Experience America’s deepest lake, an active volcanic landscape, and the world’s tallest trees—all in one unforgettable vacation.
Looking to Visit Multiple National Parks in One Trip?
If your goal is to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks, one of the smartest strategies is combining nearby parks into a single vacation. Not only does it save time and money, but it also lets you experience dramatically different landscapes without crisscrossing the country.
One of the most underrated road trips in the western US combines Crater Lake National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Redwood National and State Parks into one unforgettable adventure.
In just one week, you’ll experience:
- 💙 The deepest lake in the United States
- 🌋 Bubbling mud pots, steam vents, and volcanic landscapes
- 🌲 Some of the tallest trees on Earth
- 🦌 Roosevelt elk grazing beneath giant redwoods
- 🌊 Rugged Pacific coastline and scenic drives
💡Money-saving tip: If your goal is to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks, combining nearby parks into one vacation is one of the fastest and most budget-friendly ways to make progress.
Road Trip at a Glance
National Parks: 3
- Crater Lake National Park
- Redwood National and State Parks
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
Recommended Trip Length
7–10 days
Best Time to Visit
Late June through early October
States
Oregon and Northern California
Approximate Driving Distance
900–1,000 miles (depending on your route)
Closest Airports
- Medford, Oregon (best overall)
- Eugene, Oregon
- Sacramento, California
- Redding, California
Why These Three Parks Make the Perfect Combination
One of the reasons I love this itinerary is that every park offers a completely different experience.
Crater Lake National Park
Formed nearly 8,000 years ago after the eruption of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States at nearly 2,000 feet deep. The lake’s incredible blue water, dramatic cliffs, and scenic Rim Drive make it one of the most breathtaking national parks in the country.
Highlights include:
- Rim Drive
- Wizard Island views
- Watchman Overlook
- Discovery Point
- Cleetwood Cove Trail (seasonal)
Crater Lake is the perfect way to begin this road trip because it immediately delivers one of the most iconic views in the National Park System.
Redwood National and State Parks
Redwood National and State Parks protect some of the tallest trees on Earth. But there’s much more than towering redwoods—you’ll also find fern-covered canyons, scenic coastal drives, wild beaches, and abundant wildlife.
Highlights include:
- Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
- Fern Canyon
- Tall Trees Grove
- Gold Bluffs Beach
- Roosevelt elk
Redwood National Park provides a completely different experience, trading lake views for lush forests and rugged Pacific coastline.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Often overlooked in favor of Yosemite or Sequoia, Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of California’s hidden gems.
The park features all four major types of volcanoes along with boiling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and excellent hiking.
Highlights include:
- Bumpass Hell
- Sulphur Works
- Lassen Peak
- Kings Creek Falls
- Manzanita Lake
Lassen Volcanic offers one final dramatic change of scenery with geothermal features and alpine hiking that many travelers never realize exist in California.
Suggested 7-Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Medford and Visit Crater Lake
Fly into Medford and make the two-hour drive to Crater Lake National Park.
Spend the afternoon exploring Rim Village before watching sunset over the lake (one of the most spectacular views in the National Park System!)
Stay near the park or overnight in Medford.
Day 2 – Explore Crater Lake
Wake up early to enjoy Crater Lake before the crowds arrive
Don’t miss:
- Rim Drive overlooks
- Watchman Overlook
- Discovery Point
- Cleetwood Cove Trail (when open) 💡TIP: Unfortunately boat tours will be closed for the 2026 & 2027 Season
If Rim Drive is fully open, plan on stopping frequently as every viewpoint offers a different perspective of the lake.
Day 3 – Drive to Redwood National and State Parks
Drive through southern Oregon before reaching California’s famous redwood forests.
If time allows, consider stopping along the scenic Oregon coast before arriving near Crescent City.
Day 4 – Explore Redwood National and State Parks
Spend the day among the world’s tallest trees.
Recommended stops:
- Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
- Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway
- Big Tree
- Elk Prairie
Keep an eye out for Roosevelt elk, which are commonly seen throughout the park.
Day 5 – Fern Canyon and Tall Trees Grove
Start your morning at Fern Canyon, one of the most unique hikes in the National Park System.
Later, explore Tall Trees Grove or spend time enjoying the rugged Pacific coastline.
Late afternoon drive toward Lassen. Stop in Redding, CA to spend the night.
Day 6 – Explore Lassen Volcanic National Park
Drive to Lassen and explore the park. Top experiences include:
- Bumpass Hell Trail
- Sulphur Works
- Kings Creek Falls
- Manzanita Lake
- Lassen Peak (for experienced hikers)
If you have extra time, Burney Falls State Park makes an excellent stop along the way. 💡TIP: Check if reservations are needed!
Day 7 – Drive back to airport and fly home
Drive to Medford or Sacramento for your flight home.
Can You Do This Trip in More Time?
Absolutely.
If you have 8–10 days, I recommend adding extra time to:
- Drive more of the Oregon coast
- Spend an additional day hiking in Redwood National Park
- Explore Burney Falls State Park
- Visit Lava Beds National Monument
- Enjoy more hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park
The slower pace makes the trip much more relaxing while allowing time to experience several lesser-known destinations along the way.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for this road trip is late June through early October, when all three parks are generally fully accessible. However, weather and road conditions can vary each year, especially at Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic, so always check current conditions before you go.
June
Pros
- Waterfalls are at their peak.
- Wildflowers begin blooming.
- Fewer crowds than mid-summer.
- Wildlife is active.
Cons
- Some roads and trails may still be closed due to lingering snow.
- Boat tours and the Cleetwood Cove Trail at Crater Lake may not be open early in the month.
July & August
Pros
- All park roads are typically open.
- Warmest temperatures.
- Full access to hiking trails, scenic drives, and visitor services.
Cons
- Peak crowds.
- Higher lodging prices.
- Wildfire smoke is possible later in the summer.
September (My Favorite!)
Pros
- Cooler temperatures.
- Smaller crowds after Labor Day.
- Excellent hiking conditions.
- Most park facilities and roads remain open.
Cons
- Days are shorter.
- Early snowstorms are possible at higher elevations later in the month.
October (earlier is better)
Pros
- Beautiful fall colors around Lassen and southern Oregon.
- Crisp temperatures and very light crowds.
- Lower hotel rates in many areas.
Cons
- Early snowstorms can temporarily or permanently close roads at Crater Lake and Lassen.
- Some seasonal services begin shutting down.
- Always check road conditions before your trip, especially if traveling in mid-to-late October.
Keep in mind that Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic both receive heavy snowfall, and some roads may remain closed into early summer depending on snowpack.
My Recommendation
If this is your first visit, I recommend planning your trip between late June and mid-September. You’ll have the best chance of enjoying open roads, pleasant weather, and full access to all three parks. If you don’t mind cooler weather and are comfortable being flexible with your itinerary, early October can be a beautiful time to visit, but keep a close eye on weather forecasts and road closures.
Is This Road Trip Right for You?
This itinerary is perfect if you:
- Want to visit multiple national parks on one vacation
- Enjoy scenic road trips
- Love hiking and photography
- Want to experience very different landscapes in one trip
- Are working toward visiting all 63 U.S. National Parks
If you’re looking for one road trip that combines mountains, volcanoes, giant trees, waterfalls, wildlife, and Pacific coastline, it’s hard to beat this itinerary.
Final Thoughts
Some national park trips are memorable because of a single iconic destination. This one stands out because every stop feels completely different from the last.
There are 63 U.S. National Parks, but only a handful of road trips let you experience such dramatically different landscapes in a single vacation. From the impossibly blue waters of Crater Lake to the towering redwoods of Northern California and the geothermal wonders of Lassen Volcanic, this itinerary shows just how diverse America’s national parks can be.
If you’re working toward visiting all 63 parks, this is one road trip that deserves a spot near the top of your list.
Happy Travels,
🌲 More National Park Road Trips You’ll Love
If you’re working toward visiting all 63 U.S. National Parks, check out these multi-park itineraries:
- Crater Lake • Redwood • Lassen (You’re here!)
- Utah Mighty Five (Coming Soon)
- Yellowstone & Grand Teton (Coming Soon)
- Mount Rainier • North Cascades • Olympic