Top North American Destinations to Explore on a Road Trip

Have you ever dreamed of packing up and road tripping for months on end?

Nick Paquette, a freelance video editor, did just that in 2017. He embarked on a road trip across North America, driving over 21,700 miles in six months, discovering some of Canada and America’s most scenic attractions on the journey.

Paquette and his girlfriend originally decided to take the trip as a way to explore their homeland Canada and later extended the trip to include the U.S.

The couple chose to travel by car to enjoy the freedom to venture anywhere during their six-month adventure.

The duo explored everything from remote surf towns and tranquil campgrounds to adventure-packed caves, sharing the must-see locations with iBestTravel. From emerald-colored lakes to valleys blanketed in golden trees, here are the top North American destinations Paquette says you won’t want to miss when planning your own journey.

01. Medicine Lake – Alberta, Canada

Paquette and his girlfriend started their trip in Ontario and headed north until they reached Alberta, where they admired the stunning scenery of Medicine Lake, located in Jasper National Park. In summer, glacial waters feed the lake, causing levels to rise dramatically, sometimes overflowing before it dries out in winter into a mudflat.

The water drains out of the lake from the bottom through sinkholes, resembling a giant bathtub, before traveling through a 10-mile series of underwater caves, resurfacing at the Maligne Canyon.

02. Tombstone Territorial Park – Yukon Territory, Canada

To take advantage of warm weather, the couple chose to visit Yukon instead of Banff National Park, where they found their favorite destination. Paquette described Yukon as a mystery due to its northern isolation and remarked on the stunning and intact landscapes with less human impact. One highlight was Tombstone Territorial Park, known as the “Patagonia of the North” for its breathtaking peaks combined with tundra terrain.

“Here, the forest meets tundra, and once you go further north, the forests vanish, replaced by rows of spiky mountains surrounding you,” he shared.

03. Salmon Glacier – British Columbia, Canada

In western British Columbia, the couple explored majestic glaciers like Salmon Glacier, known as Canada’s fifth-largest glacier and the world’s largest glacier accessible by road.

Visitors are rewarded with an awe-inspiring view when they reach the end of the road, facing an expansive glacier that reveals crevices only upon closer inspection.

04. Joffre Lakes Park – British Columbia, Canada

Joffre Lakes Park showcases a stunning hiking trail that passes three turquoise lakes, which appear increasingly vibrant the higher you hike.

The striking blue hue results from “rockflour” (glacial silt) reflecting blue and green wavelengths from sunlight, creating a dreamlike landscape.

05. Little Huson Cave Regional Park – Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

In Vancouver Island, the couple stopped at Little Huson Cave Regional Park. This park features limestone and rock arch formations, deep pools, and tunnels with creeks flowing for as long as 60 meters (196 feet) underground.

06. Tofino – Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Tofino, located on the remote west coast of Vancouver Island, is acclaimed for its incredible surfing conditions.

This area is characterized by oceanside restaurants and beachside picnics, as well as a vibrant art scene filled with local galleries.

“It’s rare to find a place where you don’t tire of souvenir shops since everything here is locally made, from art prints to driftwood sculptures,” Paquette remarked.

07. Mount Robson – British Columbia, Canada

The couple got their first view of Mount Robson while heading north toward Jasper National Park.

This towering mountain is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies and was shrouded in clouds upon their arrival. After waiting three hours, they finally witnessed its majestic peak as the clouds parted.

Mount Robson Provincial Park offers a diverse landscape, including glaciers, lakes, waterfalls, canyons, and limestone caves.

08. Athabasca Falls – Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

The Athabasca Falls in Jasper National Park are among the most powerful in the mountain national parks. They have carved natural formations like canyons and potholes from the limestone beneath.

Paquette described it as “a picturesque part of Jasper” where visitors can enjoy changing tree colors, the falls, and picturesque mountain surroundings.

09. Peyto Lake – Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Paquette was captivated by the color of Peyto Lake in Banff National Park.

“It’s the bluest lake you’ve ever seen because of its elevation,” he noted. “The higher you are looking down on it, the bluer it appears, surrounded by an untouched and rugged landscape.”

10. Larch Valley – Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

In the fall, Banff National Park’s Larch Valley is adorned with golden foliage that attracts thousands.

The larch trees’ needles turn bright gold for a few weeks each year, while the backdrop of white glaciers and towering peaks enhances the scenery.

11. Emerald Lake – Yoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada

On the way out of Banff, the couple visited Emerald Lake at Yoho National Park.

Paquette remarked, “The colors at Emerald Lake were stunning, with incredibly blue water surrounded by vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds from nearby trees.” While the lake is the largest in the park, it’s less crowded than the popular Lake Louise, allowing for a more serene experience.

12. Washington Pass – North Cascades National Park, Washington

One of the couple’s first stops in the U.S. was Washington Pass, located just before North Cascades National Park.

The pass offers an incredible first view of the vast mountain range, with a winding road leading into the park, leading to an observation point with sweeping views of Liberty Bell Mountain, Early Winters Spires, and Kangaroo Ridge.

13. Rialto Beach – Olympic National Park, Washington

Olympic National Park offers visitors a unique blend of rainforest, mountain regions, and coastal beaches.

One of Paquette’s favorite spots was Rialto Beach, where massive pieces of driftwood line the landscape.

“These massive trees, carried by the tides years ago, now create a stunning natural decor all along the shore,” Paquette said.

14. The Lost Coast – California

The couple drove along the Lost Coast during their journey south to explore the national parks. Stretching 650 miles along the California Coast without major access roads, this secluded region retains its pristine beauty, hence its name.

Visitors who wish to explore this area can take an adventurous through the forest and mountains, or by hiking the trails that lead to untouched beaches and magnificent coastal views.

15. Barker Dam – Joshua Tree National Park, California

Joshua Tree National Park presents a unique desert environment, with Barker Dam offering a surprising oasis.

The dam supports a variety of freshwater species and provides a stunning view as it reflects the surrounding rock formations.

The trail to reach Barker Dam is manageable, totaling less than two miles, making it accessible for visitors.

16. Yosemite National Park at Night – California

Paquette found that viewing California’s Yosemite National Park at night reveals a view that most tourists often miss.

“You gaze up into a sky full of stars, with soft lighting from a nearby village filtering through the trees while distant headlamps of mountain climbers scaling El Capitan create an enchanting scene,” Paquette shared.

The park features 13 campgrounds, providing multiple options for enjoying the park’s magnificent waterfalls, giant sequoias, and sprawling meadows by day, as well as star-speckled skies at night.

17. Moki Dugway – Utah

The Moki Dugway, located at the western end of the Valley of the Gods road, is a graded dirt switchback road carved along Cedar Mesa’s edge.

Though unpaved and steep, this road provides breathtaking views over the Valley of the Gods, known for its signature red and orange rock formations.

“From the top, you receive a breathtaking 180-degree view of the valley, filled with remarkable rock formations,” Paquette reminisced.

18. Fern Canyon – Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, California

A love of dinosaurs inspired the couple to visit Fern Canyon in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, famed for its appearance in Steven Spielberg’s “The Lost World: Jurassic Park.”

The canyon’s walls are adorned with various ferns and mosses, forming a lush green paradise with small waterfalls for visitors to soak in.

In summer, foot bridges allow traversing over the creek, where streams trickle down, enveloping the canyon in serene greenery. “No other canyon we visited was so vibrant and alive with vegetation,” Paquette noted.

19. Death Valley National Park – California and Nevada

Death Valley National Park spans California and Nevada, holding the title of America’s hottest, driest, and lowest national park.

This unique environment boasts diverse landscapes for visitors to appreciate, making it Paquette’s favorite stop in the U.S.

“Just the sheer size of it could fill two weeks of exploration,” he said.

“It’s fascinating because it’s a desert yet so diverse; you have the colorful Artist’s Palette, vast sand dunes, and canyons to hike, while still having ample space to find solitude,” he shared.

One favorite spot was the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, where Paquette enjoyed peaceful mornings.

“Sitting on the dunes at sunrise with coffee as the warmth spreads around you is magical. You can see traces left by nocturnal creatures in the sand,” he recalled.

20. North Rim – Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Lack of crowds makes the North Rim of the Grand Canyon a recommended visit for Paquette, as only 10 percent of visitors explore this side.

The hike from the South Rim to the North Rim is a 21-mile trek. However, those willing to make the journey are rewarded with breathtaking views over the Painted Desert and panoramic vistas across the canyon.

21. Horseshoe Bend – Arizona

Horseshoe Bend has become a sought-after destination for travelers, and Paquette assures that it lives up to the hype.

“It’s one of the world’s most photographed locations; it feels amazing to check it off your bucket list. However, you truly appreciate its scale when you’re right there,” he stated. “It looks massive in photos, but the depth hits you only when you experience it firsthand.”

Located around 140 miles from the Grand Canyon’s North and South Rims, the bend in the Colorado River is discovered from a steep cliff accessed via a short hike off U.S. Route 89.

22. Saguaro National Park – Arizona

Paquette’s visit to Saguaro National Park highlighted the distinct landscape visitors often overlook.

“The cacti grow higher than you might realize when you see them up close,” he commented on the park’s signature saguaro.

Considered the largest cacti in the nation, they stand in select regions of the U.S., making this park an ideal locale to experience their grandeur. Some of these cacti can reach heights of 50 feet.

If you’re visiting in summer, be sure to catch a glimpse of the stunning flowers that bloom at night from their trunks and arms.

23. Queen’s Garden – Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

One of Paquette’s favorite areas in Bryce Canyon National Park is the Queen’s Garden Trail, where visitors encounter numerous hoodoos (tall, slender spires that rise from the desert floor). One notable spire at the end of the trail resembles Queen Victoria, giving it the impression of her overseeing the garden.

“Walking through feels like entering a massive castle surrounded by breathtaking rock formations,” he described.

The path is accessible, making it a great introduction to exploring the park.

24. Zion National Park – Utah

Finally, Paquette advises exploring Zion National Park, Utah’s first national park, home to stunning slot canyons and massive sandstone cliffs in various colors, leading to mesmerizing vistas.

Two prominent trails include the Narrows, which guides hikers through a narrow section of Zion Canyon with towering walls, and Angel’s Landing, a five-mile trail along a narrow rock fin offering