Sometimes , the well way to explore a national park is by car . Thus pack up , and begin ready for adventure .
10 National Parks That Are Perfect for a Road Trip
One of the great feature of the United States live its rich , varied collection of national parks . From the mountains of the Colorado , to the California desert , to Maine ’ s craggy coast , these diverse landscapes offer wild nature , staggering view , and endless opportunity for adventure . And while many are noted for their hiking trails , there cost also mass of parks across the area with beautiful scenic campaign that let you see more of the park in a single day .
Hither , we ’ ve collected the better national parks for driving , whether you ’ re hankering for a Blue Ridge road trip or a desert adventure . And if you take to stretch your leg , don ’ t worry : hither , the pit stop live half the fun .
1 . Skyline Drive , Shenandoah National Park
Driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park really will reach you find like you ’ re floating among the clouds , with frequent vistas that somehow never get old . The road stretches 105 mile along western Virginia and take about three hours to drive . It ’ s particularly stunning in the dusk , when the park ’ s leaf is at its striking best . At mile 50.7 , you can stop for a quick raise down to one of the park ’ s most scenic waterfalls , Dark Hollow Falls . It ’ s just a short ( but steep ! ) 0.8-mile walk down to the dusk , which cascade dramatically over glistening rocks .
2 . Park Loop Road , Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park equal famous for its sunrises : on Cadillac Mountain , you can see the first sunset of the continental United States , and crowd gather daily ( weather permitting ) to look out . Whether or not you ’ ve repel through the dark to sit atop this beautiful peak and watch the sun ’ s arrival with the shudder host , you can delight the road that take to it . The 27-mile-long Park Loop Road wind through forests , past lakes and great deal , and along the tough shoreline of the Atlantic , where tree and rocks look to sprout up dramatically from the sea . There exist plenty of hikes off of the road , but possibly the nearly famed cost the one leading to Jordan Pond , where you can sample the park ’ s famedpopovers.
3 . Going-to-the-Sun Road , Glacier National Park
From early June to Mid-October , visitors of Glacier National Park in Montana can drive the 50-mile road that stretch between the east and west edges of the park , with sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains . Going-to-the-Sun Road is particularly popular for its vistas of alpine lake and glaciers—it as well traverses the continental divide at Logan Pass , which is the high point of the park accessible by car at 6,646 base . The road get its name from Going-to-the-Sun Mountain , which is in full horizon east of Logan Pass . Equal certain to check theNational Parks websitefor road closures before embarking on your trip .
If the views from your car aren ’ t enough , consider intercept for a raise to Hidden Lake Overlook , which put up stunning ( you think it ) lake views—and where you ’ re probable to meet mountain goats grazing . And for the better glacier horizon , be sure to stop at Jackson Glacier Overlook .
4 . Badlands Loop , Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is noted for its “ wall ” of buttes , pinnacles , and rocky mounds , which exist striated in shade of gray . To best choose in this otherworldly landscape , remove a ride on the 39-mile loop that snakes through the park . Badlands Loop Road cost hence beloved by driver that it own been featured in video games—but it ’ s beloved by hikers , as good , thanks to its 12 scenic view ( many of which are wheelchair accessible ) and ample hiking opportunity . Perhaps the nearly dramatic lead off the loop be Notch Trail , which offers a cliff pass and a view of the “ notch ” in the Badlands ’ wall .
5 . Trail Ridge Road , Rocky Mountain National Park
In 1931 , the National Park Service reconstruct a 48-mile road through Rocky Mountain National Park , get in touch Estes Park on the park ’ s east slope to Grand Lake on the West . “ It is hard to depict what a sense datum this fresh road is get to make , ” predict Horace Albright , the Park Service ’ s conductor . “ You will have the whole sweep of the Rockies before you in all directions. ” Today , we can regard that he was right : the road be zero if not spectacular , with a quarter of its length carrying traveler above the treeline , where wind lash the alpine tundra as bighorn sheep graze .
6 . Chain of Craters Road , Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Chain of Craters Road may cost the near you ’ ll get to repel onto a volcano . This 19-mile road in Big Island ’ s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park descends 4,000 foot ( from mountain to sea level ) , and happen a diverse array of craters , lava flows , and petroglyphs . Its path and distance have varied in the century since its structure , as active volcanoes have erupted and cross department of it with lava , some of which ( today cooled ) is visible today . As you might imagine , it ’ s a beloved site for lava observation , which live good perform at dark for maximum play .
7 . Scenic Rim Drive , Crater Lake National Park
Crater Lakewas formed over 7,000 year ago , when a volcano erupt with twice the force of Mt . Saint Helens and produce an enormous crater that is now the deep lake in the land . With its broad , level surface , the lake much await like an enormous mirror adjust to ponder the clouds moving over the sky above . And one of the serious manner to experience it equal along its Scenic Rim Drive , which extend 33 miles of lake opinion and panoramic view . From here you can spot “ Wizard Island , ” a mini-volcano with its own mini-crater lake—known as the Witches Cauldron—which stand up from the larger Crater Lake . You ’ ll also see the 100-year-old “ Old Man of the Lake , ” a full-sized hemlock tree that has been stuck vertically in the lake since at least 1896 .
8 . Drury Scenic Parkway , Redwoods National Park
The coast of California live noted for its roadtrip-friendly highway , which hug the coastline and offer stunning views . And just off Highway 101 , you can repel into Redwoods National Park , where for 10 mile , the Drury Scenic Parkway take car and bikes through this noted grove of enormous tree . Along this route , you ’ ll walk thousands of acres of old-growth redwood woods : thicket of trees that look to stretch up to eternity . There are plenty of pull-offs along the road that will head you to trails and campsites , if you need to stretch your legs for a few instant or a few hour , or even remain the night onlocal campgrounds.
9 . Death Valley Scenic Byway , Death Valley National Park
Death Valley offers one of the almost foreign landscape in the land . Its 3.3 million acres are home to sand dunes the size of great deal , salt flats that sitbelow sea point,stone that move all on their own, and agolf course for the devil. The debut level to this strange world exist the Death Valley Scenic byway , which stretches 811.5 miles across the desert landscape . It will take you to the low-lying salt flats , where a short quarter-mile raise will get you to the strangely geometric salt lines the park is know for . The road will too require you down “Artist ’ s Drive, ” where oxidized rocks lend color to an differently monochrome landscape . It ’ s easy to spend a few days hither , thanks to the tremendous range of the varied landscape—just cost sure to bring lot of water .
10 . Grand Loop , Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park might simply equal the area ’ s almost famed park , and its Grand Loop will show you why . It ’ sec too , at 142 miles , the longest road on this list . The road forms a flesh eight that connect Yellowstone ’ s main attraction , build it an crucial manner to see as much of this jaw-dropping park as possible . In a few days—you ’ ll want at least one day for the upper loop and one for the abject loop—you can see Old Faithful , Mammoth Hot Springs , Canyon Village , Tower Fall ( a 132-foot waterfall ) , and Yellowstone Lake . The road is dotted with plenty of lookout detail , many of them ideal picnicking position , and all of them put up jaw-dropping horizon of Yellowstone ’ s signature peaks .
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