Hand-Drawn Map of a Self-Drive Tour of National Parks in the Western United States

A unique hand-drawn map of self-drive tours of national parks in the western United States, designed by myself.

If you join a group tour in the western US, whether it's a small loop or a large loop, for example, from Los Angeles - San Francisco - Lake Tahoe - Yellowstone - Salt Lake City - Antelope Canyon - Grand Canyon - Las Vegas - Los Angeles, whether it's 8 days or 10 days, it's a rushed, whirlwind tour. You visit the sights, but the impressions are not deep. This is probably because there isn't enough time to appreciate each scene with reverence for nature, quietly observing and feeling it. What a pity.

Moreover, the western US is dotted with numerous national parks, requiring careful planning to avoid missing nearby beauties that you would regret later. After all, driving back for another visit would take a lot of time.

If you have enough time, traveling with a vacation mindset, listening to your heart, stopping and going, and feeling the beauty of nature will bring more joy and satisfaction to your soul. Therefore, I have divided the western US into several regions, each with a travel route covering several national parks, so that you can have ample time for vacation during your self-drive trip. This is my experience from multiple trips to the West. Of course, if time permits, you can connect these routes and design a travel plan that suits you.

As for the specific游玩攻略 (travel guides) for each national park and nearby accommodation arrangements, please refer to other travel notes.

Feel free to repost the images, just give a like.

Originally the images were very clear, but Ctrip's image upload system makes them blurry. Nothing I can do.

Q. How much is the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass? The price is $80, which covers 4 adults / 1 vehicle, valid for 12 months. The full name of the annual pass is The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Q. Do I need to buy a national parks annual pass? If you plan to visit 3 or more national parks within 12 months, buying the annual pass is cost-effective. For example: Yosemite National Park entry fee $35, Grand Canyon National Park entry fee $35, Yellowstone National Park entry fee $35.

Q. Where can I buy the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass?

1. For those living in the US, you can purchase it online.

2. For those from other countries, you can buy it directly at the park entrance (passport required).

Q. How much is the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass? The price is $80, which covers 4 adults / 1 vehicle, valid for 12 months.

+ 4 adults / 1 vehicle: The pass holder plus 3 other adults must be in the same vehicle when entering the park (separate vehicles require separate tickets). Children aged 15 and under are free.

+ Valid for 12 months: Starting from the month of purchase and valid until the last day of the 12th month.

+ The full name is The America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

Q. I am not a US citizen. Can I buy the national parks annual pass? Yes.

Q. Do I need to buy a national parks annual pass? If you plan to visit 3 or more national parks within 12 months, buying the annual pass is cost-effective. For example: Yosemite National Park entry fee $35, Grand Canyon National Park entry fee $35, Yellowstone National Park entry fee $35.

Q. Where can I buy the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass?

1. For those living in the US, you can purchase it online.

2. For those from other countries, you can buy it directly at the park entrance (passport required).

Q. How do I use the national parks annual pass? Most parks have an Entrance Station (staffed entry). Show the pass along with your passport or other Photo ID (the name on the ID must match the signature on the pass). If the entrance is unmanned (outside working hours), after parking, you need to place the pass on the windshield (with the signature facing out).

The US National Parks are maintained by the National Park Service (under the government). Their mission is: "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." "Within the designated areas, mining/oil/timber extraction is not allowed; rich people are not allowed to build fenced mansions with swimming pools next to beautiful scenery; locals near the parks are not allowed to sell corn or charge for parking within the parks; animals in the parks cannot be killed or domesticated; resources must be preserved for the future, for future generations of Americans to enjoy, or to be used when needed..." Hmm, does that stir something in you?

US National Parks Ranking and Distribution Map

Last updated: July 10, 2022

US National Parks Ranking:

1. Great Smoky Mountains NP (Tennessee)

2. Zion NP (Utah)

3. Yellowstone NP (Wyoming)

4. Grand Canyon NP (Arizona)

5. Rocky Mountain NP (Colorado)

6. Acadia NP (Maine)

7. Grand Teton NP (Wyoming)

8. Yosemite NP (California)

9. Indiana Dunes NP (Indiana)

10. Glacier NP (Montana)

11. Joshua Tree NP (California)

12. Olympic NP (Washington)

13. Cuyahoga Valley NP (Ohio)

14. Hot Springs NP (Arkansas)

15. Bryce Canyon NP (Utah)

16. Arches NP (Utah)

17. New River Gorge NP & PRES (West Virginia)

18. Mount Rainier NP (Washington)

19. Shenandoah NP (Virginia)

20. Capitol Reef NP (Utah)

21. Hawaii Volcanoes NP (Hawaii)

22. Badlands NP (South Dakota)

23. Death Valley NP (California)

24. Gateway Arch NP (Missouri)

25. Saguaro NP (Arizona)

26. Sequoia NP (California)

27. Everglades NP (Florida)

28. Canyonlands NP (Utah)

29. Haleakalā National Park (Hawaii)

30. Theodore Roosevelt NP (North Dakota)

== National parks after #30 that are more frequently visited by Chinese tourists include ==

32. White Sands NP (New Mexico) (Reason for not being in the top 30: remote location, but truly white sand dunes)

35. Crater Lake NP (Oregon) (Reason for not being in the top 30: shouldn't be... it was in the top 30 before)

42. Redwood NP (California) (Reason for not being in the top 30: though in California, location is somewhat remote)

43. Kenai Fjords NP (Alaska) (Reason for not being in the top 30: few people visit Alaska...)

44. Lassen Volcanic NP (California) (Reason for not being in the top 30: though in California, location is somewhat remote)

52. Denali NP & PRES (Alaska) (Reason for not being in the top 30: few people visit Alaska...)

61. North Cascades NP (Washington) (Reason for not being in the top 30: locals from Seattle like to go there...)