Best 5 National Parks Near Route 66

Route 66 and the National Park Service have always had an important historical connection. Route 66 was known as the great road west and after World War II families on vacation took to the road in great numbers to visit the many National Park Service sites in the Southwest and beyond. That connection remains very alive and present today. In this week’s blog, we will explore national park monuments and historical sites along the mother road.

1. The first stop on America’s Great Outdoors is to plan your visit to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites and features volcanic rock carved by Native American and Spanish settlers.
2. The next stop is just south of Route 66. It is Pecos National Historic Park, a ruined pueblo that was once a thriving community. It now serves as a hub for hunters, hikers, and fisherman. As part of your visit to the park, you may see the historic preservation crew at work.
3. Driving into Arizona get ready to be swept across the colorful plains of the Painted Desert and into the Petrified Forest National Park. The Park was given its name from the brilliant colors of the petrified wood. And it is the only park in the National Park System containing a section of Historic Route 66.
4. Do you know a place that has wide vistas and a view of the Colorado River? It’s the Grand Canyon National Park! It also has some of the best viewpoints for watching the sunset and sunrise. And not to mention the incredible selfies and photos you will get to bring home.
5. Our last stop on the tour of America’s Great Outdoors resides in our home in California. Rose-colored sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and carpets of wildflowers are all found at this 1.6 million acre park. Just under 20 miles off the Historic Route 66 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, is the Mojave National Preserve. Summer temperatures are high but during fall is the time for hunting season. Thus, plan your trips wisely.

What are your favorite national parks? Share your favorite national park images with us by tagging us in on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter by using the hashtag #fairkicks.

We hope this inspired you to grab your family to hit the open road and experience the outdoors. Make sure and save the date to attend the LA County Fair from August 31st to September 23rd where we will take you on a fun journey from Chicago to Santa Monica with plenty of #selfie spots along the way!

Visit our website to learn more and get your tickets today!