10 National Parks That Are Worth The Drive

You should enjoy the journey (almost) as much as the destination

Russ Goodall | 

Aug 6, 2020 | 9 min read

Capital One

With more than four million miles of roads in the United States (of which more than 2.8 million are paved), there are plenty of places to roll to and through as you get out and cruise the interstates, thoroughfares, and backroads of America.

Some of the most picturesque views in the country serve as a backdrop to many of the highways and county roads that twist and turn to, through, and from our national parks.

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The most famous national parks are also home to some of the most iconic scenery in the country, including Old Faithful Geyser and Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone and Hermit Road Drive and Mather Point Overlook at the Grand Canyon. The bison herd in Yellowstone is a poignant reminder to watch for wildlife both on and off the road in any national park, and to stay in your car to avoid dangerous run-ins with nature.

Whether you’re on your own in a convertible with the top down and wind blowing through your hair, or in an SUV packed to the brim with enough supplies for a week-long family vacation, you should enjoy the journey as much as the destination. With that, here are 10 national parks that are worth the drive. Just make sure you check the weather and pack the family truckster accordingly.

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DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Death Valley, California
Top Attractions: Dante’s View, Badwater Basin, Golden Canyon, Devils Golf Course, Zabriskie Point
Top Scenic Drive: Titus Canyon Rd.

Within the 5,270 square miles that make up Death Valley National Park lies arguably the most interesting roadside attractions a motorist will find in America. It all begins before entering the park, when you turn onto Titus Canyon Road and make your way to one of the hottest places on Earth. Titus Canyon Road is a one-way dirt road that heads West out of Nevada and down into Death Valley National Park. While it isn’t paved—it is recommended that you traverse it with a 4-wheel drive vehicle—this 26-mile stretch of dust and gravel runs past abandoned ghost towns, mountain passes, and slot canyons along the way into Death Valley. Once in the park, there are over 1,000 paved and unpaved roads that get you to the attractions you want to see.

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CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK

Torrey, Utah
Top Attractions: Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, Hickman Natural Bridge, Capitol Gorge, Pioneer Register, Fruita
Top Scenic Drive: Highway 12 Scenic Byway

While Capitol Reef National Park has a variety of places to see and beauty to behold, the most spectacular may just be one of the roads in. Designated an All-American Road, Highway 12 Scenic Byway is a 122-mile thoroughfare with no shortage of state and national parks and forests nearby. Along the way, it weaves past Hole-In-The-Rock, the amazing Burr Trail switchbacks, Cottonwood Canyon, and Hell’s Backbone, before catching the beauty and amazement of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. As a bonus, this highway can also take you from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon National Park.

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GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

West Glacier, Montana
Vehicle Restrictions: Under 21ft in length, Under 8ft wide, Less than 10ft tall
Top Attractions: Apgar Nature Center, Lake McDonald, Trail of Cedars, Going-To-The-Sun Road, Logan Pass, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Iceberg Lake Trail, Grinnell Glacier, Highline Trail
Top Scenic Drive: Going-To-The-Sun Road

With seven roads running throughout its million-plus acres, Glacier National Park is home to several of the most scenic and drivable views in America. The main thoroughfare in the park is Going-To-The-Sun Road. Officially named during the 1933 dedication of Logan Pass, the Going-To-The-Sun Road takes close to two hours without stopping. Along the way, the 50-mile road offers several pull over-worthy attractions, including Sunrift Gorge (which allows access to three spectacular waterfalls), Lake McDonald, Avalanche Trails, Jackson Glacier Overlook and Hidden Lake Lookout.

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BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Big Bend National Park, Texas
Top Attractions: Sam Nail Ranch, Santa Elena Canyon, Old Maverick Road, The Balanced Rock, Chisos Mountains, Lost Mine Trail, The Window Trail, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, El Camino Del Rio
Top Scenic Drive: Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

Boasting the only mountain range completely encapsulated inside a national park, the Chisos Mountains offer visitors a wide range of diverse outdoor activities that don’t require leaving Big Bend National Park. From river rafting to mountain climbing to scenic trail hikes, this park has something for everyone—even those who would prefer to stay in the car. At just 30 miles in length, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive runs between Burro Mesa and the Chisos Mountains, and past the most beautiful destinations Big Bend National Park has to offer. Along the way are the Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff, Mule Ears Viewpoint, Tuff Canyon, and the abandoned Sam Nail Ranch, where a still functional, abandoned windmill provides a lifeline for myriad trees, creating a fantastic birdwatching spot.

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ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

Moab, Utah
Top Attractions: Balanced Rock, Delicate Arch, Double Arch, The Organ, The Three Gossips, Tunnel Arch, Sand Dune Arch, The Windows, Devils Garden
Top Scenic Drive: Main Park Road

Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, is just across the Colorado border and adjacent to the Colorado River. It’s a paradise for motorists. Upon entering this national treasure, a 36-mile round-trip road that takes explorers past a few of the most famous natural structures in the United States. The park boasts more than 2,000 natural arches, as well as hundreds of other rock formations, including the famous Balanced Rock. If you feel the need to stretch your legs, the park has 16 trails that range in difficulty and length, but be sure to visit the park’s latest safety recommendations before you go.

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SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK

Three Rivers, California
Top Attractions: Giant Forest, General Sherman Tree, Tunnel Log
Top Scenic Drive: Kings Canyon Byway, Generals Highway, Crescent Meadow Road.

Sequoia National Park is located alongside California Highway 198 in Kings Canyon. This drive passes through a collection of scenic vistas, beautiful mountains, and of course, magnificent trees. It’s also home to the largest tree in the world—General Sherman. As you make your way through the park, be on the lookout for Crescent Meadow Road in the Giant Forest. There you will find another famous landmark—Tunnel Log—a fallen sequoia in the roadway with a tunnel carved through it.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Top Attractions: Cades Cove, Clingmans Dome, Abrams Falls Trail, Grotto Falls Trail, Chimney Tops
Top Scenic Drive: Foothills Parkway

As the most visited park in America, Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomes more than 12 million visitors a year. Thanks to the park’s 384 miles of paved and unpaved roadways, many of those visitors never leave their vehicles. Near the main entrance in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is the Foothills Parkway. A 33-mile stretch between Chilhowee Lake and Wears Valley, the parkway is home to stunning views of the Great Smoky Mountains, as well as the Tennessee River Valley and the Cumberland Mountains, with numerous pull-offs and a chance to visit Look Rock Tower. The park is also home to one of the most infamous drives in the US: The Tail of the Dragon. This 11 mile stretch of road is a Mecca for sports car drivers and motorcyclists from all over the country looking for a one of a kind challenge.

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CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

Crater Lake, Oregon
Top Attractions: Rim Drive, Watchman Overlook, Plaikni Falls, Wizard Island
Top Scenic Drive: Scenic Rim Drive,

With just over 183,000 acres inside its boundary, Crater Lake National Park offers visitors the opportunity to see amazing beauty packed in a small area. Along with America’s deepest lake, the park offers breathtaking overlooks, points and waterfalls. The Scenic Rim Drive around Crater Lake is just under 33 miles, and was carefully constructed, to ensure that the road doesn’t obscure views of the lake. For a longer tour, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, classified as an All-American Road, takes adventurers on a 500-mile ride past forts, forests, lakes, a wildlife area and refuge before ending its Oregon stretch at the southern arm of the historic Oregon Trail, then heading into California.

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ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Top Attractions: Longs Peak, Bear Lake, Emerald Lake Trail, Stanley Hotel, Wildlife Viewing
Top Scenic Drive: Trail Ridge Road

Another All-American Road makes the list as it’s one of the most storied drives in the country. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved highway in the United States and connects Grand Lake to Estes Park near the entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park. It’s a windy stretch of roadway, surrounded by jagged mountains covered in beautiful pines and aspens, and plenty of pulloffs where you can safely see the park's most spectacular animal, the Rocky Mountain Elk. They roam in and out of the park throughout the year, and return in mid September for rutting season. Make the drive at this time of year, and aspen leaves turn from forest green to fire orange and golden yellow, as the roaring bugle of 700lb male elks echo throughout the park's valley.

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DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE

Denali Park, Alaska
Top Attractions: Wildlife Viewing, Savage River, Healy Ridge, Stony Dome, Reflection Pond, Sled Dog Kennels, Thorofare Ridge Trail, Tundra Loop, Wonder Lake
Top Scenic Drive: Denali Park Road

If taking in wildlife and splendid scenery without leaving the comfort of your vehicle is the goal, then a trek up to the 49th state is in order. Known as Mt. McKinley National Park from 1917-1980, the renamed Denali National Park and Preserve still centers around the tallest mountain in North America, but that is far from the only attraction in the area. The drive from Anchorage to Denali National Park is almost as breathtaking as the park’s 20,310-foot tall namesake, which was also renamed in 2015. The 238-mile trip from the state’s capital will take you past some of Alaska's most beautiful scenery, including Mirror Lake, Thunderbird Falls Trail, Eklutna Village, and the Sustina River, also known as Big Su.

Russ Goodall

As a veteran sports journalist, I have been privileged enough to attend some of the biggest sporting events—including some of the more sizable motorsport events—in this country. That calling was fed by my childhood, when die-cast cars set the stage for a lifelong passion for both cars and racing. Along my journalistic journey, I developed as much love for the travel to and from an event as I have for the event itself. I have spent many hours rolling down the highways and backroads of America, simply enjoying the wind in my hair and power at my feet. Today, that journey is what fuels me.