Two National Parks You Can Visit on One Trip
Between the travel and accommodations, visiting a national park can be an expensive and time-consuming experience. But with a little planning, you can a trip to see more than one park at a time. Here are some of the parks that are relatively close to one another and can be reached in usually less than an hour.
Which National Parks Can You Do in One Trip?
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
- Everglades and Biscayne National Parks
- Canyonlands and Arches National Parks
- Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks
- Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks
- Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks
Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park
No two national parks are as closely related as Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. The two are adjacent to each other near Fresno, California and have been jointly administered since 1943. You almost can’t visit one without seeing the other.
In Sequoia, you’ll find the General Sherman Tree, which is the world’s largest tree. You can also see the General Grant Tree, known as “the nation’s Christmas Tree”, that is 3,000 years old. In fact, the parks are home to seven of the 10 biggest trees in the world! And while you’re in Sequoia, don’t forget to climb the Moro Rock for a great overview of the park and surrounding area.
From Kings Canyon’s Zumwalt Meadow you can get a stunning view of Kings Canyon from the valley floor. You’ll find an easy mile and a half trail around the area that is great for pictures. And because of their proximity, you can wander back and forth between these parks while marking two national parks off your list.
Entrance is $35 per car, or you can get a yearly park pass for $60. Both fees cover entrance to both parks.
For direction on getting to the parks, check out our Getting There page. And for places to stay, check out our Lodging page.
Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park
Located a mere half hour away in southern Florida, Everglades and Biscayne National Parks offer a great variety of wildlife and ecosystems. If you’re going from the Everglades to Biscayne, you’ll want to visit the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, which is located on the mainland. Most of the rest of the park is off the coast and can be reached by boat. You’ll want to visit Boca Chita Key and its famous lighthouse. The waters around the park are also ideal for snorkeling and you’ll find plenty of shipwrecks and marine life to keep your interest.
From Biscayne National Park, the Shark Valley Visitor Center is in the eastern part of the Everglades. There you can take a walk through a sawgrass marsh or get an up close look while kayaking through the glades. You’re also sure to see alligators, turtles, manatees and other amazing wildlife. It will take about an hour to reach it from the Fascell Visitor Center if the traffic is good. For directions, check out our pages on getting to Biscayne and Everglades National Parks. For places to stay, check out our Lodging page.
Entrance to Biscayne National Park is free. Entrance to Everglades National Park is $30 per car, or $55 for a park pass.
Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park
Located a mere half hour from each other in Utah, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are easy to visit in one trip. Located near both of the parks is the city of Moab. It’s the hub of activity and most likely where you’ll stay when visiting the parks if you’re not camping.
In Arches, you’ll likely visit the Windows Area, where you can see the North Window, South Window, Turret and Double Arch. Be sure to see the Delicate Arch as well, which is one of the most famous and popular attractions in the park. And for those looking for some extra adventure, the Fiery Furnace area is definitely worth the effort.
A mere 30 minutes from Arches is Canyonlands National Park. When you’re there, be sure to see the Grand View Point Overlook, which will give you an amazing panorama of the canyons and mountains. In the morning, the Mesa Arch is a prime place for taking great photos.
Entrance to both parks is $30 per car, or $55 for a park pass.
For places to stay, check out our Lodging page.
Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park
Located in the South Dakota badlands, among the buffalo and prairie dogs, you’ll find Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. A little more than an hour from each other, you can take a half day from Badlands to drive to Wind Cave, tour the cave and grounds and return to Badlands if you wish. It’s a great side trip if you’re in the Badlands and want to visit one of the lesser-visited national parks.
In the Badlands you’ll want to drive the Badlands Loop Road and stay for the sunset to see the grayish hills transform into a beautiful mix of red, yellows, and pinks. Look out of bison, coyotes, prairie dogs and bighorn sheep in the park. You can also find great trails and scenic overlooks.
In Wind Cave, you can tour the caves and see a mix of boxwork, flowstone and cave popcorn. The park offers different tours that can take you into the 150 miles of explored caves. In the park, you’ll also find the same wildlife you can experience in the Badlands.
Entrance to Badlands is $30 per car, or $55 for a park pass. Entrance to Wind Cave National Park is free, although there is a cost for cave tours.
For places to stay, check out our Lodging page.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Located a mere half hour away, New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns and Texas’ Guadalupe Mountains National Park offer a way to see two very distinct environments only a short drive from each other. In Guadalupe Mountains, you’ll find the highest peak in Texas and great trails in the Chihuahan Desert. Climb up higher and you’ll find wildlife such as elk, black bear, gray foxes And the park is less crowded, so you won’t have to waste time dealing with other visitors.
Cross the border into New Mexico and you can find a completely different park in Carlsbad Caverns. Take a self-guided or ranger-led tour of the caves and walk some of the trails that wind through the desert. And also don’t forget to see the amazing spectacle of thousands of bats exiting the cave all at once at dusk to feed. There is an amphitheater where you can sit to view this unique experience. Visit our Carlsbad itinerary page for more information.
Entrance to Guadalupe Mountains National Park is only $10 per person. The fee to enter Carlsbad Caverns National Park is $15 per person.
If you need somewhere to stay, check out our Lodging page.
Bryce Canyon National Park and Zion National Park
Two of the most popular and breathtaking national parks are little more than an hour apart. Located in Utah, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks should be on the list of any national park visitor, and fortunately, you can see them both in the same trip.
In Bryce Canyon you can see the beautiful sandstone spires that change colors from hues of red, pink, yellow, and orange. You’ll want to visit at sunrise of sunset for the full effect. And don’t forget to visit Inspiration Point, where you can see thousands of the park’s signature hoodoos below.
And not far away is Zion National Park. There you’ll find deep valley and 2,000 foot soaring sandstone cliffs. And if you’re in the mood, go to the bottom of the canyon and wade in the Virgin River at the Narrows. It’s the narrowest part of the canyon and there you can gaze up at thousand foot canyon walls. You’ll probably want to spend multiple days at each, but you won’t have to spend a day or much money traveling between the parks.
Entrance to Bryce Canyon is $35 per car, or $40 for a park pass. Entrance to Zion National Park is $35 per vehicle and $70 for a park pass. Because of the cost, you may want to invest in the National Park Service’s America the Beautiful Pass, which will allow you entry to these and all other national parks for $80.
