Scariest National Park Roads Ranked!

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Podcast Episode Overview

Are you looking for a white-knuckle drive in a national park? This episode of Exploring the National Parks is for you! We are talking about the scariest roads we have ever driven in the national parks. 

We’ve driven on many roads in the national parks, and a few of them really stand out because of the fear they induced. Join us as we reminisce about our experiences and rank these scary roads! 

In this episode, we cover: 

• The highest paved road in the national park system
• The road that we don’t have the guts to drive
• Our favorite road that looks scary but actually isn’t too bad
• The scariest paved road in the parks
• The coolest road to drive if you’re looking for adventure
• The most deceptively scary road we have been on
• The worst road in any national park!

Scariest National Park Roads Overview

When we travel to national parks, most people expect jaw-dropping views and scenic drives. But every so often, you’ll come across a road that makes your palms sweat and your heart race. Whether it’s the crazy elevation gain, narrow switchbacks, rockslides, or washboarded desert routes, there are a few drives that stick out as some of the scariest we’ve ever done. I’m talking about those white-knuckle roads that push the limits of your comfort zone but leave you with unforgettable stories.

Honorable mentions: Worth the ride (or not!)

First up, we’ve got a couple of roads that didn’t quite make the top five but still deserve a shout out.

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park climbs over 12,000 feet and is the highest paved road in any national park. The views are stunning, and we’ve even taken a trailer over it with no problem. It’s a well-maintained road, and the mountain slopes are more gradual, which keeps things from feeling too hair-raising. But if it’s snowing? Game over. There are no guardrails, and one little slip could land you in serious trouble. Still, on a clear summer day, the herds of elk up in the tundra and craggy mountain peaks make it a must-drive.

Obstruction Point Road in Olympic National Park is just outside Hurricane Ridge. Let me tell you, I’m too chicken to drive it. It’s an 8-mile dirt road that drops off a cliff right from the parking lot. I watched a YouTube video of someone driving it to try to psych myself up, and… nope. It’s been called Washington’s scariest road, and that’s enough for me. If you’ve done it, I want to hear about it!

#5: Schaefer Trail and the White Rim Road in Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is my favorite national park in Utah, and this road is part of the reason why. The Schaefer Trail winds down from the Island in the Sky district via a steep, dramatic series of switchbacks. From above, it looks like the road is clinging to the edge of a cliff. But once you’re on it, it’s actually wider than it seems. Still, it takes guts to drive it, especially the first time.

This road leads to the White Rim Road, a 100-mile loop around the middle layer of Canyonlands. You need a permit for the White Rim Road, but not for Schaefer Trail, and you’ll need a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle to attempt either. We rented a Jeep and loved every second of it. It’s an epic drive with towering cliffs, panoramic views, and ancient routes originally used by Native Americans.

Be warned – there’s no gas, no water, and no room for error. On one trip, we met a guy who only had a quarter tank of gas and was trying to play it cool. Don’t be that guy. Come prepared!

This area is also prone to flash floods. We shared the story of a family in a Hummer who got caught in a canyon when a sudden flood swept their vehicle four miles downstream. They survived, but it was a close call. Canyonlands may be a desert, but water is a powerful force here. That’s what makes it so incredible.

#4: Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park

If you’ve ever visited Glacier, you know this road. It’s the only one that goes all the way through the park, stretching 51 miles from west to east. It gains about 3,500 feet of elevation as it winds up to Logan Pass, and the engineering that went into building it in the 1920s and 30s is truly remarkable.

This road is a must-see, but it’s also terrifying. There are very few guardrails, massive drop-offs, narrow lanes, and lots of drivers who don’t know how to handle mountain roads. I get a ton of emails from people asking if there’s any way to avoid driving it altogether. (There are red bus tours and shuttles if you’d rather ride.)

We once saw someone trying to tow a giant trailer up there, which is a huge no-no. The park has strict vehicle restrictions: nothing longer than 21 feet and nothing taller than 10 feet, because some of the overhangs will just shear the top off your RV.

On top of all that, parts of the road were carved right out of sheer cliff faces. Driving on the west side means hugging those drop-offs with nowhere to pull over. It’s gorgeous, but you have to be so alert. One guy fell asleep at the wheel and went off the road near the loop. He survived because his car tumbled into a thick patch of trees, but most spots wouldn’t have been so forgiving.

Despite the scares, it’s one of the most beautiful drives in North America. You’re surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, wildlife, and some of the best hiking trails in Glacier. Just maybe don’t look down!

#3: Titus Canyon and the Racetrack Road in Death Valley National Park

Death Valley is wild in every sense of the word. It’s remote, hot, and home to some of the most rugged roads we’ve ever driven. Two stand out as the scariest: Titus Canyon Road and the Racetrack Road.

Titus Canyon is a one-way 27-mile dirt road that starts near the ghost town of Rhyolite. You’ll wind up tight switchbacks to Red Pass at 5,300 feet, then drop down into a narrow slot canyon with towering walls. The road changes constantly depending on rain and erosion, and it was closed due to flash flood damage when we recorded this episode. Still, when it’s open, it’s an epic adventure.

The Racetrack Road isn’t technical, but it’s a different kind of scary. It’s about three hours of non-stop washboarded dirt road to reach a dry lakebed where the famous “moving rocks” leave mysterious tracks. We drove it in our truck and ended up with something called death wobble. Our struts were shot. Everything was rattling. Reba was singing. We were silent. Our toys in the back were flying like it was a dryer set to tumble. Don’t take this road lightly.

Death Valley doesn’t mess around. If you break down out there, you’re in trouble. But if you come prepared and rent the right vehicle, these drives are unforgettable.

#2: Denali Park Road in Denali National Park

This is a sneaky one. You don’t actually drive most of the Denali Park Road—only buses are allowed past a certain point. It’s a 92-mile journey into the Alaskan wilderness, and on the surface, it might not seem scary. But trust me, it is.

The section that really sticks with us is Polychrome Pass. I worked in Denali years ago, and I still remember how terrifying it was the first time I went through this part. The road hugs a narrow cliff with nothing underneath it, and it feels like it could crumble at any second. Turns out, we were right.

We visited in May 2021 and found ourselves in a snowstorm while driving through Polychrome. There was active construction on the road, and our driver told us the road had been dropping due to a landslide. It started with inches per year, then inches per month, then inches per day. When we were there, it was dropping almost a foot per day.

They were dumping loads of gravel onto the road just to keep it passable. A few weeks later, the Park Service had to shut the road down entirely. It’s now being rebuilt with a bridge over the landslide. Until then, there’s no getting through.

And here’s the kicker: there are 140 other unstable slopes mapped along this road. One hundred forty. So yeah, Denali absolutely earns its spot as the second scariest road in the parks!

#1: Mineral King Road in Sequoia National Park

In my opinion, Mineral King Road is the worst road in the entire national park system.

Mineral King is a remote section of Sequoia National Park, and the only way in is a 25-mile road from Three Rivers, California. That 25-mile drive has 398 curves. That’s almost 800 curves round-trip! The road gains 6,500 feet and hugs narrow cliffs with no guardrails. People go both directions, so if you meet someone, one of you has to reverse.

We thought we’d do it as a scenic drive. Big mistake. It took eight hours round-trip. We barely had time for a short walk at the top before we had to turn around.

And if the road doesn’t break your spirit, the marmots will. At the top, you have to wrap your entire car in a tarp to protect it from marmots who chew through radiator hoses and wiring. It’s not a joke. Chicken wire doesn’t work. You have to fully block off every wheel well.

The only reasons to even consider this road are the incredible Mineral King Loop hike and the historic Sequoia groves up top. This area was protected even before Yosemite became a national park, and it is undeniably beautiful. Walt Disney even considered building a ski resort here.

But to get there? You have to survive Mordor. Backwards.

So there you have it – our list of the scariest roads in the national parks ranked! 

Have you driven any of these roads, or do you have others to add to the list? You can send us a message at DirtInMyShoes.com/podcast and let us know. Safe travels, my friend!

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Rocky Mountain Trail Ridge Road
• Olympic Obstruction Point Road
• Canyonlands Shafer Trail/White Rim Road
• Glacier Going-to-the-Sun Road
• Death Valley Titus Canyon Road
• Death Valley Road to The Racetrack
• Denali Park Road Conditions
• Denali Pretty Rocks Landslide
• Denali Polychrome Area Plan
• Sequoia Kings Mineral King Road
• Sequoia Kings Mineral King Loop

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