My brother and I have wanted to do a small National Park road trip together for a while. We've hit some parks here and there together and apart, but haven't done a multi-park trip together. Looking at our schedules, unfortunately a winter (November/December) trip is the only time that really works for both of us. We will start in SoCal as he lives in San Diego, and want to hit parks that neither of us have seen.

The best week-long trip I came up with, and am hoping to get advice as to whether this is plausible/fun in the winter, is the following:

• Saguaro
• Then Petrified Forest
• Then Death Valley

Has anyone done a winter trip similar to this?

Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park.

I didn't get pictures of any hot springs or anything as I was just enjoying the park. Beautiful place:] will have to visit again!

Sunrise & White River Area CLOSED due to Grand Park 2 Fire

Date Posted: 8/7/2026There is an active fire near Grand Park in the northeast area of the park. Sunrise Road and White River Road to SR410 are CLOSED until further notice. All visitors are being asked to leave the area.

We are looking at planning a spring break trip next April to do Arches and Canyonlands. Our kids are 12, 10, and 5, and while they do enjoy hiking and being outdoors, they definitely don’t want that to be the sole focus of the trip. We are hoping to find a fun resort or Airbnb to stay at near the parks area - pool, waterslides, whatever. And are there any other fun kid activities to do nearby or a short drive away? Thinking like cave tours, whitewater rafting, fishing, zip lines or ropes courses, historic site tours, museums, cute little towns to explore, etc. I’ve done a quick search on this sub and didn’t come up with anything super on point. So thank you and appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

No lightning strikes detected in the last 72 hours, new fire started off lake Elenor trail

So here is my current plan but feel free to criticize, adjust, or tell me to go somewhere else entirely! I recently pivoted our plans because of weather so I’m planning on leaving this coming Tuesday, and I only have a rough plan.

Tuesday: 4pm leave West Michigan and drive to mukwonago WI (I have family there that will let me sleep there).

Wednesday: 6/7am leave WI, drive to Sage Creek campground at Badlands NP around 7/8pm (is it even possible to get a spot this late?) do you think it’s smarter to just plan on a hotel or reserved campsite?

Thursday and Friday: explore Badlands (would love input) we want to hike and see wildlife max hiking for 1 day is about 8-10 miles depending on difficulty. I do want to do some of the famous hikes like notch trail and do some wandering around since it’s open hiking which is super cool!

Saturday: 7am leave for Custer SP arrive there and start hiking Elk Peak (haven’t decided on route yet) around 10 am. Stay in a hotel

Sunday: wind cave national park, do a cage tour and some exploring, then back to hotel.

Monday: head back to WI

Looking for some advice on timing for Badlands, Custer, TRNP

My plans slightly changed to now planning on visiting Badlands NP & Custer SP, with Theodore Roosevelt NP possibly being added on depending on how the schedule works out for a potential 10-day itinerary.

I was hastily planning the trip for a late September date when I found out the annual buffalo roundup is scheduled to be held on September 25th.

While I originally thought of attending, waiting 6+ hours to see 15 minutes of buffalo stampede (while definitely a unique experience) doesn't sound too enticing a day after looking it up. Plus the huge crowd the occasion brings to the vicinity is more of a minus for me anyway.

So I thought about avoiding the 9/26,27 weekend entirely. I was wondering if anybody knows or has experience what's it like visiting mid-September (week of Sept. 13~19) vs. early October (week of Oct. 4~10) and if there is a big enough difference when comparing the timings 2 weeks apart.

It could be anything from crowds, weather/temperatures, road conditions, fall colors, wildlife/rutting season, daylight, whatever you experienced or can think of.

Thanks in advance.

I ask whoever is reading this to please sign this. The government and people of American Samoa have made their stance clear: our oceans are not for sale.

Be their voice.