Backroads, a global leader in active travel, reported continued growth in travel to the U.S. national parks as the country prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary this summer. For many travelers, visiting places like Glacier’s vast alpine valleys, Alaska’s rugged coastline and Yosemite’s granite domes has become a bucket-list tradition or lifelong goal that blends nostalgia, natural wonder and outdoor adventure. Interest in these iconic landscapes has been building in recent years and shows no sign of slowing, Backroads said in a release.
Since 1979, Backroads has been connecting travelers with the wild places at the heart of the country’s outdoor heritage. The company’s first trip took guests through Death Valley by bike, and today Backroads operates Biking, Hiking & Walking and Multi-Adventure trips in more than 20 U.S. national parks, the company said, from Acadia to Zion. Reflecting strong demand, Backroads has increased its 2026 national park trip departures by 12% over 2025 and introduced new itineraries, including glamping trips in Maine and Yellowstone, as well as a Moab Multi-Adventure Tour.
The Magic of US National Parks for Families
As family travel continues to grow, U.S. national parks hold special appeal, especially for parents who experienced places like Yellowstone — the nation’s first national park — or Alaska’s Kenai Fjords in their own childhoods. Backroads said it is seeing many travelers return on multigenerational trips, where parents, grandparents and kids of all ages explore these landscapes together while biking, hiking, kayaking and engaging in cultural exploration.
National Parks Trending for Summer 2026 Travel
Backroads said it is seeing strong growth in departures for summer 2026 compared to 2025 in the following destinations:
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Image courtesy of Backroads - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Maine’s Acadia National Park
- Yellowstone National Park
- Yosemite National Park
“I led guests on Backroads’ very first trip in Death Valley, so the national parks have always meant a lot to me personally,” said Tom Hale, Backroads founder, president and CEO. “There’s nothing better than connecting our guests to these incredible places in the ways we love to experience them — like hiking alongside the hoodoos in Bryce or biking the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier. Those are the moments that make the parks unforgettable.”
National Parks Throughout the Year
While National Park Week in 2026 will be celebrated April 18-26, coinciding with Earth Day on April 22, Backroads offers national park trips year-round, including Yellowstone Snow Adventures and trips in Arches, Saguaro and Death Valley, among others, the company said.
For more information, visit backroads.com, call 800-462-2848 or chat live on the website.
