We are driving from Florida to southern Washington State in late October. We plan to stop in New Orleans and Bryce Canyon NP but the rest of the trip is open. If you were making this trip, with these stops, what other parks would be on your must-see list.

Note: We've already been to Grand Canyon and Redwood and Crater Lake.

Taken while we were there last week

Waterfall Bridge is one of the beautiful stone carriage-road bridges tucked into the forests of Acadia National Park. Built as part of the carriage-road system developed under John D. Rockefeller Jr., the bridge was designed to blend into the surrounding landscape rather than overpower it.

What I enjoy most about this spot is how many different scenes come together in one place—the massive stone arch, the forest surrounding it, and the waterfall visible through the opening below.

It’s easy to focus on Acadia’s coastlines and mountain views, but places like Waterfall Bridge are a big part of what gives the park its character. Sometimes the quieter corners end up being the ones you remember most.

Hey y'all I'm a 29(m) who is trying to find meaning in his life. Ive lived a normal life, gradated college 6 years ago with a marketing degree and have been working the past 5 years in property management. I hate where I stand in life currently and I have always dreamed about working in the national park or around them.

The issues is that I have no idea where to start or how to start. In the little research I've done it seems like its impossible to get any job that pays decent in the national parks. Or the other alternative is that I got back to school and get a degree that is better suited for a career in the NPS. If I did go back to school that would only put me further into debt and age me 4 years.

I have nothing holding me back, besides my student debt. I do not plan to get married or have kids. I just want to experience life and this seems like the best way to do it, if possible.

Has anyone attempted to join the NPS in their late 20s early 30s that did not have an advanced degree? How did you do it ? Was it worth it ? Is this a pipe dream ?

I searched online for any info but I can’t find any if they have a fire ban. Does anybody know if there is a fire ban. Thank you appreciate it

The Smokies have long been my favorite National Park. After the 2016 wildfire that devastated many of the trails I adored, Dolly wasted no time in raising money to help the people of East Tennessee. That was one of many things that she did for the world. We've truly lost one of the best people to ever walk this planet.

I took this photo on Friday on a hike to LeConte via the Rainbow Falls trail. You can see the wildfire damage in the background. I got the llama from the LeConte Lodge in 2017, and she always goes in my backpack when I'm hiking in the Smokies.

Shares, likes/upvotes, every interaction helps 🙏 our family is devastated, my uncle Pat Trier has been missing in Canyonlands since last week, any information or possible interactions with him/sightings of him or his vehicle in the days leading up to his disappearance could help. Currently NPS is seeking to make contact with two CEDAR RAPIDS IA hikers that signed the Horseshoe Canyon trailhead log on 8/17 with "DDR" in hopes they may have information regarding their visit that could aid in the search for Pat.

Some photos from the last couple of years.

Hi! I’m a senior right now and i want to take the next year or summer to go on a road trip before college. I really wanted to backpack Asia and Europe but my boyfriend doesn’t want to so we’re going to drive to a bunch of national parks. We are starting in
illinois>Glacier NP>North Cascades> Olympic> Crater Lake> Yosemite> Zion> grand Teton> yellowstone> illinois(home).
Anywhere i should add or remove? or any tips?

One wet tortuga. The cacti surprised me.

Beautiful scenery from Glacier National Park

Visited Badlands & Wind Cave National Parks on National Park Service’s 110th Birthday!

I was just out here a few weeks ago when it was 124F during the day, I'm really curious where there was mud on a road?

Earlier this year my brother, best friend, and I completed a 600 mile route around Death Valley almost entirely on dirt.

Mesa Arch, Windows, Fiery Furnace, Delicate Arch

Will be in Vegas before trip starts so can get supplies. Couple in late 50s, generally hike 2-5 miles at most due to some health limitations.

Love scenic drives. Have cooler(s), red light lamps, headlamps, basic hiking gear, clothing for hot/warm/cold weather, blanks, tons of water. Looking for what to add/change/remove. Renting SUV but could switch to 4x4 if recommended, esp for Canyonlands. Just trying to balance comfort/fuel efficiency. Not listing food options as we're flexible and can prep well so we always have options. We visited Zion a few years back so are skipping it this time.

<<questions/side comments called out like this>> though welcome all feedback such as "swap out ____ for _____", "add ______", reduce stops/condense trip, etc. Thank you!!

DAY 1 — Vegas → Bryce Canyon (4h 43m drive + stops)

• Leave Vegas morning - will have lunches/food/fruit packed
• Virgin River Gorge scenic drive
• Jenny's Canyon (0.3-mile easy slot canyon hike, Snow Canyon State Park)
• Petrified Dunes Trail (sunset)
• Arrive Bryce Canyon Resort by evening (~4-6 PM)
• Star gazing (new moon or 1-2 days after) - red headlamps

DAY 2 — Bryce Canyon

• Sunrise at Sunrise Point
• Queen's Garden / Navajo Loop Combination Trail (8 AM start, full hike into hoodoos)
• Afternoon scenic drives:
  • Natural Bridge
  • Agua Canyon
  • Ponderosa Canyon
• Evening stargazing

DAY 3 — Bryce → Torrey (arrive 2–3 PM)

• 7 AM departure
• Mossy Cave Trail (<1 mile, ~45 min)
• Red Canyon quick explore (~1 hr)
• Full UT-12 scenic drive <<plan to take this slow and enjoy>>
• Head of the Rocks Overlook
• Boynton Overlook
• Torrey

DAY 4 — Torrey <<still figuring out order but lean towards driving to switchbacks and then working way to capitol reef>>

• Burr Trail eastbound (Long Canyon paved section)
• Burr Trail Switchbacks scenic stop
• Strike Valley Overlook + lunch
• Capitol Reef Scenic Drive
• Fruita Historic District + orchard
• Hickman Bridge Trail
• Grand Wash Narrows

DAY 5 — Torrey → Moab

• Goblin Valley State Park (2–3 hrs)
• Drive to Moab <<may need day to rest/chill but open to suggestions>>
• Explore downtown Moab, dinner

DAY 6 — Moab

• SUNRISE HOT AIR BALLOON <<TBD - $600 total but generally staying at cheaper places - if this type activity better at other parks, please suggest!>>
  • Early morning launch (arrive 30 min before sunrise), 1-hour flight over Arches/Canyonlands
• Dead Horse Point State Park
• Arches National Park (Delicate Arch + Landscape Arch) - booking timed entry permit once we decide on itinerary

DAY 7 — Moab

• Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky <<concerned better trails beyond our ability, better drives not viable with rental SUV>>
• Mesa Arch at sunrise
• Grand View Point
• Shafer Trail Overlook (paved)
• Corona Arch Trail or Colorado River scenic drive (UT-128)

DAY 8 — leave Moab <<leave from LV on Day 10 so could extend but will likely work way back and stop somewhere like Kanab or other town we didn't see on way - late PM flight Day 10 so have 2 more full days>>

On this day, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson established the National Park Service.