Roads, Routes and Parkways

In many ways, national parks and the automobile grew up together; the two are inextricably linked. The National Park Service (NPS) was founded in 1916 and just two years later, more visitors came to Yosemite National Park by car than by train. 'Auto touring' national parks quickly became a national past time. Soonafter, a generation of NPS landscape architects and designers set out to design roads as experiences, not just transportation routes. In the process they transformed national parks, the fields of landscape architecture, engineering and design, and the nation.

Today, over 5,000 miles of paved roads traverse the national park system, including parkways. A team of dedicated professionals work hard to plan, maintain, and manage a complex road system the nation can be proud of.
Check out some of these amazing national park roads:
Showing results 1-10 of 138

  • Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River

    Hawk's Nest

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
    A winding road cut into side of a mountain, overlooking forested river valley.

    A spectacular scenic viewpoint along the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway. The Hawk's Nest is the highest observation point at Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River.

  • Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

    Thoburn's Redoubt

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
    Cannon on a grassy knoll overlooking fall foliage and a historic farm.

    The Confederate surprise attack in the pre-dawn fog of October 19, 1864 struck here against the 8th Corps first, then drove the rest of the Federal troops from their camps around Belle Grove Plantation. 

  • Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

    128th New York Monument

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
    Large granite monument inscribed with 128th Reg NYSVI next to a row of trees.

    Veterans of New York's 128th Infantry Regiment dedicated a monument in memory of their comrades who died at the Battle of Cedar Creek. The monument marks the left end of the U.S. 19th Corps' position during the battle. 

  • Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park

    Miller's Mill

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
    Histroic two-story brick house on the Cedar Creek Battefield.

    The brick house at Miller's Mill marks the farthest advance of the Confederate army. Early formed his line along Miller Lane, modern Cougill Road. 

  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Ira Trailhead Information

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
    Two door restrooms (left) and a three sided information kiosk along the driveway with a trail (right

    This trailhead is popular for accessing the Beaver Marsh, located a half mile to the north on the Towpath Trail. The story of the Beaver Marsh has many chapters: a dairy farm, an auto salvage yard, and now a popular spot for viewing the wildlife, plants, and scenery of a recovering marshland.

  • Cuyahoga Valley National Park

    Station Road Bridge Trailhead Information

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Cuyahoga Valley National Park
    Yellow train station & tracks to left of distant arched bridge in snow, three-sided kiosk at right.

    Brecksville Station was once a loading point for outgoing milk and lumber on the Valley Railway. Now this area is a crossroads for rail passengers, hikers, cyclists, runners, paddlers, and horse riders. Here, Station Road Bridge Trailhead provides ample parking and access to the Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga River Water Trail, and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. In spring and summer, this is a hotspot for birders who flock to see cerulean and yellow-throated warblers.

  • Grand Canyon National Park

    Cape Royal Road (North Rim Scenic Road)

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Grand Canyon National Park
    a brown roadside sign with arrows marks the direction to scenic roads and visitor services.

    Cape Royal Road (Also known as Fuller Canyon Road and the North Rim Scenic Road) is a fantastic scenic drive leading to various points of interest, including Point Imperial and Cape Royal. Diverse viewpoints and several trails can be reached via this winding scenic drive. Allow at least 4 hours to tour the entire road with stops at the major pullouts and overlooks.

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Glacier National Park
    • Offices: Climate Change, Climate Change Landscape Conservation Corps, Climate Change Response Program
    Black and white picture of people watching plows clear snow.

    This is a short history of the solutions and benefits to climate change at Glacier. Glacier National Park has already begun an effort to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. From Polebridge and Goat Haunt to the Apgar Visitor Center and park headquarters Glacier is transitioning to renewable sources of energy throughout the park.

  • Petrified Forest National Park

    Off the Beaten Path Onyx Bridge Route Stop 1

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Petrified Forest National Park
    Two signs at the trailhead next to the Pueblo Revival Style inn

    An off the beaten path hike into the wilderness to a petrified log hidden in the red badlands.

  • Natchez Trace Parkway

    Witch Dance, Milepost 233.2

    • Type: Place
    • Locations: Natchez Trace Parkway
    Trail and Picnic Area at Witch Dance

    Witch Dance is a stop along the Parkway steeped in local folklore and many opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. The site features amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, and access to miles and miles of hiking and horseback riding trails through the Tombigbee National Forest. 

Last updated: September 23, 2024