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US National Parks Tours & Holidays
Embark on an unforgettable adventure in the United States' most spectacular national parks.
As far as national parks go, the USA has it all. From lunar-like deserts and striated canyons to snow-capped mountains and alpine valleys teeming with wildlife. With a local leader by your side, you'll explore the most iconic sections of the parks, as well as lesser-known gems you won’t find in the travel guides. Our United States national park tours offer something for all kinds of adventurers. Hike through slot canyons in Zion, join a real-life wolf tracker in Yellowstone, tick off bucket-list-worthy 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... the parks are waiting!
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 Parks tour reviews
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out of 5 based on 277 reviews submitted.
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Western USA National Parks Loop
Calla · Traveled April 2024
This was my first intrepid trip, and I would do it all over again in a minute. Our group was so appreciative of all of the sites that we were able to see in such a short amount of time. All of the accommodations were clean and comfortable., some even including some seriously good breakfasts. Our tour guide., Indy, was fun, friendly, and very knowledgeable about all of our destinations. I highly recommend intrepid to anyone who is on the fence.
Review submitted 19 Apr 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Barbara · Traveled April 2024
This National Parks trip is a can't miss! The agenda is jam-packed in the best way, visiting Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, Lake Powell, and Grand Canyon in the span of 5 days. Indy, our guide, was experienced, knowledgeable, and highly enthusiastic leading our group of 9 women. Certainly time well spent with a group I enjoyed getting to know. Some advice for those considering: it can get cold in the spring, so watch the weather. Bring snacks-- you'll work up an appetite staying active. If you can, do Antelope Canyon-- words don't do it justice.
Review submitted 13 Apr 2024
Western USA National Parks Loop
Catherine · Traveled April 2024
Superb trip packed with interesting and fascinating destinations ; great accomodation and an amazing , friendly and knowledgeable guide. Five days really well spent with a fun group of travellers.
Review submitted 13 Apr 2024
Western USA Family Holiday
Richard · Traveled March 2024
Review submitted 06 Apr 2024
Western USA Family Holiday
Claire · Traveled March 2024
Our holiday to Western America was nothing short of amazing! We travelled as a multi generation family, ranging from 67 to 13. We saw some of the best scenery ever, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon just to name a little of what we saw. Our tour guide Indy was brilliant, his knowledge of the area was absolutely incredible. We would 100% book an Intrepid trip again, we are already looking at where to go next.
Everything about our trip was just amazing! We've seen some of the best scenery Western America has to offer. Our tour guide Indy was just the best, super organised, and very knowledgeable. We would 100% recommend an Intrepid Trip to everyone :-)
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 has 423 national parks, monuments, and protected sites. Of this number, 63 are classified as national parks.
The best time to visit a national park 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:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Zion National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Acadia National Park
Olympic National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Mobile phone service, Wi-Fi, and internet access vary, 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. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
Eden Reforestation Projects
Eden Reforestation Projects are helping to mitigate climate change by restoring forests worldwide; they also hire locally and create job opportunities within vulnerable communities. Donations from our trips support restoration across planting sites in 10 countries around the globe.
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.