United States: 5 breathtaking roads to explore Western National Parks

Arches National Park

Breathtaking landscapes, panoramic views stretching into the horizon and free-roaming wildlife: the United States’ scenic roads offer privileged access to the country's natural wonders. Here is a selection of five scenic roads, a must if you want to experience the national parks of the American West for yourself.

Highway 12, Utah, between red cliffs, canyons and vast plateaus

Highway 12 - or Scenic Byway 12 - is 197 kilometres long and winds its way through the spectacular scenery of southern Utah. Considered to be one of the most picturesque roads in America, it passes through Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef national parks, where nature has a surprise for you around every turn: bright red canyons, towering mesas, badlands, desert plateaus... From the very start, Bryce Canyon national park, with its amphitheatres of hoodoos - fairy chimneys formed by erosion - reveals a grandiose spectacle in shades of orange and pink. Further up, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a magnificent set canyons cut into the rock and trails leading to waterfalls and natural arches. In Capitol Reef, you can’t miss Waterpocket Fold, a geological rift where the red, brown and white colours of the exposed sedimentary rocks blend together in a wildly spectacular tortured landscape.

Going-to-the-Sun Road, Montana, the heavenly highway of Glacier National Park

Time to head for the northern United States! The Going-to-the-Sun Road is only accessible in summer, from mid-June to September. It crosses Glacier National Park in north-western Montana over a distance of 80 kilometres. On the border with Canada, this legendary road runs up the mountainside, going across spectacular passes and skirting breathtaking glacial chasms. Stop along the way at Jackson Glacier Overlook or St. Mary Lake. These will provide you with opportunities to observe the park's wildlife, a chance to encounter mountain goats, marmots and, more rarely, black bears. But the cherry on top is the Logan Pass, which at 2,026 metres offers 360-degree views of the peaks and glacial valleys, an unbroken scenery of lakes, alpine meadows and pine forests.

The Zion Mt. Carmel Scenic Drive (Highway 9), Utah, between the towering canyons of Zion National Park

Highway 9, known as the Zion Mt. Carmel Scenic Drive, is the iconic access route to Utah's Zion National Park. Over some thirty kilometres, this winding road twists its way through narrow canyons and lush green valleys, providing a striking contrast with the towering red cliffs ringing the park. The famous Zion Mount Carmel tunnel, cut into the mountain, opens a delightful window onto the steep, colourful walls overlooking the Virgin River, the park’s main attractions. The road then meanders along the river, offering many opportunities to stop and admire the spectacular views, including the rocky towers of The Sentinel, as well as the Checkerboard Mesa. This route is also a starting point for many hikes, such as the Emerald Pools, letting you explore wilder areas and fully appreciate the nuanced beauty of this rocky landscape.

The Moab Scenic Byways, Utah, gateways to arches and sculpted gorges

In Moab, scenic drives are the best way to enjoy the majesty of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Three scenic byways criss-cross the area, each with unique natural treasures to show. Route 128 follows the meandering Colorado River whose red sandstone cliffs tower over the water below. Route 279 runs alongside the Petroglyph Panels, rock faces decorated with native ancestral carvings. Finally, route 313 leads directly to the entrance to Canyonlands, offering a preview of the vast canyons running all across the park. Between natural arches, spectacular gorges and vast stretches of desert, Moab's scenic roads will take you through grandiose landscapes shaped by wind, water and the patient action of time.

Grand Teton 42-Mile Scenic Drive, Wyoming, a scenic loop drive in the heart of the Tetons

Located in the heart of Grand Teton National Park, the 42-Mile Scenic Drive offers a complete route to explore the majesty of Wyoming's landscapes: this 68-kilometre loop winds through an area lightly forested with conifers, ending at the Jackson and Jenny lakes at the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the Teton Range. The views extend as far as the Jackson Hole valley, creating a captivating contrast between the flat, green plains and the sheer granite cliffs. There are trails accessible from the 42-Mile Scenic Drive, such as those leading to Taggart Lake or String Lake, letting you explore the pristine natural environment nature up close, surrounded by waterfalls and dense forests, away from the roads and signs of human life.