What if you want to see a national park by just driving through and stopping at some turnouts for pictures instead of taking more time on trails and with interpretive programs?
Some will dub you a “windshield tourist” for this, but maybe you have very limited time, mobility issues, or other factors that keep you from staying for long.
Here are some of the best national parks for seeing by car in the East, the Midwest, and the Rockies.
Acadia, Maine
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The road network on Mount Desert Island literally provides access from the mountains to the sea. From the summit of Cadillac Mountain to the waves of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against sea cliffs, you’ll also see glacier-carved lakes, unspoiled forests, and pristine beaches.
Shenandoah, Virginia
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For 105 miles, Skyline Drive runs north-south, with numerous overlooks providing views of mountains and valleys. At its southern end, it connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway, which winds for 469 stoplight-free miles to…
Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina-Tennessee
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The main road through the park connects Gatlinburg in Tennessee with Cherokee in North Carolina, and there are constant views of mountains, valleys, and rushing streams. A spur near the road’s crest leads west to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the park. The Little River Road is also highly scenic and accesses the popular Cades Cove Loop Drive.
Guadalupe Mountains, Texas
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You can’t actually get far at all into this park by road; park roads lead to trailheads, campgrounds, and a visitors center. However, a U.S. highway parallels the crest of the mountains all the way into Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which is in the New Mexican part of the Guadalupes.
Big Bend, Texas
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This huge national park is great for auto touring. The main park roads are scenic enough, but don’t miss out on the spur up into the Chisos Mountains. Also, don’t miss Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which goes through colorful desert country and ends at the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon.
Badlands, South Dakota
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Most visitors see little more than what’s visible from the main park road, but that drive itself is spectacular. If you have more time, drive the unpaved route into Sage Creek Basin, where it intersects roads that lead to even less-visited parts of the park. Got 4-wheel drive? You’ll like Sheep Mountain Table.
Theodore Roosevelt, North Dakota
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Another park featuring a lot of Badlands scenery, this one has two separate units, and each has its own scenic road. Badlands, river views, and prairie dog towns are waiting for you to see, and you’ll probably also see bison and maybe wild horses.
Glacier, Montana
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53-miles Going-to-the-Sun Road connects this park’s eastern and western entrances and is simply one of the most spectacular drives you’ll ever do. Rugged mountains, waterfalls, and glacial lakes are among the sights from start to finish. There’s also a good chance you’ll see bighorn sheep and mountain goats, and bear sightings are common. If time permits, drive the in-and-out toads into Many Glacier Valley and Two Medicine Valley; both take you into stunning scenery.
Yellowstone, Idaho-Montana-Wyoming
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Yellowstone has an extensive road network that you can cover in a long day. While on it, you’ll see geysers and hot springs, waterfalls, lakes, mountains, wildlife, and more. Try to plan to enter or exit via the Northeast Entrance and the Beartooth Highway; the latter is one of the most scenic roads in America.
Grand Teton, Wyoming
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Views of the famous Tetons are constant as you drive the main park road connecting Moran Junction and Jackson. For a closer look and more to see, enter at Moran Junction or the Moose entrance.
Rocky Mountain, Colorado
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Rocky Mountain has one of America’s best drives: Trail Ridge Road, which climbs above treeline and winds through alpine tundra for several miles. One-way Old Fall River Road climbs into the tundra as well and eventually meets Trail Ridge Road, creating the possibility of a nice loop. Scenic Bear Lake Road is also worth a look.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Colorado
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There are roads on both the north and south rims of the canyon here. You will have to get out to see down into the canyon from them, but the overlooks are all either roadside or have very short walks to them.
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