What is the best time to visit national parks in the US?

The best time to visit a national park depends on what you want to experience on your trip. The US is a huge country with diverse weather, foliage, and wildlife. Most parks change quite dramatically from season to season. Our trips run all year round but spring through to early fall is the most popular time to go when the weather is mild, crowds are smaller, and hiking conditions are good.

What is mobile/cell phone service and internet access like in US national parks?

Mobile phone service, Wi-Fi, and internet access vary, and some parks will have coverage while others may be completely cut off. Most visitor centers, lodges, and restaurants will offer free internet access, but it’s worth reading up on coverage or checking with your guide before your trip begins so you can be prepared.

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling?

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

Does my trip support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners, Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.Eden Reforestation ProjectsEden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe. Find out more or make a donation World Bicycle ReliefWorld Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most. Find out more or make a donation

Best US National Parks Tours & Vacations 2024/2025

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the United States' most spectacular national parks.

As far as national parks go, the USA has it all. From lunar-like deserts and striated canyons to snow-capped mountains and alpine valleys teeming with wildlife. With a local leader by your side, you'll explore the most iconic sections of the parks, as well as lesser-known gems you won’t find in the travel guides. Our United States national park tours offer something for all kinds of adventurers. Hike through slot canyons in Zion, join a real-life wolf tracker in Yellowstone, tick off bucket-list-worthy hiking trails in Yosemite or witness the most beautiful night skies you've ever seen in Denali. It’s time to dust off those hiking boots... the parks are waiting!

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US National Parks highlights

Aerial of the Grand Prismatic Spring, with its vivid colors and patterns, Yellowstone National Park.

Marvel at Grand Prismatic Spring

        Grand Prismatic Spring is full of heat-loving microbes that create a rainbow rim of vivid colours around the edge of the water. At a mighty 370 feet wide and 160 feet deep (FYI, that's bigger than a soccer field and taller than a 10-story building), it's also the largest hot spring in the US. Walk along the boardwalk to get up close to the hypnotising colours or hike to the overlook for an impressive bird's eye view. Grand Prismatic Spring is the kind of site that needs to be seen to be believed.
      

Group standing in the water of the river narrows of the gorge in Zin National Park

Hike Zion's Virgin River Narrows

        Imagine wading through turquoise river passages and looking up to see giant canyon walls towering 1000 ft (305 m) above you. A 'hike' doesn’t quite cut it – tackling Zion's iconic Narrows trail is an exciting adventure that will have you wading through ankle-deep (and sometimes waist-deep) water passages, swimming in natural sandstone pools, and doing the odd bit of rock scrambling. Hidden away from the crowds, this is the Zion that most don't get to see.
      

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park erupting under the Milky Way in Wyoming.

Watch Old Faithful erupt

        Yellowstone is home to over 10,000 thermal features – including the highest concentration of geysers on the planet – but Old Faithful is the superstar. Watch safely from the sidelines as this mighty cone geyser shoots 14,000 litres of hot water high into the air. There are around 20 eruptions a day, with each lasting two to five minutes. Listen out for the powerful roaring sounds as Old Faithful begins to erupt as well as the gurgling plughole sounds of other geysers nearby.
      

Hikre in Coyote gulch, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, United States

Explore Grand Staircase Escalante

        Escape the crowds and enjoy the endless vistas of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – an epic national monument brimming with otherworldly plateaus, arches and cliffs that you could spend a lifetime exploring. Get lost in the labyrinths of sandstone boulders and rock formations, take a peek inside Peek a Boo slot canyon, hike to the hoodoos in Devil’s Garden, or cool off in the Utah heat by taking a refreshing dip in the Lower Calf Creek Falls.
      

Mount denali on a clear blue sky day, with early autumn colors on mossy tundra in foreground, Alaska

Go wild in Denali

        Denali National Park puts the 'wild' in wilderness. Wake up surrounded by dazzling snow-capped peaks, catch a glimpse of grizzlies and other Alaskan wildlife, watch the magical northern lights dance in the night sky, or lace up your hiking boots and tackle one of the park's many trails. You might also like to learn about the diverse traditions, language and culture of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples at the Alaska Native Heritage Centre.
      

Cathedral Group at Grand Teton National park over a lake, with the mountains reflected in the water

Take a dip in Cathedral Lakes

        Most people hike to Cathedral Lakes to enjoy a picturesque picnic. We have a better idea: plunge into the cold, crystal clear water before coming up for air to see the huge steeple-looking peak towering over you. The views – and maybe the cold water – will take your breath away. If swimming in cold water isn’t your thing, follow the 8-mile trail around Lower and Upper Cathedral Lakes to enjoy Yosemite's alpine scenery and impressive granite pinnacles reflecting perfectly on the water.
      

US National Parks tour reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 364 reviews submitted.

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Western USA National Parks Loop

Elizabeth · Traveled September 2024

This is great trip to experience the natural wonders of Utah and Arizona. Each stop gets better and better and starting and finishing in vegas is a great location to get to and from.

Review submitted 20 Sep 2024

Utah Parks Circuit

Mehrnoosh · Traveled September 2024

Very well planed and a great itinerary! I highly recommend this trip!

Review submitted 15 Sep 2024

Utah Parks Circuit

Indrawtie · Traveled September 2024

Utah parks circuit is a trip worth taking. It is an out of this world experience. I definitely could not have done it without a tour like this Intrepid tour. Most of the lodgings were excellent. The hogan is like a dirt tent with lots of people packed in.

Review submitted 20 Sep 2024

LA to Vegas: Grand National Parks

Victoria · Traveled September 2024

I would highly recommend this trip for anyone who is interested in exploring the National Parks. It was well planned and the day hikes were fabulous. I learnt a lot about the Navajo who are the guardians of some of the parks and about the Geology too. Great variety, comfortable accommodation and everything was as it said in the trip notes.

Review submitted 10 Sep 2024

Utah Parks Circuit

Alex · Traveled August 2024

Didn't realise how many cowboy films and shows were set in Utah. Fantastic chance to live out my childhood dream of being a cowboy. The sites are genuinely breath-taking and not exaggerated at all by the images. You may have to trek some difficult routes to get the best shots, but very much worth it! Phil as always (our lead) was flawless and hiliarious

Review submitted 11 Sep 2024