Imagine embarking on the most unforgettable adventure—a cross-country road trip through 51 of the United States’ most iconic national parks. From soaring mountains to desert landscapes, lush forests, and pristine coasts, this is the journey every nature lover dreams of. Whether planning a two-month odyssey or carving out a couple of weeks to hit your favorite regions, this guide will walk you through planning, prepping, and living the dream.

Here’s what your road trip could look like:

Distance: Over 16,000 miles
States Covered: 48 contiguous U.S. states.
Parks Visited: 51 of the 63 total national parks.
Suggested Duration: 60-70 days for a relaxed pace
Not Included: Alaska and Hawaii parks

To help you plan your trip, Loomis Travel has put together suggested directions that you can follow, starting from any point nearest to you.

The parks included in this trip are the following.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Big Bend National Park, Texas

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Everglades National Park, Florida

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Biscayne National Park, Florida

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia

Acadia National Park, Maine

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Badlands National Park, South Dakota

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Arches National Park, Utah

Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Zion National Park, Utah

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Glacier National Park, Montana

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park, Washington

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Redwood National and State Parks, California

Lassen Volcanic National Park, California

Yosemite National Park, California

Kings Canyon National Park, California

Sequoia National Park, California

Pinnacles National Park, California

Channel Islands National Park, California

Joshua Tree National Park, California

Death Valley National Park, California