Planet-friendly travel guide

A guide to traveling to national parks by electric vehicle and public transportation

May 24, 2023

A Barred Owl sitting on a branch in Olympic National Park — Jan Zoetekouw | Shutterstock.com

Matthew Casale

In recent years, travel to national parks has skyrocketed. Visiting nature and the wilderness can be a transformative experience. Seeing wildlife and beautiful landscapes can fill us with a sense of awe and wonder. For many of us, it can inspire us to be better caretakers of the land we inhabit.

At the same time, the flood of visitors to national parks can harm the very wild landscapes people want to experience. Most people traveling to national parks are using cars and planes to get there, which burn fossil fuels, emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Climate change is already taking its toll on some of our national parks. For example, it is already threatening to destroy Joshua Tree’s namesake groves, melt the glaciers in Glacier national park and burn down forests in Yosemite National Park.

But there is a better way: Using public transportation or electric vehicles to visit national parks can greatly reduce transportation emissions and lower our impact. Compared to private gas-powered cars and planes, electric vehicles and public transit both emit far less harmful air pollution. Electrified public transit, which is the best option, can further reduce the amount of space that needs to be paved over for parking.

To help you plan your next electric vehicle or public transit-empowered visit to a national park, below is a list that shows which national parks have EV charging available within 15 miles, and nearby public transit. Always make sure you do your research before you go — this list is intended as a guideline, but transit routes may change or be available on a limited basis, and chargers may have restrictions, and new charging stations are continually being built.

Transit and EV charging to national parks

Park	State	Description	EV charging	Transit serving the park
Acadia	Maine	This Maine park primarily covers coastal islands, and contains the tallest mountains on the US Atlantic coast.	Acadia has a level 2 Tesla Destination Charger in Bar Harbor, ME, close to the park.	The popular Island Explorer bus service brings visitors to and around the park during Acadia’s on season, from June through October.
Arches	Utah	This desert site features breathtaking natural rock formations like arches, pinnacles, fins, and more.	Arches national park has a supercharger, a destination charger, and a J1772 located in nearby Moab.	Arches national park does not have public transportation serving the park, only private shuttles.
Badlands	South Dakota	See a bison, a bighorn sheep, or a fossil at this combination of prairies and rock formations near South Dakota’s White River.	A level 3 Tesla Supercharger is available in nearby Wall, SD.	No public transportation serves Badlands National Park.
Big Bend	Texas	This park near the US-Mexico border features the majestic Rio Grande as well as peaks of the Chisos Mountains.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Biscayne	Florida	Florida’s Biscayne Bay features mangrove forests, coral reefs, and other unique underwater ecosystems.	The park’s visitor center offers EV charging.	The park trolley connects to Miami-Dade bus service and runs from November to April.
Black Canyon	Colorado	This park is commonly used for climbing and rafting, and features the steep canyon surrounding the Gunnison River.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Bryce Canyon	Utah	Tall, colorful sandstone formations in this unique bowl-shaped formation make Bryce Canyon a great place to visit.	Nearby Tropic, UT has a level 2 Tesla charger.	The park’s shuttle system offers transportation from Bryce Canyon City to and within the park.
Canyonlands	Utah	The Colorado and Green Rivers have carved canyons, mesas and buttes into this desert park.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Capitol Reef	Utah	The Waterpocket fold, an enormous wrinkle in rock almost 100 miles long, is located in this park.	Nearby Torrey, UT has a level 2 Tesla Charger.	No public transportation serves the park.
Carlsbad Caverns	New Mexico	This park in the Chihuahuan desert has 117 caves to explore.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Channel Island	California	These islands are home to numerous species, many of them endemic.	A J1772 charger is available at nearby Island Packers Cruises.	Public transportation is available to the visitor center, and a ferry takes visitors to the islands.
Congaree	South Carolina	This swampland on the Congaree river provides a look at an old-growth floodplain forest.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	Public transportation is available to the park’s visitor center.
Crater Lake	Oregon	The deepest lake in the United States, Crater Lake was formed 7,700 years ago, when a volcano erupted and collapsed.	A Tesla Level 2 Destination charger is available on the park grounds.	No public transportation serves the park.
Cuyahoga Valley	Ohio	This park offers farmland and a look at Midwestern rural living and history.	Multiple EV charging stations are available in the area.	Public transportation to the park is available from Cleveland or Akron.
Death Valley	California	The hottest, driest, and lowest place in the US offers salt flats and other geologic features for visitors.	EV charging is available at the Inn and the Ranch at Death Valley.	No public transportation serves the park.
Denali	Alaska	America’s tallest mountain, Denali, is located in this piece of Alaska wilderness.	Level 2 charging is available at the park.	Denali has a robust bus system within the park, and several bus companies drive routes to the park from major cities.
Dry Tortugas	Florida	This island in the Florida Keys holds both history and natural beauty, in the form of shipwrecks and coral reefs.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	Dry Tortugas park is only accessible via boat or plane. No public transportation serves the park.
Everglades	Florida	The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, this park provides habitat for species like the Florida Panther, the manatee, and the American Crocodile.	A Tesla Level 2 Destination charger is available at the visitor center.	The city of Homestead offers a trolley that serves the park.
Gates of the Arctic	Alaska	The northernmost national park in the United States, this expanse of rugged wilderness offers a challenge for experienced backpackers.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	Gates of the Arctic park has no roads. No public transportation serves the park.
Gateway Arch	Missouri	This iconic St. Louis landmark, a large silver arch, was built to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition.	St. Louis has over 100 chargers for EVs.	St. Louis public transportation serves the park.
Glacier	Montana	This park straddles the US-Canada border and shows off glaciers, mountains, and fossils.	A Level 2 Tesla destination charger is available within the park.	Amtrak serves the park, and shuttles are available within the park.
Glacier Bay	Alaska	This remote, icy park fosters grizzly bears, mountain goats, and other wildlife.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Grand Canyon	Arizona	The Grand Canyon, created by the Colorado River, is up to a mile deep, 15 miles wide, and 277 miles long, and showcases multiple layers of rock.	A Level 2 Tesla destination charger is available within the park.	Public transportation is available to and within the park.
Grand Teton	Wyoming	The dramatic Teton mountain range is on display at this Wyoming park.	Tesla Level 2 charging is available within the park.	There is public transportation from Jackson Hole to the park.
Great Basin	Nevada	This remote park is home to many caves, as well as incredibly dark skies.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Great Sand Dunes	Colorado	The tallest sand dunes in North America are on display here.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Great Smoky Mountains	NC/TN	This Appalachian park offers hundreds of miles of trails for hikers.	The visitor center offers level 2 and 3 chargers.	No public transportation serves the park.
Guadalupe Mountains	Texas	The tallest mountain in Texas is located in this park, as well as canyon views and a fossilized coral reef.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Haleakalā	Hawaii	This park features a volcano, as well as the largest number of endangered species protected by a national park.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Hawaii Volcano	Hawaii	The Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes are a feature of this park.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	The Hele On bus provides service to the park.
Hot Springs	Arkansas	This historic urban park showcases the Ouachita mountain’s hot springs.	Tesla Level 2 charging is available within the park.	Public transportation is available to and within the park.
Indiana Dunes	Indiana	This stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline is home to dunes, wetlands, and many unique species.	EV charging is available in nearby Porter.	The park is accessible via the South Shore Railroad and the Gary bus system.
Isle Royale	Michigan	This park covers several islands in Lake Superior.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	The park is accessible by ferry.
Joshua Tree	California	This desert park gets its name from the large number of Joshua trees it hosts.	Level 2 and 3 charging is available within the park.	MBTA transit will take you to the park entrance.
Katmai	Alaska	This park is located on the Alaska Peninsula and is home to abundant wildlife.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	The park is only accessible via boat or plane. No public transportation serves the park.
Kenai Fjords	Alaska	This park contains an icefield, glaciers, and fjords.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves this park.
Kings Canyon	California	Rivers, caves, and Sequoia trees are on display at this park.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Kobuk Valley	Alaska	This backcountry park features a vast expanse of wilderness and arctic dunes.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	Kobuk Valley Park is only accessible by plane, boat, or hike. No public transportation serves the park.
Lake Clark	Alaska	This volcanic and glaciated landscape on the Alaska peninsula offers opportunities for adventure.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	Lake Clark is only accessible by plane. No public transportation serves the park.
Lassen Volcanic	California	The park gives visitors the chance to view volcanic scenery with active hydrothermal features.	A Tesla Level 2 charger is available at the park’s visitor center.	No public transportation serves the park.
Mammoth Cave	Kentucky	The Green River sits atop the world’s longest known cave system at this park.	A J1772 charger is available at the park’s visitor center.	No public transportation serves the park.
Mesa Verde	Colorado	Cliff dwellings made by the ancestral Puebloan people are found at this desert park.	A Tesla Level 2 charger is available on park grounds.	No public transportation serves the park.
Mount Rainier	Washington	This popular climbing destination showcases the Cascade mountain range.	A J1772 charger is available on the park grounds.	No public transportation serves the park.
New River Gorge	West Virginia	This park features a gorge, a ghost town, and is popular for whitewater rafting.	A level 2 charger is available in nearby Hinton.	The park is accessible via Amtrak.
North Cascades	Washington	This section of the North Cascades mountain range offers several different types of habitat and many opportunities for hiking and climbing.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	It is possible to reach the park through a bus and a shuttle.
Olympic	Washington	This park showcases the diversity of the Pacific Northwest, from its temperate rainforest to its mountain peaks.	A Level 2 Tesla destination charger is available within the park.	The park is accessible via bus and ferry.
Petrified Forest	Arizona	This park hosts Native American cultural sites, fossils, and petrified wood.	A J1772 charger is available on the park grounds.	No public transportation serves the park.
Pinnacles	California	Volcanic eruptions long ago formed this park, which is a popular site for birdwatching.	A charger is available in nearby Soledad, CA.	No public transportation serves the park.
Redwood	California	This coastal park shows off tide pools and coastal redwoods.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Rocky Mountains	Colorado	Over 300 miles of hiking trails link this mountainous, alpine park.	A J1772 charger is available in nearby Estes Park.	Free shuttles connect visitors from Rocky Mountain to Estes Park during the summer.
Saguaro	Arizona	This park showcases giant Saguaro Cacti, and other desert flora and fauna.	Multiple EV charging stations are available in nearby Tucson.	No public transportation serves the park.
Sequoia	California	Ancient giant sequoias, some of the world’s largest trees, are viewable at this park.	A Level 2 Tesla destination charger is available in nearby Three Rivers.	In the summer, a park shuttle connects to Visalia.
Shenandoah	Virginia	The Appalachian Trail runs through this scenic section of the Blue Ridge Mountains.	A Level 2 charger is available at the park’s visitor center.	The Corridor Connector will take you close to the park entrance but not directly there.
Theodore Roosevelt	North Dakota	This park in the badlands hosts Theodore Roosevelt’s historic cabin, as well as wild horses and bison.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Voyageurs	Minnesota	This park displays cliffs, multiple types of forest, wetlands, and lakes near the Canadian border.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
White Sands	New Mexico	This park contains the world’s largest gypsum dunefield, and allows for a unique experience of the desert.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Wind Cave	South Dakota	Wind Cave park offers a look at a unique cave environment, covered by prairie.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	No public transportation serves the park.
Wrangell	Alaska	The country’s largest national park contains the convergence of several mountain ranges, along with large expanses of glaciers.	No EV charging is available at or within 15 miles of the park.	Some shuttle service to the park.
Yellowstone	WY/MT/ID	This park is home to active geothermal features and spectacular wildlife viewing.	J1772 and Tesla Level 2 charging is available on park grounds.	Bus transportation from Idaho to West Yellowstone is available during the summer.
Yosemite	California	Yosemite contains cliffs, mountains, and one of the tallest waterfalls in the country.	J1772 and Tesla Level 2 charging is available on park grounds.	YARTS provides public transportation to Yosemite from several cities.
Zion	Utah	Sandstone formations, as well as forest and desert landscapes, are on display at this park.	J1772 charging is available at the park’s visitor center.	Zion’s shuttle system transports visitors from the park to town most of the year.

National parks are a great way to experience the outdoors, but one of the best ways to reduce your travel impact on the environment, and reduce the negative impact of overtourism at the most popular sites, is to visit nature closer to home. There are likely lesser-known- and less-crowded wild places to experience even closer to you that are accessible via transit and EV. Check out other federal public lands near you, as well as state and local areas.

Environment America is pushing for states to offer more access to EV charging at state parks. Already, Oregon is adding charging infrastructure to 17 state parks this year. In Maine, Environment America is pushing for at least two EV chargers in every state park. By implementing charging stations in our state parks, the United States is taking a major step to allow outdoors-loving Americans to leave gas-guzzling cars in the rearview mirror.

Sources and details:

Park	State	Charger type	Level	Location of charger	EV charging sources	Transit	Transit sources
Acadia	Maine	Tesla Destination Charger (level 2)	2	20 Mt Desert St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609	Link	Yes	https://www.exploreacadia.com/
Arches	Utah	Supercharger, destination charger, and J1772	2 and 3	Main Street in Moab	Link	Some	https://www.discovermoab.com/transportation-services/
Badlands	South Dakota	Tesla Superchargers	3	Wall, SD	11:34	No	https://traveltips.usatoday.com/travel-badlands-south-dakota-34858.html
Big Bend	Texas	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Biscayne	Florida			Dante Fascell Visitor Center	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/bisc/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Black Canyon	Colorado	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Bryce Canyon	Utah	Tesla Destination Charger	2	Tropic Utah Main Street	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/shuttle.htm
Canyonlands	Utah	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Capitol Reef	Utah	Tesla Destination Charger	2	955 E, UT-24, Torrey, UT	Link 1, Link 2	No	https://www.nps.gov/care/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Carlsbad Caverns	New Mexico	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/cave/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Channel Island	California	J1772	2	Island Packers Cruises	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/island-transportation.htm
Congaree	South Carolina	N/A				Yes	https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Crater Lake	Oregon	Tesla Destination Charger	2	569 Mazama Dr, Crater Lake	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Cuyahoga Valley	Ohio	Supercharger, Destination, EvGo, Etc	2 and 3	Multiple places. Ex. Cuyahoga Falls	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/cuva/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Death Valley	California	N/A		The Inn at Death Valley, The Ranch at Death Valley	Link 1, Link 2	No	https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Denali	Alaska	Destination, NEMA 15-40, J1772	2	Driving on Sunshine, K’esugi Ken	Link 1, Link 2	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/dena/planyourvisit/directions.htm#6/63.421/-148.491
Dry Tortugas	Florida	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/drto/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Everglades	Florida	Tesla Destination	2	Ernest F Coe Visitor Center, Flamingo, Shark Valley	Link	Yes	https://www.cityofhomestead.com/357/Trolley-to-the-National-Parks
Gates of the Arctic	Alaska	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/gaar/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Gateway Arch	Missouri	104 stations in St. Louis	2 and 3	104 stations in St. Louis	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/jeff/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Glacier	Montana	Tesla Destination	2	Lake McDonald Lodge and Mountainview Lodge	Link 1, Link 2	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Glacier Bay	Alaska	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/glba/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Grand Canyon	Arizona	Tesla Destination	2	Maswick North Lodge, Yavapai Lodge Market, The Grand Hotel, Grand Canyon Railway Hotel	Link 1, Link 2	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/directions_s_rim.htm
Grand Teton	Wyoming	Tesla Destination, NEMA 15-40, J1772	2	60 in Jackson, Signal Mountain Campground, Signal Lodge, Colter Bay Campground	Link 1, Link 2	Yes	https://www.jacksonholewy.net/transportation/
Great Basin	Nevada	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Great Sand Dunes	Colorado	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Great Smoky Mountains	NC/TN	Level 2 chargers and DC fast charger	2 and 3	Ocanluftee visitor center and sugarlands	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/directions.htm#CP_JUMP_899163
Guadalupe Mountains	Texas	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Haleakalā	Hawaii	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Hawaii Volcano	Hawaii	N/A				Yes	http://www.heleonbus.org/how-to-ride-hele-on/service-to-hawaii-volcanos-national-park-and-mauna-kea-state-recreation-area https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Hot Springs	Arkansas	Tesla Destination	2	239 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/hosp/planyourvisit/gettingaround.htm
Indiana Dunes	Indiana	N/A		1215 IN-49, Porter, IN 46304	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Isle Royale	Michigan	N/A				Yes	https://www.nps.gov/isro/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Joshua Tree	California	Supercharger + J1772	2 and 3	Coachella + 29 Palms	Link	Yes	https://basin-transit.com/routes/yucca_valley-twentynine_palms/
Katmai	Alaska	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/katm/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Kenai Fjords	Alaska	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Kings Canyon	California	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Kobuk Valley	Alaska	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/kova/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
Lake Clark	Alaska	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/lacl/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Lassen Volcanic	California	Tesla Destination	2	Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Mammoth Cave	Kentucky	J1772	2	Visitors Center	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/maca/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Mesa Verde	Colorado	Tesla Level 2	2	Fairview Lodge	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Mount Rainier	Washington	J1772	2	Packwood Lodge and on Paradise Road	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/directions.htm
New River Gorge	West Virginia	Level 2	2	Hinton Technology Center	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/directions.htm#:~:text=Public%20Transportation,a%20bus%20terminal%20in%20Beckley
North Cascades	Washington	N/A				Yes	https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Olympic	Washington	Tesla Destination	2	Lake Crescent Inn and Kalaloch Lodge	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Petrified Forest	Arizona	J1772	2	Painted Desert Visitors Center	Link	No	https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.nps.gov/pefo/planyourvisit/directions.htm&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1667400996999375&usg=AOvVaw1WvDj9e7SAAaEp4nz2qCb8
Pinnacles	California	Electrifying America	2	Soledad, CA	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/pinn/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Redwood	California	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Rocky Mountains	Colorado	J1772	2 and 3	Estes Park	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses-and-public-transit.htm
Saguero	Arizona	Multiple	2 and 3	Tuscon, AZ	Link	No	https://www.nps.gov/sagu/planyourvisit/directionstothepark.htm
Sequoia	California	Tesla Destination	2	Three Rivers	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Shenandoah	Virginia	Level 2	2	Harry Byrd Visitor Center	Link	Some	https://dctravelmag.com/dc-to-shenandoah-national-park/
Theodore Roosevelt	North Dakota	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/thro/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm
Voyageurs	Minnesota	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/gettingaround.htm
White Sands	New Mexico	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Wind Cave	South Dakota	N/A				No	https://www.nps.gov/wica/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Wrangell	Alaska	N/A				Some	https://www.nps.gov/wrst/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Yellowstone	WY/MT/ID	J1772 and Tesla Destination	2	Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful, Canyon Village, Lake Village	Link 1, Link 2	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/directions.htm
Yosemite	California	J1772 and Tesla Destination	2	Ahwahnee Hotel and visitors center	Link	Yes	https://yarts.com/
Zion	Utah	J1772	2	Zion Canyon Visitor Center, Kolob Visitor’s Center,	Link	Yes	https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/zion-canyon-shuttle-system.htm