Park POV
NPCA & Travelodge
Park POV
Looking to make a trip to a national park this summer? With our partners at Travelodge® by Wyndham, we tapped some of our favorite national park travelers and asked them to share about how they’d spend a day in three national parks this summer – Rocky Mountain National Park, Joshua Tree National Park and Biscayne National Park. With their tips – from the best trails to hike to easy ways to ensure a responsible visit – we’ve created itineraries to help you have your own adventures in these iconic national parks.
Travelodge has long provided a basecamp for park explorers while driving awareness for the preservation of our favorite places. With many locations close to our national parks, Travelodge is committed to helping people have enjoyable, responsible trips to national parks to ensure they’re protected for all to enjoy. No matter where you roam, be sure you check the National Park Service site in advance of visiting a park to be sure you have up-to-date information about closures, entry requirements and other important details.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Kate exploring Rocky Mountain National Park
Kate Cooper
Views like this is just one example of what you’ll find following Kate’s itinerary.
Kate Cooper
Stay on trail when you’re exploring Rocky Mountain National Park to ensure you’re protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Kate CooperLocated outside of Denver, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park is home to a dramatic landscape of towering mountains, vibrant alpine lakes and diverse wildlife. If you’re looking to spend a day in the park and get a sense for what its 265,000 acres comprises, look no further than this sample itinerary from @kateoutdoors to help you kickstart your plans.
- Start your day in Rocky Mountain National Park by visiting the Bear Lake Corridor. Be aware, there is a special timed entry ticket required for this popular area of the park, so make sure you select the “+ Bear Lake Corridor” option when making your reservation. Learn more about Rocky Mountain’s reservation system and tips before you visit here.
- Watch the sunrise at Sprague Lake, keeping your eye out for elk and moose taking a morning dip. After capturing some sunrise photos, head up the road to the Bear Lake Trailhead. If parking is already full you can park at the Park & Ride and take the shuttle up.
- You have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a hike from the Bear Lake Trailhead. For a moderate hike, Dream Lake, Nymph Lake and Emerald Lake. If you want to add some more distance you can also tack on Lake Haiyaha. If you’re prepared for a longer and more difficult hike, you can park at the Glacier Gorge Trailhead and hike up to the Loch and Sky Pond.
- Keep in mind that high-altitude hiking is challenging, especially if you’re not accustomed to it. Don’t be afraid to take things slowly and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. These are popular trails, so you’re sure to see plenty of people on your hike. Remember to pack your patience and keep in mind uphill hikers have the right of way on the trail.
- After your hike, hop in the car for a scenic drive along Trail Ridge Road. This is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. and takes drivers up to over 12,000 feet. If you stop to explore the high-alpine tundra, remember it’s incredibly fragile, so it’s important to stay on designated paths!
- On your way back down Trail Ridge Road, head over to the Fall River area of Rocky Mountain National Park. Check out the Alluvial Fan, which is accessible via a paved trail. End your day by looking for elk and watching the sunset over Longs Peak.
Biscayne National Park
Lauren enjoying the walk to the jetty at Biscayne National Park.
Lauren Gay
The park’s pristine beaches and clear water are great to take in by boat or shore.
Lauren Gay
This lighthouse stands on Boca Chita, the most visited island in the park.
Lauren GayLocated outside of Miami, Florida, Biscayne National Park offers visitors the opportunity to explore by land, boat and water to learn about some of southern Florida’s history, glimpse wildlife and get their feet wet (literally!) by kayak or snorkeling. Interested in planning your own trip to the largest marine park in the national park system? Check out the sample itinerary below from @outdoorsydiva to get some ideas for how to make the most out of your visit.
- Begin your day bright and early with a visit to the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and check out interpretive exhibits and a film about the park. This is also where many of the boat, kayak and snorkel tours around the park launch from!
- From there, head over to the Convoy Point Trail – it’s an easy .6 mile trail out to a jetty with scenic views of the bay. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for marine wildlife like fish, crab and manatees.
- The Heritage Boat Tour offered by the Biscayne National Park Institute is a great option for an informative and engaging way to explore the park. At just about three hours long, the tour travels to see other islands that make up Biscayne National Park and its 173,000 acres.
- On the tour, you’ll have an opportunity to explore Boca Chita Key via a hiking trail or enjoy the park’s pristine beaches or the lighthouse!
- The tour also offers visitors a chance to learn about the Indigenous history of the park as well as the story of the Jones family, who originally owned three of the park’s islands.
- If you plan on taking a boat tour, be sure to bring a towel as well as reef-safe sunscreen and a reusable water bottle to keep the water free of harmful chemicals and trash. A change of clothes and bathing suits are also must-haves for visitors who plan to explore the park by water.
- Interested in making a splash during your visit? Snorkeling and kayaking are great options for adventurers of all ages and gives visitors the chance to see wildlife close up, explore shipwrecks as well as see the park from a different perspective. These experiences must be booked in advance, so be sure to make a plan prior to your visit.
Joshua Tree National Park
Bee recommends taking in sunset from Joshua Tree National Park
Bee’s Wild Life
A walk through cholla is a must-do when visiting Joshua Tree
Bee’s Wild Life
Known for climbing, the park boasts plenty of stunning rock formations
Bee’s Wild LifeWhile this California park might be best known for its namesake trees, there’s plenty to see and experience both within and beyond the gates. Preserving portions of two desert ecosystems – the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert – visitors have the chance to explore cacti, rock formations and wildlife all in one park. Keep reading to get ideas for how you can have an enjoyable – and responsible – visit to this park thanks to tips from @beeswildlife.
- Start your day off with a beautiful view by taking in sunrise in the park. While there are plenty of plays to catch a spectacular view of a new day dawning, the adventurous will enjoy the reward of a strenuous 3-mile hike to the summit of Ryan Mountain for a spectacular view. Looking for something more accessible? Drive to Keys View – no hike required.
- If you’re visiting during the spring, summer or early fall months, plan to get your more active exploring done early in the day to avoid the heat. The Arch Rock and Heart Rock Trail is great to experience in the early and mid-mornings, as this 1.5-mile, easy hike doesn’t offer much in the way of shade. For something shorter, try the quarter-mile loop in the Cholla Cactus Garden.
- While Joshua Tree National Park is in the desert, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do nearby. If you’re looking for a break from the heat after your morning adventuring, head into the town of Joshua Tree for plenty of thrift stores, antique shops and dining options. Many places have live music, too!
- Once you’ve refueled and the sun’s a little lower in the sky, make your way back into the park for more hiking. Joshua Tree is famous for climbing, and there’s no better place to watch climbers scale the park’s iconic rocks than the Hall of Horrors – it’s also a great spot for a picnic, but make sure you bring reusable items to ensure no trash is left behind in the park. Skull Rock is another visitor favorite spot to explore, and there’s a parking lot just steps from the rock formation making it a great, accessible option for all.
- If you didn’t catch the sunrise at Key’s View, it’s another great place to take in a sunset – just be sure to arrive early as parking can be congested close to twilight.
Since 2015, NPCA and Travelodge® by Wyndham have partnered to protect and preserve our public lands while sharing information to help you learn about the National Park System and plan your own adventures. Here are more resources we’ve created together to help you plan memorable – and responsible – national park visits.
Insider Guides
Travel Itin landing video thumbnail
© Bun/Adobe Stock
Full of fascinating and practical information to help you plan trips to parks like Gettysburg National Military Park, Olympic National Park and more, these guides are a great first stop to take a look at when planning your park visit.
Hidden Gems Guides
[hidden gems] map image
Image by StockSnap from Pixabay
Take a closer look at some lesser-known sites within our national parks in our Hidden Gems guides, designed to help you learn more about unique vistas, little-known history and places off the beaten path in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Devil’s Tower National Monument and more!
Family Park Guides
[TRAVELODGE] Landing page Banner
Yellowstone National Park
Jeromey Baldera/UnsplashLooking to make a park visit with your family? We have the inside scoop on tips to make sure your trip is a success! Rocky Mountain National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park are just two of the parks in our Family Park Guides series, with useful information to help you plan an enjoyable trip for everyone in the family.
Tips for Your Next Park Visit Park Talk
Travelodge Park Talk evite
© Elliott Engelmann
Whether you’re considering visiting a national park for the first time or you’re a seasoned park frequenter, planning a trip can be challenging. In this Park Talk, you’ll hear from well-traveled panelists who share helpful information about the national park trips they have taken and the tips and tricks they utilize to make their trips successful. Plus, check out some of the resources they used to plan their own trips here.
Travelodge is energizing adventure with the National Parks Conservation Association. With a large footprint close to national parks, Travelodge is driving awareness for the preservation of our nation’s favorite places while providing a basecamp for adventurers to refuel for the day to come. Between February 21, 2023 and June 22, 2024, NPCA members receive up to 20% off their stay at any Travelodge and 5% is donated to NPCA! Click here to learn more.
