A Perfectly Planned Road Trip to Every National Park in the Contiguous U.S.

If you’ve ever tried to plan an itinerary for you and your crew's big road trip, you know it’s no easy task. Now, imagine trying to plan the most efficient route to drive to all 47 national parks in the contiguous United States. With campgrounds in and around iconic national parks throughout the US (and Canada!) Kampgrounds of America (KOA) makes the perfect pit stop on the journey!

Photo: Randal Olson

That actually sounds like a fun challenge, right? But rather than spend hours pouring over maps, calculators, and computer screens, why don’t you trust someone who has already done the leg work.

Hike to Bear Church Rock via Bootens Gap, Shenandoah NP | Photo: Christin Healey

Randal Olson, a data scientist and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, was inspired to celebrate the National Park Service Centennial by computing the optimal road trip stopping at all the national parks in the lower 48. It forms a ring around the country, making it easy for you to start at any given point and head in whichever direction you please.

Hike through Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood NP | Photo: Jake Young

Olson insists if you travel “at breakneck pace,” you can complete the whole trip in about two months...better start racking up your vacation days! Before you hit the road, check out these tips from seasoned veterans.

Here is the full list of stops in order:

1. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
2. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
3. Saguaro National Park, Arizona
4. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
5. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
6. Big Bend National Park, Texas
7. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
8. Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
9. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
10. Everglades National Park, Florida
11. Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
12. Biscayne National Park, Florida
13. Congaree National Park, South Carolina
14. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
15. Acadia National Park, Maine
16. Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
17. Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
18. Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
19. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
20. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
21. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
22. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
23. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
24. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
25. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
26. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
27. Arches National Park, Utah
28. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
29. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
30. Zion National Park, Utah
31. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
32. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
33. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
34. Glacier National Park, Montana
35. North Cascades National Park, Washington
36. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
37. Olympic National Park, Washington
38. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
39. Redwood National and State Parks, California
40. Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
41. Yosemite National Park, California
42. Kings Canyon National Park, California
43. Sequoia National Park, California
44. Pinnacles National Park, California
45. Channel Islands National Park, California
46. Joshua Tree National Park, California
47. Death Valley National Park, California

Kampgrounds of America has accommodation options for every type of camper, from tent-sites to fully-equipped cabins. Find your perfect stay with KOA.

Cover photo: Mike Fennell | Camp in Capitol Reef National Park