Best Scenic Byways for an RV Road Trip

My husband and I have a rule: if there is a scenic byway within an hour of our route, we take it. It started as a way to break up long driving days, but it has become the whole point of how we plan trips. Some of our most vivid camping memories are not from the campgrounds themselves but from the roads that got us there.

Scenic byways transform driving from the boring part of a road trip into the highlight. The pace is slower, the views are better, and the campgrounds along the way tend to be quieter and less crowded than anything near an interstate. Here are the routes that we have driven, plus the ones fellow campers keep telling us we need to try.

Blue Ridge Parkway (Virginia and North Carolina)

The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles of mountain driving that connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is arguably the most famous scenic drive in America, and for good reason. The road follows the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains through rolling valleys, past mountain meadows, and along ridgelines with views that stretch for miles in every direction.

For RV drivers, the parkway is well-maintained but narrow in spots, with tight tunnels and sharp curves. Vehicles over 30 feet will want to check clearance heights before each tunnel (the parkway website lists them all). The speed limit is 45 mph, which sounds slow until you realize you will want to stop every few miles for another overlook.

Campgrounds along the route include Otter Creek, Peaks of Otter, Doughton Park, and Mount Pisgah, all operated by the National Park Service and available on Recreation.gov. They fill up fast in October during peak fall foliage, so book months ahead if you are planning an autumn trip.

Pacific Coast Highway, Route 1 (California)

The stretch of Highway 1 from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo, including the famous Big Sur section, is one of the most dramatic coastal drives on the planet. Cliffs drop straight into the Pacific, redwood forests tower over the road, and the light changes so dramatically throughout the day that the same stretch looks completely different at sunrise versus sunset.

This is a challenging drive for larger RVs. The Big Sur section has narrow lanes, tight curves, no guardrails in places, and limited pullouts. Vehicles over 30 feet should seriously consider whether this stretch is within their comfort zone. Towed trailers longer than 24 feet are not recommended. That said, the reward for careful driving is one of the most spectacular coastal experiences available from a vehicle.

Camping options include Kirk Creek Campground (right on the ocean bluff), Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, and several smaller campgrounds along the coast. Kirk Creek sites are first-come, first-served and limited to rigs under 25 feet.

Beartooth Highway (Montana and Wyoming)

Charles Kuralt called the Beartooth Highway the most beautiful drive in America, and after driving it ourselves, I understand why. This 68-mile route climbs to nearly 11,000 feet through switchbacks, alpine plateaus, and snowfields that persist even in July. The landscape feels like another planet: stark, vast, and humbling.

The road is well-maintained during its open season (typically late May through mid-October, weather dependent) and RV-friendly up to about 35 feet. Larger rigs should take the switchbacks slowly. There are no guard rails on much of the route, but the road is wide enough that careful driving is more than sufficient.

The highway connects Red Lodge, Montana to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone, making it a natural add-on to a Yellowstone camping trip. Campgrounds at the base include Rattin and Sheridan in the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Going-to-the-Sun Road (Montana)

Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is 50 miles of mountain driving that crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. The road carved into the cliff face, the glacier-fed waterfalls cascading across the pavement, and the views from the pass are genuinely breathtaking.

Here is the catch: vehicles over 21 feet or wider than 8 feet are not allowed on the middle section between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun. If you have a larger RV, park at one of the campgrounds near the park entrances and drive the road in your tow vehicle, or take the free park shuttle.

Apgar, Fish Creek, and Many Glacier campgrounds are excellent and bookable through Recreation.gov. Reservations open in advance and sell out within minutes, so set a reminder.

San Juan Skyway (Colorado)

The San Juan Skyway is a 236-mile loop through the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, passing through Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and Cortez. It includes the famous Million Dollar Highway section between Ouray and Silverton, where the road clings to cliff edges with no guardrails and drops of 1,000 feet.

The Million Dollar Highway is intense but manageable for experienced RV drivers in rigs under 35 feet. Take it slow, use lower gears on the descents, and try to drive it when traffic is light (early morning is best). The rest of the skyway loop is more relaxed and passes through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Colorado.

Durango and Silverton both have RV-friendly campgrounds, and the national forest campgrounds along the route offer quieter, more scenic options. Fall aspens in late September are spectacular.

Route 66 Historic Byway (Multiple States)

For a completely different vibe, drivable sections of the original Route 66 offer nostalgia, roadside Americana, and small-town charm. The best-preserved sections run through Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Oklahoma. You will pass neon-lit motels, vintage diners, trading posts, and monuments that feel like driving through a time capsule.

Route 66 is flat and RV-friendly in almost all sections. The pace is slower, the towns are small, and the camping tends to be at municipal RV parks or private campgrounds with a retro vibe that fits the experience perfectly.

Tips for RV Scenic Driving

• Check your rig size. Many scenic roads have length, width, or height restrictions. Always verify before you commit to a route.
• Fill up on fuel before starting. Gas stations are sparse on most scenic byways. Top off your tank at the last town.
• Drive early. Scenic roads are busiest between 10 AM and 4 PM. An early start means less traffic and better light for photos.
• Use pullouts generously. If someone behind you is driving faster, pull over and let them pass. It reduces your stress and theirs.
• Download offline maps. Cell service disappears on many scenic routes. Have your route saved offline before you leave.

For help planning a multi-stop road trip that includes scenic byways, our multi-week trip planning guide walks through budgeting, routing, and campground booking strategies.