Parks Manager

National parks near Perry, Oklahoma

Hot Springs National Park is the closest national park to Perry, Oklahoma — 268 mi (432 km) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 6 hr 48 min behind the wheel.

Nothing near Perry gates the entrance itself, but 4 of the parks in range put a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.

Perry has a population of about 5,097.

National parks near Perry

Parks ranked by distance from Perry
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Hot Springs National Park268 mi (432 km)6 hr 48 minWorth a longer road trip
Gateway Arch National Park422 mi (679 km)10 hr 26 minWorth a longer road trip
Great Sand Dunes National Park467 mi (752 km)11 hr 30 minWorth a longer road trip
Carlsbad Caverns National Park498 mi (801 km)12 hr 14 minWorth a longer road trip
Los Novillos National Park527 mi (848 km)12 hr 55 minWorth a longer road trip
Guadalupe Mountains National Park528 mi (850 km)12 hr 57 minWorth a longer road trip
Rocky Mountain National Park534 mi (859 km)13 hr 5 minWorth a longer road trip
White Sands National Park569 mi (915 km)13 hr 54 minWorth a longer road trip
Badlands National Park584 mi (940 km)14 hr 17 minWorth a longer road trip
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park593 mi (955 km)14 hr 29 minWorth a longer road trip

What to book before you leave Perry

Reservations needed at parks near Perry
ParkWhat needs bookingCoversHow
Rocky MountainRocky Mountain National Park Timed EntryPark entryTimed reservation
Great Sand DunesGreat Sand Dunes National Park Backcountry PermitsOne hike or backcountry tripPermit or lottery
Guadalupe MountainsGuadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness PermitsOne hike or backcountry tripPermit or lottery
White SandsBackcountry camping permitOne hike or backcountry tripPermit or lottery
Black Canyon of the GunnisonBlack Canyon of the Gunnison NP Red Rock Canyon Wilderness PermitsOne hike or backcountry tripPermit or lottery

Camping near Perry

Within reach of Perry, 13 campgrounds across 6 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 5 at Rocky Mountain, 3 at Guadalupe Mountains, 2 at Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and 1 at Hot Springs, plus 2 more parks with fewer sites.

Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.

Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.

When to make this trip

Hot Springs National Park is generally best March through May, then September through November, with February and December as the quieter shoulder either side.

Midsummer is hot, humid, and buggy; winter is mild and one of the better times to visit.

Biting insects and afternoon storms dominate summer. Repellent and a rain shell matter more than warm layers.

Month-by-month detail for Hot Springs National Park

Planning a trip from Perry

Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.

Read the Hot Springs National Park guide

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Perry?

Hot Springs National Park. It is about 268 mi (432 km) from Perry, roughly 6 hr 48 min of driving.

Can I do a national park day trip from Perry?

Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.

How many national parks are near Perry?

10 parks are within reach of Perry, 0 of them close enough for a day trip.

Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Perry?

None of them gate the entrance itself. 4 put a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Great Sand Dunes National Park Backcountry Permits, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Wilderness Permits, and Backcountry camping permit at White Sands. Farther than a day trip, Rocky Mountain National Park still needs a timed-entry permit to drive in. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.

Where can you camp near Perry?

Recreation.gov lists 13 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Perry. They are spread across 6 of those parks.

When is the best time to visit the parks near Perry?

For Hot Springs National Park, the closest one, generally March through May, then September through November. Either side of that, February and December stays quieter.