Optimal timing/routing for a year visiting US national parks?
There are 59 National parks in the US. Of which 49 are in the Continental US (lower 48). There are 52 weeks in a year. I would like to take a year and spend about a week camping and exploring each of the 49 National parks in the lower 48.
I am camping with a travel trailer, It is important that camping be available in the area during the visit, preferably in the park. Temperatures and weather should mild during my visit. An overnight frost is ok, but a week of below freezing weather is going to be a problem for the plumbing in my camper.
The route should be logistically appropriate, moving between relatively nearby parks, not jumping back and forth across the country.
49/12 = 4.08 Optimal I would visit about 4 parks per month. Each park would be about a day's drive, from the last.
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November
Park: Mammoth Cave State: Kentucky Region: Southeast
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Nearby Nolin Lake State Park http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/nolin-lake-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=KY&parkId=91832
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Great Smoky Mountains State: Tennessee,North Carolina Region: Southeast
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Nearby state parks http://theblueridgehighlander.com/state_parks/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Congaree State: South Carolina Region: Southeast
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Camping at Congaree is tent only. RV and/or car camping is not permitted within the park. Poinsett State Park is nearby
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive; reservations Required
Park: Dry Tortugas State: Florida Region: Southeast
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Boat access only. Of the nearest private campgrounds Boyd's Key West Campground looks best. The Nearest state park with electric seems to be Bahia Honda State Park (35 miles from Key West)
Primitive Camping Options: Boat; non-reservable
December
Park: Everglades State: Florida Region: Southeast
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Flamingo campground, T loop has 41 sites with electircal hookups.
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Boat; Some reservable
Park: Biscayne State: Florida Region: Southeast
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: There are no facilities for RV camping, and tent camping requires a boat to get to the park's islands.
Reserve: Pelican Cay Harbor Marina (commercial) seems closest 305-345-4830
Primitive Camping Options: Boat; non-reservable
Park: Hot Springs State: Arkansas Region: Midwest
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Gulpha Gorge Campground, All sites have full hookups: 30 and 50 amp electric, water and sewer connections. Sites are available on a first come, first served basis. You cannot make a reservation.
Reserve: State parks and commercial options, To many variables to suggest a defualt
Primitive Camping Options: None, Full only
Park: Big Bend State: Texas Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Rio Grande Village RV Campground (concession)
Reserve: call 1-877-386-4383, or 432-477-2293
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Disclaimer and warnings
The question says there are 49 National Parks in the lower 48, I only found 47 when creating this answer.
This is the result of internet searching in the Fall of 2016. Nothing is static, parks are subject to full or partial closure due to weather or planned major constructions projects. No attempt is made in this answer, to identify closures that are not permanent. If a major event (disaster or construction project) alters the permanent state of a park readers are encouraged to update the answer, while keeping the same optimal site parameters.
Modifications in your “optimal” site can greatly impact the potential available solutions. Of the 47 parks, many do not offer RV camping with electrical hookups (circa 2017), but do have nearby state parks with hookups, these are used as the secondary optimal site location. Commercial sites with full hook-ups can usually be found in the area. Most National parks allow some form of backcountry camping. The addition of a generator or solar panel(s) to your RV that eliminate a need for electrical hookups can greatly expand the available options. Most self-contained RVs will have sufficient battery and fuel (propane) storage to allow for a couple of days camping without any hookups.
Many of the National and State parks have limits on vehicle length. You will need to know the actual length of you RV, tow vehicle and combined length, when choosing campgrounds and/or specific sites. Use a tape measure to find the actual length of your equipment.
Legend
- Park = name of the park
- State = name of the State(s) the national park is located in
- Region = general area of the country the park is located in
- Link to National Park Service = main park page at nps.gov
- Link to NPS camping = camping page at nps.gov
- Link to Wikipedia = main park page at en.wikipedia.org
- Link to Weather = one of potentially several park specific sites for the monthly weather at weather.com at the time these links where selected they also displayed a graph indicating the average temperature range of the park for each month of the year. I transferred these values to a table and used the table plan the visit schedule. Optimal temperature range for visiting the park is a low of 32 F or above, and high of 89 F or below.
- RV Camping in the Park = lists the name of a campground in the park with electrical RV hookups (optimal) and or provides important information about RV camping in the park. “Other for amenities” Means RV camping is allowed in the park, but without hookups. Length rules are NOT addressed here.
- Reserve = this is my attempt to identify the most likely place I would choose to make reservations for a visit. Information here is going to be the most subject to deterioration over time and subject to opinion. Attempting this journey without reservations would be disappointing at best, impossible at worst. In some cases, reservations are required for even the most difficult to access non-RV sites. With variations by park, ranging from drop in the office the day before, to schedule online 2 days, 2 months, or anything up to a year in advance. While it gives a starting point, significant effort by the trip planner will be required in this area.
- Primitive Camping Options = A brief review of camping options in the park, other than an RV site with hookups. Any of four general options are given Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse
- Hike = Generally termed “backcountry camping”, you walk some distance (rules vary by park) carrying all of your gear (and maybe water) to spend the night. Options range from designed sites that require reservations, to sleep anywhere out the wilderness. At the least usually requires a free pass be obtained from the ranger station that day.
- Boat = Anything from class V white water, to ocean going boating. Generally, either personal boats or rental options exist, “backcountry camping” access by boat.
- Drive = Drive to a designated site without RV hookups, RVs may or may NOT be permitted. A numbered site in a designated campground, minimum is generally parking for one vehicle, a picnic table, fire pit, and room for a tent. Drinking water may or may NOT be available in the campground, at least a pit toilet is available, some may have flush toilets and showers with hot water.
- Horse = Generally, either personal horses or rental options exist, “backcountry camping” by horse.
- bicycle = Rules vary significantly by park. No parks identified them as primary means of access to a campsite. I did not include any bicycle considerations in this answer.
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This answer assumes a year spent on the road, visiting one national park after the other. With an average visit of one week per park, or four parks per month. The camper (RV) being a self-contained; trailer or motor home with fresh & grey/black water holding tanks. The optimal RV site being in the park, with at least electrical hookups available, and the site reservable in advance. Optimal temperature range for visiting the park is a low of 32 F or above, and high of 89 F or below.
January
Park: Carlsbad Caverns State: New Mexico Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Vehicle or RV camping is prohibited.
Reserve: White’s City RV Park is closest 575-785-2291
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Horse; non-reservable
Park: Guadalupe Mountains State: Texas Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Nearest Comercial is outside of Carlsbad Caverns
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; non-reservable
Park: Saguaro State: Arizona Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: None -Camp sites are not accessible by vehicles and must be hiked to, at 6 designated campgrounds within the Saguaro Wilderness Area
Reserve: Nearby state park "Catalina State Park’" with electrical hookups https://azstateparks.itinio.com/catalina/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike; Permits may be issued up to two months in advance, but no later than noon on the day of departure. All applications by mail or fax must be complete to process. Questions? Call the visitor center at (520) 733-5153.
Park: Joshua Tree State: California Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: State parks and commercial options, To many variables to suggest a defualt
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
February
Park: Death Valley State: California,Nevada Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Furnace Creek campground has full hookups
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; non-reservable
Park: Channel Islands State: California Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: There are no facilities for RV camping, and tent camping requires a boat to get to the park's islands.
Reserve: State parks and commercial options, To many variables to suggest a defualt
Primitive Camping Options: Boat; reservations required
Park: Sequoia State: California Region: Pacific West Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: State parks and commercial options, To many variables to suggest a defualt
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Redwood State: California Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Multiple options https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/lodging.htm
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; reservations recommended.
March
Park: Pinnacles State: California Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Pinnacles Campground (Consesion)
Primitive Camping Options: Drive; reservations recommended.
Park: Yosemite State: California Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: State parks and commercial options, To many variables to suggest a defualt
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Zion State: Utah Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Many options, Sand Hollow State Park with hookups is nearby http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/sand-hollow-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=UT&parkId=345761
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Arches State: Utah Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: http://www.discovermoab.com/campgrounds_private.htm
Primitive Camping Options: Drive; Reservations recommended. Effective September 6, 2016, Arches National Park has suspended backcountry overnight use while staff examine whether current backcountry management allows for adequate protection to park resources.
April
Park: Black Canyon of the Gunnison State: Colorado Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: South Rim Campground (loop B)
Primitive Camping Options: Drive; Some reservable
Park: Petrified Forest State: Arizona Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Petrified Forest National Park does not have campground facilities.
Reserve: Multiple Nearby, some are National Forests with amenties and reservable https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/asnf/recreation/camping-cabins
Primitive Camping Options: Hike; Non-reservable
Park: Capitol Reef State: Utah Region: Intermountain Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: http://www.capitolreef.org/lodging.html
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; non-reservable
Park: Kings Canyon State: California Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: State parks and commercial options, To many variables to suggest a defualt
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
May
Park: Bryce Canyon State: Utah Region: Intermountain Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: https://utah.com/campgrounds/bryce-canyon-national-park
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive; some reservable
Park: Grand Canyon State: Arizona Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Adjacent, Mather Campground, Trailer Village (Concession) offers paved RV sites up to 50 feet in length with full hook-ups.
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Rocky Mountain State: Colorado Region: Intermountain Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: The 'Ranger Lakes Campground' in 'State Forest' state campground has electricity http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/StateForest/Pages/Camping.aspx
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; some reservable
The fourth week of May is for driving between Rocky Mountain & Acadia. This trip plan began in Acadia the first week of June. Leaving a one week gap and the longest distance between parks here.
June
Park: Acadia State: Maine Region: North Atlantic
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Schoodic Woods Campground
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Reservations recommended.
Park: Shenandoah State: Virginia Region: Northeast
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Shenandoah River State Park http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/shenandoah-river-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=VA&parkId=140160
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Cuyahoga Valley State: Ohio Region: Midwest
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: No RV camping or overnight parking. West Branch State Park is the nearest state park
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Reservations recommended (required peak).
Park: Isle Royale State: Michigan Region: Midwest
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: 36 campsites located across the island. Campsites are accessible only by foot or watercraft. Cascade River State Park appears to be nearest with electric ~44 miles south of Grand Portage
Reserve: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/cascade_river/camping.html
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat; non-reservable
July
Park: Voyageurs State: Minnesota Region: Midwest
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: All park campsites are only accessible by watercraft.
Reserve: See park paper for current lists of Commercial with amenities, https://www.nps.gov/voya/learn/news/newspaper.htm
Primitive Camping Options: Boat: Reservations required
Park: Theodore Roosevelt State: North Dakota Region: Midwest
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Nearby with hookups Sully Creek State Park http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/scsp/scsp.html
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Badlands State: South Dakota Region: Midwest
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Cedar Pass Campground
Reserve: https://foreverresorts.rzda.net/cedarpass/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive; non-reservable
Park: Wind Cave State: South Dakota Region: Midwest
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Several Campgrounds with hookups in Custer State Park http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/campgrounds/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive; non-reservable
August
Park: Grand Teton State: Wyoming Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Signal Mountain Campground has one site with full hook-ups and 24 sites with electric hookups. Colter Bay RV Park and Headwaters Campgrounds & RV sites do have full hookups. The campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, advance reservations are not accepted.
Reserve: Headwaters Campground and RV sites at Flagg Ranch , Reservations team, please call 307-543-2861.
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; non-reservable
Park: Yellowstone State: Wyoming,Montana,Idaho Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Fishing Bridge RV Park (consesion)
Reserve: http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodging/camping/fishing-bridge-rv-park/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Glacier State: Montana Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: https://glaciermt.com/camping.php
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: North Cascades State: Washington Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Multiple state parks with amenities & reservable http://parks.state.wa.us/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
September
Park: Olympic State: Washington Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Multiple state parks with amenities & reservable http://parks.state.wa.us/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive; Some reservable
Park: Mount Rainier State: Washington Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Nearby Alder Lake Park https://washington.goingtocamp.com/AlderLake-TacomaPowerPark
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive; Some reservable
Park: Crater Lake State: Oregon Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Mazama Village Campground has 214 tent and RV sites, accommodating tents up to 12’ x 12’ and RVs up to 50 feet in length. All sites with hookups are available on a same day, first come, first serve basis.
Reserve: http://www.craterlakelodges.com/lodging/reservations/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive; some reservable
Park: Lassen Volcanic State: California Region: Pacific West
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Nearby NFS campgrounds Merrill & Hallsted; http://www.reserveamerica.com/
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
October
Park: Great Basin State: Nevada Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: 3 commercial campgrounds nearby https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/camping-outside-of-the-park.htm
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
Park: Mesa Verde State: Colorado Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Morefield Campground (concession?)
Reserve: http://www.visitmesaverde.com/lodging-camping/morefield-campground/
Primitive Camping Options: Drive; Some reservable
Park: Canyonlands State: Utah Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: http://www.discovermoab.com/campgrounds_private.htm
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Boat, Drive, Horse; non-reservable
Park: Great Sand Dunes State: Colorado Region: Intermountain
Links: National Park Service, NPS camping, Wikipedia, Weather
RV Camping in the Park: Other for amenities
Reserve: Campgrounds within 40 miles of Great Sand Dunes Visitor Center https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/area-campgrounds.htm
Primitive Camping Options: Hike, Drive, Horse; Some reservable
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In general, you want to be in the south during winter. Another problem is that parks are more dispersed in the east.
One strategy might be to start in the northeast (which basically means Acadia) as late in the season as you can handle, then move down the east coast as the weather gets cooler, getting to the Everglades in the depth of winter. You then go north out of Florida and west along the gulf coast into Texas and the southwest, then zig-zag across the west going more north each time. You end up in maybe Isle Royal, depending how your zigging and zagging goes.
That's the basic plan, but there are some major wrinkles that effectively mean you don't end up following the nice and neat plan you laid out. Some parks aren't really park-like at all without any camping and in the middle of cities. If you're looking for a nature adventure, cross these off your list. These include places like the customs house in Salem MA, the liberty bell in Philadelphia, various places in Washington DC, etc.
Even sticking to "nature" national parks, you have to consider elevation and general climate. Roosevelt Elk on the California coast has a much milder climate than Lassen just a couple 100 miles inland at the same latitude. The road thru Roosevelt Elk is probably open all year, but Lassen is probably snow-bound and closed until July. Even within a park, there are differences due to altitude. The valley in Yosemite has quite a different season than Tenya Road, for example.
I'd start by getting a decent size map of the US, then sticking a pin at each park, color coded by how far into summer you need to visit. You'll find it's not a simple problem to visit them all in a year and still enjoy the individual stays while minimizing driving between any two.
You'll also want to stay longer in some parks while you'll be fine with just a quick one-day visit at others. Personally, I'd rather spend more time in Rocky Mountain, Glacier, and Yellowstone, than small single-attraction places like Fossil Fish Beds. You may also be "stuck" in the south disproportionately longer during winter. You might end up hanging out in Big Bend or Death Valley, for example, for a couple of weeks.
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