This Road Trip Takes You to Every National Park in the Contiguous United States

In 2016, a computer science and engineering Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University named Randy Olson created a road trip itinerary that, at the time, hit every national park in the contiguous United States. Since then, there have been a few additions to the national park list: Gateway Arch in Missouri was upgraded from a national historic site to a national park in 2018, and New River Gorge in West Virginia switched from a national river to a national park in 2020. Matador Network added these to Olson’s map to create an updated version, and it’s the ultimate road trip for any national park lover.

This road trip covers nearly 17,000 miles and would take about two months to complete with no stops — but that would mean not actually taking the time to visit any of the parks. Fortunately, if you’re part of the overwhelming majority of people who could never have more than two weeks of vacation off work, the loop route can be broken into segments for quicker long weekend or week-long trips.

This map just includes national parks, not all sites managed by the National Park Service (such as national monuments, national forest, and more). If you want to just find the closest National Parks Service site to you, there’s a map for that. Just make sure you have any required permits before you arrive, which could include an entrance reservation. After all, there’s a national park that’s a good fit for just about every type of traveler — so long as you have your campground or hiking permits set.

There’s something deeply satisfying about coming back from a long day of hiking in a national park without having to walk through a hotel lobby and wait for an elevator in your dirty hiking boots and sweaty, quick-drying shirt. Airbnbs offer the ability to roll back straight to your porch or living room post-trail with no side-eyes from the reception desk.

Having your own kitchen or kitchenette means you can make your own trail snacks, save money on overpriced park food, and keep leftovers in your fridge when your eyes are bigger than your stomach at dinner after a long day. Whether you’re chasing the sunrise at Arches, taking in the stillness of the summit in Shenandoah, or hiking the wildflower trails in the Smokies, Airbnbs let you experience the parks on your own terms. They’re tailor-made for road trips, too, especially if you’re stringing together multiple parks like Yosemite and Sequoia, or hopping across Utah’s Mighty Five.

Staying in an Airbnb offers a more relaxed, homey experience. You’ll appreciate the space (and sanity) that comes with multiple bedrooms, a kitchen, and private spaces just for your group, like a living room and deck. There’s an ideal Airbnb to fit every season, from ski-in/ski-out cabins near Rocky Mountain National Park to lakeside summer stays in Acadia, complete with grills primed for a sunset barbecue. For groups, they’re often more affordable than splitting hotel rooms, and their added flexibility makes it easier to actually do what you want on vacation.

With epic stays available across the country, from desert escapes near Joshua Tree to cozy cabins in the South, there’s an ideal Airbnb for every kind of adventurer. Just be sure to book ahead, as the best spots near national parks go fast, especially during peak season.

Staying nearby doesn’t necessarily require camping or booking a pricey lodge within park boundaries. In fact, some of the best options lie just outside the gates, where you’ll find A-frames with sprawling decks, high-desert cabins built for stargazing, and architect-designed homes that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Whether you’re looking for a base near Yosemite National Park, Joshua Tree, Olympic, or anywhere in between, check out the articles below for the best Airbnbs in the region.

While gateway towns like Moab, Springdale, and Estes Park offer easy access to big-ticket parks like Canyonlands, Zion, and Rocky Mountain, it’s often the lesser-known areas, like the quiet ranch stays near Capitol Reef or the quirky desert outposts around Saguaro that deliver the most unique stays.

Options range from off-grid domes on the edge of the Grand Canyon to luxe cabins in the Tetons. Some travelers post up in towns like Torrey or Tropic for a few nights while checking off multiple parks (looking at you, Bryce and Capitol Reef), while others go full road-trip mode and link together loops of Airbnbs across Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming.

No matter your strategy, staying at an Airbnb outside the park gates guarantees you space to breathe and relax.