In Two Weeks in US National Parks

The Southwest Circle

This long circle drive hits five states and involves a lot of driving (or flying regional airlines and renting cars), but it takes you to a fantastic variety of parks -- desert, cave, mountain, and deep canyon, plus one of the world's most fascinating archaeological preserves. We begin and end in Phoenix, Arizona, where almost all major airlines serve the airport, and car and RV rentals are available. We've laid it out for just under 2 weeks, but allowing more time would make it more satisfying.

Day 1: Phoenix, AZ

After arriving and picking up your rental car or RV, Phoenix is a good spot to stock up on supplies. The city is also famous for its golf resorts, so you may want to hit a few balls before heading south.

Day 2: Saguaro National Park, AZ

This is one of America's few national parks dedicated to protecting a single plant: the saguaro cactus. You will see forests of them here. But you'll also see a variety of other plants and animals, such as javelinas -- odd piglike animals with mouths so tough they can bite through prickly pear cactus pads. The park has two good scenic drives, as well as trails through the Sonoran Desert, including the Valley View Overlook Trail, which provides a close-up view of the desert, and the Signal Hill Petroglyph Trail, where you'll get a good look at some ancient petroglyphs.

Days 3-5: Carlsbad Caverns, NM & Guadalupe Mountains, TX, National Parks

One of the largest and most spectacular cave systems in the world, Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico has numerous cave formations, ranging from the fantastic to the grotesque. Take the Big Room Self-Guided Tour and the King's Palace Guided Tour. For a genuine caving experience, get your clothes dirty on the Slaughter Canyon guided tour. Just over the state line in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains is a rugged wilderness of tall Douglas firs, offering panoramic vistas and the highest peak in Texas. Recommended for experienced hikers is the trek to the top of Guadalupe Peak. Everyone can enjoy the colors in McKittrick Canyon -- either the trees in fall or the wildflowers in spring.

Day 6: Santa Fe, NM

It's a long drive from Carlsbad Caverns to Mesa Verde National Park, so break it up with an overnight stop in Santa Fe, famous for its art, history, picturesque adobe buildings, and exciting New Mexican cuisine.

Days 7-9: Mesa Verde National Park, CO

The largest archaeological preserve in the United States, Mesa Verde contains intriguing, well-preserved cliff dwellings, plus mesa-top pueblos, pit houses, and kivas, built by the ancestral Pueblo (Anasazi) people hundreds of years ago. Recommended stops here are Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in the Southwest, and Balcony House.

Day 10: Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

Especially colorful after a rainstorm has washed away the dust, this park is a fascinating look at an unreal world of wood turned to stone. Take the 28-mile scenic drive, stopping at the pullouts and walking some of the short trails. We recommend the Giant Logs Trail, where you'll see some of the park's largest petrified logs, and Blue Mesa Trail, one of the prettiest and most otherworldly hikes in the park. At Newspaper Rock, early inhabitants pecked dozens of petroglyphs into the dark stone, including an image of the famous humpbacked flute player, Kokopelli.

Days 11-12: Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim, AZ

The Grand Canyon truly is grand, and no matter how many photos you've seen, being there in person is an awe-inspiring experience. After stopping at the information center for a quick geology lesson, take the shuttle to some of the South Rim view points, and perhaps walk the Rim Trail a bit. Then, if you're physically able, walk down Bright Angel Trail at least a little way, watching the vegetation and rock layers change as you descend. Unless you are in very good condition, however, it is probably best to not go beyond the One-and-a-Half-Mile House, which has restrooms and drinking water, before heading back up to the rim.

Day 13: Back to Phoenix, AZ

Back in Phoenix, you can practice your golf swing or visit some of the city's excellent museums before catching your plane for home.