National Parks · NATIONAL PARK DAY TRIPS IN THE USA

The 15 Best US National Park Day Trips

28 tours  ·  from $86 a head

A long American day out is measured in hours on the interstate as much as hours in the park. These 15 say how much of each is which, with pickup points in Las Vegas, San Francisco, Miami and Denver.

Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco - Tunnel View gives you Yosemite’s grand introduction
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Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

1.Small Group Yosemite and Giant Sequoias Day Trip from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,671 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $239Our pick

Leave San Francisco before sunrise for Yosemite with a group of no more than 15. Walk beneath giant sequoias, see Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls, then enjoy free time in Yosemite Valley. Guides such as Derek, Trevor, Kurt, and Steven add stories and practical help.

“Overall, quite a good experience. Brian S is very knowledgeable, and you can tell he is passionate when he explains the movie and the history of the mountains. Interesting experience to look for climbers at El Cap mountain. However just a few things to note: The roads get really winding so do prepare some motion sickness pills ahead of time! Also be prepared for the trip to be 1) mostly getting up and down the bus for photos (except free time 2 hours during lunch), 2) have a tedious trail at the sequoia tree area (note that there’s nothing much to do if you choose not to go on the…”

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Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco - Tunnel View gives you the classic first look
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Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco

2.Yosemite Highlights & Giant Sequoias Day Tour from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,455 reviews · 14 to 15 hours (approx.) · from $219

Leave San Francisco before sunrise for a full-day Yosemite trip with guides such as Glenda, Gino, Andy, or Rob. See Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Tuolumne Grove, with free time to walk, eat, and take photos.

“Very well organized tour. Our guide Glenda was professional, warm and funny. The drive was very pleasant”

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From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip - The 5:00 to 6:00 AM pickup sets the pace
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From Las Vegas: Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip

3.Grand Canyon South Rim Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 2,147 reviews · from $86Best value

Leave Las Vegas before sunrise for a full-day South Rim trip with hotel-area pickup, Route 66 scenery, Mather Point, Bright Angel, and about three hours at the canyon. English-speaking guides such as Curty, Robert, Russ, and Kevin lead the day. Breakfast and lunch are available with selected options.

“We had a wonderful experience on this day trip! It was the first time my daughter saw the Grand Canyon & we loved the hike & time on our own! Our guide Ita was awesome too!! Thank you for helping us make wonderful family memories!!”

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Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour - The 4:30 a.m. start from Las Vegas
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Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour

4.Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,658 reviews · 17 to 19 hours (approx.) · from $336

Leave Las Vegas at 4:30 a.m. in a small van for Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and two South Rim viewpoints. A Navajo guide leads the canyon visit, while guides such as Noreen, Orlando, Tim, and Rigo handle the driving, timing, stories, and photo stops. Lunch and admission fees are included.

“The tour to Horse shoe bend, Antelope Canyon and the Grand Canyon was unforgettable. Probably one of the most remarkable experiences I’ve had. Terry and Yumezo (Yu) were the perfect guides. They were so accommodating, pleasant, great drivers. Terry’s playlist during the drives were spot on. Very well curated which made these long trips fun and relaxing. Really an A+ staff. Thomas, our local guide at Antelope Canyon was extraordinary. He is a Native American from Navajo nation. He was humming native songs as we made our way into the mesmerizing beautiful canyon. He had a great sense of humor, told us stories and pointed out incredible natural carvings on…”

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From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour - Grand Teton at first light
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From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour

5.From Jackson Hole: Yellowstone Old Faithful, Waterfalls and Wildlife Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,557 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $329

Leave Jackson or Teton Village before sunrise for a small-group tour through Grand Teton and Yellowstone. A naturalist guide such as Kelsey, Kyle, Steve, or Amanda may lead the day, spotting wildlife and explaining geology, wildfires, history, and ecology. Lunch, snacks, drinks, binoculars, and hotel pickup are included.

“Recommend this tour, so much to see definitely saw more on this tour than I would have on my own. Best experience on my trip.”

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From SF: Yosemite Day Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike & Pickup - The pre-dawn pickup and long ride east
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From SF: Yosemite Day Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike & Pickup

6.From SF: Yosemite Day Trip with Giant Sequoias Hike & Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,331 reviews · 14 hours · from $239

Travel from San Francisco to Yosemite in a small luxury van with an English-speaking guide such as Derek, Kurt, Calder, or Brian. See Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and Valley View, then hike to Tuolumne Grove when conditions allow.

“Steven took us on a scenic tour to the park full of great photo spots. He was well prepared, super friendly, and entertaining. The hikes along the route were suitable for all fitness levels. We had a great time.”

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Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab - Island in the Sky changes the scale of the trip
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Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab

7.Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Tour from Moab

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,074 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $196

Ride with NAVTEC Expeditions from Moab into Canyonlands National Park in a 4WD vehicle. Your guide handles the rough Shafer Trail while you see Pueblo rock art, Musselman Arch, Gooseneck Overlook, and Colorado River views. Choose a morning, afternoon, or sunset departure.

“Adam was awesome. Very knowledgeable and funny had a great time and somehow Adam managed to produce a greathorn sheep for me.”

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Grand Teton Half Day Tour - Jackson pickup and the route toward Mormon Row
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Grand Teton Half Day Tour

8.Grand Teton Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,067 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $149

Spend about four hours exploring Grand Teton National Park from Jackson or Teton Village with a naturalist guide such as Luke, Joe, Shane, or Eddie. Expect wildlife stops, Mormon Row, Jackson Lake, Oxbow Bend, scenic overlooks, snacks, water, hotel pickup, and shared spotting scopes.

“The tour was great. Lots of wildlife and spectacular views. Luke, our guide was great and very knowledgeable.”

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Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour - Marymere Falls and the first real walk
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Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour

9.Best of Olympic National Park from Seattle: All-Inclusive Small-Group Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,006 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $368

Spend about 12 hours exploring Olympic National Park with a naturalist guide such as Evan, Marty, Alex, or Brent. Ride the Bainbridge ferry, walk beside Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls, seek mountain views at Hurricane Ridge, and enjoy lunch, snacks, gear, and downtown Seattle pickup.

“Perfect for wanting to get a taste of Olympic National Park from one day in Seattle. Matt was an excellent tour guide and really went the extra mile both figuratively and literally. One thing I wish I'd done is packed my water shoes/swimsuit/towel so I could've jumped into Lake Crescent.”

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Yosemite National Park: Full Day Tour from San Francisco - Crossing the Bay Bridge and California’s Central Valley
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Yosemite National Park: Full Day Tour from San Francisco

10.Yosemite National Park: Full Day Tour from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 937 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $199

Ride from San Francisco to Yosemite in a group of up to 45, with English commentary, stops at Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and about three hours to explore Yosemite Valley independently. Guides vary, with past departures led by Don, Dave, Brian, Jerry, and Roman.

“It’s all about Don!!!! He was a fantastic host and so full of knowledge - we knew it was gonna be a long day - our trip went over about 3hrs - towards the end our family could not wait for it to be over - the bus was comfortable but when it went fast and over big bumps it was painful - in our 15hr trip - we walked around Yosemite for 3 hrs + 2 x 30 min break + a 10 min break - so there is a huge amount of sitting. Yosemite sold itself (everything they say it is - is true). It is a shame…”

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From San Francisco: Day Trip to Yosemite National Park - San Francisco’s early start and the Bay Bridge views
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From San Francisco: Day Trip to Yosemite National Park

11.Day Trip to Yosemite National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 883 reviews · 15 hours · from $209

Travel from San Francisco to Yosemite in a biofuel mini-coach with an English-speaking guide. Expect Central Valley scenery, Tunnel View, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls, and three hours of free time. Guides such as Kika, Noah, Aiden, Sharon, and Brian have been praised for clear advice and safe driving.

“The trip to Yosemite National Park was really amazing. Dr.Shashi Panikar The Economics Club Mumbai.”

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Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco - Gold Country stories on the way to the park
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Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco

12.Yosemite Day Tour from San Francisco

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 713 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $209

Leave San Francisco early for Yosemite in a biofueled mini-coach with a guide such as Sharon, Jordan, or Lawton. See Tunnel View, Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Yosemite Falls, then enjoy about three hours to hike, bike, or explore Yosemite Valley independently.

“Yesterday's trip was smooth and awesome. I would like to thank Lawton, our tour guide for the incredible job. He has good communication skills and knows everything you need to know about history, trivia and etc.Had a safe and fun tour yesterday . Worth the price”

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Yellowstone Lower Loop Full-Day Tour - The ride from Jackson to Yellowstone
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Yellowstone Lower Loop Full-Day Tour

13.Yellowstone Lower Loop Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 687 reviews · 10 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $325

Spend 10 to 12 hours touring Yellowstone’s lower loop from Jackson or Teton Village with guides such as David, Luke, John, Joe, and Andy. Expect Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon, Hayden Valley wildlife, lunch, snacks, binoculars, and round-trip hotel pickup in a small group of up to nine.

“We had a great group in our van. The guide was awesome with historical and scientific information. He made the tour and would recommend”

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Best of Death Valley Small Group Day Tour from Las Vegas - A Quirky First Stop at the Area 51 Alien Center
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Best of Death Valley Small Group Day Tour from Las Vegas

14.Best of Death Valley Small Group Day Tour from Las Vegas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 644 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $199

Leave Las Vegas before sunrise for a 11 to 12-hour small-group journey through Death Valley. Guides Brian and Jason lead visits to Rhyolite, Badwater Basin, Artists Palette, Zabriskie Point, and Dante’s View, with a restaurant meal and pickup from the Strip or downtown.

“Thank you Jason for guiding us with your knowledge and expertise getting us to see the breathtaking sunrise at Dante’s view (3 ahhh… moments) right on time and walk on salt flat at Badwater without a crowd. Sites and sceneries are breathtaking (as they supposed to be) but this experience with you leading the way and entertaining is what makes my solo traveling trip enjoyable and memorable (even though my love one refused to come on a trip with me). I would give you more stars (than 5) if I could and looking forward to do the off-road with you in the future.”

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Mt Rainier National Park Small Group Day Tour from Seattle 2CanGo - Your Seattle pickup and the long ride south
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Mt Rainier National Park Small Group Day Tour from Seattle 2CanGo

15.Mt Rainier National Park Small Group Day Tour from Seattle 2CanGo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 641 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $148

Spend 10 to 11 hours exploring Mount Rainier National Park from Seattle in a group of up to 12. Expect hotel pickup, park admission, snacks, water, lunch, short hikes, and seasonal stops such as Longmire, Christine Falls, Paradise, Reflection Lakes, or the Wonderland Trail. Guides may include Ryan, Jennifer, Andy, Chris, or Duan.

“Our tour guide was Jacki Zhang. He was very helpful. We had a dely from cruise port yo our hotel and he patiently waited for us to arrive and check in. He took us to key places were we could enjoy Mt Rainier, different falls and the reflection lake. Got great pictures. Provided us with water and snacks. I will recommend this tour. 100%.”

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