10 Western National Parks to Add to your Bucket List
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8. Grand Teton National Park
The Grand Tetons in northwestern Wyoming makes for a wonderful vacation experience for the outdoor lover and nature enthusiast. The gorgeous Teton Mountain Range extends for 40 miles with the highest point, the Grand Teton, located at 13,775 feet. Unlike some other national parks which are crowded and congested year-round, I’ve found this park pretty peaceful. And because it’s so close to Yellowstone (just 10 miles away), you can combine both parks for one fabulous vacation. Plus, you’ll save some money!
In the summer season, you can enjoy leisurely outdoor activities like biking, canoeing, hiking (there are over 200 miles of trails!), scenic drives, photography, and much more. There are a number of ranger led programs such as guided hikes at this time too. If you set out by yourself, make sure to familiarize yourself with wildlife safety. I hear of more and more hikers and campers killed by bears each year! Winter offers a drastically different setting with snow capped peaks and beautiful views accessible via snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
If you are limited on time, a scenic drive is definitely the way to go. The scenery is just so spectacular here and wildlife is abundant throughout the park. There are so many scenic overlooks and the drive is peaceful and gorgeous. A staff member recommended us to drive along Gros Ventre Rd, a hotspot for wildlife sightings.
We saw so many moose up close and also lots of Elk! It’s such a wonderful rustic destination and I loved that I had convenient access while living a quick daytrip away in Idaho Falls. The mountain scenery is amazing and there are so many opportunities to see wildlife roaming free in their natural habitat.
The mountains are so gorgeous! Be on the lookout for moose sightings – they are surprisingly pretty common.
Things to know
Directions to Grand Tetons National Park
Admission: Pricing is $35 per vehicle for 7 days, $20 per individual.
Stop by the visitors center for a handy map of scenic drives and recommended activities. The staff is so nice and friendly and will give you suggestions if you are limited on time.
List of lodging options with the park
Nearby attractions: Yellowstone National Park, Harriman State Park. Also, I highly recommend a visit to the National Elk Refuge. This is a really cool place where you take a sleigh ride and get to see all the elk come down from the mountains in search of food.
9. Petroglyph National Monument
One of the most unique places I’ve come across in Albuquerque (after a number of trips to the area) is Petroglyph National Monument. It’s a great place to check out if you happen to be vacationing in the area or passing through on any road trip. This national monument is home to one of the largest collections of these incredible ancient drawings. We learned that these unique designs were carved into the rocks by settlers 400-700 years ago. It’s interesting to hike the trails and imagine what life was like back in the day before all our modern technology.
A number of short trails take you past over 1000 petroglyphs. You will also be treated to some nice views of the surrounding mountains. Your best bet is to hike the 3 short trails at Boca Negra where you will be able to view 100 of these petroglyphs within an hour. Many of the drawings are easily distinguishable as animals and plants while others are more mysterious and vague, making the trip all the more interesting.
Take a look at some of these old ancient carvings. Obviously, you will get a much more detailed view in person! Pretty cool to view a bit of history!
Things to know
Directions to Petroglyph National Monument
Admission: There is no entrance fee. Parking is $1 on weekdays, $2 on weekends.
Temps can frequently soar above 100 in the summertime. Also keep in mind there is no shade. It’s best to visit during the cool season!
Bring with plenty of water even if it’s not hot! Remember that you are in a dry climate!
Nearby attractions: I recommend taking a scenic ride on one of the world’s longest trams: the Sandia Peak tramway. I’ve taken a lot of these rides, but boy was this one scenic!
10. White Sands National Monument
White Sands is perhaps the oddest national park on this list as the natural landscape resembles snow in the desert. I came across this park first on a random trip through southern New Mexico. To say I was fascinated is an understatement. The uniqueness of this park is due to the rare white gypsum sand dunes which stand out brilliantly amongst the blue cloudless skies of the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. During your visit, you will see visitors sledding down the dunes. Talk about one of the strangest experiences I’ve had thus far in the desert southwest!
A brief history of how the sand dunes came to be…This area was once home to a very deep lake millions of years ago which was layered with gypsum sand. Gypsum is usually soluble, however, the gypsum remained at the bottom of the lake because it was created more quickly than it could be dissolved. Once the water eventually evaporated, nature broke the gypsum into selenite which is what gives us the beautiful striking white dunes that exist today. The visitor’s center has informative exhibits and a great informative video on the area.
A scenic loop drive takes you past these incredible dunes, however, you can get out wherever you like, toss of your shoes, and dig your toes into sand that feels like Siesta Key in Florida. Unlike quartz based sand, the gypsum sand does not easily convert the sun’s energy into heat, and thus stays cool to the touch even during the intense summer season. It’s so much fun to simply walk around taking a million photos. The views of the glistening dunes seem to be endless and I really felt I was isolated in the middle of nowhere. No matter how many crowds are around you can always find a place to yourself.
This truly is like no other place in the country and definitely a sight to check out if you happen to be planning a road trip through New Mexico. If you are interested in strange and offbeat destinations, then I would say this park fits the bill as it is home to one of the rarest natural landscapes on the planet.
Things to know
Admission: $25 per vehicle, $15 per person (walk in)
*It gets extremely hot here during the summer season and many tourists have died of dehydration. If visiting in the summer, limit your visit to the early morning hours and bring with plenty of water.
*Sign up for a guided tour. This is a prime opportunity to learn more about the beautiful landscapes.
*Stay in Las Cruces or Cloudcroft. There are not many lodging or dining options in the immediate area.
*Cloudcroft is a great high altitude mountain town which makes for the perfect cool escape after a hot day in the desert. Enjoy the scenic drive up to the mountains, a nice hike, and a little lunch in the pines.
Nearby attractions: Alameda Park Zoo, shopping & dining in Old Mesilla in Las Cruces, Scenic drive up US-82 to Cloudcroft. I’ve covered many of these attractions in my road trip post for your convenience.
General Tips
*Purchase an annual parks pass – at just 80 bucks it usually pays for itself in just 2 to 3 visits.
*Check the NPS website for road closures and special alerts.
*Plan for dry conditions with extra water and salty snacks.
*Many of these parks are in high elevation areas. Take it easier than normal and follow high altitude safety tips.
*Check the calendar for fee free days. Also, keep in mind that the parks are much more crowded during free periods. It’s up to you if the tradeoff of more crowds is worth it.
*Avoid hot, dry desert areas like Saguaro and the Petrified Forest during the summer season. Hiking and even being outdoors for prolonged periods in this type of dry heat is simply dangerous.
*Fill up the gas tank before you leave. Gas is usually limited and pricey near national parks.
*Eat a full breakfast wherever you are staying and bring with plenty of snacks. Food options are limited in many of the parks.
*Read up on wildlife safety and be especially prepared when hiking – bear spray, bells, hiking sticks, etc.
*Hotels fill up quickly, oftentimes months in advance. Book early to get your desired hotel.
*Special activities like whitewater rafting, horseback rides, special ranger tours, etc. fill up fast. It’s best to reserve your spot months before your trip.
*A hotel with a free breakfast like La Quinta comes in handy when you just want to get up and get to your destination. Saves both time and money.
*Stick with an affordable no-frills hotel. With all the driving required out here, you likely will be exhausted at the end of the day and just ready to sleep!
Driving out west can be challenge. The roads are often deserted with little in the way of rest stops. It can be easy to run out of gas if you do not plan accordingly.
