10 Epic National Parks That Require At Least 3 Days
Some national parks are quick hitters, like these, which I argued only need one day to see. But then there are others, like the ones below, that require you to really dive in deep and understand what makes them special.
These are some of the most treasured places in the USA, with storied history and views that will stop you in your tracks. But with that comes tons of visitors because nothing is a hidden gem anymore.
I hope you enjoy this piece and come away with inspiration to visit new places this year and in the future!
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Many other parks also need 2+ days to enjoy.
10 Jaw-Dropping National Parks You Can’t Explore in Just One Weekend!
1. Mt. Rainier National Park
Location: Washington
Why Three Days:
There are two main parts of Mount Rainier National Park and two more in the northwest corner of the park that fewer people visit, though they still offer epic sights.
When you visit, most people go to Paradise (south) or Sunrise (north). Both are exquisite, and you can’t go wrong.
However, these places are good for a day or two but not three full days (typically). This then requires driving to the other side of the mountain to see more. Unfortunately, road construction causes this a headache on weekdays. (On a weekend, you’re fine.)
You’ll want to see both sides of Mt. Rainier National Park, but you need at least three days, probably four, to do it well. Oh, and you now need permits to enter during the summer.
Four things you can’t miss:
- Skyline Loop Trail
- Freemont Lookout
- Burroughs Mountain Trail
- Tolmie Peak Lookout
2. Yosemite National Park
Location: California
Why Three Days:
Honestly, you probably want four to six days in Yosemite, but I know not everyone has that. If you want to tackle the big things and be tired by the end, you can see a lot by hiking and sightseeing all day. It’s also not a quick drive around Yosemite. The valley area is slow due to congestion, so getting up to Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows is a 90-minute-two-hour drive, depending on your final destination.
Four things you can’t miss:
- A waterfall trail: Choose either Upper Yosemite Falls or the Mist Trail
- Glacier Point and/or Taft Point
- Tuolumne Meadows (Cathedral Lakes is rad or Ten Lakes )
- Clouds Rest or Sunrise Lakes for a shorter hike
3. Olympic National Park
Location: Washington
Why Three Days:
There is a ton to do here, and it’s a four-ish hour drive from Seattle. Because of this, you’ll want to spend a few nights, enjoy the sights, and not rush. Plus, a lot of this area is single-lane driving, so no one’s zipping around.
It’s what makes this area nice. Everyone is moving a little slower and enjoying the scenery.
Four things you can’t miss:
- Hurricane Ridge
- Hoh Rainforest and Hall of Mosses
- La Push and Rialto Beach
- Lake Crescent
4. Rocky Mountain National Park
Location: Colorado
Why Three Days:
First, all access to Rocky Mountain National Park requires a day permit that must be reserved beforehand (or you can enter the park before the restricted hours). I suggest booking camping reservations or getting a spot in Estes Park. It’s mere miles from the park boundary and has tons to do.
Four things you can’t miss:
- Bear Lake area (Dream or Emerald Lake for a more accessible trail, Sky Pond or Lake Haiyaha for more strenuous hiking)
- Drive the Trail Ridge Road (closed in winter)
- Hike or snowshoe Deer Mountain
- Grand Lake area (western side of the park)
5. Wrangell St. Elias National Park
Location: Alaska
Why Three Days:
This requires a serious trek to get here, and you should stay a while, too. It’s a 7-9 hour drive from Anchorage, depending on how good the 60-mile dirt road from Chitina to McCarthy is. (It’s been improved lately but can still be slow-moving.)
But once you get to McCarthy, you want to explore. We spent two nights here and loved every second of life in this small, former mining town. It’s unbelievably beautiful, and everyone we talked to was amazing!
Four things you can’t miss:
- Hike the Root Glacier
- Take a flightseeing trip over Wrangell St. Elias
- Go rafting
- Talk to the locals
6. North Cascades National Park
Location: Washington
Why Three Days:
Funny enough, most people who visit the North Cascades never actually set foot in the National Park. They see the Ross Lake Recreation Area, but that’s not technically the National Park. But there’s a reason for that. Most of the North Cascades NP is rugged, mountainous terrain that is not suitable for typical travelers.
The one trail that I recommend everyone do is Cascade Pass. It ain’t easy, but it’ll give you epic views of the snowy peaks.
But back to why three days. This is about three hours from Seattle, which means you don’t want to go out and back in a day. So, hang out in the mountains by camping or staying in Mazama or Wintrhop. (Side note: There is not a lot of lodging near the park outside of camping.)
Four things you can’t miss:
- Cascade Pass and Sahale Glacier Camp
- Diablo Lake
- Maple Pass Trail
- Cutthroat Pass Trail
7. Denali National Park
Location: Alaska
Why Three Days:
Denali is awesome, but it’s also pretty hard to access, which is why you need at least three days. When I visited in 2021, we camped for two nights, did a couple of hikes, and enjoyed the scenery and wildlife.
You need to know that cars can only drive the first 15 miles to Savage River. To go any further, you can bike or hop on the shuttle. While there are only a handful of established trails, you can also hike on the tundra as far as you’d like. (Though you won’t get far as moving is slow.)
Four things you can’t miss:
- Savage River Trail
- Mount Healy Overlook Trail
- Driving slow and looking for wildlife
- Flightseeing over the park
8. Grand Teton National Park
Location: Wyoming
Why Three Days:
The Tetons are one of the most impressive ranges in the US and an absolute gem of a National Park. You don’t want to rush your trip here, and there are ample activities to do in the area. Furthermore, most people will split a week between Grand Teton and Yellowstone as they’re up the road from each other.
Four things you can’t miss:
- Cascade Canyon Trail
- Schwabacher’s Landing
- Delta Lake
- Jenny Lake area
9. Glacier National Park
Location: Montana
Why Three Days:
There’s a reason it’s called the Crown Jewel of the Continent. Its stunning beauty, wildlife, and ability to connect with nature make it one of the best national parks in the United States. Plus, it’s not exactly easy to get to, being in the middle of Montana.
If you can, I recommend spending 5-7 days here. You can also combine it with Yellowstone for an awesome eight-day trip.
Four things you can’t miss:
- Iceberg Lake and Grinnell Glacier Trails
- Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Bowman Lake
- Sperry Chalet
10. Redwood National Park
Location: California
Why Three Days:
Redwood National Park is in the northwest corner of California and a good six or more hours from San Francisco. Just due to the drive time, there’s no reason to do anything less than three days.
In addition, there’s a good amount to see on your way up, including Avenue of the Giants, which may delay your arrival (in a good way).
Overall, you’ll fall in love with this area and have major urges to return in the future!
Four things you can’t miss:
- Stout Grove
- Grove of the Titans
- Boyscout Tree Trail
- Fern Canyon Trail
Until next time, adventurers, take care and be safe.
