Active Travel to US National Parks Grows 12 Percent as Backroads Expands Itineraries

Demand for guided active travel in U.S. national parks jumped 12 percent over 2025, according to trip operator Backroads, which has added new departures and itineraries to keep pace.

New offerings for 2026 include glamping trips in Maine's Acadia National Park and Yellowstone National Park, plus a multi-adventure tour in Utah's Arches National Park combining hiking, mountain biking, and canyoneering.

The growth reflects a broader trend toward experiential outdoor travel. Travelers who historically booked beach resorts are increasingly choosing physically active vacations anchored around national parks, driven partly by social media exposure and partly by a post-pandemic preference for open-air destinations.

Competition for peak-season availability is tightening. Popular dates in Yellowstone and Zion sell out months in advance, pushing travelers toward shoulder seasons in late spring and early fall for better availability, milder weather, and thinner crowds.

Capitol Reef in Utah — the least visited of the state's Mighty Five parks — is emerging as a favorite for those seeking spectacular geology without the congestion of Arches or Bryce Canyon.