Take in staggering scenery, canyons, mountain passes, great forested plateaus, the Navajo Nation, and Natural Bridges National Monument.
Everyone should discover the desert southwest and the natural wonders that await you across southern Utah. A little ambitious for a day’s drive, one could easily spend a whole day exploring any one of the monuments and parks along the way. Start your trip at St. George in the southwest corner of the state, head out on Route 9 going to Zion National Park. Route 9 runs right through Zion Canyon, a pretty drive, but it can get tremendously busy during peak tourist season.
There are plenty of opportunities to stop and check out other more secluded areas of the park. Then it’s up U.S. 89 to Route 12 to Bryce Canyon National Park, where you’ll have to get off the road to walk around. Read more . . .
The Elkhorn Mountains are the backdrop for this diverse and beautiful 106-mile loop through rich scenery with historic landmarks, wildlife, and recreation abounding. Starting at Route Seven in Baker City, where pioneers on the Oregon Trail once stopped, this entirely paved path traces the history of eastern Oregon from the gold mining towns of the mid-1800s to the trails, lakes, and wildlife areas of today. 
For you city slickers who crave a little outdoor adventure on the weekends, the Mt. Hood/Columbia River Gorge Loop is a perfect “must see” panoramic getaway. Encompassing the rich landscape just outside Portland, Oregon’s largest city, this 4-hour drive will take you to dizzying heights. Catch a scenic glimpse of the Gorge at the Grotto as you leave the city on Sandy Blvd. Follow Route 26 to Sandy where you can try your palette at the Wasson Winery. 
Heading through the 13,000-foot peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this 58-mile trek is the most panoramic route between Taos and Santa Fe. Start out from Espanola on U.S. 84, picking up Route 76 to Chimayo. Sights here consists of the fortified Plaza del Cerro, a remnant from the Spanish Colonial times, as well as the Santaurio de Chimayo, which draws the faithful from around the area for its sacred dirt believed to impart cures.
Continuing on the drive from Espanola to Taos, this route takes you from the hustle and bustle of Taos into high, valleys, lakes, remote forests, and Wild West towns. The four-to five-hour loop snakes the 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the nation’s highest mountain, as well as some outstanding ski spots. Heading east from Taos on U.S. 64, the road ascends through Taos canyon’s evergreen forests and past several picnic spots and campgrounds. After winding through the Carson National Forest, it climbs over a 9,101-foot pass and heads back down to farmlands and the ski town of Angel Fire.