If you want to explore more of the United States, check out these six bucket list road trip destinations for 2024! We traveled to each of these destinations over the past year or so, and these are the top places that I would recommend to anyone needing a little road trip inspiration.
Ouray, Colorado
Ouray might be my favorite destination in Colorado! My first visit was this past August. I truly fell in love with the landscape and the vibe of this entire mountain town.
- Stay in Durango for more dining and nightlife options
- Drive the Million Dollar Highway
- Have burgers and beer at Ouray Brewery
- Hike under a waterfall at Cascade Falls Park
- Stop for a photo at the Ouray “Switzerland of America” look out point
Lake Haiyaha, Colorado
Lake Haiyaha is a stunning lake in Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park, Colorado. You can access this trail in the Bear Lake Corridor of the Park. This is a moderate to challenging hike because it is uphill for a bit and then there’s a rock scramble to the lake. It was so much fun… and so much easier to hike down!
- Be sure to get Bear Lake Corridor permits from May – October
- Stay at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park
- Have brunch and mimosas at MollyB’s
- Pack a picnic for lunch and views at the lake
Driftwood Beach, Georgia
Driftwood Beach is a unique little gem found in Jekyll Island, Georgia. I traveled there last summer and knew I had to explore the driftwood along the beach before returning home. This is not the best beach for swimming, but it’s amazing for exploring, climbing, and photographing!
- Stay at the Seafarer Inn & Suites
- Eat at The Wharf
- Watch the sunset from Driftwood Beach
- Visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Natural Bridges Viewpoints, Oregon
The entire Oregon coast is a dreamy road trip adventure! We made the trip from the Redwoods in California up to Cannon Beach, Oregon. That is one of my favorite trips to date. We stopped at the Natural Bridges Viewpoint off the Samual H. Boardman Scenic Corridor in Brookings, OR. This was a great place to stop and stretch our legs. You can view the natural bridges from the viewing area near the parking lot. But we went ahead and did the hike down to the bridges and walked over them! It was tough coming back up, but easy enough for my boys to do it with us and they were only 7 and 10 at the time!
- Stay on the marked trails if you want to get a closer look
- Watch for wildlife – we saw a seal swimming in the water
- Stay at the Beachfront Inn
- Get breakfast at Matttie’s Pancake House
- Brookings is a great place to eat, shop, and hike
Grand Tetons National Park
The Grand Tetons are indeed grand! If you want a fun place to explore, you can make the Grand Tetons a stop on your road trip to Yellowstone or you can make it an entire vacation destination. What I loved about our road trip to the Tetons was that the views on the drive through Wyoming were stunning and we saw so much wildlife!
- Stay at the Lodge at Jackson Hole, WY
- Visit the downtown area for shopping and dining
- Go to the Jenny Lake area of the Tetons
- Stop by the Visitor Center to learn more
- Favorite hikes for my family were Moose Ponds Trail, Hidden Falls, and around Jenny Lake
Ice Lake, Colorado
Ice Lake near Silverton, Colorado is the most outrageous lake I have ever seen. The views up to the lake were amazing. We encountered streams, waterfalls, and wildflowers along the trek. It was extremely tough for us flatlanders, but we made it. The views are one hundred percent worth the effort!
- Stay in Durango for more dining and nightlife options
- Take the Million Dollar Highway
- Stop in Silverton for lunch and shopping
- Be prepared for the 8.5 mile hike – pack plenty of food and water
If you’d like to see videos of these destinations, check out my Instagram!
Remember to plan ahead, stay safe on the road, and enjoy the journey as much as the destinations you’ll encounter along the way!
