Scenic Loop Drive
Per Vehicle $30USD
Road TripScenic LookoutSenior-FriendlyWildlife WatchingOutdoorPhotography SpotFreeMust-SeeGeology
Overview
The 49-Mile Scenic Drive is a historic scenic road tour highlighting much of San Francisco, California. It was created in 1938 by the San Francisco Down Town Association to showcase the city's major attractions and natural beauty during the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition. Originally beginning at San Francisco City Hall and ending on Treasure Island, the route has been modified several times since.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeMay through October represents the pinnacle touring window for this epic drive. Commencing your journey on this 36-mile paved ribbon between 6:00 AM and 8:30 AM is highly recommended; early morning long shadows amplify the rugged contours of the canyons, and it is the peak window for bison herds crossing the roadway.
Getting ThereAccessible exclusively via a personal vehicle or motorcycle. The scenic drive loop begins directly past the Medora entrance station inside the park's South Unit. A massive benefit for drivers: the entire paved loop features dozens of engineered scenic pull-offs and trailhead pockets offering entirely free parking.
Travel Tips
- The 36-mile loop drive undergoes persistent sub-surface geological shifting, triggering sudden tarmac fissures and lane closures; maintaining low speeds is non-negotiable for long-wheelbase RVs.
- Roadside wildlife turnouts are highly constricted; when bison herds cross the pavement, you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop and cut the engine, prohibiting honking or window lowering.
- Fierce crosswinds, severe thunder lightning, or winter blizzards trigger immediate park-wide loops shutdowns; total absence of overhead lighting makes driving hazardous during emergency events.
Reviews
Positive
- A spectacular, postcard-perfect scenic driving highway! Over 30 miles long, the smooth asphalt is the absolute core artery to view badlands.
- The loop layout packs frequent free overlooks and picnic bays; each bend delivers magnificent canyon visuals, rendering high photo value.
- The best route to see bison herds leisurely crossing the highway asphalt; cars wait in orderly fashion, fostering a serene wild harmony.
- Road signage is highly intuitive; major trailheads stem right off the road shoulders with ample accessible stalls under premium management.
Heads up
- A central segment remains heavily damaged by geological land erosion, cutting off the full circuit and forcing a tedious u-turn detour.
- During peak summer afternoons, slow-moving RV rigs or wild bison jams cause heavy traffic delays along the narrow two-lane strip.
- The long drive features zero convenience stores or gas stations along the rim; running low on fuel or bottled water causes high anxiety.
- In freezing snowy blizzards, steep un-salted cliff segments lacking steel guardrails cause the entire scenic drive to lock down for months.