Mountain Drives for the Day-Tripper
By Jen Catto, Editor
In this vast country, winding mountain roads and wide-open highways provide infinite possibilities for the curious road-tripper. America’s great wilderness, seemingly endless plains, and scenic countryside are dotted with local, hidden gems, stunning natural wonders, and glimpses into our nation’s captivating history.
Whether you are camping in a national park, staying in a bed and breakfast, or living in a nearby city, taking to the roads is a relaxing way to explore someplace new. The following is a rundown of our editors’ favorite American drives (with one north of the border drive too!).
Denver to the Rockies
Drive into the sky and dance your way out of the clouds. Ever wanted to know what it's like to climb a 14,000 foot mountain? You don't have to be a mountaineer to experience the breathtaking thrill of high altitude mountain climbing. Twist and turn your steering wheel up 14,264 feet through sub-alpine forests and seemingly arctic alpine tundra to the summit of the country's highest paved road on the Mount Evans Scenic Byway. Bring your fishing rod and challenge the bass at Echo Lake. And don't forget your binoculars for spotting your fellow climbers: big horn sheep, mountain goats, and mule deer. Celebrate your conquest with a trip to Red Rocks Amphitheatre for some live music in a magical setting high above the bright lights of Denver.
For hotel deals in Denver, click here.
.
For hotel deals in Vail or Beaver Creek, click here.
For hotel deals in Winter Park, click here.
For hotel deals in Steamboat Springs, click here.
Vancouver’s Sea to Ski Highway
The Sea to Sky Highway is one of Canada's most scenic and historic drives. Pick it up by Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver and drive 75 miles to Whistler. The drive runs from the edge of the Pacific Ocean along Howe Sound, all the way through the coast and mountains. The two-lane road, also known as Highway 99, passes over Lion's Gate Bridge bound for the emerald forests and picturesque peaks of Whistler Village.
There are numerous scenic stops along the highway—one not to be missed is just south of Squamish at Shannon Falls--a 1,100-foot cascade of mountain water accompanied by marked hiking trails. If you don't want to drive all the way to Whistler, this is about 45 miles from Vancouver. For hotel deals in Whistler, click here.
Driving the circumference of Lake Tahoe
Appreciate the lake in all its glory by driving around its entirety. The total circumnavigation is 70 miles, and can be done in just a few hours. Start anywhere on State Route 28 or U.S. Highway 50, and just keep on going. On our drive, we started at Tahoe City and drove through Carnelian Bay and on to popular King's Beach, a great place to lie out on a sunny summer's day. At Crystal Bay, you'll cross into Nevada. Heading south with the lake on your right and the mountains to your left, you'll pass Incline Village, Sand Harbor State Park, Zephyr Cove, and a whole lot of casinos before crossing back into California. Stretch your legs on one of the hiking trails around Emerald Bay, and then continue north past Meeks Bay and Tahoe Pines to arrive back where you started. Please note: During winter, parts of the road may close due to snow removal issues, particularly on the west and south shores. For hotel deals in Lake Tahoe, click here.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The great thing about driving through this spectacular park is that many of the roads feature self-guided tours with placards explaining the flora and fauna. To get a good overview, start by taking Newfound Gap Road to Clingman's Dome, which, at its high elevation, gives the best bird's-eye view of the park. Then, be sure drive to Cade's Cove Loop Road, a one-way paved lane that'll take you straight back to the 1800s (but you get to enjoy it with air conditioning and radio). As you travel through this 2,500-acre sheltered valley filled with forests and waterfalls, you'll pass historic churches, farms, and typical pioneer-style cabins. Expect to spend about one to two hours on this road alone.
Santa Fe to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Taos
Drive toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains about 70 miles north of Santa Fe, where you'll find an artists' community, villages and churches, galleries and museums, and world-class skiing—that’s right, skiing in the southwest. On the High Road to Taos, you'll pass dozens of Native American villages and old mission churches like the Santuario de Chimayó, with its holy dirt that is known to heal wounds and cure the sick. Another notable village amidst adobe buildings is the Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America and home to the Taos Pueblo Indians for over 1,000 years. This pueblo is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark.
Atlanta to Helen and Athens
Take the I-85 North through the North Georgia Mountains to I-985 about an hour outside of Atlanta, and you’ll find the unusual, faux Bavarian town of Helen brimming with gabled chalets, delightful beer gardens, chocolatiers, and wunderbar boutiques. Pack your lederhosen and take to the hills, alive with waterfalls and the picturesque Chattahoochee River. If Oompah bands aren't quite your speed, drive to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains Northwest on I-85 for groundbreaking rock music in Athens. Street cafes, vinyl music stores, and live music clubs all feed Athens’ nitty-gritty rock vibe. Home to groups like the B-52s, Pylon, Love Tractor, and the venerable REM, this antebellum-home district teems with rockers like Michael Stipe (known for his impromptu appearances here).
Bangor to Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor
Head south on Main Road for 15 miles outside Bangor, and you will encounter fall foliage that’s likely to make any leafer’s autumn. Spring provides the best views of the water where pelicans, seagulls, and other creatures of the avian kind will greet you. Continue on Bangor Road for 12 miles to Acadia National Park. It's been called everything from America's last frontier to “Vacationland,” and for once, the catch-phrases hold true. Maine's vastly diverse lands are vigorously protected, yet benefit from a sprinkling of homespun craft shops and eateries. Marshes yield to meadows of wildflowers and stone-slab cliffs give way to a salty sea. In summer, rent kayaks to explore the coastline's rugged peninsulas--home to osprey, Maine seals, and the occasional bald eagle. Then stop in at the Jordan Pond House for tea, oversized popovers and homemade strawberry jam (from local, wild strawberries) while overlooking one of the Park's most serene ponds.
Boise to the Snake River Valley
Less than an hour outside Boise lays Idaho's wine country, which may be a relative newcomer on the vineyard scene, but the quality of the Gem State's vino is so precious, folks around the world are taking notice. Head west on I-84 W, and make the Ste. Chapelle Winery your first stomping grounds for sampling. The stunning Snake River Valley provides a regal backdrop for tasting award-winning Rieslings in Idaho's best known vineyard. Next up, head west on US-26 to take in the live jazz and belly up to the tasting bar for a glass of Chenin Blanc at the Winery at Eagle Knoll. Finally, drive west towards Caldwell to learn that grapes aren't Idaho's only worthy harvest on the Sunny Slope at Koenig Distillery, which boasts tasty Cabernet Sauvignons and Merlots alongside signature brandies made from Idaho's own bounty of peaches, apricots, and pears.
Burlington, VT to Shelburne, Bristol, and Middlebury
Head South on US-7 to the quaint but sophisticated town of Shelburne. Wander past the sprawling historic buildings of the Shelburne Museum, where 19th-century Americana folk art is almost overshadowed by the panoramic views of the majestic Adirondacks, then take a thermos of icy-cold homemade lemonade from the Shelburne Country Store for the ride (or its famous apple cider when the weather’s cool). Continue south through rolling hills blanketed in spring by dandelions and expansive farm land dotted with picturesque barns, chapels and cottages to the bucolic town of Bristol. Then continue to Middlebury, nestled in between the Green and Adirondack Mountain ranges on the Ethan Allen Highway, and wander into the beguiling boutiques, artisan galleries and bookstores of this New England college town. Cross the bridge over Otter Creek and the waterfall, and then wind down with a sunset dinner on the patio of The Storm Cafe beside the falls on the Creek. For hotel deals in Burlington, click here.
Glacier National Park: Going-to-the-Sun Road
The name of this road promises an almost mystical experience, and the scenery matches up. Over the course of 48 miles, you'll cross over the Continental Divide several times as you navigate a series of switchback turns of the mountain road. If you start in St. Mary, the whole trip will take you about an hour an a half, and will begin with the grasslands of Two Dog Flats (be on the lookout for hawks). Follow the road to Jackson Glacier Overlook, where it's worth getting out of the car to check out the snowy tableau. Go over Logan Pass and past the Weeping Wall (you'll see why it's called this if you go during summer). Check out the hanging valley at Bird Woman Falls Overlook, then park your car at Trail of the Cedars Avalanche Lake Trail if you want to take a walk through an enchanted forest. The journey ends where the sun sets at West Glacier.
West Yellowstone Entrance to Old Faithful
From the west entrance of the park, follow the road along the Madison River, turning right on Firehole. You'll pass several picnic areas with big mountain views before entering the Lower Geyser Basin. When you come to the Fountain Paint Pots, it's well worth it to get out of the car to marvel at the bubbling and broiling cauldrons of seismic activity. Get back on the road and be on the lookout for bison, elk, bears, and wolves as you head towards the park's most famous attraction. You'll know you'll have timed your arrival perfectly if Old Faithful greets you with a big old welcoming plume of smoke and gas. Otherwise, you may have to wait a little for this spectacle of nature, but it's well worth the show. For hotel deals in nearby Jackson Hole, click here.
Las Vegas to Zion National Park
This two and a half-hour trip is 158 miles, and most of the way the speed limit is a soaring 75 miles per hour past tumbling tumbleweed and dry patches of scruff. Once you get closer to the park, however, the speed limit drops (as will your jaw) when you enter the Virgin River Canyon. The road crosses over the river at many points, so you'll have the chance to ford the waterway which carved all of the Zion canyons over the course of millions of years. You'll notice that the river at some points is just a thin stream, while at other times it's fairly mighty (and in spring, it can also be quite muddy). Keep your eyes on the road, but also be on the lookout for unusual rock formations of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Once you reach the park's south entrance, you can park your car and hop on one of the free shuttles that lead inside to Zion's major attractions and hiking trails.
Highway 120: Yosemite Park Entrance to Tuolomne Meadows
The drive into Yosemite, with its twists and turns and tall trees, is absolutely spectacular. From the park entrance, it's about an hour to the main Valley and Visitor's Center. You'll know you're getting close when you start seeing the sights that make Yosemite such a traveler's favorite, like Half-Dome and Bridal Veil Falls. If you continue on Highway 120, the relative development of the Valley gives way to the more pristine backcountry. Mountain streams meander across meadows. Birds fly from pine tree to rocks. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like mule deer, black bears, and little puff-cheeked chipmunks. Once you reach Tuolomne Meadows, take advantage of this amazing setting by setting out on one of the backpacker-beloved hiking trails. For hotel deals in Yosemite and nearby Fresno, click here.
Calgary to Lake Louise and Banff
Head west on Trans Canada Highway W for 90 minutes to the emerald Lake Louise. Skip the perimeter of the water to Lake Agnes Tea House for a lazy afternoon repast of cookies and cucumber sandwiches. Next, take a ride on the Bow Valley Parkway, a low-speed scenic route winding alongside Hillsdale Meadows, Johnston Canyon, Castle Mountain, and myriad other nature nooks and picnic corners. Spot elk, coyote, deer, and maybe even a bear! Once in Banff, suit up to plunge into Banff National Park's Upper Hot Springs, a gurgling 100 degrees Fahrenheit mineral bath that’s located 5,259 feet up Sulphur Mountain. Towel off and hop a gondola to Sulphur's peak to top it all off with a dazzling, wide-open view of the Canadian Rockies. For hotel deals in Banff, click here.
Greenville, SC to Asheville, NC
Follow U.S. Highway 25 north into North Carolina then take U.S. 276 to Brevard, a quaint community located within the Pisgah National Forest of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains. With more than 250 waterfalls, 200 miles of waterways, and 470 miles of hiking trails, the area is also called the Land of the Waterfalls. Continue to Sliding Rock, the king of swimming holes. This 60-foot natural waterslide offers idyllic refreshment on a hot summer day. Dry off, and then hop in your car for a 30-minute drive to Asheville. Get your fill of biscuits and apple butter at Moose's Cafe--and that's before the "real" food arrives! If mansions are your cup-of-tea, take I-40 to the Biltmore Estate, America's largest home, complete with expansive gardens, an award-winning winery, and shopping.
Los Angeles to Mammoth Lakes
For the Angelino visitor who wants high mountain scenery and seasonal skiing without having to drive all the way to Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes offers a relatively close-by alternative. The total distance is 320 miles, but the beginning roads like I-5 and Highway 14 travel at high speeds. About 50 miles after passing through Mojave, you'll take 395 through Bishop and exit at the Mammoth Lakes turnoff (Highway 203). From there, we recommend a picnic at Mammoth Lakes Basin. To get there from downtown Mammoth, go west on Highway 203 to Lake Mary Road, which will wind all the way up to the basin. Along the way, you'll pass several scenic lakes as well as forests filled with a mixed range of trees and birds.
|
|
|
