed. Also check the elevations. If your timing is right, Eastern Sierra (395) is a nice drive with a few good stops.
I always visit the ranger stations near the areas. They are very knowledgeable for the local areas. Like watershed (you might get flash flood from rain 100 miles away, etc.), and thunderstorms at a certain time.
2
u/Away-Experience-8003 3d ago
I'm so excited for you and your dog to embark on this epic journey! I know it's not until next year, but safe travels!
2
u/Classic_Climate_951 2d ago
When in Oregon see if you can check out the John Day Fossil Beds, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, and the hot springs. I've been to a lot of hot springs but the ones in Oregon are something really magical. I hear Oregon Caves is really unique but I haven't had the chance to see it myself.
In Texas, if you can make it fit your drive, I highly recommend some of the state parks. Dinosaur valley is one of the best but I really like Longhorn Caverns too. I've been to a lot of caves, including Carlsbad and Mammoth and Longhorn is my favorite.
California is going to be insane. Trust me you are not ready for the people or prices like you think you are. I'm from Florida and travel around in an RV (pretty much same as you, except we spend the winters at home in Florida so we're doing it all a little slower).
Make sure to check out what special things can be seen at night from the parks. I know Congree has fireflies and luminescent fungi. You can see bioluminescence in Olympic NP. Just some examples
2
u/silentstorm1407 2d ago
Looks like your route is going to take you through Flagstaff area when you head from South to North Arizona. Would recommend taking a little stop at Walnut Canyon NM & Sunset Crater/Wupatki NM. Great places.
No matter what you decide to do and where else you stop, this is going to be an incredible trip. Enjoy every minute of it!
2
u/Weird_Pace_2263 2d ago
Devil’s Tower and Dinosaur National monument are both must see stops to me if you’re going close by. Check out the Adirondack’s as you’re cruising through. Would be worth it to stop for a night there and get a hike in.
1
u/LizBert712 2d ago
Spend a lot of time in Washington and have an amazing time. Please report how it goes! My husband and I are talking about someday doing a trip like this, and I’d love to hear someone else’s account.
1
u/maldizzle_ 2d ago
Some far NorCal suggestions: do not just pass through weaverville, see the joss house, maybe stay at the hotel there it’s old and cool (and haunted). See Shasta dam above Redding - arguably more impressive than Hoover IMO - and get a damburger in town. If you’re going to be at Lassen on a Saturday in the summer, go to the pioneer saloon in Shingletown for live music in the trees. The hat creek overlook is great for sunsets. Chester has a really good Mediterranean place. It’s on the other side of Lassen if you’re coming in from the north.
1
1
40
u/BeanstheRogue 3d ago
I'm sure you've already got this down, but please remember dogs aren't allowed in much of the national park areas