Park Roads

Park roads are a unique subset of the American roadway system, designed not just for function but for experience. These routes wind through national parks, state parks, scenic preserves, and recreational areas, offering drivers access to some of the country’s most stunning natural landscapes. While they may not serve as high-speed thoroughfares, park roads are often destinations in themselves—carefully engineered to blend with their surroundings and provide unforgettable views along the way.

Unlike most numbered highways, park roads may not follow a standardized signage system. In national parks, they’re often named rather than numbered, and maintenance responsibilities fall to agencies like the National Park Service, state departments of natural resources, or regional park authorities. These roads can include narrow scenic drives, wide multi-use parkways, and historic routes with significant cultural or environmental importance. Some, like the Blue Ridge Parkway or Going-to-the-Sun Road, have achieved legendary status for their design and vistas.

This section showcases park roads from across the United States, including famous corridors, hidden gems, and connector routes between major highways and public lands. Whether you’re planning a scenic drive, a national park road trip, or just curious about the infrastructure supporting America’s preserved spaces, these entries highlight the engineering, history, and beauty of the routes that make exploration possible.