6 Road Trips For Every Fitness Level

When you think of road trips, what comes to mind? For many people, it's sitting in a car for hours and hours on end. But on these trips, you're doing way more than just sitting in a car. You're exploring your surroundings and getting out of your car to hike and bike.

Explore the country like you may have never before, get in a good workout, visit iconic landmarks and take up a new adventure sport.

The road trips below are ranked according to fitness level – beginner, moderate and moderate to difficult.

Here are the 6 Road Trips for Every Fitness Level.

 

1. Black to Yellow Route

From the Black Hills to Yellowstone National Park, this route takes you from the nation's first national monument, Devils Tower, to the nation's first national park, Yellowstone. Along the way, you'll get up close and personal with many of Wyoming's most distinctive geological and cultural features. Hike around Devils Tower, then explore Buffalo on bike, boat or your own two feet. From there, visit Sheridan, the "King of Cowboy Towns," and adventure through the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Next in Lovell, visit the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range. Drive to Cody for some rock climbing, fly fishing, horseback riding and more. Then end in Yellowstone National Park for endless outdoor recreation opportunities and see famous sights like Old Faithful.

Fitness Level: Moderate

Route: State Route 14 from Sundance to Yellowstone National Park

 

2. Myrtle Beach, SC Area Coastal Highway 17

The 60 miles of uninterrupted beach coastline in the Northeast section of South Carolina is often referred to as "The Grand Strand." This road trip takes you through ten different towns and communities along the Myrtle Beach area coastline. The route starts in the fishing village of Little River and stops in Georgetown, the third oldest city in South Carolina. Active highlights include Little River waterfront, Hawaiian Rumble Mini golf (known as the mini golf capital of the world), regular golf (over 100 courses), horseback riding on the beach (Seasonal), Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, Parasailing, Myrtle Beach State Park, Myrtle Beach Safari, Blackriver Outdoors, Brookgreen Gardens, The Waccamaw Neck Bikeway, Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, Huntington Beach State Park, Paddleboard Yoga with Surf the Earth, Blackriver Outdoors Eco Kayacking Tours, The Rice Museum, Hopsewee Plantation.

Fitness Level: Beginner (the land is flat along the coast, no hills to climb!)

Route Map 

Timeframe: 1-2 days depending on the number of stops

 

3. Mountain Backroads from Boise to Sun Valley, Idaho: 

Travel along the same route as the annual Lyle Pearson bike race on Highway 21, starting in Boise, Idaho to Highway 75, ending in Sun Valley. In Boise, visitors can kick off the trip with a hike or mountain bike ride in the Boise foothills, test their kayaking skills down Boise River, or surf on the hydraulic play wave at Boise River Park. Or, they could bike ride down the 25-mile Boise Greenbelt path as a warmup, which follows along the Boise River. Then, visitors will wind through the Boise National Forest and Sawtooth Mountain Range, enjoying heart-pumping activities and jaw-dropping scenery the entire way. Near Stanley, visitors can try out some Stand-Up Paddleboarding or whitewater rafting with outfitters such as the Sawtooth Adventure Company. Or, try their hand at fly fishing in the headwaters of the Salmon River while also passing by the famous Elephant's Perch (an iconic rock climbing destination). Once they arrive in Sun Valley, it's time to hit some of the area's more than 400 miles of singletrack mountain biking trails. 

Fitness Level: Moderate to Difficult

 

4. The Loneliest Road in America 

30 years ago, a Life Magazine writer traveled Highway 50 in Nevada and named it the "loneliest road," warning readers that traveling the route was dangerous because of how rural it is. In true Nevada spirit, the towns along the route embraced that name and now encourage travelers to take the challenge of driving it. The three-day itinerary we've put together is especially cool for someone who likes to get out of the car and take in the rural, untouched surroundings. Highlights are Miles End B&B, Toquima Cave, Frey Ranch, Distillery, Sand Mountain Recreation area, Garnet Hill, The Shoe Tree, Spencer Hot Springs, McGill Drugstore and Great Basin National Park.

Fitness Level: Beginner to Moderate

Route: U.S. Highway 50 From Fernley to Ely in Nevada

 

5. The Rubies Route 

Named for the ruby-mining opportunities along this route, some points of interest include Elko's Western Folklife Center, California Trail Historic Interpretive Center, Lamoille Canyon, Ruby Mountain Heli-Skiing, Angel Lake, Ruby Mountain Brewing Company, Bishop Creek 12 Mile Hot Spring, Jarbidge Ghost Town and Ruby Valley Hot Springs.

Fitness Level: Moderate

Route: Elko to scenic Lamoille Canyon Road via state routes 227 and 229

 

6. Great Basin Highway 

Celebrating its 30th anniversary during the same year as the NPS Centennial, Great Basin National Park is absolutely stunning and has several opportunities for hiking, canoeing, biking and more. This route goes from Las Vegas to Ely and some highlights include Valley of Fire State Park, Petroglyphs, Kershaw-Ryan State Park, Beaver Dam State Park, Cathedral Gorge State Park, Echo Canyon State Park, Spring Valley State Park, Million Dollar Courthouse, Boot Hill Cemetery, Ward Charcoal Ovens, Nevada Northern Railway, Garnet Hill, Lehman Caves and, of course, Great Basin National Park. 

Fitness Level: Moderate to Difficult

Route: U.S. 93 From Las Vegas to Ely, with 8 Nevada State Parks and Great Basin National Park

 

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