The Most Scenic National Parks to Drive In
National parks are some of the most beautiful locations in the USA, preserving the very best of nature that the USA has to offer.
However, much of their beauty can only be accessed by car. Driving along some of their most precarious roads will give you the opportunity to take in spectacular views over long distances, which you would not be able to while walking.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park
Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia is an excellent drive for thrill-seekers. The jaw-dropping views are also home to a high level of fatalities due to the large number of cars that pass through the park on a regular basis - and even famous murders! However, Shenandoah National Park is worth the risk due to its wonderful array of natural features, with the parkway covering everything from waterfalls to first-class views of the Blue Ridge mountain range. This range is best enjoyed in fall, where the burnt oranges and reds are sure to stun.
Main Park Road, Bryce Canyon National Park
If you are looking for the flavor of danger in your visit to Bryce Canyon, you would be better served exploring the Scenic Byway 12, which connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef. On this road, you will be driving along the edges of drops that will make you rethink the Grand Canyon’s status as the most incredible canyon in the States. However, for those of a more nervous disposition, Bryce Canyon is also home to the Main Park Road, which trails the best of the canyon’s rim, giving you a close-up experience of this magnificent natural attraction. If you want to spend longer exploring the park, Ruby’s Inn offers a range of lodging in Bryce Canyon, which includes both hotel rooms and a campground.
Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountains
The Trail Ridge Road in the Rocky Mountains is one of the main reasons that tourists decide to visit the park, with unrivaled overlooks to the mountains and valleys of the park. Although the road may feel dangerous, and may not do anything for your vertigo, there have been very few fatalities on the road itself. This allows you to enjoy the experience of thrill-seeking without the imminent danger that can haunt some of the National Park system’s other, more dangerous parks.
Tioga Pass, Yosemite
Yosemite is one of the Us's mos dangerous National Parks through activities such as rock climbing, therefore it is important to stay safe when in the park. In the summer season, Tioga Pass is one of the best experiences in the area. The road allows you to travel deep into the Sierra Nevada mountain range, with access to some of the best viewpoints available to allow you to take unbelievable pictures of tourist hotspots such as Tenaya Lake. However, Tioga Pass, eagerly anticipated each year, is situated in the High Sierra, and this means that it can be nearly inaccessible for much of the year due to poor weather conditions.