The Best Family-Friendly Off-Road Trails Near National Parks
Pair some off-road adventure with your next national park trip.
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U.S. national parks have seen an uptick in attendance over the past few years, according to the National Park Service. But don't let a fear of crowds keep you away. If you have a four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle, there are parts of these parks and the areas surrounding them that you can explore on unpaved roads.
Whether it's a dirt track to a remote part of the national park or a trail exploring a nearby location, the right vehicle can take you and your family to a quieter part of these iconic locations.
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Wrangell-St. Elias National Park: McCarthy Road
Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest national park in the United States, but much of it is backcountry, only accessible to the most determined explorers. Starting in the small town of Chitina, the McCarthy Road passes by stunning lakes then crosses the one-lane Kuskulana Bridge 238 feet above the Kuskulana River, with views of the Kennicott Glacier along the way.
At the end of the 60-mile drive, there's a large parking lot at the trailhead for the 5-mile hike or shuttle to the historic Kennecott Mines landmark. If you're not driving your own vehicle in Alaska, double-check with rental car agencies, as some don't allow you to drive the McCarthy Road with their vehicles.
Great Sand Dunes National Park: Medano Pass Primitive Road
The highlight of the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is the giant hills of sand set against the vista of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. After you've hiked in the dunes, you can drive just north of the visitor's center to join the Medano Pass Primitive Road, which heads 11 miles into the mountains.
Along the way, the road wades across Medano Creek and its tributaries nine times, so be prepared with a vehicle that can handle water crossings. The difficulty of this journey changes with the creek's seasonal flow, which usually peaks in late May and early June. The total 22-mile return trip takes about 2.5 to 3 hours.
The Medano Pass Primitive Road is open from mid- to late May until late November. During the fall, the aspen leaves along the route turn bright yellow and orange, creating a jaw-dropping corridor of color.
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Canyonlands National Park: Bridger Jack Road and Beef Basin
Canyonlands National Park is famous for its iconic White Rim Road, one of the best overland experiences in the country. But if you're looking for an alternative to the busy Moab-area experience, head just outside the park to the Beef Basin area and the Bridger Jack Road.
It turns off the pavement 32 miles northwest of Monticello, Utah, representing what makes Red Rock country special. The road heads into the Beef Basin area, which winds across the tops of the canyons. The Cathedral Butte is a highlight, hanging over the road with all the drama befitting its name.
Ensure you fuel up and have enough range, as it's about a 100-mile return drive from Monticello.
Badlands National Park: Sheep Mountain Table Road
Sheep Mountain Table Road straddles the divide between Badlands National Park's North Unit and Stronghold Unit, starting 4.5 miles south of Highway 44 at the ghost town of Scenic, South Dakota. The road is 7.5 miles each way, and to travel the last 2.5 miles, you need a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The road runs across the top of the mesa, winding between the rock formations that define this rugged corner of South Dakota before leading to a stunning view over the valley.
Check the weather before you go. Storms can turn the dirt-rutted path into a muddy mess.
Saguaro National Park: Redington Pass
Arizona's Saguaro National Park clings to Tucson's east and west edges, creating a space for the Sonoran Desert's native saguaro cactus to thrive. It's one of the most biodiverse spots in the United States, with a thriving mix of desert flora and fauna.
Just north of the eastern unit of the park, Redington Pass heads up into the mountains through Coronado National Forest. The dirt road switchbacks about 13 miles up the hills through cattle ranches on its journey to the town of Redington on the eastern side of the pass.
The views from the top over Tucson are fantastic, and if you can score one of the campsites on the ridgeline, you'll likely find the twinkling city lights look lovely at night.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Parson Branch Road
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, but you can still find plenty of quiet corners in the sprawling, two-state park. One of them is the Parson Branch Road, an 8-mile gravel road on the Tennessee side of the park.
It starts at Cades Cove, one of the most popular areas to visit in the park, and ends in the middle of the paved Tail of the Dragon — a famously twisty 11-mile road. Be aware that the Parson Branch Road includes shallow water crossings.
Glacier National Park: North Fork Road
Going-to-the-Sun Road might be the hallmark family-friendly drive in Montana's Glacier National Park. If you don't feel like dealing with the heavy summer traffic there, however, the gravel North Fork Road on the park's west side offers a more remote and quiet experience.
Like Going-to-the-Sun, North Fork Road requires a reservation to visit during the busy summer months, but seeing a less visited back side of the park is worth it. The roads are dusty and bumpy, and your cell phone will spend most of the adventure at zero bars. But the view of the bright blue waters of Bowman Lake and Kintla Lake close to the Canadian border will make the long journey to get from the rest of the park worth it.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Greg FitzgeraldGreg Fitzgerald is a New Jersey-based writer, photographer, adventurer, historian, and Land Rover enthusiast. When he's not writing about travel or cars, he's probably getting away from it all in the wilderness.
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