Scenic Byways with High Clearances for RVs and Travel Trailers

This famous scenic route in the Appalachian Mountains offers spectacular views of fall foliage and mountain ranges. Most entry points and general roadway sections accommodate standard Class A and C motorhomes, though visitors must check specific pull-off dimensions for larger rigs.

Running from San Francisco to Mendocino, this section provides dramatic ocean views with fewer tight curves than the southern stretch. While some scenic overlooks require small vehicles, the main thoroughfare is generally passable for mid-sized RVs if careful planning is used.

Accessing Glacier National Park via the east entrance allows RVs to reach the Many Glacier area safely. The road itself has low bridges, but the designated RV campgrounds and surrounding routes near St. Mary are tailored to accommodate larger travel trailers and motorhomes.

Known for its high altitude and alpine scenery, this highway connects Montana and Wyoming. The main roadway is wide enough for most RVs, though drivers must avoid the lower tunnel sections near Red Lodge, opting instead for the upper scenic drives.

A historic 444-mile parkway running from Tennessee to Mississippi, this route is strictly for recreational driving. It features wide shoulders and ample turning radii at scenic stops, making it highly suitable for RVs seeking a relaxed, low-stress journey through nature.

Located in South Carolina, this scenic byway connects the Blue Ridge Parkway to I-26. The road is specifically designed with modern engineering standards, offering wide lanes and high clearances that are safe and easy for large travel trailers and fifth wheels.

Inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this 11-mile loop offers wildlife viewing and historic structures. While tight in spots, it is accessible to smaller RVs and is often bypassed by larger rigs, but designated overflow areas accommodate larger vehicles nearby.

Connecting Lone Pine to Alabama Hills in California, this route offers stunning views of the Sierra Nevada. The pavement is generally good, but some sections are narrow; however, it avoids the high-bridge restrictions of Interstate 395 further north.

While the summit road is closed to RVs, the base area and surrounding Franconia Notch State Park roads provide scenic drives for larger vehicles. This area allows RVers to experience mountain scenery without navigating the steep, narrow, and low-clearance summit route.

Running through the heart of Colorado, this highway connects Salida to Buena Vista. It offers wide shoulders and gentle curves compared to mountain passes, making it a preferred alternative for RVers avoiding the tighter and lower-clearance I-70 segments.

While primarily a hiking trail, several adjacent county roads in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan parallel its path. These routes, such as those near Grand Marais, offer rugged, scenic beauty with road widths and clearances that are safe for larger recreational vehicles.

This 34.5-mile scenic byway in the White Mountains is closed to through traffic, reducing congestion. While tight in places, it is accessible to most RVs if they avoid the few lowest points, offering unparalleled fall foliage views and historic covered bridges.

Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this route follows the Keweenaw Waterway. The roads are well-maintained and designed with tourism in mind, featuring wide turns and high clearances that make it an ideal, low-stress route for RV travelers.

Running along the St. Croix River, this route offers peaceful, rural driving with minimal traffic. The state roads paralleling the river are generally wide and flat, avoiding the industrial bridges and low clearances found on major interstate corridors.

Instead of the tightly curved Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway offers a similar thrilling experience but with slightly wider lanes. It connects Tennessee and North Carolina, providing high-elevation views that are accessible to most standard RVs.

This scenic route through the San Juan Mountains offers breathtaking alpine scenery. While mountainous, the main stretches are wide enough for RVs, and travelers can plan around specific low-clearance historic bridges by sticking to the modernized highway segments.

Located in Washington State, this byway follows the shores of Lake Chelan. The roads are well-paved and designed for tourism traffic, offering gentle curves and high clearances that are safe for larger travel trailers seeking serene water views.

While Hawaii has narrow roads, the Aloha Trail in Maui is a former railroad bed converted to a paved path. For RV access, the adjacent Hana Highway segments are managed with wider pullouts and clear signage to help larger vehicles navigate safely.

Driving the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula avoids the most treacherous coastal curves. This route offers rainforest and mountain views with road conditions suitable for RVs, providing a scenic alternative to the tight, low-clearance coastal highways.

While large RVs cannot drive the full loop, the initial access roads to the Grand Canyon South Rim are wide and high-clearance friendly. Visitors can park at designated RV-friendly campgrounds and enjoy shuttle services to the scenic overlooks.