US National Park Tours don’t just tick the box for epic adventures, they set the bar.
As far as national parks go, the USA really does have it all. You'll find lunar-like desert landscapes, bucket list hiking trails, lush canyon rivers, snow-capped mountains – we could go on forever. Our US national park tours are for adventurers who want to soak up the goodness of being in nature and connect with kindred traveling spirits along the way – some of the best conversations happen on a hike! Our local guides know the parks like their backyard, a very big one at that. They’ll show you the highlights, but they’ll also help you discover places that you won’t find in travel guides. Hike through giant slot canyons in Zion, bathe in Yellowstone’s bubbling rivers, follow in the footsteps of bears in Yosemite and be prepared to see some seriously beautiful night skies in Denali. It’s time to dust off those hiking boots.
Our US National Park tours
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Fall in love with the untamed beauty of Alaska on a 6-day walking tour that loops you...
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Set off on a five-day adventure through some of the USA’s most epic scenery, including...
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Explore Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell and Monument Valley on this 4-day...
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Follow your feet on this 6-day walking tour that shows off the very best of Yosemite...
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A 6-day discovery of Wyoming’s highlights, with plenty of wildlife-spotting and vista...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
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Take an adventure through California, Arizona and Nevada past Joshua Tree, Grand Canyon...
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Explore the Sierra Nevada Range on a 5-day small group hiking tour which includes...
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From the glitz of the Vegas Strip to the hush of Monument Valley; travel through Zion...
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Explore Southern Utah on a 6-day cycling adventure with Intrepid Travel from Saint...
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Take a trip from the steep hills of San Francisco to the flashing lights of Vegas, with...
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Take the family on a 6-day adventure in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks....
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Discover the best of the USA’s Wild West on a six-day family Zion ranch stay in Utah....
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Take a road trip from Los Angeles to Vegas on a classic five-day Lonely Planet...
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Hit the road from Las Vegas to San Francisco on a six-day Lonely Planet Experience,...
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Explore rugged Utah on this eight-day tour created by Lonely Planet and Intrepid. Hit...
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Travel from LA via Joshua Tree, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Yosemite, Sierra Nevada to...
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Beginning in Las Vegas, see Zion, Moab and Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite, the...
Highlights of US National Parks
See the rainbow colors of Grand Prismatic Spring
We bet you never thought you’d be hypnotised by bacteria (stay with us on this one). Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone is full of heat-loving microbes that give it the electric colours of blue, green, yellow, orange and red. It might not look like it from the surface, but it’s bigger than a soccer field and deeper than a 10-story building. Get up close and stare into the abyss by taking the boardwalk, or hike to the overlook for an impressive bird's eye view.
Hike The Narrows
Imagine wading through shallow turquoise river passages and looking up to see red canyon walls towering 1000ft above you. This slot canyon hike in Zion Canyon is one of the best in the world, but let’s just say it isn’t your typical trail. The Virgin River flows through much of the canyon, so prepare to get wet. You’ll be at least ankle-deep, but some parts get waist deep and you’ll need to swim. It’s all part of the fun though, right?
Watch Old Faithful erupt
Who said you need to be in a big city to see a water show? There are over 10,000 thermal features in Yellowstone, but Old Faithful is the superstar. Watch safely from the sidelines as this mighty cone geyser erupts and shoots 14,000 litres of hot water into the air. Old Faithful can be unpredictable but it usually erupts about 20 times per day – don’t worry, our guides will take you there just in time. Make sure you listen out for the powerful roar as it erupts. It’s also worth checking out the gurgling plughole sounds of other geysers nearby.
Explore the Grand Staircase Escalante region
Flintstones movie set, Mars or time travel to prehistoric times? We’ll leave this one to your imagination. This 100 million-year-old national monument is full of wild, extraterrestrial-esque landscapes that you could spend weeks exploring. Get lost in sandstone labyrinths, peek inside Peek a Boo slot canyon, check out the hoodoos in Devil’s Garden or get a back massage from Lower Calf Creek Falls.
Discover the Alaskan wilderness in Denali
Denali National Park gives a whole new meaning to “wilderness”. Wake up surrounded by snow capped peaks, catch a glimpse of grizzlies fishing for salmon or watch the northern lights dance in the night sky. You’ll also get to put on a pair of snow boots and explore Matanuska Glacier on foot with a local glacier expert who’ll help you climb ice walls, peek inside caves and find unique ice sculptures.
Take a dip in Cathedral Lakes
Most people hike down to Cathedral Lakes for a pretty picnic, but we have a better idea: take a plunge into the crystal clear, ice-cold 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 cold water isn’t your thing, the trails around Yosemite's glacially carved lakes give you stunning views with some great resting spots.
US National Park tour reviews
US National Parks FAQs
Everyone travelling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage.
All travellers are required to produce:
- Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
- All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
- If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.
In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.
Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy
The US is home to an impressive 423 national parks, monuments, and protected sites. Of this number, 63 are classified as national parks.
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.
The 10 most visited national parks (The National Park Service, 2020) are:
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
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Yellowstone National Park
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Zion National Park
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Rocky Mountain National Park
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Grand Teton National Park
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Grand Canyon National Park
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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Acadia National Park
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Olympic National Park
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Joshua Tree National Park
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.
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.
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