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National Park Adventure Vacations

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Wonder awaits on a national parks adventure. Discover stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and heart-pumping activities on a vacation of a lifetime.

They’re called America’s best idea for a reason, and they are always worth exploring. On a National Park tour, you’ll actively explore and experience these protected lands; stepping off the beaten path and discovering a world that not every visitor gets to witness. This is where the true adventure takes place.

The varied geography and climate of the parks offer a range of activities from hiking and biking to rafting, fishing, and even relaxing by a campfire. National Park adventure vacations combine travel with action, allowing you to experience the environment with activities that are ideally suited for your destination.

To help you sort through all the information, we’ve developed a National Parks Vacation Planning Guide. Download it today for expert insights and planning information we’ve gathered over the decades.

National Park Tours for Families and Small Groups

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What our guests say about their National Park Adventures

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Arches & Canyonlands Adventure - April 2023

Arches/Canyonlands

"What a great 6 day adventure, everything from the rafting down the Colorado to the… read more

"What a great 6 day adventure, everything from the rafting down the Colorado to the hiking and biking in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Our guides Steve and Joel were excellent: very knowledgeable, funny, interesting and took care of all our needs. Food was excellent AND healthy. read less

5 Stars (56 reviews)

Edward Fitzpatrick,

Yellowstone in Winter - February 2023

Amazing winter adventure

"The scenery was magical and our guides were excellent! read more

"The scenery was magical and our guides were excellent! read less

5 Stars (24 reviews)

Elizabeth,

Yellowstone in Winter - February 2023

Wonderful Winter Wander in Yellowstone

"The trip to Yellowstone was a great mix of wildlife watching, amazing scenery, and winter… read more

"The trip to Yellowstone was a great mix of wildlife watching, amazing scenery, and winter activities. Our two guides, Steve and Kathy, did a great job of letting us know what each day's agenda was going to be and that we had what we needed to have a wonderful day. It ranged from watching wolves and bison, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, to relaxing in a hot springs pool. They made sure everyone's needs were attended to and had options from which to choose. I really enjoyed all the different activities and the comradery that developed among our group. Thank you for an excellent adventure!
Please keep my review anonymous read less

5 Stars (24 reviews)

Kyra,

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure - October 2022

Arches & Canyonlands Adventure

"Wonderful!
Exceeded my expectations! read more

"Wonderful!
Exceeded my expectations!
read less

4 Stars (56 reviews)

Karen,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Lots of new sights and experiences. Having two guides on the trip provided lots of… read more

"Lots of new sights and experiences. Having two guides on the trip provided lots of flexibility and made linear walks possible. read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

Michael,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"The Mighty Five was a wonderful adventure. Meghan and Steve are EXCELLENT guides who… read more

"The Mighty Five was a wonderful adventure. Meghan and Steve are EXCELLENT guides who are flexible, calm, fun to talk with and exude enthusiasm. Glitches do not phase them (traveler who needs extra, people with covid).
The parks are amazing beyond words. I am pleased we did the direction (Zion first and Canyonlands last) but can see positives with the opposite as they would increase in difficulty). Fellow travelers were wonderful and lots of fun, although you have no control over that ! read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

Mary,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"The guides, Megan and Steve, were wonderful and guided us to trails and experiences with… read more

"The guides, Megan and Steve, were wonderful and guided us to trails and experiences with masterly of the areas visited. The scenery was beyond belief, and our group enjoyed one another as well as the accommodations at each site. The larger venues (Zion and Moab) had the best lodging and food options, but even the smaller areas were quite acceptable and hospitable. I read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

Lynne,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Megan and Steve represented your organization in an outstanding way. They clearly love the… read more

"Megan and Steve represented your organization in an outstanding way. They clearly love the outdoors, were knowledgeable about the parks and natural elements. They engaged the entire group and were patient and kind to everyone. They were also a lot of fun which was contagious. read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

Dawn,

Mighty Five Adventure - October 2022

The guides were the best

"Could not have been happier with our guides. The accommodations were perfect, meals were great… read more

"Could not have been happier with our guides. The accommodations were perfect, meals were great and everything was well organized. Our guides were flexible and worked on itinerary to make it suit our group. They were very knowledgeable, made everything fun with little surprises along the way. Highly recommend Megan and Bryson. read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

Kim, Canada

Grand Canyon Adventure - September 2022

Grand Canyon Adventure

"EVERYTHING WAS FANTASTIC!!!! We had a great trip! All the activities were super… read more

"EVERYTHING WAS FANTASTIC!!!! We had a great trip! All the activities were super and it was a great variety of things to do. We loved it. Austin Adventures goes above and beyond what we even could imagine!! read less

5 Stars (27 reviews)

Lynn,

Grand Canyon Adventure - September 2022

Grand Canyon Adventure

"great adventure outstanding guides read more

"great adventure outstanding guides read less

5 Stars (27 reviews)

Kent,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Though the natural beauty of the parks make this trip excellent, your guides put it… read more

"Though the natural beauty of the parks make this trip excellent, your guides put it over the top. read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

Richard,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Best trip ever! A perfect combination of great guides, comfortable transportation, exciting and beautiful… read more

"Best trip ever! A perfect combination of great guides, comfortable transportation, exciting and beautiful destinations, good food and nice fellow adventurers. My wife had been a little hesitant about the heights before the trip but on the way home she asked where our next Austin Adventure should be. Thanks to all for expanding our horizons and running an exceptional tour! read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

George,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"Overall, things were well-planned and organized by the guides, which lead to a successful trip.… read more

"Overall, things were well-planned and organized by the guides, which lead to a successful trip. I oved hiking in the beautiful National Parks of southern Utah and that meals, lodging and travel were all taken care of for me.
However, my enjoyment of this trip was undermined by the presence of one guest. He was much older than everyone else, at 78 years old. He had a level of fitness in his legs, but was stooped over and waddled from side to side when he walked, which effected his gait and balance. Most important he was not a hiker, ill-prepared for the trip and wore gym shoes. Proper hiking shoes are essential and this became a huge safety issue starting on day 2 when hiking in Fisher Towers. The trails are very narrow, rocky with cliffs on one side. It was a miracle that he did not fall, between his unsteady gait and slippery bottomed shoes. From that point on, one the guides needed to be near him on hiking trips. We offered him a hiking pole, which he often dragged on the ground.
This should be addressed by Active/Austin Adventures. A guest who is not suitable for an active outdoor hiking trip, on trails that were moderate-strenuous at times with narrow passages and cliffs, and who is not wearing appropriate hiking shoes is very unsafe. Moreover, traveling with an ill-prepared guest read less

4 Stars (58 reviews)

Dusty,

Mighty Five Adventure - September 2022

Mighty Five Adventure

"It was a fantastic experience! read more

"It was a fantastic experience! read less

5 Stars (58 reviews)

Annette,

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Secure Your Spot Now, Pay the Rest Later

As members of the Active Adventures family, Austin Adventures offers booking assurance that allows you to secure your spot with a deposit now and pay the rest later. Plus, if your plans change or you can’t travel, you can transfer your booking or request a refund on any additional funds paid (less deposit) up to 90 days from your original trip start date.  

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Finding the Best National Parks to Visit

When looking for the best national parks to visit, consider what you'd like to see and do, then consult the experts who explore them for fun.

Several of America’s most incredible national parks are our weekend playgrounds, while others have left an indelible mark on our souls after visiting. Read our list of the best national parks to visit and consider adding one or two of them to your own must-visit list. 

national parks vacations

Small Group National Park Vacations for Adults and Families

National Parks vacations are a great way for families to connect while exploring some of the most unique places on earth. From the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone to the epic views of the Grand Canyon, there are countless treasures for families to experience on a national parks vacation. In a small group led by seasoned pros, you’ll have unparalleled insider access and enjoy included activities that are geared towards families.

Looking for an adult-only national parks vacation? We offer those, too! Our expertise spans generations, allowing you to fully experience your destination in a way that’s fun and memorable. 

Meet Your National Park Adventure Guides

National Park Adventure Blogs

National Park Adventure FAQs

Do you recommend buying travel insurance?

As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.

What's included on your North America trips?

Accommodation

We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.

Transport

We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimise your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!

Meals

Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!

All Guiding Services

Each trip features two or three incredible guides and our average guest to guide ratio is 6:1. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.

Activities

Any activity described in our itinerary, such as hiking, rafting, horseback riding, kayaking and biking, are included in your trip cost. Our itineraries are pretty jam-packed to maximize our time spent exploring in these amazing places, and your guides will make it clear if there are additional activities available (at your expense).

How many people are there on each of our North America trips?

We get a real variety of people on our trips and they all seem to have one thing in common – a love of the outdoors! Our trips can accommodate up to 22 guests, depending on each departure. Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and generally feature a mix of singles, couples and friends, and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.

Do you charge a forced single supplement if I'm a solo traveller?

We regularly accommodate single guests on our group trips and there’s no forced single supplement if you don’t mind sharing a room (you might even get a room to yourself sometimes). If you prefer not to share a room at all, you can upgrade to a single room.
PLEASE NOTE: If you book within 90 days and you’re a Forced single, you’ll be required to pay for your own room.

If I book a trip with my children, will I be sharing a room with them?

Active Adventures & Austin Adventures family vacations are naturally about spending time with family and as such, most families opt to share rooms on our trips. At time of booking, families consisting of four guests with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at the guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What if I need a special diet?

We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:

  • vegan (no meat or animal products)
  • vegetarian (no meat products)
  • pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
  • no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
  • no pork (eat chicken & fish)
  • gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
  • lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
  • picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or the online travel wallet.

 

How much luggage can I bring on the North America trips?

You'll need one piece of luggage, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage can be a soft sided duffel or a suitcase with wheels, and you'll need a good quality 18-24 liter daypack to carry with you throughout the days on the trails.

As far as extra luggage goes, if there's not too much (such as one small extra bag per person) then it shouldn't be a problem to fit it in our luggage trailer during the trip. If you've got more than that, then all major airports have luggage facilities available on a weekly basis, or if you are staying at a pre-trip hotel they may be able to store it for you until you return too.

How much spending money should I bring and where do I get cash?

You'll be able to find a reliable ATM once you arrive to start your trip, within the township or at the airport you land in, as national park ATM locations are sparse at best. Aside from tips for your guides, you could bring $200 and go home with change though some people like to bring some cash to cover a round of drinks, a few souvenirs, and dinner on "night on your own", although you could just as easily use a credit card for these purchases too.

What are your recommended guide gratuity guidelines?

You will have 2-3 guides on your Austin Adventure (depending on group size) and we recommend $15-25 per day, per guest, per guide. Typically, gratuities are offered by check or cash in local currency on the final morning of the trip and can either be given to each guide individually or to one guide to be equally distributed. Most of our guides these days also accept gratuities via Venmo (please note this app does not work in Canada). All dining, housekeeping and activity tips are included in your trip price.

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Why travel with us

benefit group size

Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path

With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience with the perspective of an insider.

benefit guides

Award-winning guides lead the way

It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, are experts in motivation, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!

benefit inclusive

You’ll never need to sweat the details

When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. Every detail is handled; all you need to do is show up!

benefit safety

Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely

Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted vendors and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides and our seasoned operations team at headquarters.

benefit family

Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best

Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries and sustained relationships for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.

benefit wow

"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary

For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience. If we’ve done our job, they’ll have you saying “wow!”