Take Off On An Adventure-filled Road Trip in Western USA & Canada
Planning to hit the open road on an ultimate national park road trip? Look no further.
Western USA and Canada are the perfect places for discovering national parks, state parks, national forests, national monuments, and some of the most scenic routes in the world.
This guide covers Oregon & Washington, California, Arizona & Utah, Colorado, Montana & Wyoming, and Western Canada, where bucket list road trips and the most popular parks can be combined for an epic road trip adventure or split into more manageable shorter trips.
Western USA and Canada are the perfect places for discovering national parks, state parks, national forests, national monuments, and some of the most scenic routes in the world.
This guide covers Oregon & Washington, California, Arizona & Utah, Colorado, Montana & Wyoming, and Western Canada, where bucket list road trips and the most popular parks can be combined for an epic road trip adventure or split into more manageable shorter trips.
How to use this guide
I've organized the western USA and Canada into regions (Oregon & Washington, California, Arizona & Utah, Colorado, Montana & Wyoming, and Western Canada), which are color-coded on the maps below.
Each map shows a logical route you can take through each region. You could start or end your road trip at any point along these routes.
Each map also shows how you can continue your journey into one of the neighboring regions, eventually forming a loop through the western US and Canada.
Key places of interest, including national parks, are highlighted below each map. You'll also find examples of how you could split your time depending on how long you have: Little Moose, Medium Moose, or Big Moose trips to kickstart your planning.
Each map shows a logical route you can take through each region. You could start or end your road trip at any point along these routes.
Each map also shows how you can continue your journey into one of the neighboring regions, eventually forming a loop through the western US and Canada.
Key places of interest, including national parks, are highlighted below each map. You'll also find examples of how you could split your time depending on how long you have: Little Moose, Medium Moose, or Big Moose trips to kickstart your planning.
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LITTLE MOOSE
[3 - 7 Day adventures] Quick fix trips to maximise your time. |
MEDIUM MOOSE
[7 - 14 Day adventures] Itineraries that will help you see as much of your destination as possible - and more as well. |
BIG MOOSE
[14+ Day adventures] If time is on your side why not make your trip into a spectacular adventure that you’ll never forget? |
For more insights, check the links at the bottom of the page to detailed itineraries I've previously compiled.
Highlights in this region
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START HERE » SEATTLE / OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK / NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK / MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Discover the diverse beauty of Olympic National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. This expansive park offers everything from glaciated mountains and ancient rainforests to rugged Pacific coastlines. Home to various ecosystems, it's a sanctuary for natural and cultural treasures. Visitors can enjoy untamed rivers, old-growth forests, vibrant marine life along the coast, and extensive hiking trails that reveal the heart of its wilderness. It's a perfect blend of adventure and natural wonder, inviting exploration. 
Mount Rainier
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park
NEXT STOP » CANNON BEACH
About 3.5 hours drive Cannon Beach, Oregon, is renowned for its scenic beauty, featuring Haystack Rock. It's surrounded by natural wonders, including waterfalls and marine life. Named by National Geographic as one of the world's most beautiful places, it's also a cultural hotspot with art galleries, eateries, and shops, making it a perfect blend of nature and creativity. 
Cannon Beach
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NEXT STOP » MT HOOD & COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
About 1.5 hours drive The Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge area combines breathtaking scenery with abundant outdoor activities. Highlights include diverse hiking trails, picturesque cabin stays, and the intersection of Oregon’s tallest mountain with its largest river, the Mt. Hood and Columbia Gorge region has it all. 
Columbia River Gorge
NEXT STOP » CASCADE LAKES & DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST
About 3 hours drive Take in the beautiful high lake country of the Deschutes National Forest. Stop en-route at Silver Falls State Park's forested canyons to see ten spectacular waterfalls, five more than 100 feet high. 
Deschutes National Forest
NEXT STOP » NEXT STOP » CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, ROGUE RIVER & ASHLAND
About 3.5 hours drive Thousands of visitors each year peer into the impossibly blue, pristine waters that fill Crater Lake. At nearly 2,000 feet deep, it's the deepest lake in the United States and the second deepest in all of North America. Tour the thirty-three mile rim drive or take the Crater Lake Trolley tour, stopping at viewpoints along the way. From Crater Lake the, the incredibly scenic landscape descends along the Rogue River into the Rogue Valley. 
Crater Lake National Park
Continue your adventure in Western Canada or California. This itinerary can also be done in reverse.
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Oregon & Washington itinerary ideas
Little Moose• Three-days Olympic National Park
• Two-days Seattle |
Medium Moose• Two-days Portland
• Two-days Columbia River Gorge area • Five-days Deschutes National Forest • Two-days Crater Lake National Park |
Big Moose• Two-days Seattle
• Four-days Olympic National Park • Three-days Oregon Coast • Two-days Portland • Five-days Deschutes National Forest • Two-days Crater Lake National Park • Two-days Rogue River & Ashland |
or continue your journey beyond Oregon & Washington
Medium Moose• Two-days Vancouver
• Four-days Tofino & Ucluelet • One-day Portland • One-day Columbia River Gorge area • Four-days Deschutes National Forest • Two-days Crater Lake National Park |
Big Moose• Two-days Vancouver
• Four-days Tofino & Ucluelet • Two-days Seattle • Three-days Olympic National Park • One-day Portland • One-day Columbia River Gorge area • Four-days Deschutes National Forest • Two-days Crater Lake National Park • One-day Redwood Coast • Two-days San Francisco • Four-days Yosemite |
Highlights in this region
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START HERE » SAN FRANCISCO » YOSEMITE NATIONAL
About 3 hours drive Looking out from any spot in Yosemite Valley instantly presents a stunning array of famous landmarks. Highlights include Yosemite Falls, North America's tallest waterfall, and El Capitan, the largest granite monolith. You'll also encounter the striking Half Dome, the serene Merced River, and the captivating Bridalveil Falls, along with a stunning array of spires, domes, and granite peaks. This valley is a showcase of breathtaking landscapes, inviting exploration and admiration. 
Me at Yosemite National Park
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NEXT STOP » KINGS CANYON & SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARKS
About 4.5 hours drive Stand in awe of ancient Giant Sequoia trees, hike through the stunning Mineral King Valley, gaze thousands of feet down to the mighty Kings River, or simply hike, bike, climb or kayak in this natural playground. 
Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park
NEXT STOP » DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
About 7 hours drive Death Valley National Park is defined by extremes, home to the lowest point and hottest temperatures in North America. Badwater Basin is the park's lowest spot, sitting 282 feet below sea level. Its vast salt flats create an almost alien terrain, contrasting sharply with the surrounding desert and mountains. Zabriskie Point is a must-see for its incredible views of the surrounding badlands, particularly beautiful at sunrise or sunset when the light plays off the rock formations. 
Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park
Continue your adventure in Oregon, Washington, Arizona or Utah.
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California itinerary ideas
Little Moose• Three-days Yosemite National Park
• Two-days San Francisco |
Medium Moose• Two-days San Francisco
• Four-days Yosemite National Park • Three-days Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks |
Big Moose• Two-days Redwood Coast
• Two-days San Francisco • Four-days Yosemite National Park • Three-days Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks • Two-days Death Valley National Park • One-day Las Vegas |
or continue your journey beyond Oregon & Washington
Medium Moose• One-day Portland
• Two-days Columbia River Gorge area • Three-days Oregon Coast • Two-days Redwood Coast • Two-days San Francisco • Three-days Yosemite National Park |
Big Moose• Two-days San Francisco
• Four-days Yosemite National Park • Four-days Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks • Two-days Death Valley National Park • One-day Las Vegas • Three-days Zion National Park • Two-days Bryce Canyon National Park |
Highlights in this region
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START HERE » ZION NATIONAL PARK & BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
NEXT STOP » PAGE & LAKE POWELL About 2 hours drive Lake Powell sits within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Southern Utah. This area is home to countless geological marvels including Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. 
Me at Horseshoe Bend
NEXT STOP » GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK About 2.5 hours drive Vast, magnificent and inarguably beautiful, the Grand Canyon is easily Arizona’s most distinguishable landmark—a natural wonder you must see to believe. Everyone should see the Grand Canyon at least once in their life. 
Me at the Grand Canyon's South Rim
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NEXT STOP » MONUMENT VALLEY
About 3 hours drive Monument Valley, Utah, an iconic symbol of the American West, is the sacred heart of the Navajo Nation. The valley is host to towering sandstone rock formations that have been sculpted over time and soar 400 to 1,000 feet above the valley floor. 
Monument Valley
NEXT STOP » CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
About 4 hours drive Capitol Reef is home to towering sandstone structures and impressive canyons. Take a scenic drive stopping along the way to take in breathtaking viewpoints, explore the vast network of trails or hike through slot canyons NEXT STOP » ARCHES & CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARKS About 2.5 hours drive Arches National Park, which contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Drive the Scenic Drive and hike some of the longer trails in the park, such as the trails to Double O Arch, Tower Arch, Delicate Arch, and Landscape Arch. Canyonlands National Park is home to endless deep canyons, towering mesas, pinnacles, cliffs, and spires stretching across 527 square miles. Continue your adventure in California or Colorado.
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Arizona or Utah itinerary ideas
Little Moose• Two-days Arches National Park
• Two-days Canyonlands National Park • Three-days Zion National Park |
Medium Moose• Two-days Arches National Park
• Two-days Canyonlands National Park • Two-days Capitol Reef National Park • Four-days Zion National Park |
Big Moose• Three-days Grand Canyon National Park
• Three-days Canvas Lake Powell - Grand Staircase • One-day Monument Valley • Two-days Arches National Park • Two-days Canyonlands National Park • Two-days Capitol Reef National Park • Four-days Zion National Park |
or continue your journey beyond Arizona or Utah
Medium Moose• Two-days Death Valley National Park
• One-day Las Vegas • Two-days Grand Canyon National Park • One-day Monument Valley • Two-days Arches National Park • Two-days Canyonlands National Park • Four-days Zion National Park |
Big Moose• Three-days Yosemite National Park
• Two-days Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks • Two-days Death Valley National Park • One-day Las Vegas • Three-days Zion National Park • Two-days Grand Canyon National Park • Two-days Canvas Lake Powell - Grand Staircase • One-day Monument Valley • One-day Arches National Park • One-day Canyonlands National Park • One-day Mesa Verde |
Highlights in this region
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START HERE » MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Mesa Verde National Park provides a fantastic blend of physical and cultural landscapes. The archaeological sites dating from 600 AD represent more than 700 years of history and the elaborate stone village communities built into the canyon walls are the most popular and spectacular attractions in this area of Southwestern Colorado. 
Mesa Verde National Park
NEXT STOP » SAN JUAN MOUNTAINS & TELLURIDE
About 2.5 hours drive The San Juan Mountains in Colorado are a stunning showcase of nature’s variety, featuring everything from gentle ranch hills to dramatic canyons and sharp peaks. Taking a drive along the San Juan Skyway scenic byway is the best way to see it all. The views are incredible, mixing wide-open vistas with close-up encounters of the region's natural beauty. Plus, you’ll find charming, authentic western towns along the route. 
San Juan Mountains
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NEXT STOP » BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK & GLENWOOD SPRINGS
About 3.5 hours drive The Black Canyon is a stunning 53-mile-long gorge where sheer black cliffs drop nearly 2,700 feet, offering a glimpse into millions of years of the Earth's history. Its name comes from the deep shadows that often darken its walls, giving them a striking black appearance. The national park covers the most picturesque part of this canyon, where you can hear the Gunnison River's flow echoing from below. 
Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park
NEXT STOP » ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK About 3.5 hours drive One of the most popular national parks in the U.S., Rocky is a postcard in every direction. Daybreak is the best time to explore its stunning see-through lakes, sweeping meadows and dew-spritzed forests. 
The Loch, Rocky Mountain National Park
Continue your adventure in Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, or Montana.
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Colorado itinerary ideas
Little Moose• Four-days Rocky Mountain National Park
• Two-days Great Sand Dunes National Park • Two-days Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park |
Medium Moose• One-day Mesa Verde National Park
• Two-days San Juan Mountains • Two-days Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park • Four-days Rocky Mountain National Park |
or continue your journey beyond Colorado
Medium Moose• Two-days Arches National Park
• One-day Canyonlands National Park • One-day Mesa Verde National Park • Two-days San Juan Mountains • Two-days Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park • Four-days Rocky Mountain National Park |
Big Moose• Three-days Grand Canyon National Park
• One-day Monument Valley • Two-days Arches National Park • One-day Canyonlands National Park • One-day Mesa Verde National Park • Two-days San Juan Mountains • Two-days Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park • Four-days Rocky Mountain National Park |
Highlights in this region
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START HERE » GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK & YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKS
Yellowstone National Park is an expansive natural wonder, outdoing the combined size of Rhode Island and Delaware at 3,472 square miles. This park boasts more than 1,000 miles of trails, around 290 waterfalls, and hosts over half of the world’s geysers, with Old Faithful famously erupting about every 92 minutes. It’s also home to America’s "Big Five": the gray wolf, grizzly bear, bison, moose, and bald eagle. Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is a breathtaking showcase of the wild, untouched beauty of the West. The park is renowned for the dramatic Teton Range, with its peaks, including the Grand Teton at 13,775 feet, rising sharply above the valley. |
NEXT STOP » BUTTE
About 4.5 hours drive depending on accommodation choice As you make your way through Southwest Montana, you’ll experience the full range of cultural treasures, historic sites and natural wonders that make up this diverse region. Nestled in the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains of Southwest Montana, between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks is Montana’s most unique city offering; small-town charm with a big city feel. About 18 miles east of Butte, take a side trip to Ring Rocks, a unique geological formation where massive boulders ring like bells when struck with a hammer. Along Montana Highway 287, explore two of the West’s best preserved ghost towns, Virginia City and Nevada City. NEXT STOP » GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
About 4 hours Glacier National Park, often referred to as the "Crown of the Continent," is a pristine sanctuary on the edge of Montana's Rocky Mountains. With over a million acres of forests, alpine meadows, and rugged mountains, the park is home to glacier-carved peaks and valleys that run all the way to the Canadian border. With more than 700 miles of trails, Glacier National Park is a hiker's paradise. Trails lead to breathtaking overlooks, serene lakeside retreats, and untouched wilderness areas. Continue your adventure in Western Canada or Colorado. |
Montana & Wyoming itinerary ideas
Little Moose• Two-days Grand Teton National Park
• Four-days Yellowstone National Park |
Medium Moose• Three-days Grand Teton National Park
• Four-days Yellowstone National Park • One-day Bute • Three-days Glacier National Park |
or continue your journey beyond Montana & Wyoming
Medium Moose• Three-days Grand Teton National Park
• Four-days Yellowstone National Park • One-day Bute • Three-days Glacier National Park • Two-days Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada |
Big Moose• Three-days Grand Teton National Park
• Five-days Yellowstone National Park • Two-day Bute • Four-days Glacier National Park • Three-days Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada • Five-days Banff National Park of Canada |
Highlights in this region
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START HERE » BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Rocky Mountain peaks, turquoise glacial lakes, a picture-perfect mountain town and village, abundant wildlife and scenic drives come together in Banff National Park. 
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park
Castle Mountain, Banff National Park
NEXT STOP » JASPER NATIONAL PARK
About 3.5 hours drive Jasper National Park is a stunning landscape of peaks, hot springs and wildlife habitat and icefields. The journey to the Columbia Icefield and Sunwapta Pass is one of the world’s most spectacular drives. 
Patricia Lake, Jasper National Park
NEXT STOP » WELLS GRAY PROVINCIAL PARK
About 4-5 hours drive Wells Gray Provincial Park is one of the most unique landscapes in all of British Columbia with 1.3 million acres of alpine wilderness borne from volcanoes and carved by glaciers. During Spring, Summer and Fall you can hike through ancient forests, paddle pristine lakes and raft on some of Canada’s finest rapids. 
Wells Gray Provincial Park
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OPTIONAL SIDE TRIP to Wild Bear Lodge
Fully-immersive bear-viewing, nature and wilderness experience at a small, private lodge in the mountains of British Columbia. NEXT STOP » WHISTLER
5-6 hours drive Summer in Whistler offers the very best hiking, biking and so much more: paddle the glacier lakes or zip-line across the valley. 
Cheakamus Lake, Whistler
OPTIONAL SIDE TRIP to Bear Claw Lodge
Make yourself at home in our 15,000-square-foot timber lodge that sits along the banks of the magical kispiox river in the heart of 700,000 pristine acres of natural wonder. NEXT STOP » TOFINO & UCLUELET
About 6.5 hours drive Tofino is located on the ruggedly beautiful and remote west coast of Vancouver Island within Clayoquot Sound, home to extensive ancient coastal temperate rainforests, rivers, lakes, marine ecosystems and beaches. It also includes part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Strathcona Provincial Park and several other protected areas. 
Whales watching in Tofino
OPTIONAL SIDE TRIP to Klahoose Wilderness Resort
NEXT STOP » VANCOUVER
Continue your adventure in Wyoming, Montana, Washington or Oregon. |
Western Canada itinerary ideas
Little Moose• Four-days Banff National Park
• Three-days Jasper National Park |
Medium Moose• Four-days Whistler
• Five-days Tofino • Two-day Vancouver |
Big Moose• Three-days Banff National Park
• Two-days Jasper National Park • Two-days Wells Gray Provincial Park • Two-days Whistler • Two-days Bear Claw Lodge • Three-days Tofino • Two-days Klahoose Wilderness Resort • One-day Vancouver |
or continue your journey beyond Western Canada
Medium Moose• Three-days Jasper National Park
• Four-days Banff National Park • Two-days Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada • Three-days Glacier National Park |
Big Moose• Three-days Glacier National Park
• Two-days Waterton Lakes National Park of Canada • Three-days Banff National Park • Two-days Jasper National Park • Two-days Wells Gray Provincial Park • Two-days Whistler • Three-days Tofino • One-day Vancouver • Two-days Seattle • Three-days Olympic National Park |
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Rob is an experienced independent travel consultant and travel content creator.
His love for travel started as a child, playing travel agent with his grandparents using holiday brochures from the local travel agency. Fast forward over 40 years, and Rob has turned this passion into a career, dedicating his time to helping others plan their dream vacations. He says his happy place is in a cozy cabin by a lake in Oregon, sitting at the bar of a honky-tonk on Broadway in Nashville, or closer to home walking and cycling in the Peak District National Park. |
