1300-mile, 7 National Park ‘Americas Most Scenic Road Trip’

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This 1,300-mile Drive Is Called ‘America’s Most Scenic Road Trip’—and It Connects 7 Stunning National Parks

A scenic view of Glacier National Park from U.S. Route 89.Credit: Sean Xu/Adobe Stock

Key Points

• U.S. Route 89 stretches more than 1,300 miles from Arizona to Canada, passing within easy reach of seven national parks and numerous monuments, forests, and state parks.

• Beyond the national parks, the route offers hot springs, film locations, Indigenous cultural sites, historic towns, and nearly three dozen certified Dark Sky Places.

• Travelers should plan at least one to two weeks, check park reservations and seasonal closures, and download offline maps before setting out.

Near the spine of the United States’ Continental Divide, there’s a highway that goes by many names—it’s been dubbed “America’s Most Scenic Road Trip” and the “National Park Highway.”

Both are understandable monikers—after all, the route passes by no less than seven national parks, and an assortment of national monuments and forests. But avid road-trippers might recognize this drive better by its official name: U.S. Route 89. 

Officially stretching from Flagstaff, Arizona to the border with Canada (not counting an older, decommissioned leg that runs from the Mexican border in Nogales to Flagstaff), Route 89 sprawls across more than 1,300 miles. Add that historic section and a couple of alternative routes, and you’re looking at an almost 2,000-mile road trip. Along the way, you’ll pass a veritable laundry list of America’s most popular national parks, including Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yellowstone, all within a two-hour detour of the highway. 

Though all those national parks are the main attraction, a drive down Route 89 has much more in store. “People gravitate to the seven national parks along the route, but the national monuments and state parks should not be overlooked,” says Vicky Derksen, the owner of USRoute89.com, a digital resource on all things Route 89. She also notes that “U.S. Route 89 is a stargazer’s paradise, with about three dozen Dark Sky Places that are certified by DarkSky International. Having access to gorgeous night skies is a treasure.”

To top it off, Route 89 affords a unique chance to explore Western heritage and history. Though the highway first opened to drivers in 1927, the corridor’s real story goes back much, much further. “U.S. Route 89 tells an extraordinary story of geological history and human history,” says Derksen. “This landscape has witnessed 10,000 years of human habitation, from the Rockies to the Sonoran Desert. The cultural centers along the route help tell their stories and give you a chance to meet some of the people who still call these landscapes home.”

Here’s what you need to know before planning a drive along U.S. Route 89.

Best Things to Do

Explore a National Park

Sunset Point overlook in Bryce Canyon National Park.Credit: Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

Including its historic southern section, U.S. Route 89 passes within a stone’s throw of seven national parks: Saguaro, Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, and Glacier, all majestic in their own right. While some of these parks won’t be right on the route, you can get to any of them within a short drive. Pick which park sites you want to see in advance so you don’t run out of time or accidentally miss them along the way.

Soak in Hot Springs

Numerous scenic hot springs are tucked into the forests surrounding Route 89. To name just a few, there’s the impressive recreational complex at Yellowstone Hot Springs in Gardiner, Montana, and two geothermal pools at Chico Hot Springs resort in Pray, Montana. The hot springs resorts continue south of Montana, too—Monroe, Utah’s Mystic Hot Springs is famous for its striking, bright orange rock formations and cast iron bathtubs.

Do a Little Set-jetting

Western aficionados will likely recognize some of the landscapes along Route 89, as these scenes have served as the backdrops for numerous films and TV shows. Down south in Flagstaff and Cameron, you can see several different settings from “Easy Rider.” A little further north, you’ll pass through the town of Kanab, nicknamed “Little Hollywood.” More than 200 different Westerns were filmed here—to name just a few, there’s “The Outlaw Josey Wales,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and the iconic TV series “Gunsmoke.”

Explore the Wilderness

Courthouse Butte in Coconino National Forest.Credit: Oralleff/Getty Images

While you can’t miss out on the deserts, forests, and mountain peaks of the national parks along Route 89, don’t forget to add some of the highway’s quieter destinations to your itinerary. You’ll pass by national forests like Coconino, Dixie, and Bridger-Teton, as well as a variety of state parks and national monuments well worth a stop. “Some of my favorite places along this route include Wupatki National Monument, Cedar Breaks National Monument, the auto tour at Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park near Great Falls,” Derksen says.

Learn About Local Cultures

Route 89 passes through several areas that have a rich history of human habitation dating back millennia. In Kanab, Utah, the Moqui Cave museum showcases a massive collection of Native American artifacts, including pottery and arrowheads. Close to the route’s northern terminus, meanwhile, the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning, Montana displays historic items and fine art pieces crafted by the Blackfeet, Crow, Sioux, and other Indigenous peoples.

How to Plan a Trip

A sign for U.S. Route 89 in Utah.Credit: redtea/Getty Images

Driving more than 1,300 miles is no small feat, so you’ll want to set aside at least seven to 14 days to travel U.S. Route 89 in its entirety. You should also do a little bit of itinerary planning in advance, picking the parks, trailheads, and museums that you don’t want to miss.

No matter which places you choose to visit, take the time to double-check the national parks’ websites beforehand. “The most important planning tip is to check national park websites before you go,” says Derksen. “Closures can happen at any time due to fire, flooding, snow, or other natural events.”

Drivers should also make sure they snag all necessary permits. At the time of writing, Glacier and Zion National Parks both require reservations for certain activities (in the case of Glacier, it’s Going-to-the-Sun Road; in Zion, it’s the Angel’s Landing trail).

Book those timed-entry permits well in advance so you don’t miss out, and while you’re at it, reserve your hotel rooms and campsites. National park-adjacent lodging fills up quickly along the route during the summer.

One last thing to do before you go: download your route long before you hit the road. Cell service is limited along the route, so it’s crucial to have your maps ready if and when you happen to hit a dead zone.

When to Go

An aerial view of U.S. Route 89 winding through mountains in Arizona.Credit: Adam Borowski/Getty Images

Some sections of Route 89 close during winter, not to mention portions of the national parks that line the road. To get the best weather and the most openings, drivers tend to set out between late summer and early fall, from late July to September.

There is a caveat, though—some weather windows are better for certain sections than others. “U.S. Route 89 definitely has seasonality to it,” says Derksen. “From Salt Lake City to the border of Mexico, late fall through early spring is the best time of the year. North of Salt Lake to the border of Canada is best visited between late spring and fall. Yellowstone is an exquisite place in the winter, but it can only be accessed through one entrance and requires extra planning, while access to much of Glacier is closed in the winter.”

Where to Stay, Eat, and Drink

Flagstaff, Arizona

Downtown Flagstaff, Arizona.Credit: Amanda Blackard/Travel + Leisure

The route’s official southern terminus has been designated as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, and there’s no better place to make your base camp while you explore one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World. Flagstaff also has an impressive culinary and lodging scene, with standouts like Shift Kitchen & Bar and the High Country Motor Lodge providing comfortable counterparts to the city’s great outdoors.

Kanab, Utah

Within striking distance of both Zion and Bryce Canyon National Park, Kanab is set among some truly gorgeous scenery. Otherworldly ochre and golden sandstone formations—including The Wave and Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon—surround the town. For stays, Kanab has a wide range of well-known hotel chains, as well as boutiques like Best Friends Roadhouse and Mercantile. Stop by eateries such as Sego Restaurant and Wild Thyme Bistro for seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine, the perfect way to refuel after a day in the driver’s seat.

Salt Lake City, Utah

The capital city of Utah, Salt Lake teems with both fascinating history and outdoor recreation opportunities. It’s got more hotels than you can shake a stick at, but one of the buzzier recent additions is Kimpton Hotel Monaco, which has gained a reputation for its thoughtful amenities and luxurious suites. Venture downtown to dine at upscale restaurants like Felt Bar & Eatery, or casual spots like Pie Hole, an open-late pizza joint popular with students at the nearby University of Utah. Do yourself a favor and order a slice of potato bacon pie.

Jackson, Wyoming

A guest room in Four Seasons Jackson Hole.Credit: Four Seasons Hotels

Jackson enjoys a prime position near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, as well as the National Elk Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Befitting its status as one of the West’s premier resort towns, Jackson boasts an array of luxury lodgings too numerous to name here, including an outpost of the Four Seasons and the independently owned Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa. As for dining options, Cafe Genevieve serves an excellent breakfast and brunch, and Million Dollar Cowboy Bar draws crowds for a taste of Western-style eats like bison burgers and elk sliders.

Livingston, Montana

Right on the banks of the Yellowstone River, Livingston is a well-rounded destination for just about every kind of outdoor activity imaginable, from cross-country skiing during winter to mountain biking and fishing during summer. All of those outdoor activities are complemented by an equally world-class lodging scene. The historic Murray Hotel puts guests in the heart of the action, with plushly furnished suites right downtown. 

In the evening, mosey around breweries and bars like Whiskey Creek Saloon & Casino. The building’s second floor is an events venue that hosts lively music performances most evenings.