This 500-mile Drive Is One of the Country’s Most Beautiful—and It Passes Small Towns, Alpine Lakes, and 2 National Parks

[Olde Hornet]

This 500-mile Drive Is One of the Country’s Most Beautiful—and It Passes Small Towns, Alpine Lakes, and 2 National Parks

Make time for plenty of detours.

travel.yahoo.com

Key Points​

• The 500-mile Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway connects Lassen Volcanic National Park in California with Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.
• While it's possible to drive it in under 24 hours, travelers should allow five to seven days to explore volcanoes, lava caves, waterfalls, alpine lakes, wildlife areas, and small towns along the route.
• July through September generally offers the best road access, while mid-September to early October can bring fall color and fewer crowds.

The West Coast certainly isn't lacking in beautiful road trips, and major stars like the Pacific Coast Highway and the Oregon Coast Highway often get all the fanfare. But if you travel inland, you'll be rewarded with one of the most stunning and underrated road trips in the country: the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway.

The drive spans 500 miles of road, connecting Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California to Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon, with plenty of worthwhile stops, small towns, and sights along the way.