Exploring the Wonders of U.S. National Parks in 10 Days

• Day 1 - Yellowstone National Park: Marvel at the stunning geysers and hot springs, including the iconic Old Faithful. Hike through scenic trails to witness breathtaking views of Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Visit the Mammoth Hot Springs for a unique mineral terrace formation.
  
  
• Day 2 - The Grand Tetons: Experience the jagged mountain range with a boat ride on Jenny Lake. Go for a scenic drive along the Teton Park Road with multiple pullouts that showcase great views. Take a hike to see the historic Mormon Row District consisting of old homesteads.
  
  
• Day 3 - Glacier National Park: Drive along the Going-to-the-Sun Road to witness the park's most stunning landscapes, including high alpine lakes and glaciers. Go for a hike to the Grinnell Glacier to see a stunning blue glacier lake. Visit Lake McDonald for an amazing sunset view.
  
  
• Day 4 - Arches National Park: Explore over 2,000 natural sandstone arches including the famous Delicate Arch. Take a hike to the Devils Garden Trailhead to witness a collection of spectacular rock formations. Catch the sunset view from the iconic Balanced Rock.
  
  
• Day 5 - Canyonlands National Park: Go for a sightseeing tour along the Mesa Arch Trail, featuring deep canyons and scenic views. Hike to the Grand View Point for an incredible panoramic view of the Colorado River. Stargaze at the Island in the Sky.
  
  
• Day 6 - Zion National Park: Hike the Angels Landing Trail which offers a 1,488-foot-high overlook of Zion Canyon. Visit The Narrows to witness a unique narrow slot canyon. Go for a scenic drive on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway.
  
  
• Day 7 - Bryce Canyon National Park: Explore the unique hoodoos, or spire-shaped rock formations, in the Bryce Amphitheater. Hike the Navajo Loop Trail for scenic views of the hoodoos. Stargaze at the Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival.
  
  
• Day 8 - Yosemite National Park: Marvel at the stunning Yosemite Valley with the Half Dome and El Capitan rock formations. Go for a hike to the Yosemite Falls, North America's tallest waterfall. Visit the Mariposa Grove to witness giant sequoias.
  
  
• Day 9 - Grand Canyon National Park: Hike the Kaibab Trail for great views of the Grand Canyon. Visit the Desert View Watchtower, a 70-foot-high stone structure for panoramic canyon views. Go for a sunset view from the popular Mather Point lookout.
  
  
• Day 10 - Joshua Tree National Park: Hike through the Cholla Cactus Garden to see a large collection of cacti in different shapes and sizes. Visit the Hidden Valley for a unique landscape surrounded by large rock formations. Go stargazing at the Arch Rock Nature Trail.
  
  

Time and Costs Estimates

• Yellowstone National Park (2-3 days, $35 entrance fee)
• The Grand Tetons (1-2 days, $35 entrance fee)
• Glacier National Park (2-3 days, $35 entrance fee)
• Arches National Park (1-2 days, $30 entrance fee)
• Canyonlands National Park (1-2 days, $30 entrance fee)
• Zion National Park (2-3 days, $35 entrance fee)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (1-2 days, $35 entrance fee)
• Yosemite National Park (2-3 days, $35 entrance fee)
• Grand Canyon National Park (2-3 days, $35 entrance fee)
• Joshua Tree National Park (1 day, $30 entrance fee)

Total Estimated Costs: $315

Transportation

Travelers will need a rental car to explore most of these national parks as public transportation within the park is limited. Some parks such as Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Zion do offer shuttle services for visitors during the peak season. The total driving distance for this itinerary is approximately 4,500 miles and it would take a minimum of 80 hours of driving time.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider adding other nearby national parks such as Capitol Reef and Rocky Mountain National Park. If you have less time, prioritize your list based on your interests and time availability. Some national parks have strict lodge and camping reservation guidelines, so plan accordingly. Last but not least, make sure to pack appropriate hiking gear and check the weather forecast before heading to each national park.

Airports

The nearest airports to these national parks are:

• Yellowstone National Park - Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) (6 miles from Cody, Wyoming)
• The Grand Tetons - Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) (9 miles from Jackson, Wyoming)
• Glacier National Park - Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) (9 miles from Kalispell, Montana)
• Arches National Park - Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) (19 miles from Moab, Utah)
• Canyonlands National Park - Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) (19 miles from Moab, Utah)
• Zion National Park - St. George Regional Airport (SGU) (32 miles from Zion National Park)
• Bryce Canyon National Park - Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC) (63 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park)
• Yosemite National Park - Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) (65 miles from Yosemite National Park)
• Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon National Park Airport (GCN) (6 miles from the park's South Rim)
• Joshua Tree National Park - Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) (43 miles from Joshua Tree National Park)