This article is part of podcast episode 343: Scenic Road Trips for RV Travelers – The Journey Is the Destination. Listen to Jason and Abby discuss the four iconic routes below and a collection of others on the RV Miles Podcast YouTube channel, or click here for the audio version.
There are plenty of iconic road trips, but sometimes, we want to get away from it all. Enjoy these off-the-beaten-path scenic drives that take us to places that feel far removed from it all.
Here are three we recommend that are perfect for a day drive from the campground or in your RV*.
*Like all great roads, it’s important you check the route and make sure this is something your RV can handle before heading out. These aren’t roads you want to find yourself navigating in something that shouldn’t be there.
Three Off-the-Beaten-Path Scenic Drives
Highway 12 (Utah):
This 122-mile “All-American Road” connects Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks. Along the way, you’ll pass the red rock beauty of Escalante and Kodachrome Basin State Park, both of which have RV camping options. The “All-American Road” destination is only given to one-third of America’s scenic byways, and once you embark on Highway 12, you’ll understand why it was included. The unique features, jaw-dropping beauty, and wide open landscapes will have you returning again and again. Highway 12 is truly a destination all on its own, but the National Park locations are a definite bonus.
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway (New Mexico):
It’s no secret we love New Mexico here at RV Miles, and the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway is just one of many examples of why. This is a true hidden gem in the Southwest as this loop links the oldest continuously occupied residence in New Mexico, Taos Pueblo, the first memorial to Vietnam War veterans, and breathtaking scenery you might recognize from such films as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “Easy Rider.” Along the way, you’ll encounter incredible hikes and plenty of places to camp. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is just twelve miles northwest of Taos on US 64 and is a must-see side trip.
The Great River Road (Mississippi River):
“You can follow the Mississippi from Minnesota to Louisiana on this epic road trip along the Great River Road. This remains one of our favorite road trips in the RV, especially the section between IL and MN, where scenic bluffs abound. This route offers quaint river towns, historic sites, and an ever-changing landscape. Many RVers often overlook this road, and we think it’s a mistake to skip it. The Great River Road lives up to its name, and plenty of Army Corps of Engineer campgrounds abound along the Mississippi.
