Scenic Highways, Parks For Your 2024 Driving Adventures
So many choices and so little time to visit all the beautiful destinations in our own backyard. Here’s our list of favorite places we featured last year that you may want to consider in 2024.
Scenic byways and lesser known national parks abound in North America and usually are within a day trip of major interstate highways. That means no matter where you are traveling, you can create a side adventure.
The following locations offer alternatives to the crown jewels of the popular destinations–places Yosemite, Yellowstone and the like–which tend to be crowded with drivers.
National Parks You Can Enjoy In Winter Tranquility
National Parks are well-equipped to welcome travelers in the winter-months. Added bonuses are the discounted admission to the parks and bargain pricing that is often available at campgrounds or accommodations in the off-season.
Each park on the NPS.gov website features thorough information and attractions for planning your winter trip, as well as current road conditions and visitor center hours. The site has an interactive map for exploring National Parks near you and suggestions for activities in the frosty months.
Ready to beat the winter blahs with a surprising adventure in an unusual season? Check out these parks in your region and light up the dark months with an invigorating road trip.
Time Travel: A Journey Through America’s Dinosaur Past
Take a drive through prehistoric times along the Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway.
This fabulous loop gives visitors a chance to experience real Jurassic Parks: discover hands-on exploration at interactive museums; observe the assembly of giant bones; hike to sites of ancient native artwork on canyon walls; climb on life-sized models of dinosaurs; or just take in the gorgeous mountains, wild river gorges and painted scenery of Utah and Colorado.
The Dinosaur Diamond overlaps the border country of eastern Utah and western Colorado. The Byway includes two National Parks, two National Monuments, National Ancient Cultural and Historic Sites and a National Recreation Area. The scenic roadway meanders through a world-renowned landscape of brightly painted, deep rock canyons backed by snowy ranges of mountains.
Whether you travel the whole 512-mile Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway or just a portion, this spectacular loop route offers a memorable journey through time.
Enjoy The View: All-American Roads Of Western US
Planning a western states getaway? Make your trip through Washington, Oregon or California a remarkable journey by discovering some of these extraordinary routes, set aside as an American heritage for travelers to treasure.
National Scenic Byways include 233 highways across the US specially designated, preserved and celebrated by the Federal Government for their scenery, historical value and timeless road trip experiences for everyone.
Within these, All-American Roads are a special classification of particularly lovely scenic routes. The West coast states are home to 26 of these National Scenic Byways.
Gorgeous highways are yours to enjoy just by taking the time to plan your trip and turn onto the routes. Generally, these byways add no extra cost to your trip (though many of the roadways travel through National Parks and an entrance fee is charged), providing pocket-friendly family memories and fun in stellar landscapes.
The choices for fun seem endless and the beauty unimaginable. Collect your own experiences and memories on America’s fabulous scenic roads.
10 Spectacular Wildflower Destinations For Spring Travelers
Nature is putting on a spectacular wildflower show with a brilliant palette of bright colors across North America.
Bring your camera, pull your vehicle over and wander a trail that lets you imagine you have entered into an impressionist painting. Drive a wildflower scenic route or through a park; get out and enjoy these unforgettable natural flower garden displays around us.
Abundant rains this year are seeding expectations of spectacular masses of blossoms across the fruited plains.
Before you go, check out recommendations by native plant societies in your area, search online for articles about wildflower viewing on park websites, automobile club magazines or tourism sites for ideas for road trips close to you. An illustrated field guidebook, specific for your region, arranged by bloom color is a great education tool, entertainer and resource for your trip.
Wildflower abundance varies by year and region, depending upon weather and water conditions–the recommended sites below are arranged by average expected peak bloom times; information is readily available on location websites.
Hallowed Ground Route Brings Civil War Into Perspective
Take a drive through prehistoric times along the Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway.
This fabulous loop gives visitors a chance to experience real Jurassic Parks: discover hands-on exploration at interactive museums; observe the assembly of giant bones; hike to sites of ancient native artwork on canyon walls; climb on life-sized models of dinosaurs; or just take in the gorgeous mountains, wild river gorges and painted scenery of Utah and Colorado.
The Dinosaur Diamond overlaps the border country of eastern Utah and western Colorado. The Byway includes two National Parks, two National Monuments, National Ancient Cultural and Historic Sites and a National Recreation Area. The scenic roadway meanders through a world-renowned landscape of brightly painted, deep rock canyons backed by snowy ranges of mountains.
Whether you travel the whole 512-mile Dinosaur Diamond National Scenic Byway or just a portion, this spectacular loop route offers a memorable journey through time.
There is plenty to see and do with fun by the shovel-full in this ancient geologic area that is unique in the world. Amble past eons of history on the four-cornered route, speckled with mountain communities, resorts, museums and side-trips.
All seasons of the year have attractions for travelers.
Plunge Into Adventure: Wild, Wonderful Waterfalls
The natural wonderland of the United States has many of the most beautiful cataracts and cascades in the world. Melting water means that America’s stunning waterfalls are thundering down in National and State Parks near you.
Motorists who live in North America are fortunate that spectacular waterfall sites are close to every area of the US. The sublime music of freedom that is water plunging over escarpments and cliffs brings enchantment to lift spirits after winter is over.
Here are some little-known yet breathtaking road trip suggestions to waterfalls throughout the US. We’ve also included links so you can visit these spectacular natural wonders virtually.
How to plan a waterfall adventure
Beautiful waterfalls are located on wild rivers and creeks and are sometimes subject to flooding; be sure to check conditions on the website of your chosen destination before you go.
Discover Hidden Wonders Along America’s Scenic Byways
National and State Scenic Byways are an American treasure trove of fabulous highways that deliver journeys to remember for a lifetime.
This year, a new infusion of roads designated as Scenic Byways or All-American Roadways has been added to the collection to total over 230 routes that beckon you to discover a wide variety of fresh places.
Explorations all the way from natures’ stunning ridge-top views and fall-color drives, agricultural beauty in lush farmland vistas, historic discoveries from Revolutionary War trails and dust-bowl traveled Route 66 to the blinking neon lights of the Las Vegas’ Strip.
The Federal Highway Administration announced 34 new Scenic Byways and 15 new All-America Roadways, a classification within these Byways for especially lovely roads. Those added to the 184 previously designated scenic routes across the US.
It is not only beauty that set these roadways apart. According to Scenic Byway Association, the designation are not intended only to promote of roads but to help communities balance economic development as well as resource conservation (see scenic.org).
For a route to be selected, the roadways must show “intrinsic qualities” such as scenic, natural, historic, recreational, archaeological, or cultural value. The website features maps by state for selecting a scenic exploration near you, articles and resources plan your trip as well as educational tools to fully enjoy these national treasures. New roads included in this remarkable group include a wide selection of the qualities listed above that make them unique.
Dust off those sedentary blahs and start your engine on a new highway to adventure. The following are just a sampling of the roadways that are waiting for you to collect your own experiences and memories on jewels of Americas scenic roads.
Leaf Peeper Highways: Routes for Colorful Autumn Adventure
North America’s countless forests are dazzling with autumn’s brilliant color. Somewhere near you, the quickly passing show is within driving range for a road trip that is never to be forgotten.
Plan your fall adventure now to see the leaves at their best.
As a last fling before winter, trees paint themselves with splashes of luminous gold, red, bronze and orange that startle the eye. Fall road trips to see this stunning beauty are popular on the more famous routes where you can expect crowded highways, especially on weekends.
The journeys suggested here are some roads where you and your family can relax and enjoy the lovely scenes out your windows.
When are the best times to go view autumn’s colorful displays?
No two autumn seasons are alike and the onset of the brightest colors can only be generally predicted. The amount of cold, rain, length of night, richness of soil and species of tree affect when the leaves turn and how brilliant the colors are.
Check with your local US Forest Service office or state agriculture department for their best estimate of when to plan your road trip.