Experience 75 miles of breathtaking mountain scenery on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee to Asheville. Explore overlooks, waterfalls, and sweeping vistas along one of America’s most iconic scenic drives.
💎 Hidden Gem
Discover scenic drives tagged as 💎 Hidden Gems—lesser-known routes that offer stunning views, quiet charm, and unforgettable detours off the beaten path. Explore the roads most travelers miss.
Not every incredible drive makes the guidebooks — and that’s exactly where the 💎 Hidden Gem tag comes in. These are the routes that quietly impress: roads that wind through breathtaking landscapes, sleepy towns, or offbeat attractions most travelers overlook. They might not carry national recognition, but they leave a lasting impression on those who take the time to explore them.
Some Hidden Gems might trace the shores of little-known lakes, carve through dense backwoods, or cross through regions steeped in local history. Others might serve as scenic bypasses that rival the main highway — slower, yes, but infinitely more rewarding. Often, these routes are kept alive by those who know and love them best: locals, roadtrippers, and curious wanderers alike.
When you see the 💎 Hidden Gem tag, think of it as a personal recommendation from the road itself. These aren’t just alternate paths — they’re memorable experiences waiting to be discovered, filmed, and shared.
Routes Tagged: 💎 Hidden Gem
Arkansas Highway 51: Rockport to Jones’ Mills – Arkansas
Experience a short but scenic drive along Arkansas Highway 51 from Rockport to Jones’ Mills in Hot Spring County. Discover wooded hillsides, rural charm, and the history of this quiet Arkansas backroad.
Mississippi Highway 315: Sardis to Oxford
Discover the scenic 5-mile drive along Mississippi Highway 315 from Sardis to Oxford. Pass beneath the massive Sardis Dam, wind through wooded hills and farmland, and finish at the gateway to Oxford’s cultural and university life.
Arkansas Highway 74: Winslow to Devil’s Den State Park
Take a scenic drive along Arkansas Highway 74 from Winslow to Devil’s Den State Park, a winding Ozark backroad filled with forested ridges, tight curves, and stunning views that lead into one of Arkansas’s most iconic parks.
Arizona Route 66: Seligman to Kingman
Drive the historic and scenic Arizona State Route 66 from Seligman to Kingman. This iconic segment of Historic U.S. Route 66 travels through desert plains, ghost towns, and tribal lands, showcasing classic Americana and the rugged beauty of Arizona’s high desert.
Arkansas Highway 125: Peel Ferry
Cross Bull Shoals Lake aboard Arkansas Highway 125’s Peel Ferry — Arkansas’s last public ferry. This unique mile-long crossing delivers scenic views, peaceful waters, and a one-of-a-kind Ozarks driving experience.
Historic Route 66: St. Robert to Gascozark – Missouri
Cruise 21 miles of nostalgia along Historic Route 66 from St. Robert to Gascozark, Missouri. Follow the original alignment past Waynesville, Laquey, and Buckhorn on this scenic and historic Ozark drive.
Arkansas Highway 74: Brentwood to Elkins
Take a winding drive through the Boston Mountains as we follow Arkansas Highway 74 from Brentwood to Wyola, then continue along scenic county roads to Elkins. This 14-mile route showcases forested hills, rural homesteads, and quiet Ozark charm.
Tennessee Highway 46: Leipers Fork
Take a peaceful drive along Tennessee Highway 46 from the Natchez Trace Parkway into Leiper’s Fork. This 2-mile route offers scenic views, rural charm, and a gateway into one of Tennessee’s most vibrant artistic communities.
Old Trace Road: Tennessee
Take a peaceful drive along Old Trace Road in Tennessee’s Laurel Hill WMA, a 2.4-mile gravel route tracing the original Natchez Trace through quiet woods and historic terrain.
Route 66 Attraction: Wigwam Motel – San Bernardino – California
Take a nostalgic spin through the historic Wigwam Motel in San Bernardino, California — one of Route 66’s most famous roadside attractions, where you can still sleep in a concrete teepee beneath the palm trees.
U.S. Route 160: Cortez to Durango – Colorado
Experience the beauty of southwest Colorado on this 45-mile drive along US Route 160 from Cortez to Durango. Explore Mesa Verde, pass through Mancos and Hesperus, and enjoy golden autumn views into the Animas River Valley.