21 Amazing Scenic Drives to Discover in America's National Parks
Robert DeckerImagine a road trip that takes you through rugged mountains, serene valleys, red-rock canyons, and fields of wildflowers. America’s national parks are home to some of the most breathtaking scenic drives in the world, and there’s no better way to experience their natural beauty than by hitting the road.
The national parks of the United States stretch across the entire country, from the rugged, untamed mountains of Alaska to the sun-soaked tropical islands of Florida. With 63 parks in total, they cover a wide range of landscapes, each one distinct and awe-inspiring in its own way. This incredible diversity makes the national parks an unparalleled destination for scenic drives—but it can also feel overwhelming to decide where to start.
Here’s a guide to 21 of the most spectacular scenic drives, organized from shortest to longest, where you can witness the wonders of nature from the comfort of your car. Pair each of these drives with the perfect National Park Poster available at National Park Posters to bring the memory of your journey home.
1. Zion National Park - Zion Canyon Scenic Drive
Length: 6 miles
Zion Canyon Scenic Drive may be short, but it’s packed with jaw-dropping beauty. The towering sandstone cliffs of Zion, bathed in hues of red, pink, and cream, line this picturesque route. While cars are restricted during peak season, the shuttle ride along this stretch is an experience in itself, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the splendor of Zion’s natural cathedral.
Pick up the Zion National Park poster to capture the timeless beauty of this Utah wonder.
2. Capitol Reef National Park - Scenic Drive
Length: 8 miles
Capitol Reef’s Scenic Drive may be short, but it takes you into the heart of the Waterpocket Fold, a dramatic geologic monocline that stretches for miles. The colorful cliffs, domes, and twisting canyons create a stunning desert landscape.
3. Death Valley National Park - Badwater Basin
Length: 9 miles
The drive to Badwater Basin takes you into the heart of one of the most extreme environments on Earth. This route leads to the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. The salt flats stretch endlessly, creating a dazzling white landscape beneath the towering Panamint Mountains. Along the way, you’ll also pass Devil’s Golf Course, where jagged salt formations cover the valley floor. It’s a landscape that feels otherworldly, particularly at dawn or dusk when the shadows play across the salt flats. For this one, it's worth getting out of the car and walking out into the salt flats!
Remember the stark beauty of Death Valley with a Death Valley National Park poster.
4. Yosemite National Park - Yosemite Valley
Length: 11 miles
Yosemite Valley Scenic Drive takes you straight into the heart of one of the most iconic landscapes in America. As you journey through Yosemite Valley, you'll be surrounded by towering granite walls, including El Capitan and Half Dome, and pass by stunning waterfalls like Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls. The valley floor is filled with meadows, lush forests, and picturesque views that are perfect for a leisurely drive. This route is the quintessential Yosemite experience, bringing you face-to-face with the awe-inspiring beauty that makes this park world-famous. Capture the spirit of Yosemite with a Yosemite National Park poster, featuring the breathtaking views of the valley.
Capture the magic with a Yosemite National Park poster, showcasing this iconic park.
5. Mount Rainier National Park - Sunrise Road
Length: 15 miles
Sunrise Road is an aptly named journey that leads to the highest point accessible by car in Mount Rainier National Park. As you ascend, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the glacier-clad peak of Mount Rainier, set against the wildflower-covered meadows below. Sunrise Point is especially beautiful at dawn, when the mountain glows pink in the early light.
Celebrate the beauty of Rainier with a Mount Rainier National Park poster.
6. Arches National Park - Arches Scenic Drive
Length: 18 miles
This iconic drive is a journey through the heart of Arches National Park, where over 2,000 natural stone arches create a landscape like nowhere else. From Balanced Rock to Delicate Arch, each turn of the road reveals a new sandstone masterpiece sculpted by time. The glowing red hues against the blue sky are sights to behold.
Get an Arches National Park poster to bring the beauty of these rock formations into your home.
7. Bryce Canyon National Park - Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive
Length: 18 miles
Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive leads you to a series of dramatic overlooks where you can gaze upon Bryce’s unique amphitheaters filled with vibrant red and orange hoodoos. These towering spires, carved by frost and water, look almost otherworldly. Sunrise or sunset here is particularly magical, as the light brings the formations to life.
Celebrate this captivating park with a Bryce Canyon National Park poster.
8. Canyonlands National Park - Mesa Arch Scenic Drive
Length: 18 miles
The Mesa Arch Scenic Drive in Canyonlands National Park takes you to one of the most iconic and photographed spots in the park—Mesa Arch. This drive, located in the Island in the Sky district, winds through stunning red-rock desert landscapes and ends with a short hike to the arch itself. Perched on the edge of a cliff, Mesa Arch frames a breathtaking view of the canyons below and the La Sal Mountains in the distance, especially beautiful at sunrise when the arch glows with a fiery orange hue.
9. Grand Canyon National Park - Desert View Drive
Length: 23 miles
Desert View Drive offers an incredible journey along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, with sweeping views at every turn. Don’t miss the iconic Desert View Watchtower for panoramic vistas of the canyon and the Colorado River far below. This drive offers a quieter perspective of the Grand Canyon, where you can appreciate the scale and majesty of this natural wonder.
Capture this timeless landscape with a Grand Canyon National Park poster.
10. Acadia National Park - Park Loop Road
Length: 27 miles
Park Loop Road takes you along the rugged coast of Maine, where waves crash against pink granite cliffs and pine-covered mountains rise from the Atlantic. This drive offers a mix of forested beauty, sweeping ocean views, and opportunities to catch glimpses of the park’s diverse wildlife. Whether it’s the serenity of Jordan Pond or the heights of Cadillac Mountain, Acadia will leave you spellbound.
Capture the magic with an Acadia National Park poster.
11. Crater Lake National Park - Rim Drive
Length: 33 miles
Rim Drive circles Crater Lake, offering incredible views of America’s deepest lake and its vivid blue waters. With frequent pullouts and overlooks, you can take in Wizard Island, the Phantom Ship, and the surrounding cliffs that plunge into the lake. Each view seems more dramatic than the last, making this drive a must-do.
Capture Crater Lake’s beauty with a Crater Lake National Park poster.
12. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Newfound Gap Road
Length: 33 miles
Newfound Gap Road is like a journey through time. Winding through the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, this scenic drive takes you from Gatlinburg, Tennessee, all the way to Cherokee, North Carolina, across an elevation of over 5,000 feet. Along the way, you’ll pass moss-draped forests, historic Appalachian homes, and breathtaking overlooks. In every season, this drive offers something magical—think mist-shrouded mornings, vibrant fall foliage, or wildflower-carpeted valleys in spring.
Bring the Smokies into your home with a classic Great Smoky Mountains National Park poster.
13. Badlands National Park - Badlands Loop Road
Length: 39 miles
The Badlands Loop Road is a mesmerizing journey through the strange, eroded landscape of Badlands National Park. Here, ancient layered rock formations rise from the prairie, and bison roam freely. This drive offers sweeping views, dramatic peaks, and surreal sunsets that cast a golden glow over the land.
Relive the experience with a Badlands National Park poster to capture its eerie beauty.
14. Joshua Tree National Park - Park Boulevard
Length: 40 miles
Park Boulevard takes you through the otherworldly desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park. The twisted, spiky trees for which the park is named are scattered throughout the rocky terrain, creating an almost surreal setting. Drive through Hidden Valley and admire Skull Rock, or take a detour to Keys View for panoramic desert views.
Remember your desert journey with a Joshua Tree National Park poster.
15. Rocky Mountain National Park - Trail Ridge Road
Length: 48 miles
Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the U.S., and it delivers one breathtaking view after another. As you drive above the tree line, the world opens up into a sea of alpine tundra dotted with wildflowers. The sweeping vistas of snow-capped peaks and verdant valleys are unmatched, offering the perfect opportunity to connect with nature.
16. Glacier National Park - Going-to-the-Sun Road
Length: 50 miles
As one of the most famous scenic drives in America, Going-to-the-Sun Road is nothing short of legendary. This road winds across Glacier National Park’s wild landscapes, past cascading waterfalls, alpine meadows, and jagged peaks that seem to stretch into infinity. The journey from Lake McDonald to St. Mary is a breathtaking adventure, with surprises around every bend.
17. Denali National Park - Denali Park Road
Length: 92 miles
Denali Park Road takes you deep into the heart of Alaska’s wild interior. It’s a journey filled with wildlife sightings—grizzlies, caribou, moose—and majestic views of Denali, North America’s tallest peak. The road winds through varied landscapes, from taiga forests to alpine tundra, each more stunning than the last.
Celebrate your Alaskan adventure with a Denali National Park poster.
18. Shenandoah National Park - Skyline Drive
Length: 105 miles
Skyline Drive is a leisurely journey along the crest of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Stretching through Shenandoah National Park, this road is famous for its panoramic views and serene woodland beauty. With countless overlooks along the way, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pull over and soak in the scenery. Fall brings an explosion of colors, while spring brings wildflower blooms—a drive you’ll remember forever.
Mark the adventure with a Shenandoah National Park poster.
19. Yellowstone National Park - Grand Loop Road
Length: 142 miles (loop)
The Grand Loop Road is Yellowstone’s all-access pass to the wonders of this legendary park. The geothermal wonders of Old Faithful, the kaleidoscopic colors of Grand Prismatic Spring, the thundering falls of Yellowstone River—they all connect through this figure-eight route. Along the drive, you might even spot bison or elk grazing in the vast Lamar Valley.
Bring home the adventure with a Yellowstone National Park poster to keep the memories alive.
20. Natchez Trace Parkway
Length: 444 miles
The Natchez Trace Parkway follows a historic travel corridor that was once used by Native Americans, early explorers, and traders. Stretching from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee, this scenic drive takes you through rolling hills, lush forests, and sites rich with history. Stop by the numerous historic landmarks, such as the Emerald Mound and the Old Trace, to get a glimpse into the past. This leisurely route is perfect for those who want to experience the beauty and culture of the American South.
Capture the essence of this storied journey with a Natchez Trace Parkway poster.
21. Blue Ridge Parkway
Length: 469 miles
The Blue Ridge Parkway is often called "America’s Favorite Drive," and for good reason. Stretching through Virginia and North Carolina, it connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This scenic route takes you along the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a seemingly endless series of panoramic views, forested tunnels, and cultural heritage sites. In autumn, the vibrant foliage is a sight to behold, with fiery reds, oranges, and golds painting the landscape.
Commemorate your journey along this breathtaking route with a Blue Ridge Parkway poster.
These scenic drives are gateways to some of the most incredible natural wonders in the United States. From towering mountains and sweeping valleys to dramatic rock formations and tranquil coastlines, America's national parks offer unparalleled opportunities for adventure and discovery. Each road is an invitation to explore the beauty and diversity of these treasured landscapes, and every mile traveled brings you closer to the heart of nature's wonders. As you embark on these unforgettable adventures, don’t forget to pick up a National Park Poster from National Park Posters to bring a piece of your journey home. Let these beautifully crafted posters keep the spirit of the parks alive, inspiring your next great adventure.
Meet the Artist
Rob Decker is a photographer and graphic artist who had the rare privilege of studying under Ansel Adams in Yosemite National Park when he was just 19 years old. Now, Rob is on a journey to explore and photograph all of America’s National Parks. He’s creating WPA-style posters to help people celebrate their own national park adventures — as well as encourage others to get out and explore!
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