West Glacier — Travelrags

Lonely PlanetSep 1, 2026

15 US National Parks Perfect for Fall Road Trips

Fall is an awesome season for road trips. These US national parks are driving destinations that deliver on foliage, fresh air and much more.

24 things in this story

Belton ChaletHotel100-year-old fireplace and scenic views
Elsewhere
Yosemite National ParkHotelYosemite Valley, United Statesoverlooked fall escape with fewer crowds
Snake RiverPlaceGrand Teton National Park, United StatesFloat trip destination
Shenandoah National ParkSightShenandoah, United Stateseasy fall getaway two hours from Washington, DC
Skyline DriveSightShenandoah, United StatesCruise to hit dozens of overlooks
Old RagTrailShenandoah, United Statesday-use tickets required
HawksbillTrailShenandoah, United Statespark’s highest point for birds-eye views
Lewis Spring FallsTrailShenandoah, United Statesmoderately difficult 3.6-mile loop hike
Cadillac MountainTrailAcadia, United Statessunrise hike
BeehiveTrailAcadia, United Statesclassic hike
Schoodic PeninsulaNeighborhoodAcadia, United Statesquieter area for tidepooling and sunset views
Ravens NestSightAcadia, United Statescatch the sunset behind Cadillac
Haborside HotelHotelAcadia, United Statesproperty that's New England chic with every luxury
Salt CottagesHotelAcadia, United Statesretro feel with fun amenities
Glacier National ParkSightGlacier, United StatesWestern larches blaze against evergreens in October
Going-to-the-Sun RoadSightGlacier, United Statesroad with roadside color show
Lake McDonaldSightGlacier, United Statesstroll destination
Hidden LakeTrailGlacier, United Stateshike destination
Two MedicineSightGlacier, United Stateslesser-visited area to explore
Highway 2SightGlacier, United Statesroadside color show
Montana Coffee TradersCaféWhitefish, United Statescoffee shop
Wawona Swinging BridgeSightYosemite Valley, United Statesdetour for rainbow of fall color
Merced River CanyonSightYosemite Valley, United Statesscenic drive along river
Serrano's Mexican RestaurantRestaurantEast Glacier, United States

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OutsideAug 31

The Amtrak Empire Builder Route Makes an Incredible Cross-Country Hiking Trip

From prairie grasslands in the Midwest to mountain peaks in Glacier National Park, the Empire Builder Route strings together hiking trails across the northern U.S.

24 things in this story

Going-to-the-Sun RoadTrailFamous road with multiple roadside trailhead stops.
Two MedicineNeighborhoodQuieter southeast corner of Glacier National Park.
Scenic Point TrailTrail7.4-mile round-trip trail to see where plains crash into Rockies.
Running Eagle Falls TrailTrailFlat half-mile trail to a waterfall from a hidden cave.
Glacier Park LodgeHotelOffers shuttle service to Two Medicine Lake and St. Mary Village.
Dawson-Pitamakan LoopTrail18-mile loop overlapping the Continental Divide Trail.
Elsewhere
The Outerbelt TrailTrailChicago, United States210-mile backpacking route connecting Chicago's urban greenway.
Camp Bullfrog LakeHotelChicago, United StatesLakeside campground for hikers on The Outerbelt Trail.
Camp Shabbona WoodsHotelChicago, United StatesTree-engulfed campground for hikers on The Outerbelt Trail.
Union StationSightChicago, United StatesAmtrak's departure station in Chicago.
Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural AreaNature reserveWisconsin Dells, United StatesThe Dells of the Wisconsin River encompasses over five miles of the Wisconsin River corridor with a spectacular gorge,…
Chapel Gorge TrailTrailWisconsin Dells, United StatesHike to the river's edge through quiet pine forest.
Witches GulchAttractionWisconsin Dells, United StatesShort, stunning hidden slot canyon trail.
Devil's Lake State ParkNature reserveBaraboo, United StatesWisconsin's most-visited state park with quartzite bluffs.
East Bluff TrailTrailBaraboo, United StatesTrail atop quartzite bluffs with scenic views.
Ice Age TrailTrailBaraboo, United StatesLong-distance trail for a more rugged adventure.
Perrot State ParkNature reserveTrempealeau, United StatesPark with wildflower hiking season between March and May.
Perrot Ridge to Brady's Bluff LoopTrailTrempealeau, United States3.5-mile loop bagging two park summits with overlooks.
Great River Bluffs State ParkParkWinona, United StatesPark with blufftop perch 500 feet above the river.
King's Bluff TrailTrailWinona, United States2.5-mile out-and-back trail to a blufftop perch.
Little Missouri State ParkSightBillings County, United StatesPark with rugged badlands terrain and 45 miles of trails.
Little Missouri LoopTrailBillings County, United States6.9-mile loop through grasslands and sculpted rock formations.
Pend d’Oreille Bay TrailTrailSandpoint, United StatesThree-mile out-and-back lakeshore path with mountain views.
Sandpoint TrailTrailSandpoint, United StatesTrailhead on the shore of Lake Pend Oreille.

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OutsideJun 8

Officials Have Officially Banned Tents at a Popular Yellowstone-Area Camp Amid Growing Grizzly Concerns

Following heightened grizzly activity, the government has banned tents and soft-sided trailers at a Yellowstone-area campsite in Montana.

6 things in this story

Fishing Bridge RV ParkSightYellowstone National Park, United Statesprohibits soft-sided sleeping setups
Carbella Recreation SiteSightGardiner, United Statestent camping banned until December 31 due to grizzly bears
Yellowstone RiverTrailGardiner, United Statespopular boating launch point for floating through Paradise Valley
Rocky Mountain National ParkHotelEstes Park, United StatesThe park is situated between the towns of Estes Park to the east and Grand Lake to the west.
Grand Teton National ParkSightMoose, United StatesAt approximately 310,000 acres, the park includes the major peaks of the 40-mile-long (64 km) Teton Range as well as…
Hidden Lake trailheadTrailGlacier National Park, United Statesclosed in 2020 due to bear activity

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OutsideMay 7

Is There a Good Way to Visit Our National Parks in 2026? It's Complicated.

The same record-breaking crowds that are ruining the experience at places like Yellowstone and Yosemite may be the only thing keeping them protected from budget cuts and development.

4 things in this story

Yosemite Falls TrailTrailYosemite National Park, United StatesPopular trail with a steady stream of hikers.
YellowstoneSightYellowstone National Park, United StatesPark on track to spend $1.5 billion to update wastewater systems.
Sarah LeonardPlaceEstes Park, United StatesCEO of Visit Estes Park.
Cassidy JonesPlaceYellowstone National Park, United States

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Condé Nast TravelerDec 4, 2025

The 50 Most Beautiful Places in the US

“America the Beautiful,” indeed.

5 things in this story

Grand Prismatic SpringSightYellowstone National Park, United StatesLargest hot spring in the US, a rainbow ring of colors.
Highway 1HotelBig Sur, United StatesIconic American road trip route along the coast.
Cades CoveSightGreat Smoky Mountains National Park, United StatesVerdant valley with wildlife viewing opportunities.
Angel OakSightCharleston, United StatesOne of the most beautiful places in America.
Clay Head PreserveSightBlock Island, United States190-acre nature conservancy with walking paths.

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Condé Nast TravelerNov 12, 2025

There's Another Chance to See the Northern Lights in the US Tonight—Here's How

Where and when to see the northern lights in the United States on November 12, according to an aurora chaser.

5 sights in this story

Glacier National ParkSightFollowing a fatal encounter in Glacier and a double-mauling in Yellowstone, expert bear biologist Chris Servheen…
Elsewhere
Boundary Waters Canoe Area WildernessSightEly, United StatesIt comprises 1,090,000 acres (440,000 ha) of pristine forests, glacial lakes, and streams.
Voyageurs National ParkSightInternational Falls, United StatesIt is located near the city of International Falls.
Big Cypress National PreserveNature reserveOchopee, United Statesofficially designated Dark Sky Place for stargazing
Katahdin Woods and Waters National MonumentSightMillinocket, United States

Read the full piece at Condé Nast Traveler →