Which national parks should you visit on Route 66?
Follow the Mother Road from Oklahoma City to the California coast, exploring national parks, monuments, and historic sites connected to Route 66. This multi-state journey celebrates the parks that help tell the story of the American West.
Day 1
:
Oklahoma City to Amarillo
National Route 66 and Transportation Museum
After a morning in Oklahoma City, drive to Elk City and stop at the National Route 66 and Transportation Museum and learn about the history of the Mother Road.
Ancient flint quarries
After reserving your ranger-led tour online, stop at this national park outside of Amarillo. Explore Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument used 13,000 years ago by mammoth hunters.
End the day in Amarillo
Finish your day by driving to Amarillo, Texas, an iconic Route 66 stop located near the halfway mark on this historic highway.
Day 2
:
Amarillo to Albuquerque
Discover Route 66 in Amarillo
Spend a half day enjoying Route 66’s many attractions in Amarillo, including Cadillac Ranch and the Route 66 Historic District.
Journey to Albuquerque
Cross into New Mexico on the 287-mile drive to Albuquerque. Explore the city's rich cultural landmarks and be sure to stock up on any items that you will need for a full day of hiking the next day.
Day 3
:
Albuquerque to Grants
Petroglyph National Monument
Explore the trails of Petroglyph National Monument, an important cultural heritage site with thousands of fascinating images carved into the rocks hundreds of years ago.
Lava tube
El Malpais National Monument
Drive to nearby El Malpais National Monument and experience the fascinating volcanic landscapes and lava tube caves.
El Morro National Monument
Take in the sunset views over the sandstone bluffs while hiking El Morro National Monument’s trails, before spending the night at nearby Grants, New Mexico.
Day 4
:
Chaco Culture National Historical Park and Flagstaff
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Visit Chaco Culture National Historical Park, a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves impressive pueblos and a solstice marker.
Evening in Flagstaff
Arrive in Flagstaff and enjoy the many breweries and restaurants in this high-country town.
Day 5
:
Volcanoes, ancient villages, and pine forests
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Walk through a dramatic volcanic landscape at Sunset Crater Volcano, formed by a 1,000-year-old eruption.
Wupatki National Monument
Visit ancestral Puebloan village sites set among red-rock mesas and sweeping desert plains. Wupatki National Monument protects the Puebloan sites that are still cared for by the descendants of those who built these extraordinary dwellings and called them home.
More to explore
Return to Flagstaff early for more mountain town fun or go to Walnut Canyon National Monument to see cliff dwellings nestled in steep, forested canyons. Spend the night in Flagstaff.
Day 6
:
Flagstaff to Needles
Journey toward California
Continue west through Kingman, and visit the Arizona Route 66 Museum in the Historic Powerhouse.
Mojave National Preserve
Visit Mojave National Preserve in California, a hidden gem of the National Park System. Kelso Dunes, Joshua trees, volcanic cinder cones, and wide-open desert skies are all highlights of this beautiful park.
An evening in the desert
Spend the night in nearby Needles, California or camp under the stars at Mojave.
Day 7
:
Needles to Santa Monica
Hit the road
Start early to enjoy the scenic drive to Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Drive into Los Angeles through San Bernardino and visit Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Journey through coastal canyons, enjoy the beach, and explore the miles of hiking trails.
End of the road
Arrive at the Santa Monica Pier, the symbolic endpoint of Route 66. Snap a photo and enjoy the sunset.
Optional add-on
Take an island escape
Visit nearby Ventura and take the ferry to Channel Islands National Park, a secluded archipelago with animals, plants, and scenery unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Visit smart
Gear up
Carry plenty of water, sturdy walking shoes, sun protection, and layers for desert-to-coastal temperature shifts.
Plan ahead
Check visitor center hours, road conditions, and guided tour availability. This trip takes place through several time zones, so be sure to check your watch.
Fuel up
Long stretches of Route 66, especially between Arizona and California, have limited services. Fill up your gas tank whenever you can, and be sure to pack plenty of drinks and snacks for yourself.
Leave no trace
These lands hold deep cultural and historical significance for many Indigenous peoples. Stay on marked trails and follow leave no trace principles to help preserve them for future generations.
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