It's hard to beat the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the sky-piercing range that dominates the eastern half of California ... overnights, and scenic drives. The most famous route is the John Muir ...

Viewing The American River's watershed map will give visitors insight ... It also borders Carson Pass, part of a popular Northern California scenic drive known for its glorious fall colors.

The park's 38-mile (round-trip) scenic drive features 13 viewpoints along the route. The northern overlooks have the most hoodoos, but the southern overlooks offer the most expansive views.