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9 Scenic Drives through US National Parks Everyone Raves About (And How To Plan Them)

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road with the windows down and taking in some of the country’s most astonishing scenery. Imagine driving through vast landscapes, where every turn reveals a new vista of sprawling desert cacti, summits of snow-capped mountain ranges, and the infinitesimal feeling of smallness beneath towering Redwoods.

Of course, many of the best scenic drives in USA are found within its national parks, which are spread nationwide. Between road trips back home to my van life years, from winding mountain passes to sun-drenched coastal roads, here are 9 of the most picturesque routes through national parks where I couldn’t help but stop every few minutes.

1. Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park, Montana

• Best Time to Visit Glacier: June to September (Otherwise closed)
• Distance: 50 miles
• Must-See Stops: Logan Pass, St. Mary Lake, and Jackson Glacier Overlook

Starting off this list is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which winds through Glacier National Park in Montana and some of the most stunning alpine landscapes in the country. The road is a feat of engineering, with narrow lanes hugging steep cliffs behind curves to glacial peaks, alpine meadows, and pristine lakes.

Take a hike or two along the many trails that branch off from the road. One of my favorite and most popular trails is the hike to Avalanche Lake. Continue to Logan Pass to capture some of the park’s most dazzling vistas at the Weeping Wall and Bird Woman Falls. At Lake McDonald Valley, take a brief detour to the Apgar Lookout. Other attractions include St. Mary Lake, Sunrift Gorge, and Wild Goose Island.

Tip! The roads are only open from June to September; even in summer, the high elevation can bring unexpected chilly weather. Traffic can get congested during peak season.

2. Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, Zion National Park, Utah

• Best Time to Visit Zion: Year-Round (Summers get crowded)
• Distance: 10 miles
• Must-See Stops: Checkerboard Mesa, Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, and Canyon Overlook Trail

This drive through Zion National Park is just one section of Highway 9, a 150-mile scenic byway. The steep switchbacks and narrow tunnels carved into the red rock cliffs make for an exhilarating drive.

Start at Springdale, with your first landmark being the Zion Canyon Visitor Center. Places like the famous Checkerboard Mesa are the best places to see the unique patterns in the rocks caused by erosion. Traverse further toward the park’s East Entrance for the Tunnel Viewpoint and the Canyon Overlook.

3. Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

• Best Time to Visit Rocky Mountain: Late May to October (otherwise closed)
• Distance: 48 miles
• Must-See Stops: Rock Cut Overlook, Many Parks Curve, and Forest Canyon Overlook

Trail Ridge Road is one of the highest paved roads in the United States, reaching an altitude of 12,183 feet at its peak. The drive takes you along the alpine tundra, glacial valleys, and a lot of wildlife sightings.

The scenic drive starts in Estes Park, with your first stop being Many Parks Curve. Press on to Rainbow Curve, then absorb the sights at Forest Canyon Overlook, a great spot for both sunrise and sunset. Travel Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center, Gore Range Overlook, and Milner Pass.

4. Tioga Road, Yosemite National Park, California

• Best Time to Visit Yosemite: May to September
• Distance: 46 miles
• Must-See Stops: Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows

Tioga Road is the only route that crosses through the high country of Yosemite National Park, linking the east and west entrances. This scenic drive takes you through alpine meadows, past towering granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls, all while winding along the Tuolumne River.

The scenic drive kicks off at the Tioga Pass Entrance, ideal for those coming from the east via US-395. Venturing into Yosemite, make a point to stop at Tuolumne Meadows. A short stroll here can lead you to Soda Springs, then move on to Olmsted Point for a panorama of Half Dome and its surroundings. Continue on Tioga Road to witness the beauty of Ellery Lake, Tenaya Lake, and Tioga Lake.

5. Death Valley Scenic Byway, Death Valley National Park, California/Nevada

• Best Time to Visit Death Valley: November to March (otherwise extremely hot)
• Distance: 96 miles
• Must-See Stops: Badwater Basin, Zabriskie Point, Dante’s View, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Running parallel to the Nevada border, this scenic byway takes you through Death Valley National Park. It is one of the most diverse drives on this list. You’ll see it all, from the lowest point in North America to high desert overlooks and through some of the hottest recorded temperatures on Earth.

Near Stovepipe Wells, head east towards Badwater Basin, known for its salt flats and extreme temperatures. This route also includes Artist’s Drive and Palette, where you’ll see colorful mineral deposits on the mountainside, the Zabriskie Point badlands, and Dante’s View. End your drive at Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where you can walk among the towering dunes and watch the sunset over this otherworldly landscape.

Tip! Avoid coming in the summer for both you and your vehicle.

6. Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park

• Best Time to Visit Yellowstone: April to October (otherwise closed)
• Distance: 142 miles
• Must-See Stops: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Hayden Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is shaped like the number eight, with the Grand Loop Road running through the bottom circle, connecting the park’s major attractions. This scenic drive takes you past geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, and herds of bison and elk.

Although the landscapes along the road itself may not be as beautiful as some of the others on this list, take a short hike to see some of the coolest geothermal formations in the world, such as Old Faithful, Norris Geyser Basic, and the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring. Make sure to also stop at Hayden Valley for the wildlife and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for powerful waterfalls and colorful canyons.

Tip! Be prepared for traffic jams in peak season, especially around popular attractions like Old Faithful and when wildlife herds block the roads.

7. Desert View Drive, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

• Best Time to Visit Grand Canyon: March to May, September to November
• Distance: 25 miles
• Must-See Stops: Desert View Watchtower, Grandview Point, Moran Point, Yavapai Point

Desert View Drive hugs along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and gets you some of the most iconic vistas of the “7 Wonders of the Natural World”. This scenic drive is perfect for those who want to see the Grand Canyon’s highlights without having to hike or venture too far off the beaten path.

Starting at the Grand Canyon Village, you can choose to take a shuttle bus along Desert View Drive or drive your own vehicle. Drive all the way to the East Entrance to climb up the Desert View Watchtower. Along the way, stop at Grandview Point, Moran Point, and Yavapai Point for different perspectives of the canyon.

8. Highway 89 to Teton Park Road Loop, Grand Teton National Park, WY

• Best Time to Visit Grand Teton: Late May to September (otherwise closed)
• Distance: 43 miles
• Must-See Stops: Jackson Lake, Jenny Lake, Oxbow Bend, Mormon Row, Snake River Overlook

This dramatic loop takes you along the main highway towards Yellowstone and through Grand Teton National Park for some of the most spectacular views of the mountain range. The drive is quite short, but there are many scenic points of interest to stop at along the way.

Starting at Moose Junction in the south, take Highway 89 north towards Antelope Flats Road for a chance to see iconic Moulton Barn on Mormon Row. Continue on towards famous Snake River Overlook and Oxbow Bend, especially if you are coming around sunrise time. Turn into the park ‘s main loop road and stop at Jenny Lake for a hike or boat ride to the parks best hike, Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls.

9. Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic National Park, WA

• Best Time to Visit: June to September (otherwise rainy or closed in winter)
• Distance: 17 miles
• Must-See Stops: Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, scenic overlooks, hiking trails

This short and windy road takes you to one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Olympic National Park. Starting in Port Angeles, Washington, follow Hurricane Ridge Road up towards the mountains and through dense forests until you reach the top.

Five miles from the start is a popular viewpoint known as “The View,” where you can see Mount Olympus and other peaks on a clear day. Keep going until you reach the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center at mile 17 for glaciers, wildflowers, and wildlife views. From here, hike along different trails before heading back down to Port Angeles.

Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.

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The Top 12 Things to Do in Omsk

Feel the love in the very heart of Russia

In Russia, all roads lead to Moscow , on account of the city's status as the national capital and its importance throughout history. If geography were the deciding factor, however, the Siberian city of Omsk would be the point where all Russia's roads converge—it's located literally in the heart of the country, approximately as far from Vladivostok as it is from the Belarusian border. Omsk boasts a spate of exciting attractions, even if you simply make a stop here as you ride the Trans-Siberian Railway eastward or westward.

Marvel at Assumption Cathedral

Chelsea Hicks/Flickr/CC BY 2.0

Orthodox architecture never gets old, even if you've been traveling in Russia for a long time. This is particularly the case when it comes to the Assumption Cathedral of Omsk, whose gold-and-turquoise domes look resplendent under the blue skies that bless Omsk during the warmer months of the year. The cathedral was built in 1891 under the orders Nicholas, the last Tsar of Russia.

Time Travel at Omsk Fortress

Ogg-omsk/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0

The bad news? Much of what was once Omsk Fortress is now a residential area, with the only notable landmark that still stands being Tobolsk Gate (think Paris' Arc de Triomphe , but yellow and smaller). The good news? There's essentially no reason for a military fortification to exist in today's peaceful Omsk, which means you can stroll amid parks and cafés and imagine the area being war-torn—a small sacrifice to make in exchange for not being blown to bits.

Go Green at Ptich'ya Gavan'

Forinrap/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0 

Or white, as it were: Omsk is covered with snow several months of the year, which means that its prized Ptich'ya Gavan' central park is often more of a winter wonderland than the green reprieve you experience in summer. The park is popular with local families, to whom you can say "Privet" (Hello) as you walk past.

Walk on Omsk's Artsy Side

G0rn/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 3.0

Although the building that houses Omsk District Museum of Visual Arts is unmistakably Russian, the collection you find inside is surprisingly eclectic for a city deep in Russia's interior. Recent collections have included a revival of Van Gogh's great works, among others. This is a particularly enjoyable Omsk attraction on cold winter days, when temperatures can drop far below freezing and sunshine can be rare.

Shoot for the Moon

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Though Omsk is a relatively large city, the skies over it become dark enough in the evening for stargazing. While visitors are not permitted to use the expensive telescopes housed inside, exhibits inside the museum provide a fascinating look into the cosmos, narrated by expert astronomical guides.

Shop on Lenin Street

yykkaa/Getty Images

Lenin Street's name is appropriate: Although it's the high street of a city thousands of miles from Moscow, the European-style architecture and cosmopolitan vibe you feel as you stroll past its boutique and cafés evokes the capital of Russia more than its forlorn interior. Local specialties you can purchase here include rustic jams made from local berries (and even, in some shops, cedar cones), as well as handmade rugs from Kazakhstan, which sits just south of Omsk.

Sample Siberian Cuisine

Quynh Anh Nguyen/Getty Images 

Speaking of unique Siberian food, it's not just preserves made from the fruits of evergreen trees. Omsk is a great place to discover the flavors of Russia's wild interior, whether you eat zagutai and stroganini (Siberia's take on sushi) or classic Russian plmeni dumplings filled with decidedly Siberian ingredients, such as bear and rabbit meat. Vkusno ! (That's Russian for "delicious"!)

Enjoy Historical Houses—While You Still Can

Simon Richmond/Getty Images

The wooden houses that line Nikolskiy Prospekt aren't protected, but they should be. Historical structures that are unfortunately in a state of disrepair, these houses are slated for demolition at some unspecific point in the future. Be sure to catch a glimpse of these historical house before they're gone. There will, however, be at least one left standing for a long time. The Omsk State Art Museum is in a traditional wooden house.

Go to the Circus

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Omsk State Circus is a popular spot for local families, whose children love the opportunity to see acrobatic performances and animals that wouldn't otherwise make appearance in Siberia. If you do attend a show here, keep in mind that ethics with regard to animal treatment might not match up with those in North America or Western Europe, to say nothing of the smell that can pervade the auditorium during and even after a show.

Be a Drama Queen

While there's no guarantee that any shows will be playing at Omsk Drama Theater at the time of your trip, a visit to this 19th century building is a spectacle in and of itself. While not as huge, say, as Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre, it's nonetheless an ornate architectural wonder that hearkens back to a glorious time in history. The interior of the theater is even open during the daytime; ask the person who's inside if any tours are available when you turn up.

Explore Cities Deeper in Siberia

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Siberia starts in Omsk, even if you can't continue far into it. If you don't plan to travel on the Trans-Siberian Railway, take one of two day trips from Omsk. Travel to Tobolsk, whose hilltop Kremlin is one of the most picturesque in all of Russia, and whose beauty inspired a photo by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev that ended up winning several awards. Or visit Tomsk, where you'll find a botanical garden dedicated to Siberian flora, and a museum that celebrates wooden architecture.

Ride the Trans-Siberian Railway

 lvinst/Getty Images

The idea of leaving Omsk behind can seem difficult, especially now that you've gotten to know this city in the heart of Siberia as well as you have. The mint-colored facade of Omsk Railway Station will make you smile, however, even if you're crying inside as you depart. Though it's not quite on the mid-line of the Trans-Siberian route between Moscow and Beijing , Omsk is a worthy starting place to begin a journey to either. If you head east make sure to stop in Irkutsk , the home of Lake Baikal and another underrated Siberian city.

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Walking up to 2 miles, streets, sidewalks, dirt roads for morning and afternoon field trips. Getting on/off bus; driving approx. 29 miles one way to the evening activity.

Getting on/off motorcoach for multiple stops throughout field trips; driving approx. 70 miles on field trips; about 2 hours total aboard motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles throughout the day on varied terrain

Getting on/off motorcoach; driving approx. 70 miles total throughout the day with stops; about 1.5 hours aboard motorcoach. Walking up to 2 miles; park-maintained, coastal, sandy and rocky trails.

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Enjoy delicious breakfast at leisure.

Walking on sidewalks in Lahaina town. Ferry ride is approximately 2 hours, depending on local conditions. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, consider an appropriate remedy.

Shuttle flights of approximately 15 minutes will be via 9-passenger, twin-engine prop planes. Getting on/off a school bus (non-A/C) in Kalaupapa, light walking. 20 miles to and from Molokai airport.

Boarding bus; driving approx. 40 miles; up to 2 hours depending on Oahu Traffic. Walking up to 1 mile during the course of the day on streets and sidewalks.

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