Denali Highway – Alaska

Alaska's Denali Highway isn't for everyone — but that's exactly what makes it so unforgettable. Open only from mid-May to October due to heavy snowfall in other months, this mostly gravel road cuts through remote tundra with wide-open views of snowcapped peaks and hardly another car in sight.

If you're up for the adventure (and don't mind kicking up some dust), this 135-mile route delivers some of the wildest, most untouched terrain in the country. Stop for attractions like Maclaren Summit or a stay at Backswood Lodge. Along the drive, you can also see Denali, the largest mountain in North America.

Summer is the best time to take it on, and it feels like stepping into a true frontier — rugged, raw, and endlessly beautiful.