National parks are the places where many of us formed our fondest memories with family and friends. Go ahead: Close your eyes and recall your earliest or most impactful experiences in nature. Maybe it was watching the sun light up Yosemite’s granite walls, learning how to pitch a tent in the Great Smoky Mountains or wandering through a forest of towering cacti at Saguaro National Park. Whichever park holds your heart, these landscapes have a way of inspiring awe. But they don’t stay this spectacular by accident.
For decades, Trust for Public Land (TPL) has worked behind the scenes to protect the public lands people love. We help preserve land within park boundaries, expand access and advocate for programs that sustain these places, keeping our parks open and accessible for generations to come.
Our belief that time spent outside should be part of everyone’s life is what led us to team up with Backroads to celebrate the joy of exploring the outdoors.
This Earth Day, we’re highlighting several national parks where Backroads travels and that TPL has helped protect or expand. Take a closer look at the landscapes where millions of people connect to the outdoors. And think about your own national park experiences—and how they’ve helped you grow into the nature-loving person you are.
Yosemite National Park
Established: 1890
Why People Love It
Known for its granite cliffs, ancient sequoias and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite delivers jaw-dropping beauty at every turn. From hiking and horseback riding to birding and rock climbing, there’s no shortage of ways to find your kind of happy outside at Yosemite.
TPL at Work Here
Did you know that meadows in Yosemite are home to about a third of the plant species found in the park? This includes Ackerson Meadow, 400 acres of critical wetlands and meadow habitat on the park’s western boundary. In 2016, TPL purchased the meadow from private owners and donated it to the park, protecting it for generations to come.
Backroads in Yosemite
Yosemite—in Backroads’ backyard—defines awe-inspiring and draws visitors from all over the world. Backroads has been bringing guests here from its earliest days, and today offers Hiking & Walking, Multi-Adventure, women-only and family trips.
Saguaro National Park
Established: 1994
Why People Love It
True to its name, Saguaro National Park has the densest population of saguaro cacti in the region. The cactus, native only to the Sonoran Desert, holds the prized title of a “keystone species,” which means other species in the natural ecosystem vitally depend on it. These magnificent cactus gardens make the park a scenic destination for hiking, camping and cycling.
TPL at Work Here
Trust for Public Land has protected more than 2,300 acres in and around Saguaro, including a new section added just last year to the foothills of the Tucson Mountains. Here, visitors can explore and savor the breathtaking beauty of the area, which protects the threatened Sonoran Desert habitat.
Backroads in Saguaro
Mild winters and a lively Tucson food scene perfectly complement outdoor adventures to make Saguaro an exceptional place for a getaway. Hike or bike with Backroads on a four-day escape in the sun.
Explore Saguaro with Backroads
Zion National Park
Established: 1919
Why People Love It
Zion National Park draws over 5 million visitors annually due to its diverse topography, soaring sandstone cliffs, stunning slot canyons, cascading waterfalls, colorful hanging gardens, lonesome desert plateaus and clear-flowing rivers.
TPL at Work Here
Trust for Public Land has worked since 2000 to ensure that recreational access in and around Zion National Park remains uncompromised. And in 2019, we preserved an 880-acre property on the park boundary, including the last unprotected mile of the Zion Narrows Trail, securing access to this iconic experience for generations to come.
Backroads in Zion
As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Zion offers stunning views both day and night. With Backroads you can hike, bike and even glamp so you can be immersed in the spirit of the desert 24/7.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Established: 1915
Why People Love It
High alpine peaks, breathtaking views and wildlife sightings make visits to Rocky Mountain National Park an adventure. With over 350 miles of trails within the park, it offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, snowshoeing and more!
TPL at Work Here
Since the 1950s, locals and tourists from around the world have stayed at rustic cabins at the eastern edge of the park. The Cascade Cottages were owned and operated by a husband-and-wife team who hoped their land would someday become part of the national park. With help from TPL and partners, that dream was realized: adding 42 acres to the park and protecting the land for generations to come.
Backroads in the Rocky Mountains
Experience fresh mountain air, alpine lakes and waterfalls while eagles soar overhead. This Backroads Hiking & Walking Tour brings you up close and personal with the classic landscapes of the American West.
Explore Rocky Mountain National Park with Backroads
Yellowstone National Park
Established: 1872
Why People Love It
Yellowstone, which sits atop a dormant volcano, is the world’s first national park. It’s famous for its colorful geysers, scenic landscapes and for hosting the most diverse natural system in the Lower 48.
TPL at Work Here
Together, TPL and dedicated partners protected more than 200,000 acres of key wildlife habitat in the surrounding Greater Yellowstone region. And today, with support from Backroads, we’re helping build the 56-mile Yellowstone Heritage Trail, creating safe walking and biking routes for nearby communities.
Backroads in Yellowstone
Yellowstone is a true four-season destination. Visit it during every season, and you’ll find a transformed park with new adventures waiting for you. From rafting in the summer to snowshoeing in the winter, Backroads has you covered year-round.
Visit Yellowstone with Backroads
Glacier National Park
Established: 1910
Why People Love It
Famous for its rugged mountains and turquoise lakes, Glacier National Park’s scenery is unparalleled. Its beauty and ecology even earned it UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1995.
TPL at Work Here
Within Glacier National Park, near Harrison Lake, sits 120 acres previously owned by one of the park’s first rangers—a place rich in history and river access. TPL helped protect this land, keeping it open for people to enjoy and safeguarding a critical wildlife migration corridor.
Backroads in Glacier
Dramatic Going-to-the-Sun Road leads you through the heart of Glacier National Park just miles from the Canadian border. But the magnificent scenery doesn’t end there—on these Backroads trips, you’ll cross into Canada and experience one of its national parks, too.
