OFFROAD
AMERICA

WHY IT RANKS

Black Bear Pass reaches 12,831 feet and descends into Telluride. The route passes the Steps, Bridal Veil Falls, and old mining sites. The narrow road and exposure require an experienced driver.

SIGNATURE VIEWTelluride, Bridal Veil Falls, and three stacked alpine basins

Distance

9.8 mi

High point

12,831 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Half-day, one-way alpine challenge

WHY IT RANKS

White Rim Road follows a sandstone bench below Island in the Sky. The Colorado and Green rivers cut deep canyons on each side. Plan several days to see the changing walls, hoodoos, and light.

SIGNATURE VIEWColorado and Green River canyons beneath Island in the Sky

Distance

71.8 mi

High point

5,275 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Multi-day backcountry expedition

WHY IT RANKS

The Rubicon crosses polished Sierra granite between clear lakes and pine forest. Large rocks and repeated difficult sections require a capable vehicle. The road is also important to four-wheel-drive history.

SIGNATURE VIEWHigh Sierra slabs, forested basins, and crystal-clear water

Distance

15.8 mi

High point

7,150 ft

Difficulty

Extreme

Trip

Full-day or multi-day rock-crawl

WHY IT RANKS

Engineer Pass climbs past mills, mine waste, and the buildings at Animas Forks. Open tundra surrounds the 12,800-foot pass. From the top, you can see Alpine Loop roads in several valleys.

SIGNATURE VIEWSan Juan summits, Animas Forks, and high mining country

Distance

21 mi

High point

12,975 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Long alpine day or loop segment

WHY IT RANKS

Knik Glacier Trail crosses gravel bars, braided water, and glacial deposits. The Chugach Mountains rise behind the glacier. Water levels and channels can change the route between visits.

SIGNATURE VIEWKnik Glacier across braided river flats and mountain walls

Distance

22.1 mi

High point

186 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Full-day glacier approach

WHY IT RANKS

Imogene Pass connects Telluride and Ouray through the former Tomboy Mine. The road reaches a 13,216-foot pass. Waterfalls, mine ruins, and San Juan Mountain views appear along the complete crossing.

SIGNATURE VIEWTelluride and Ouray framed by the San Juan Mountains

Distance

12.1 mi

High point

13,216 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Half-day point-to-point alpine crossing

WHY IT RANKS

Toroweap ends at a rim about 3,000 feet above the Colorado River. The narrow canyon places the river almost directly below the viewpoint. A long dirt approach leads to this remote part of the Grand Canyon.

SIGNATURE VIEWA sheer 3,000-foot drop to the Colorado River

Distance

13.8 mi

High point

5,097 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Remote day trip with advance permit

WHY IT RANKS

Hole in the Rock follows an 1879 wagon route through the Escalante area. Drivers cross ledges, deep cuts, and long sections of sandstone. The road ends near Lake Powell.

SIGNATURE VIEWSlickrock domes and the deeply incised edge of Lake Powell

Distance

34.7 mi

High point

5,277 ft

Difficulty

Severe

Trip

Multi-day technical out-and-back

WHY IT RANKS

Dusy-Ershim has difficult rock sections across several days of travel. Granite basins, forest, lakes, and remote camps separate the obstacles. The route requires vehicle durability and careful planning.

SIGNATURE VIEWGranite basins, high lakes, and forest beneath 10,000-foot ridges

Distance

33.5 mi

High point

10,118 ft

Difficulty

Extreme

Trip

Three-to-five-day extreme expedition

WHY IT RANKS

Elephant Hill drops from the mesa into red-and-white sandstone spires. Tight switchbacks and rocky steps define the entrance. Beyond them, the Needles close around the road and change shape at each bend.

SIGNATURE VIEWThousands of sandstone spires, slots, and distant mesas

Distance

14.2 mi

High point

5,315 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Full-day technical loop with permit

WHY IT RANKS

Morrison Jeep Trail climbs about 2,000 feet from the Clarks Fork canyon to the Beartooth Plateau. Twenty-eight switchbacks fit into two steep miles. The view changes from a river gorge to open alpine land.

SIGNATURE VIEWClarks Fork Canyon and the Beartooth Plateau

Distance

22.3 mi

High point

10,176 ft

Difficulty

Severe

Trip

Full-day advanced shelf-road climb

WHY IT RANKS

The Mojave Road crosses several desert basins in two or three days. The route passes springs, forts, lava fields, Joshua trees, dry lakes, and dunes. People used this travel corridor long before recreational driving began.

SIGNATURE VIEWJoshua tree woodland, lava fields, dunes, and empty basins

Distance

112.6 mi

High point

5,171 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Two-to-three-day overland traverse

WHY IT RANKS

Rimrocker Trail runs for about 160 miles from Colorado to Moab. Forest and mining areas change into the La Sal Mountains and Utah sandstone. The long route shows each change in the landscape.

SIGNATURE VIEWAspen country, La Sal peaks, and red-rock shelf roads

Distance

160.9 mi

High point

9,944 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Two-to-three-day overland traverse

WHY IT RANKS

Schofield Pass follows a narrow shelf above the Crystal River near Devil's Punchbowl. Waterfalls and the Elk Mountains surround the road. Severe exposure requires careful judgment.

SIGNATURE VIEWCrystal River gorge, Devil's Punchbowl, and Elk Mountain peaks

Distance

4.6 mi

High point

10,690 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Short, advanced point-to-point

WHY IT RANKS

Flint Trail descends about 800 feet below the Orange Cliffs. Water, fuel, and easy exits become scarce after the switchbacks. The road provides access to several days of travel in the Maze.

SIGNATURE VIEWOrange Cliffs, natural arches, and the Flint switchbacks

Distance

52.3 mi

High point

6,895 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Multi-day remote expedition

WHY IT RANKS

McCarthy Road follows the former Copper River and Northwestern Railway into Wrangell-St. Elias. The route passes forest, river canyons, old trestles, and the Kuskulana bridge. Glacial mountains remain visible along the drive.

SIGNATURE VIEWWrangell peaks, deep river canyons, and the Kuskulana bridge

Distance

60 mi

High point

1,692 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Long scenic gravel-road day

WHY IT RANKS

Shafer Trail descends from Island in the Sky to the river bench below. Its switchbacks cross several visible rock layers. The road gives a clear view of Canyonlands geology.

SIGNATURE VIEWA vertical descent beneath Island in the Sky

Distance

5.3 mi

High point

5,906 ft

Difficulty

Easy

Trip

Short scenic descent or White Rim gateway

WHY IT RANKS

Magruder Corridor runs for almost 100 miles without services. It passes between the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church wilderness areas. Forest, fire areas, and high ridges surround the only road through this large region.

SIGNATURE VIEWBitterroot ridges, burn mosaics, and immense forest horizons

Distance

93.8 mi

High point

8,234 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Two-to-three-day overland crossing

WHY IT RANKS

Alstrom Point overlooks Lake Powell and Gunsight Butte. A long desert road leads to the sandstone camp and viewpoint. Low evening light makes the rock layers and flooded canyons easier to see.

SIGNATURE VIEWGunsight Butte and blue water folded into sandstone

Distance

6.9 mi

High point

4,684 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day overlook and dispersed camp

WHY IT RANKS

Lolo Motorway follows a forested ridge above the Lochsa River. The route is important to the Nez Perce and to the Lewis and Clark expedition. It is long and has few services.

SIGNATURE VIEWLochsa country, endless conifers, and distant Bitterroot peaks

Distance

91.7 mi

High point

6,972 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Two-day remote ridge traverse

WHY IT RANKS

Broken Arrow fits into a half-day trip near Sedona. The route passes sandstone fins, Submarine Rock, steep slickrock, and views of the Mogollon Rim. Heavy tour traffic can affect the drive.

SIGNATURE VIEWSubmarine Rock, Twin Buttes, and sunrise on the Mogollon Rim

Distance

3.1 mi

High point

4,592 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Short technical scenic loop

WHY IT RANKS

Cinnamon Pass climbs past old mining sites to 12,640 feet. American Basin and the San Juan Mountains surround the route. The exposure is lower than on Black Bear Pass.

SIGNATURE VIEWAmerican Basin and the serrated San Juan skyline

Distance

25 mi

High point

12,640 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Long day; southern Alpine Loop segment

WHY IT RANKS

Steens Mountain Loop climbs almost one vertical mile above the basin. Viewpoints look into Kiger Gorge and across the Alvord Desert. The complete loop shows both alpine landforms and open desert.

SIGNATURE VIEWGlacial gorges dropping toward the Alvord Desert

Distance

55.7 mi

High point

9,553 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Full-day seasonal backcountry byway

WHY IT RANKS

The Denali Highway crosses 135 miles of Alaska on gravel. Tundra, braided rivers, lakes, and the Alaska Range remain visible for much of the route. Wildlife and weather can change quickly.

SIGNATURE VIEWGlaciers, tundra, braided rivers, and distant Denali

Distance

150 mi

High point

4,103 ft

Difficulty

Easy

Trip

One-to-two-day remote highway journey

WHY IT RANKS

Titus Canyon begins in open desert and crosses Red Pass and old mining areas. Limestone walls then narrow around the road. The final section is a one-way passage with room for one vehicle.

SIGNATURE VIEWRed Pass, ghost-town country, and the slot-like Narrows

Distance

26.9 mi

High point

5,262 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day one-way desert drive

WHY IT RANKS

Steel Pass connects Saline Valley and Eureka Dunes through Dedeckera Canyon. A short group of rock steps controls the crossing. Large desert basins surround the technical section.

SIGNATURE VIEWEureka Dunes, Saline Valley, and Dedeckera Canyon

Distance

8.2 mi

High point

5,128 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Full-day advanced desert crossing

WHY IT RANKS

Ophir Pass is a short crossing through the San Juan Mountains. The road crosses loose, pale rock below steep ridges and then descends into forest. It provides high mountain views in a compact trip.

SIGNATURE VIEWUpper Ophir Valley and sharp ridges above a talus shelf

Distance

10 mi

High point

11,796 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day mountain crossing

WHY IT RANKS

Hell's Revenge crosses steep sandstone fins near Moab. The La Sal Mountains remain visible above the red rock. Optional obstacles can be extreme, but the main route shows how rubber tires grip sandstone.

SIGNATURE VIEWLa Sal Mountains beyond a field of sculpted slickrock

Distance

7.8 mi

High point

4,767 ft

Difficulty

Extreme

Trip

Half-day technical loop

WHY IT RANKS

Gravelly Range Road stays above the trees across open Montana grassland. Wildlife, weather, and distant mountains remain visible for many miles. The route provides a long view of the high plateau.

SIGNATURE VIEWWildflower meadows and ranges in every direction

Distance

47.2 mi

High point

9,561 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Full-day seasonal ridge drive

WHY IT RANKS

Schnebly Hill Road climbs from Sedona to the ponderosa forest on the Mogollon Rim. The surface is rough and rocky. Several viewpoints show the red-rock basin from increasing elevations.

SIGNATURE VIEWRed Rock Country dropping from the Mogollon escarpment

Distance

11.1 mi

High point

6,503 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day rough scenic road

WHY IT RANKS

The Doll House has tall sandstone towers in the remote Maze district of Canyonlands. The vehicle approach is long and difficult. Foot trails continue from the parking area into nearby canyons.

SIGNATURE VIEWEroded stone 'dolls' above the Colorado River country

Distance

20.7 mi

High point

5,610 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Multi-day, permit-based expedition

WHY IT RANKS

Lippincott Pass is a short, exposed shelf road between Racetrack and Saline valleys. The route has broad views and few safe edges. Plan it as part of a fully supplied Death Valley trip.

SIGNATURE VIEWDeath Valley, the Inyo Mountains, and empty mining country

Distance

2.3 mi

High point

4,014 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Short advanced spur in a larger expedition

WHY IT RANKS

The Owyhee Uplands Byway crosses about 100 miles of volcanic tableland, canyon rims, and ranch land. Services are scarce. The route provides a full day in open sagebrush country.

SIGNATURE VIEWOwyhee canyon rims across a vast sagebrush plateau

Distance

103.8 mi

High point

6,254 ft

Difficulty

Easy

Trip

Full-day or overnight backcountry byway

WHY IT RANKS

Railroad Ridge climbs to a broad meadow at 10,417 feet. The summit shows the Sawtooths, Lost River Range, and Frank Church area. Few Idaho roads reach a viewpoint at this elevation.

SIGNATURE VIEWSawtooths, Frank Church wilderness, and the Lost River Range

Distance

6.4 mi

High point

10,417 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Half-day high-alpine out-and-back

WHY IT RANKS

The road crosses open high country to the rim of Bighorn Canyon. Pale limestone walls drop to the river below. The final overlook appears after a gradual two-track approach.

SIGNATURE VIEWThe Bighorn River cutting through pale limestone walls

Distance

11.1 mi

High point

5,212 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day remote overlook drive

WHY IT RANKS

Shuteye Peak climbs through Sierra forest to open granite and a fire lookout. On a clear day, the summit shows Yosemite, Bass Lake, Kaiser Pass, the Sierra crest, and the Central Valley.

SIGNATURE VIEWYosemite wilderness, Kaiser Pass, Bass Lake, and the Central Valley

Distance

6.5 mi

High point

8,353 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Half-day moderate mountain climb

WHY IT RANKS

Bethel Ridge alternates between forest and open viewpoints. Rimrock Lake lies below the road, and Mount Adams is visible on clear days. Evening light can improve the western view.

SIGNATURE VIEWMount Adams, Rimrock Lake, and the eastern Cascades

Distance

5.8 mi

High point

6,172 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day ridge and forest route

WHY IT RANKS

Obstruction Point Road continues beyond Hurricane Ridge on a narrow seasonal route. Subalpine meadows, Olympic peaks, forest, and distant ridges surround the road. The route is an out-and-back.

SIGNATURE VIEWMount Olympus and layered ridges above subalpine meadows

Distance

7.7 mi

High point

6,128 ft

Difficulty

Easy

Trip

Short seasonal national-park drive

WHY IT RANKS

Old Ore Road crosses ridges and broad desert channels in Big Bend. The Chisos Mountains remain visible along much of the route. A short walk from the road leads to the folded limestone at Ernst Tinaja.

SIGNATURE VIEWChisos Mountains across the Tornillo Creek drainage

Distance

27.1 mi

High point

3,182 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day primitive-road traverse

WHY IT RANKS

Black Gap is the difficult section of a larger Big Bend backcountry loop. The route includes a rock ledge, rough washes, and long distances from pavement. Carry enough vehicle and energy reserve for the complete trip.

SIGNATURE VIEWChihuahuan Desert horizons under the Chisos Mountains

Distance

8.7 mi

High point

2,684 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Full-day advanced backcountry loop segment

WHY IT RANKS

Rocky Gap crosses a rough limestone wash in the Spring Mountains. The route climbs from Joshua trees toward evergreen forest. A difficult central rock section has no easy bypass.

SIGNATURE VIEWLimestone ridges, Joshua country, and Las Vegas far beyond

Distance

8.2 mi

High point

6,463 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Half-day difficult point-to-point

WHY IT RANKS

Hat Point Road climbs through forest to a fire tower above the Snake River. The Seven Devils rise across Hells Canyon. The 82-foot tower provides a clear view of the canyon's large elevation change.

SIGNATURE VIEWHells Canyon, the Snake River, and Idaho's Seven Devils

Distance

22.9 mi

High point

6,967 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Full-day seasonal out-and-back

WHY IT RANKS

Monument Ridge reaches a fire lookout above Jackson Hole on a short route. The summit shows the Gros Ventre, Wyoming Range, and distant Teton Range. The trip does not require a full day.

SIGNATURE VIEWThe Gros Ventre, Wyoming Range, and distant Tetons

Distance

2.2 mi

High point

8,253 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Short scenic out-and-back

WHY IT RANKS

Guadalupe Rim follows the western side of the range. Pinyon-juniper forest opens to views across Dog Canyon and the southern New Mexico desert. Campsites lie along the moderate road.

SIGNATURE VIEWGuadalupe escarpments and southern New Mexico desert

Distance

48.5 mi

High point

6,752 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Full-day easy overland traverse

WHY IT RANKS

Old Red River Pass follows the former eastern road into town. Rough switchbacks climb through forest to a view above Red River. New Mexico's highest mountains are visible from the summit.

SIGNATURE VIEWWheeler Peak wilderness and the town far below

Distance

3.2 mi

High point

9,857 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Short moderate historic pass

WHY IT RANKS

Skyline Road climbs above the trees into the alpine desert on Mauna Kea. The route passes red cinder cones and native silversword plants. Clouds can form below the road.

SIGNATURE VIEWMauna Kea cinder cones over a sea of cloud

Distance

12.2 mi

High point

11,674 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Half-day high-volcano loop

WHY IT RANKS

Spearfish Mountain climbs through ponderosa forest to an open summit. The top shows Crow Peak, Spearfish Valley, and distant Bear Butte. The route is short and moderate.

SIGNATURE VIEWSpearfish valley, Crow Peak, and Bear Butte

Distance

5.3 mi

High point

5,644 ft

Difficulty

Unrated

Trip

Short moderate out-and-back

WHY IT RANKS

Naches Trail is a difficult forest route with roots and mud. Meadows and ridges later open toward Mount Rainier. Indigenous travelers and the Longmire wagon party used this corridor.

SIGNATURE VIEWMount Rainier from forest, meadow, and ridgeline

Distance

12.4 mi

High point

4,981 ft

Difficulty

Difficult

Trip

Full-day technical seasonal traverse

WHY IT RANKS

Flagpole Knob follows a moderate ridge road above the Shenandoah Valley. The summit shows several layers of the Blue Ridge. The route is suitable for drivers who do not want a difficult rock trail.

SIGNATURE VIEWBlue Ridge folds receding across Virginia

Distance

4 mi

High point

4,385 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Short family-friendly ridge drive

WHY IT RANKS

Lead King Basin continues beyond Crystal Mill into meadows below the Elk Mountains. Wildflowers appear in summer, and the aspen changes color in fall. The best views extend beyond the well-known mill.

SIGNATURE VIEWElk Mountain peaks, alpine streams, and the Crystal valley

Distance

7.9 mi

High point

10,892 ft

Difficulty

Moderate

Trip

Half-day seasonal mountain loop