The US National Park System, born with Yellowstone in 1872, now boasts over 400 sites, many offering unforgettable driving experiences. Here are five top parks for scenic road trips.
Glacier National Park: Traverse the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, an engineering marvel crossing the Continental Divide. It offers views of glaciers like Jackson and the rugged Rockies, reaching over 6,600 feet at Logan Pass.
Natchez Trace Parkway: This 444-mile parkway winds through Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. It blends natural beauty from swamps to limestone caves with deep history, including ancient indigenous sites and reminders of the pre-Civil War era.
Padre Island National Seashore: Drive 66 miles of untamed Texas coastline. This barrier island offers birdwatching and access to remote beaches like Little Shell and Big Shell, though a 4WD vehicle is recommended for most of the route.
Acadia National Park: Maine's coastal gem features the 27-mile Park Loop Road. It provides access to Cadillac Mountain, the East Coast's highest point, and stunning ocean vistas alongside historic carriage roads built by John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Death Valley National Park: With nearly 1,000 miles of roads, it's a driver's park. See the multicolored mineral deposits of Artists Palette and vast salt flats. Always carry detailed physical maps, as GPS can be unreliable in this extreme environment.