Stunning vistas, expansive panoramas reaching as far as the eye can see, and untamed creatures roaming freely—the U.S.'s picturesque routes provide exclusive entry to the nation’s natural marvels. Below is a list of five such drives; they're essential if you wish to personally explore the national parks of America’s Western region.
Highway 12 in Utah, winding through red cliffs, canyons, and expansive plateaus, offers stunning views.
Highway 12 – also known as Scenic Byway 12 – stretches for 197 kilometers and meanders through the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Utah. Regarded as one of the most beautiful routes in the United States, this highway runs through both Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks. Each twist and turn reveals natural wonders such as vivid crimson canyons and majestic mesas created by Mother Nature. badlands At first glance, Bryce Canyon National Park displays an awe-inspiring panorama characterized by its tiered plateaus adorned with horseshoe-shaped depressions filled with hoodoos—tall spires sculpted by wind and rain. These formations paint the scenery in hues of orange and pink. Moving further north, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument offers a breathtaking array of carved canyon walls punctuated by winding paths that lead to cascading waterfalls and majestic natural bridges. Within Capitol Reef, one cannot overlook the striking Waterpocket Fold—a geologic wrinkle exposing layers of reddish-brown and creamy-white sedimentary stone arranged like a vividly chaotic masterpiece across the rugged terrain.
The Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana, this divine highway through Glacier National Park.
It's time to make our way to the northern U.S.! The Going-to-the-Sun Road becomes available only during summertime, specifically between mid-June and September. This route spans Glacier National Park In Northwestern Montana, spanning approximately 80 kilometers, lies a renowned route along the Canadian border. This scenic drive ascends steeply into the mountains, crossing impressive passes and hugging dramatic cliffs above ancient glaciers. Along your journey, make sure to stop at places like Jackson Glacier Overlook or St. Mary Lake for incredible vistas and chances to spot local fauna such as mountain goats, marmots, and occasionally even black bears. However, the true highlight is reaching Logan Pass, situated at an elevation of 2,026 meters. From here, visitors can enjoy panoramic views encompassing towering summits, glacier-carved valleys, expansive lakes, lush alpine meadows, and dense pine woods stretching out endlessly before them.
The scenic drive along Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway (Route 9) in Utah, situated amidst the majestic canyons of Zion National Park, offers breathtaking views.
Highway 9, also called the Zion Mt. Carmel Scenic Drive, serves as the renowned entryway to Utah's Zion National Park Over approximately thirty kilometers, this twisting road winds through tight canyons and verdant green valleys, starkly contrasting against the massive red cliffs encircling the park. Cutting directly into the mountainside lies the renowned Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, which offers breathtaking vistas of the colorful, precipitous rock faces above the Virgin River—the key highlights within the park. Following this scenic drive alongside the river presents numerous chances to halt and marvel at stunning sights like the rocky spires known as The Sentinels, as well as the distinctive Checkerboard Mesa. Additionally, this path serves as an entryway to various trails, such as the Emerald Pools hike, allowing visitors to delve deeper into untamed regions and savor the intricate allure of these rugged landscapes.
The Moab Scenic Byways in Utah serve as entrances to arches and carved gorges.
In Moab, the finest method to appreciate the splendor of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks is via picturesque drives. The region boasts three distinct scenic routes, each showcasing unique geological wonders. Route 128 traces the winding path of the Colorado River, bordered by towering red sandstone cliffs. Alongside this lies Route 279, which passes by the Petroglyph Panels—rock surfaces adorned with ancient indigenous engravings. Lastly, Route 313 heads right up to the entrance of Canyonlands, providing an early glimpse into the expansive canyon vistas scattered throughout the park. From majestic arches and breathtaking ravines to sprawling deserts, Moab’s scenic roadways offer journeys through awe-inspiring terrains sculpted by nature’s enduring forces.
The Grand Teton 42-Mile Scenic Drive in Wyoming, a picturesque loop journey right through the center of the Tetons.
Situated right in the center of Grand Teton National Park, the 42-Mile Scenic Loop provides a comprehensive journey for discovering Wyoming’s breathtaking scenery. This scenic drive stretches over 68 kilometers and meanders through sparsely wooded areas dominated by evergreen trees before reaching the shores of Jackson and Jenny Lakes beneath the majestic snow-topped Tetons. From here, vistas can reach all the way down to the expansive grassy expanse of the Jackson Hole Valley, highlighting stark contrasts between rolling prairies and towering rock faces.
Several hiking paths branch off from the 42-Mile Scenic Loop, including routes like those heading towards Taggart Lake or String Lake, allowing visitors to immerse themselves deeply into untouched wilderness teeming with cascading falls and lush woodlands—far removed from paved pathways and urban intrusions.
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