Not Death Valley, Not Glacier: This National Park Has One Of The Longest Scenic Drives

While national parks in the United States show off some of the country's best nature, you don't always need to hike for miles on foot to experience these incredible landscapes. Some can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own vehicle, as multiple national parks have paved roads that get close to their best views. Death Valley and Glacier National Parks are among the biggest parks in the country and have lengthy scenic drives. However, to get one of the longest scenic national park drives, head to Yellowstone.

Accessible from any of Yellowstone National Park's entrances, Grand Loop Road is 142 miles long and gets you within walking distance of the park's defining sights. The entire drive can be completed in just one day, but given the abundance of rare features that make Yellowstone so special, you might want to take your time. Plus, traffic in the form of other cars (especially during popular summer months) and wildlife herds can slow you down too. Aim for at least two days on Grand Loop Road and remember that sections of this route are closed to personal vehicles from October through May. Visiting Yellowstone in the winter is incredible, but requires a snowmobile or snowcoach tour rather than driving yourself.

Grand Loop Road weaves through Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park's northwest corner. The travertine terraces here are the results of unique hydrothermal features. Shaped like a huge, irregular staircase, water cascades down from one flat top pool to another at Mammoth Hot Springs. Boardwalks help you observe these beautiful terraces from above. If you plan to space out your Grand Loop journey, this can be a good stopping point. Travelers can book a night at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins or reserve a campsite at Mammoth Campground.

Between Mammoth Hot Springs and Old Faithful, Grand Loop Road runs along the steep hills of Golden Gate Canyon and is dotted with more hydrothermal activity. Learn about Yellowstone's geology at the Norris Geyser Basin Museum and check out surrounding geysers and mud pools. Further along Grand Loop are the colorful steaming pools and trailhead for the picturesque Artists Paintpots hot springs, but one thing you definitely can't miss on this section of Grand Loop is Grand Prismatic Spring. Travelers have documented this breathtaking kaleidoscopic hot spring since the mid-1800s. Walk along the Midway Geyser Basin Trail boardwalk to reach Grand Prismatic and its otherworldly colors ranging from deep blue to bright orange. Travelers can also stay the night nearby at Madison Campground.

Another landmark of Yellowstone National Park is Old Faithful. Veer slightly off Grand Loop Road to catch this famous geyser in action. It erupts approximately once every 90 minutes, but is far from the only thing to see in this part of the park. Follow nearby boardwalks to other hydrothermal favorites like the vibrantly colored Morning Glory Pool and Crested Pool. You might see other geysers spray water and steam into the air along the walks, such as Castle Geyser erupting every 14 hours. The Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge, and Old Faithful Snow Lodge are here for overnight stays too.

Yellowstone National Park has its own Grand Canyon, aptly named Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. From Grand Loop Road, take North Rim Drive to access a paved trail leading to Brink of Lower Falls. You might hear the falls before you see them, as thousands of gallons of water rush over the impressive 308-foot drop. The viewing platform is right next to the waterfall and offers sweeping canyon vistas. To see the canyon's 109-foot Upper Falls, turn off Grand Loop to South Rim Drive. This road leads to Upper Falls View, yet another beloved scenic spot in this one-of-a-kind national park.