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First timers - we're moving west and have never done a drive longer than NY to FL. We're thinkin I-80, we may have two stops to visit friends in Madison, WI and Denver, CO. Connect the dots...which Nat'l Parks would folks recommend given our timeframe and route?
Thx,
NML
Welcome to the RoadTrip America Forum!
Are the 8-9 days the amount of time for a one-way journey or for a round trip? If it is for both ways, that severely limits the amount of time you will be able to explore any of the National Parks.
Hi Mass Tim,
It would be one way, NYC area to SF Bay Area...thanks!
NML
Most of the National Parks that would be along your way would be in Colorado and Utah. You could pretty easily fit Rocky Mountain NP, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Arches , and/or Canyonlands into your trip.
Depending upon when you're planning to leave, you could also head through Yosemite once yout get to California. Your departure date will determine if you can take Tioga Pass over Yosemite.
Those would be the National Parks closest to a direct route and would be easiest for you to hit. If you have a little more time you could also hit some of the parks in Southern Colorado and Utah, like Mesa Verde, Zion, and Bryce. You might also be able squeeze in a trip to Badlands and Black Hills areas in South Dakota.
Hey, thanks! We're plotting our route and we're arranging to stop and see friends/family in Pittsburgh PA, Madison WI, and Denver CO...still working on the Nat'l Parks piece of it, though...hmm. The Black Hills looks like it would work, and we may opt to twist up toward the Grand Tetons. We'd be leaving on 4/21; how are the temperatures out there this time of year?
I am new to the forums, and very interested in this exact trip. We are leaving CT in July, headed for SF(one way). We are also stopping in Pitt to see family.
Slainte!