It’s summer travel season and let’s be honest, not everyone can afford to fly to a tropical destination or cruise around the world. And with kids, it’s often more trouble than it’s worth. This summer I’m thrilled to partner with Alamo to share with you some of my top western park road trip destinations for families when you fly into Southern California.
When I think of road trips I always think of the movie Vacation with Chevy Chase. Remember how much Clark Griswold wanted to have the perfect road trip with his family so they hit the road to drive cross country only to encounter every possible problem you could think of? While that’s obviously a fictional story, road trips are real! And I’ve been scouring SoCal and beyond looking for some great outdoor adventures. I hope this list helps you narrow down your travel plans and you get to have your own Griswold moments!
Top Western Park Road Trips For Families
1.Joshua Tree National Park
I have to start with Joshua Tree because my family took an incredible trip there last fall and I can’t stop thinking about it. We stayed at Hicksville Trailer Palace and it was just what the doctor ordered. I was recovering from surgery and needed to get away for a while, but wasn’t ready to commit to a long haul away from home. It took us about 2 hours to get to this little hideaway, which is kept secret from the public. You can only find out the location once you reserve a trailer. No geo-tagging, no checking in on your location. It’s secluded and honestly your head and heart will thank you for unplugging.
2. Sequoia National Park
Moving further away from LA you find there’s a great big world out there. And it doesn’t get much bigger than the majestic trees of the Sequoia National Park. This park has been on my destination list since we moved to SoCal. It’s about a 3 1/2 hour drive from LA and a great weekend getaway spot. There is limited lodging but plenty of room for campers and families who want to sleep outdoors. Just FYI, because it’s a popular weekend spot there can be long lines of cars driving up the mountain pass on Friday and Saturdays so be prepared for traffic congestion.
3. Yellowstone National Park
Let’s say you have a week or more to spend traveling around the country then you want to put Yellowstone National Park on your list. Alamo has wonderful details on this park and what to see when you get there so make sure you check out their helpful hints.
When I look at the pictures from Yellowstone it makes me feel very nostalgic for a time when things were slower. We weren’t attached to our phones and constantly on the go. It also reminds me of how much the earth is changing. There’s so much to learn from our parks that it’s a great way to sneak in some education when your kids think they’re just vacationing.
4. Emerald Bay State Park
If you want less hiking and more water adventures, it doesn’t get more beautiful than Emerald Bay State Park. In 1969, Emerald Bay was designated a National Natural Landmark for its brilliant panorama of mountain-building processes and glacier carved granite. The natural beauty, geology and history of this unique island make it one of the highlights of any visit to the Lake Tahoe area. he park features Vikingsholm, one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere and the “Tea House” on Fannette Island, the only island to be found in all of Lake Tahoe. It’s about an 8 hour drive from LA so make sure you have more than a few days to stay and enjoy before you hit the road.
5. Glacier National Park
If breathtaking views and Switzerland is your deal, then you want to take a few extra days and head to Glacier National Park. Did you know this park was established in 1910 and nicknamed “America’s Switzerland”? You’ll find lodges that have a Swiss-style architecture as well as plenty of spots for lakeside camping.
This is the stuff Instagram was made for. Alamo has great tips on where to eat and sleep when visiting Glacier so take a look at their Self-Driving Tours of Western National Parks before you go.
6. Pony Express National Historic Trail
You don’t need a pony to travel the Pony Express trail these days. You can drive this historic and scenic route from your car and pass through some of America’s most beautiful parks along the way. It is hard to believe that young men once rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in only 10 days. They created a relay system along the Pony Express National Historic Trail in eight states was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications before the telegraph.
There are several historic stops along the way including the John Hutchings Museum of Natural History in Utah. The kids can check off each monument, lodge, and Pony Express station when you drive through. This is obviously a much longer trip reserved for those with a few weeks off and a passion for history.
These are just a few ideas to get you started on your summer road trip journey. What parks are on your list? Our country has so much beauty and it’s worth taking the times to explore with your kids. And hopefully your trip will be less Vacation, and more of a vacation!
*Disclaimer: I was compensated for my work with Alamo on this post. For more information, please visit my disclaimers page.
