US Route 89: The Most Scenic Road In America

Starting all the way at the Canadian border with Montana and ending in the heart of Arizona, the sheer scale of Route 89 is hard to truly grasp. Often referred to as the most scenic road trip in the United States, this famous highway attracts millions of travelers yearly for business and recreational purposes. US Route 89 runs through Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Arizona, all known for their unmatched natural beauty. Not only does this highway have endless views of breathtaking mountain landscapes, wide open deserts, or rolling hills, but it also runs through seven of the United State's best national parks. 

Montana

Starting north at the Canadian border, Route 89 starts in the shadows of the imposing Rocky Mountains. Further south contains sweeping grasslands and gentle hills often home to local wildlife such as antelope and other herd animals. It is a great place to pull over and appreciate these animals from afar. 

Continuing down the highway, travelers will come into contact with the first national park along this journey. Glacier National Park is often touted as one of the most pristine and beautiful parks the United States has to offer. Glacier National Park is not nearly as well known as some of the others along Route 89, which means it is less likely to be overly crowded or congested. Depending on what time of the year you arrive, you could have large swathes of the park practically to yourself. Sometimes referred to as the "Crown of the Continent," Glacier National Park hosts enchanting landscapes and scenic views. Dominated by towering mountains and thick forests, this park will feel a world away from the fast-paced lifestyle of city living. 

Wyoming

The second stop on this trip is the great state of Wyoming. Best known for its embracement of the "Old West" lifestyle, the towns and cities you will pass through on Route 89 will often resemble a Wild West movie set rather than other cookie-cutter towns elsewhere in the country. Most of these towns have a vibrant and exciting history dating back to the age of westward expansion into this part of the United States. Stopping at any of these places and looking around is a great way to kill an afternoon. 

In terms of natural wonders that you will come across in the Wyoming section of Route 89 are numerous. Grand Teton National Park sits right along the highway and is home to some of the most underrated landscapes in the United States. Deep valleys surrounded by enormous mountains on all sides are enough to make anyone sit back in awe as they traverse through this part of the highway. 

However, the unquestionable gem on this portion of the trip is Yellowstone. Perhaps the most well-known national park in the nation, Yellowstone's reputation of being in a class of its own is not undeserved. No matter if it is the herds of roaming buffalo, natural hot springs, or crystal clear lakes and rivers, a trip to Yellowstone is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Utah

Route 89 briefly passed through the southeastern corner of Idaho before it snakes back into Northern Utah. In Utah, the landscape will start to change. In the north of Utah, the typical vast open grasslands of the Great Plains will still persist, but further south, a much more arid and desert-like environment will emerge. 

Tall spires of red rock and cacti will slowly begin to appear in the nearby landscape. If you are driving in the summer, the heat will most likely be much more noticeable than in Montana and Wyoming. In Utah, Route 89 goes through both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park.  These parks are both phenomenal and are a great way to get acquainted with this quasi-alien landscape. The sights, particularly in Zion, will make you feel like you are visiting another planet rather than another state. Staring out into lush valleys and massive red rock mountains is almost surreal. 

Arizona

The final portion of the trip ended in sunny Arizona. A long way from the colder climate environments of Montana and Wyoming, Arizona is quite literally a state located right in the middle of the desert. You can expect large sand dunes, tumbleweeds, and endless rows of cacti from Arizona. The wildlife here is going to be hard to spot at first glance, but if you look hard enough, you might be able to see the old falcon or vulture circling in the sky or even a lizard basking in the sun atop a rock. 

Route 89 takes its southbound travelers right into one of the United States' most iconic natural wonders - the Grand Canyon. Also serving as a national park, visiting the Grand Canyon is a must if you plan to travel down to the Arizona portion of the highway. The pictures you see on the internet do not do it justice. Seeing the marvel of the Grand Canyon in person is something that you will remember for the rest of your life. 

The unmatched natural beauty of the Western United States is sadly something that is not just overlooked by international tourists but also by other Americans. If you and a group of friends are willing to take the time, traveling down Route 89 is a great idea for a cheap and unique holiday. The scenic backdrops down Route 89 will surely leave a positive impression on even the most stubborn of people. It is hard not to appreciate these landscapes and stand in awe at what amazing places exist in your own backyard.