Summer in the National Parks

Despite the travel challenges immediately following Covid in 2020, in the past few years national parks saw record visitor numbers. The Grand Canyon saw 4.7 million visitors, second only to Great Smoky Mountains National Park which saw 13.3 million visitors. Since it’s looking like that trend will continue in 2026, there are a few parks in particular that are essential to plan ahead for this year.

Summer is the most popular time to visit most National parks, so it’s key to book in advance. July and August in particular bring the best weather and it’s a fantastic time to take in one of the most spectacular landscapes in North America. The Grand Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone, The Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite are all in the top five most popular American national parks to visit so if you’re hoping to visit these during peak season, planning ahead is crucial.

In an effort to manage the mass amount of visitors and preserve the pristine wilderness in these areas, many parks have implemented new reservation and timed-entry systems. Mountain Rainier, Glacier, Arches, Rocky Mountain, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Arches, and Acadia National Parks are some of the more popular spots that require reservations during peak season, with many more starting pilot programs this year.

National Park Road Trip Inspiration: Yellowstone and Grand Teton Road Trip 

Fall in New England

It’s no secret that New England shines in autumn. Every September, visitors trek from all over the country to witness the fall foliage change from bright greens to golden-reds. But the charming trait of New England is its small-town feel and with such a small window (sometimes only two weeks) to drive the fall colored highways, room availability and timing are limited. 

Reservations at some of our favorite boutique getaways and luxury inns are quickly filling up, so if you fancy spending your autumn amongst bright falling leaves, winding between cheddar creameries and cider mills, and enveloped in the salty air of coastal Atlantic towns, start the planning of your custom journey through New England soon.

New England Fall Road Trip Inspiration: Luxury Holiday to New England

Alaska

As a general rule, an exploration through the wild terrain of Alaska is not an adventure that you want to enter into haphazardly. It’s a huge state with miles of remote frontier, so you need to have a strategy for how you’ll get where and who will be guiding the way. 

Plus, because of the extreme weather, there’s a short window of opportunity in the warmer months to access much of Alaska, meaning high demand for the best places. Not-to-mention, the surge of extreme weather in recent years can be an impediment to seeing certain National Parks (Denali Park Road, in Denali National Park, remains closed through 2026 do to a landslide). For all of these reasons, it’s always best to plan ahead.

Our Alaska luxury travel specialists have handpicked the finest wilderness lodges, expert private guides, and standout experiences so as to design a luxury Alaska vacation to remember. From aquamarine glaciers, steep-walled fjords, majestic grizzlies, endless snow-capped mountain ranges, and breaching humpbacks; there’s an abundance of ‘bucket-list’ Alaska experiences spread across a vast geography. 

Alaskan Road Trip Inspiration: Luxury Alaska Vacation: Adventures on the Kenai Peninsula

The Harvest in California Wine Country

Around late September, California wine country bustles with energy during the harvest. Vineyards race to pick their grapes at their peak ripeness, the weather begins to cool and the smell of harvest fills the valleys. This is always an exciting time to visit, but finding reservations in this small wine region can be competitive. The already limited rooms at our favorite boltholes, like the Inn at Newport Ranch in Mendocino or Sonoma’s Farmhouse Inn, won’t last long. 

Likewise, the harvest being a time of great culinary celebration, tables will quickly fill up at the many acclaimed (and Michelin-starred) restaurants in California’s wine country region. A key part of All Roads North’s trip planning services is making sure you get the reservations you want and we’ll be keeping an eye on openings at legends like Napa Valley’s French Laundry or Sonoma’s SingleThread Farm for those hoping to indulge their taste buds this year.

Wine Country Inspiration: Napa and Sonoma in Style

Spring Break

It’s always a good idea to plan ahead for spring break, but especially this year. Domestic travel in the U.S. during March is increasing and, in fact, in 2024 airlines saw their busiest March ever. In 2026, numbers are expected to increase even more.

Arizona is a beautiful place to visit in the spring, whether finding rest and relaxation amongst the sacred red rocks of Sedona or searching out adventure in the saguaro cactus-studded desert surrounding Tucson. Or, take advantage of the sun and sea in Southern California. From surfing to hiking to fine dining to art exhibits, you’ll never have to suffer a dull moment. For spring breakers looking for a cultural immersion, look no further than New Orleans. Dynamic and diverse, this city is larger than life in almost every area; not least food, music and history.

Southwest Road Trip Inspiraiton: The Red Rock and Canyon Country of Arizona and Utah

Luxury Ranches

Blending authentic ranch life with luxury bells and whistles is something that the U.S. does best. From Montana to Arizona, many of our favorite ranches consist of several stand-alone cabins with a main lodge centered in their midst– a setup that became popular during Covid due to its inherent socially distanced structure. 

Not only the accommodation but also the accompanying activities allow for seclusion. Most luxury ranches, like the Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana or Smith Rock Ranch in Colorado, offer endless outdoor activities, like horseback riding, fishing and hiking, all from one secluded base.

Luxury Ranch Road Trip Inspiration: A Private Ranch Road Trip in West Texas

Mountain Towns

Whether you are planning to ski in the winter, raft in the summer or hike amongst golden aspen in autumn, mountain towns never go out of season. The difficult decision isn’t deciding if you want to get away for some alpine fresh air, it’s more of a question of where you’ll go. Here are some of our favorites (and the ones that will book up the fastest):

Jackson, Wyoming is a bit of a dichotomy. On one hand, Jackson is an old western town with wooden boardwalks, swinging saloon doors and its signature elk antler arches in the main square. On the other, it’s a chic mountain town that has become a playground for the well-heeled and adventurous. Aspen, Colorado is similar in that way– with perhaps a little more glitz than grit. What most defines Aspen though is its exceptional natural beauty. Walking down Main Street in Telluride, Colorado, you’ll understand why it’s often described as the quintessential mountain town. The spunk of its mining town origins is miraculously preserved and its location nestled in the valley of a box canyon causes just about any angle of the town to be picture perfect. Taos, New Mexico is a mountain town infused with the blend of Mexican, Spanish and Native American culture that New Mexico is known for. It’s rich in cultural experiences and full of adventurous outdoor activities as well.

Mountain Towns Road Trip Inspiration: Luxury Family Adventure in Colorado

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Technically, my first visit to Telluride was when my mom went snowmobiling while pregnant with me. Since then, I’ve been visiting with my family annually. Despite growing from relative obscurity to being one of the most desirable destinations in the U.S. over the past few decades, Telluride’s personality continues to remain the same. 

Telluride’s Unique Personality

Maybe it has to do with the fact that there is scarcely a chain restaurant or shop to be found on the town’s Main Street. Or perhaps it correlates more to Telluride’s relatively out-of-the-way location in the southwestern corner of Colorado. And it probably has quite a bit to do with its position in the cradle of a box canyon, tucked away with only so much valley floor available to further develop. 

Whatever the reason, Telluride feels like a vestige of the past. You can imagine the miners of old carousing in your stead at the historic bar on Main Street, the Last Dollar Saloon (or as the locals call it, the Buck). On the ski slopes, the hype feels just as high as it must have when the town’s first lifts were introduced in the 70’s. 

The residents of Telluride have fought to preserve the soul of this town. My favorite story: In 2007, the town raised $50 million dollars to secure the Valley Floor as public space, swooping in on plans to develop the space with resort-like structures. As you drive into Telluride (on the only road into the town other than the precarious, high-altitude Imogene Pass), you’ll pass alongside the 550+ acres of untouched land, with only herds of elk or the occasional mountain biker in sight.

Small Town, Big Dining Scene

For such a small mountain town, Telluride hits well above its weight in terms of dining. You can’t go wrong starting your day with a donut (or something more substantial) at Baked in Telluride– a beloved establishment in the town since 1977. Even after an infamous fire in 2010 that reduced the red, tin-roofed building to ash, they rebuilt and continue to thrive. 

After a long hike, there’s no better place to carb-load than Brown Dog Pizza. The National is home to the town’s buzziest cocktail scene. Cosmopolitan hosts an epic happy hour menu of sushi and, you guessed it, discounted cosmos. And no Telluride vacation is complete without an indulgent dinner at 221 South Oak, which offers a rotating seasonal menu bursting with creative, local flavors. 

Just be careful what you pack up in your to-go box, as I once found myself caught one night with a bear in my driveway between me and the door to my house… and a box of takeout salmon in my hands. 

Ski Season in Telluride

Telluride is constantly lauded for its ski mountain, and rightfully so. The slopes are extensive, with something for everyone. The Mountain Village side of the mountain features mostly green and blue cruisers, perfect for beginners, while the Telluride side mostly consists of technical black diamonds. To top it all off, the lift lines are short and the snow is notoriously good.

During the winter, the dining options only increase with the opening of the mountainside, apres ski haunts. Nosh on charcuterie and chilled rose at Alpino Vino in a cozy setting with a distinct Swiss Alps atmosphere. And don’t you dare leave the mountain without sampling the pastry-encrusted bowl of mushroom soup at Bon Vivant (alongside a spiked hot chocolate, perhaps). Pro tip: ask to add braised brisket to the soup! 

Telluride Via Ferrata

Adventures in Telluride (Other Than Skiing)

When the snow melts, Telluride’s activities only increase. Plan your trip around one of the many acclaimed festivals, such as the Film Festival or Blues and Brews Festival. 

Hiking, mountain biking or rafting down the San Miguel River are just a few ideas to get you started as you explore the beautiful San Juan Mountains. Challenge yourself by summiting a 14er like Mount Sneffels or cruise up the popular five-mile out and back trail to Bear Creek Falls. Enjoy the therapeutic babble of the river while fly-fishing or enjoy the roar of the rapids while white water rafting.

For the adventure-seekers, there are plenty of thrills to be found in the surrounding mountains. Not for the faint of heart, Telluride’s Via Ferrata will have you clinging to metal staples on the side of a 500-foot cliff. On a Jeep trip up Imogene Pass (the highest mountain pass in the San Juan mountains), you’ll be sweating some of the tight turns and steep drop-offs, but the access to Telluride’s defunct Tomboy Mine and ghost town at the top makes it more than worth it.

By Mary Cate Long, All Roads North Marketing Manager and lifelong Telluride visitor

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