Embarking on a national park road trip is an adventure to behold. Not only do you get to experience the beauty of nature, but you also get the chance to witness and explore the lively and diverse culture of the area. One of the critical aspects of jotting down your travel itinerary is deciding on the route to take. With so many options available, picking the best scenic routes for your national park road trip could be challenging. However, we’ve put together a guide that will help you discover the most magnificent routes across the United States.
1. The Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia to North Carolina
This 469-mile-long breathtaking scenic drive is known for its vibrant foliage, eye-catching waterfalls, and mountains. Starting from Virginia, the parkway ends in Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the routes, you can make stops at the boundary line for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, enjoy the winds sweeping through the apple orchards in Asheville, or experience the mesmerizing view of the Linville Gorge.
2. Utah’s Big Five
Utah’s big five refers to the five national parks in Utah – Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Zion. There are more than enough reasons to visit these parks, which boast of magnificent canyons, sandstone arches, and red rock formations. Each park in Utah offers something unique, from hiking to scenic drives. If you’re an adventure seeker, you can opt for mountaineering, canyoneering, or mountain biking.
3. California’s Pacific Coast Highway
The Pacific coast drive along the California coast covers a distance of approximately 600 miles. It is a collection of Highway 1, Highway 101, and Highway 128. The drive offers a collection of picturesque places to stop, from the Santa Barbara wine country to the Carmel-by-the-sea and the fascinating cliffs at Malibu.
4. Acadia National Park, Maine
Maine’s Acadia National Park boasts of a park loop road that offers a serene coastline, lush evergreen forest, and stunning mountain views. The 27-mile-long loop features serene lakes, raging rivers, wildlife, and numerous stops for panoramic views. For landscape photographers, the lighthouse at Bass harbor is a must-visit location.
5. Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming
The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone national parks are located in Northwest Wyoming. The parks make up two-thirds of the Yellowstone eco-system, and thus, there are very few places on earth as offers scenic drives like these parks. Witnessing the volcanic geysers and hot springs is an awe-inspiring experience.
National park road trips are one of the best ways to escape reality and take in the beauty of nature. This list highlights just a few of the scenic routes in the United States, but there are endless breathtaking views to explore. Don’t just dream of your next road trip. Plan it.
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