Hey folks. I’m illustrating a scene which is set in a secluded roadside layby or scenic area near a road in a **forest**, and I was wondering if you’ve ever been to one you’d recommend? My intention is to track the location down with Google Earth and study it a bit (or find if there’s relevant reference photos to be found elsewhere).
Ideally this’d be something next to a road with space to park a few cars (6?), has some picnic tables, maybe some rest rooms and a covered area, maybe has a nice view?
I’m not from America and eventually I’ll probably find the right reference on my own (I’m still looking!), but I figured if I’m trying to do something that seems authentic, why not ask folks from the area themselves, right? =D
If you think of somewhere, lemme know the address and I’ll look it up. Thanks. =)
8 comments
Closest one to me:
Gold Run Rest Area East Bound
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Pp5VRje4UuoqYfe6
——
*EDIT*:
This one is much cooler, come to think of it.
Donner Pass Eastbound Rest Area
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SUJyEz5XjRo7NGx86
There’s a rest area on EB I-24, a few miles east of Chattanooga, that has a stunning view of the Tennessee River. I’m not sure what sort of pictures you’d be able to find of it, though.
Gros Cap Roadside Park
It’s off highway 2 in the upper peninsula of Michigan. It has all that your looking for iirc, and looks over the north shore of Lake Michigan
[Here’s a list](https://www.roadtripsandcoffee.com/blue-ridge-parkway-overlooks/) of scenic overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, with photos of most of them and mile markers so you can look them up on google earth
I’ve never seen a secluded rest area in the middle of a forest like you’re describing. Every rest area that I’ve ever seen has been on the side of the highway, or just off of it, and surrounded by parking lots.
[Like this one in Ludlow, MA](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e2/Ludlow_Service_Plaza_westbound.jpg/1295px-Ludlow_Service_Plaza_westbound.jpg)
This is typical of Wisconsin.
WisDOT Rest Area 64
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pTTji6cu33pfh9zX9[https://maps.app.goo.gl/pTTji6cu33pfh9zX9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/pTTji6cu33pfh9zX9)
Illinois has a unique rest stop.
Lake Forest Oasis Travel Plaza Southbound
[https://maps.app.goo.gl/5G8gMP3psyGJrjaQA](https://maps.app.goo.gl/5G8gMP3psyGJrjaQA)
https://www.google.com/maps/@30.135938,-93.6774015,3a,90y,167.55h,87.44t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s0yo4ycskkuDZohW5r0Ug6w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
This one isn’t all that small or secluded, but it has a decent view of the lake and if you poke around you can probably find a good view of the swamp.
There’s a long-running travel guide to Alaska know as “The Milepost.” It lists all kinds of roadside viewpoints along the ALCAN (Alaskan-Canadian Highway) and the few other major roadways in the state…it should be a great resource for finding some forested roadside stops. You can probably find the print version of one or more editions on Amazon.
https://themilepost.com/