America’s National Parks: 6 Most Beautiful Scenic Drives

Which National Parks Have You Been To?

A trip to a national park is more than just about the destination. The journey to these remote corners of preserved natural wonders is equally enticing, including drives to and around the parks. Many of our national parks are best seen from your car.

A scenic drive through America’s national parks is a perfect way to appreciate their beauty and timelessness, so we have selected a few favorites.

We’re not saying you shouldn’t get out and breathe the fresh air and smell the flowers, but these scenic drives have the best overview of wilderness and wildlife.

Lovers of the outdoors with time for adventure can take advantage of hiking and camping in the parks, while others will want to experience the beauty of nature in a more relaxed way.

So gas up, check your spare tire, grab your GPS, and plan your next outing! Check out 6 of the best national parks for a scenic drive.

Arches National Park, Utah

If you’re visiting this area, you’re probably headed for the canyon drive at Utah’s Zion National Park because it’s more popular. But unfortunately, it’s also more crowded.

We recommend the landscape on the main road at Arches National Park, one of Utah’s “Mighty 5” parks. It’s far more vast. Evoking a nostalgic road trip on Mars, the 36-mile round-trip course delivers cinematic views of the park’s abnormal geological features.

You should plan two or three hours to REALLY take it all in.

Best Time To Go: Plan your visit for winter because the park is busiest from March through October.

Bonus: The sight of snow on the red rock formations is incredible.

Don’t Miss: Take Windows Road, a short drive off the main road, to see some of the park’s most prominent arches, including Turret Arch, Double Arch, and North Window. Another spur accesses the hiking trail to the iconic Delicate Arch.

You’ll recognize it as the background image on most Utah license plates.

Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota

Forming Iron Mountain Road, Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop, and the Needles Highway, this 66-mile byway that’s just 75 miles west of Badlands National Park goes through the stunning Black Hills region of South Dakota.

The incredible national forest here, picture granite-walled tunnels, ponderosa pine, and rolling grasslands, shelters bison, elk, antelope, and coyotes en route to the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Best Time To Go: The roads are frequently packed with motorists in the summer, and spring is normally wet and cold. Strive for September or October, when those beautiful fall colors are fully displayed.

Don’t Miss: Three tunnels perfectly frame Mount Rushmore by winding up the mountainside along Iron Mountain Road. Park in the scenic overlook west of the primary entrance to Mount Rushmore to be greeted with a startling profile of George Washington’s face.

Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, Florida

This two-hour drive on US Hwy 41 between Miami and Naples takes you through the heart of the Everglades, the most extensive subtropical wilderness in our country.

Traveling east to west, you’ll see alligators and wading birds congregating in the canal along the highway’s north side. Take a few picturesque detours along the way to get some incredible wildlife-viewing experiences.

Best Time To Go: The summer’s wet season is the perfect time to get a view of some alligators. But if you want to bypass the mosquitos and extreme heat, visit between November and March.

Don’t Miss: The three-mile loop starting from the Oasis Visitor Center, roughly halfway between Miami and Naples.

Kings Canyon National Park, California

Located along the final 50 miles of Highway 180, this panoramic byway begins in the Sierra Nevada foothills right outside of Fresno.

It weaves through the Grant Grove area of Giant Sequoia National Monument before meeting its end near the Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon, at Road’s End. Stop to admire the mighty Kings Canyon along the way.

It’s a spectacular gorge that, at 8,200ft, is even deeper than the Grand Canyon!

Quick Note: Before you head out, we suggest you download the park’s app to make the most of your drive because cell service is limited here.

Best Time To Go: We suggest going in May or June for ideal weather conditions. You’ll find less-crowded roads and be greeted by spring waterfalls roaring with the freshly melted runoff.

Don’t Miss: If you have the time to spare, take Highway 198 another 30 miles south from Grant Grove Village to reach General Sherman Tree, touted as the world’s largest tree, in neighboring Sequoia National Park, one of the BEST national parks to visit in the summer.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Zigzagging through the lush forests of our country’s most-visited national park, this scenic 11-mile loop on the Tennessee side of the Smokies might seem short. But you’ll need about four hours to take it all in.

Travel is slow along the one-lane road, and the many historic Southern Appalachian buildings alongside barns, log homes, churches, and a working water-powered mill invite exploration.

Take a breather by biking or walking the loop, especially on summer Wednesdays from mid-June to late September, when the road is closed to car traffic. You’ll enjoy spotting white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, raccoons, and lots of other wildlife.

Best Time To Go: The loop is packed on weekends during summer and fall. We suggest you visit on a weekday to avoid traffic and be able to experience peak foliage.

Don’t Miss: For an uninterrupted scenic drive between two national parks, head northeast along the Blue Ridge Parkway, linking the Smokies with Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, which is about 470 miles away.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Blending into its rugged mountain setting, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is 50 miles long and has been impressing motorists with roaring waterfalls, breathtaking vistas of jagged peaks, and icy glaciers since 1932.

Unfortunately, many of the park’s namesake glaciers have disappeared due to climate change. However, you’ll still be able to spot lots of mountain goats and bighorn sheep, especially near Logan Pass.

Best Time To Go: The road’s Alpine portions are typically fully open and cleared of snow between late June or early July through late October. While summer is the best time to visit, the park will be less packed in September and October.

Don’t Miss: Jackson Glacier Overlook, on the east side of the road between Logan Pass and St. Mary Village, is your best chance to see a glacier from the road.

Some tips to consider when planning your road trip!

• Get your vehicle ready: National parks are often located in secluded areas, and it might be a while for help to arrive if you break down. So make sure your car is fully serviced and has a full gas tank before starting your adventure.
• Get directions: Speaking of being remote, you might not have cell service or WiFi out in the parks, so be sure to grab a GPS or save any routing info to your phone before your journey.
• Pack Lots of water and snacks: Don’t count on food or supplies out on the road. Bring everything you need with you, including picnic supplies. Just be mindful of the environment and be sure to carry out anything you carry in with you.

So that’s it! Now that we’ve shared our favorite locations and a few tips, all that’s left for you to do is pack up and hit the road!

And for some more great inspiration for your next getaway, consider: 8 Magical Midwest Locations That Look Like They’re in Europe