Exploring America’s National Parks in Retirement: Tips from 49 States by RV
Retirement is the perfect time to explore America’s national parks. You can travel outside of school vacations, linger in the places you love, and finally see the landscapes you have been dreaming about for years. After retiring from the Air Force, my husband and I traveled through 49 states in our RV, visiting national and state parks across the country. Those years were some of the best of our lives, and they taught me a great deal about planning park trips well.
Get the Right Park Pass
The America the Beautiful pass program offers some of the best value in travel:
- Senior Pass: U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 and older can buy a lifetime or annual pass that covers entrance fees at national parks and other federal recreation lands. The lifetime pass is one of the best bargains in travel, and it can also provide discounts on some campsites and tours.
- Military Pass: Current service members and their dependents can receive a free annual pass, and veterans and Gold Star families are eligible for a free lifetime pass.
- Access Pass: U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a permanent disability can receive a free lifetime pass.
Each pass generally covers the passholder and passengers in a single private vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas.
Travel in the Shoulder Seasons
The biggest advantage of retirement travel is flexibility. Late spring and early fall offer pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and better lodging availability at most parks. September and early October are especially beautiful in the Rockies and the Southwest. For Texans, Big Bend National Park is at its best from late fall through early spring, when desert temperatures are mild.
Plan Ahead for Lodging and Reservations
Historic in-park lodges, such as those at the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite, often book a year or more in advance. Some of the most popular parks have also used timed-entry or vehicle reservation systems during peak seasons in recent years, and the rules change from year to year. Check each park’s current requirements before you go, or let your travel advisor handle it.
RV, Road Trip, or Guided Tour?
RV travel offers unmatched freedom: your home comes with you, you can stay in park campgrounds, and you set your own pace. It also means driving a large vehicle, booking campsites well ahead, and handling maintenance on the road. For first-timers, renting an RV for a shorter trip is a smart way to test the lifestyle.
A self-drive road trip with hotel stays is simpler and works well for clusters of parks, such as Utah’s Mighty 5 or the Grand Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon loop.
Guided tours handle all the driving, lodging, and logistics, and they include expert guides who bring the parks to life. They’re an excellent choice for travelers who would rather not drive long distances or who want the companionship of a group. Our post on solo travel after 60 explains why tours work so well for solo travelers, too.
Don’t Forget Alaska and Hawaii
Some of the most spectacular national parks are best reached by sea or air. Denali, Glacier Bay, and Kenai Fjords can be combined with an Alaska cruise and land tour (see our Alaska cruise guide), while Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and Haleakalā make an unforgettable addition to a Hawaiian vacation.
Health and Comfort Tips
- Many parks sit at high elevation. Take it easy on your first day, drink plenty of water, and talk with your doctor before the trip if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Bring layers. Mountain mornings can be cold even in summer.
- Choose trails that fit your fitness level. Most major parks offer paved, accessible overlooks and shuttle systems.
- Cell service is limited in many parks, so download maps before you arrive.
Plan Your National Parks Adventure
Retire. Relax. Explore. At Krystal Travel Co. in San Antonio, Patti Kirst draws on her own years of RV travel through 49 states to help retirees plan national park road trips, guided tours, and Alaska cruise-and-land vacations. Call 210-826-4149, explore our travel services, or get in touch to start planning. Se habla español.
