A national park circuit connecting red rock landscapes in the American Southwest anchors much of North America's van travel scene, while a vast road network further north offers an equally rewarding, considerably less crowded alternative.
The destinations on this list range from desert national park loops with reliable infrastructure and well-marked routes to longer routes covering genuinely vast distances between major stops. Both suit trips ranging from a week to a full month.
Booking park campsites well ahead during peak season matters considerably at the busiest national parks, where demand regularly outstrips capacity. Local rental companies typically include roadside assistance as standard. Most parks see significantly less traffic on weekdays. Packing plenty of water also remains essential given the dry desert conditions involved.
