Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the US's most spectacular national parks.Â
From lunar-like deserts and deep canyons to snow-capped mountains and lush alpine valleys teeming with wildlife – as far as national parks go, the USA has it all. With your local leader by your side, you'll explore the most iconic sections of the parks, as well as lesser-known gems that you won’t find in the travel guides. Our US national park tours offer something for all kinds of adventurers whether you want to hike through giant slot canyons in Zion, join a real-life wolf tracker in Yellowstone, tick off bucket list 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!
Our US National Park tours
11 Days
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Take an adventure through California, Arizona and Nevada past Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon...
6 Days
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2120
Follow your feet on this 6-day walking tour that shows off the very best of Yosemite...
8 Days
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2539
Take an 8-day winter trip in Alaska, visiting Anchorage, Sheep Mountain, Talkeetna,...
4 Days
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1755
Explore Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and Monument Valley on this 4-day...
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2890
Explore Anchorage, Denali National Park, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Seward on foot...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
6 Days
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3040
Fall in love with the untamed beauty of Alaska on a 6-day walking tour that loops you...
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2260
Travel from LA via Joshua Tree, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite, Sierra Nevada to...
6 Days
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4055
A 6-day discovery of Wyoming’s highlights, with plenty of wildlife-spotting and vista...
10 Days
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4975
Explore the rugged landscape of icy Alaska. From Anchorage, head north into the wild of...
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2437
Explore South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana Parks on a 6-day small group tour which...
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2895
Explore Montana on a six-day small group tour which includes the Missouri River,...
8 Days
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1991
Explore rugged Utah on this eight-day adventure. Hit Zion National Park, Monument...
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Explore the Sierra Nevada Range on a 5-day small group hiking tour which includes...
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2565
Take the family on a 6-day adventure in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks....
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4033
From the glitz of the Vegas Strip to the hush of Monument Valley; travel through Zion...
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3696
Take a trip from the steep hills of San Francisco to the flashing lights of Vegas, with...
7 Days
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2508
Discover Alaska on a 7-day walking tour looping from Anchorage along the Kenai...
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3330
Explore Canyonlands National Park, Capito Reef, Arches National Park, Zion National...
18 Days
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4220
Travel for 18 days from Los Angeles to San Francisco, passing through Las Vegas, the...
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1178
Take a five-day road trip from Los Angeles to Vegas, stopping by Joshua Tree National...
5 Days
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1785
Explore Joshua Tree and Death Valley on a five-day small group tour which includes...
6 Days
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1085
Hit the road from Las Vegas to San Francisco on a six-day adventure, stopping by...
14 Days
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3070
Beginning in Las Vegas, see Zion, Moab and Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite, the...
5 Days
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2550
Discover the best of the USA’s Wild West on a six-day family Zion ranch stay in Utah....
6 Days
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2271
From Pike Place Market to Mt Rainier, this 6-day tour of the Pacific Northwest packs in...
8 Days
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3840
Discover the best of Alaska in summer on a week-long family holiday with Intrepid. From...
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2390
Explore the USA’s West Coast on a six-day small group tour which includes Portland,...
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2071
Get pedalling on 5-day cycling adventure through South Dakota, taking in Badlands...
Popular US National Parks
Highlights of US National Parks
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Park tour reviews
US National Parks FAQs
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.
Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
The US is home to an impressive 423 national parks, monuments, and protected sites. Of this number, 63 are classified as national parks.Â
The best time to visit a national park really 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.Â
The 10 most visited national parks (The National Park Service, 2020) are: Â
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park Â
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Yellowstone National Park Â
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Zion National Park Â
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Rocky Mountain National Park Â
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Grand Teton National Park Â
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Grand Canyon National Park Â
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park Â
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Acadia National Park Â
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Olympic National Park Â
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Joshua Tree National ParkÂ
Cell phone service, WiFi, and internet access varies 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. Â
Absolutely. Everyone that travels with Intrepid is required to purchase travel insurance before their trip begins. Your leader will log your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. In addition to health and hospital care, travel insurance can cover you for things like personal liability, trip cancellation, curtailment, and loss/damage of personal belongings. Â
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