Scenic splendor, animals on parade in their natural habitats, and virtually every kind of outdoor recreation imaginable are yours when you go on a Top Ten Scenic Drives of the Northern Rockies vacation (www.dDrivethetop10.com). This is a trip that fosters connection — with nature, history, and even culture and volunteerism for those families who so choose. The Top Ten Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies extend over five states including Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Oregon as well as two Canadian provinces, British Columbia and Alberta.

Getting to Your Destination

Since a Top Ten Scenic Drives vacation covers so much distance, it's a good idea to decide where you'll begin your journey and research areas to stop, stay, and dine before leaving home. This will determine your lodging and dining options. The Top Ten Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies is made up of four all-American roads, ten national parks and recreation areas, and four connecting national historic trails including:

• Hot Springs Circle Tour (British Columbia)

• International Selkirk Loop All-American Road (Washing-ton, Idaho, and British Columbia)

• Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park Loop (Mon-tana, Alberta, and British Columbia)

• Montana Scenic Loop (Montana)

• Northwest Passage All-American Road (Idaho)

• Hells Canyon All-American Road and National Recreation Area (Oregon and Idaho)

• Salmon-Sawtooth Scenic Byways (Idaho)

• Yellowstone-Grand Teton National Parks Grand Loop (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho)

• Beartooth Highway All-American Road (Montana and Wyoming)

• Circle the Continental Divide Driving Tour (Wyoming)

The Top Ten Scenic Drives National Historic Trails include the David Thompson Historic Route, which winds through British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, and Washington. The Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail is located in Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The Nez Perce National Historic Trail can be found in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. And the Oregon Trail is in Oregon, Idaho, and Wyoming.

Families can fly to a multitude of airports and rent vehicles or if they're near any one of the access points, they can drive their own vehicles. Thanks to the stunning scenery and wildlife viewing, RV and motorcycle enthusiasts love Top Ten Scenic Drives vacations. Taking a Top Ten Drives vacation presents a kind of nostalgia for many visitors — like traveling through a North America that existed before discount stores and fast food restaurants dotted landscapes. These drives showcase North America in its purest state, and for many visitors, strikes a chord that is life changing.

Along the way on a Top Ten Drives vacation, families can enjoy and choose from nearly every outdoor activity a traveler could image. Just a few include: