National Park Guides

The Ultimate Park Guides

Find your park.

Pick a park and open its complete guide: when to go, the permits and reservations, the best trails at every level, where to stay, and ready-made itineraries. Independent and unofficial, honest about the crowds.

10 parks · 80 in-depth guides · updated for 2026

Great Smoky Mountains National Park guide cover

National Park

Great Smoky Mountains

The most-visited park in America, made simple: the parking tag, the best trails, and a plan for every crowd.

8 in-depth guides

Zion National Park guide cover

National Park

Zion

The shuttle system, the Narrows and Angels Landing permits, and how to see the canyon without the queues.

8 in-depth guides

Grand Canyon National Park guide cover

National Park

Grand Canyon

South Rim versus North Rim, the best viewpoints and trails, and how to time a visit around the crowds and heat.

8 in-depth guides

Rocky Mountain National Park guide cover

National Park

Rocky Mountain

Timed-entry permits, Trail Ridge Road, and the alpine hikes that are worth the early start.

8 in-depth guides

Yosemite National Park guide cover

National Park

Yosemite

Reservations, the Valley in a day, Half Dome and the giant sequoias, planned to skip the gridlock.

8 in-depth guides

Yellowstone National Park guide cover

National Park

Yellowstone

Geysers, wildlife and the loop road in the right order, with where to stay and when to go.

8 in-depth guides

Acadia National Park guide cover

National Park

Acadia

Cadillac Mountain sunrise reservations, the carriage roads, and a coast-and-summit plan for every day.

8 in-depth guides

Grand Teton National Park guide cover

National Park

Grand Teton

The best trails and turnouts, wildlife timing, and how to pair it with Yellowstone next door.

8 in-depth guides

Joshua Tree National Park guide cover

National Park

Joshua Tree

When to go (and when not to), the classic hikes, the stargazing, and where to stay near the gates.

8 in-depth guides

Olympic National Park guide cover

National Park

Olympic

Three parks in one — coast, rainforest and alpine — mapped into itineraries that actually fit.

8 in-depth guides

© 2026 Leo Sotropa. Independent, unofficial guides. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service. Confirm current fees, closures, and reservations on nps.gov and Recreation.gov before you travel.