Driving the wild Sandstone Canyon Trail in California

Driving the wild Sandstone Canyon Trail in California

Usa, north-america

Length

3.7 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Hidden in the Anza Borrego desert of Southern California is the Sandstone Canyon Offroad Trail. Imagine cruising in your high-clearance 4WD through a super narrow canyon carved from layers of gorgeous, beige sandstone.

The trail starts at Fish Creek Wash and stretches for about 2.3 miles into the canyon. The walls are towering and the trail is only a few feet wide in some spots – seriously stunning! Keep an eye out, though, because this unpaved path (mostly sand, but with a few mild obstacles) can change overnight thanks to flash floods or rock slides. Speaking of which, a major rock slide has blocked part of the canyon since 2017. So, the last mile is only for experienced drivers with capable 4WD vehicles.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The scenery is incredible, but *never* go if there's a chance of rain. Flash floods are a real danger.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
3.7 km
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Canoe Lake?moderate

Where is Canoe Lake?

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada

Okay, picture this: you're heading to Canoe Lake, nestled in the southern part of the country, inside the Mississagi River Indian Reserve No. 8. The road in is totally doable in pretty much any car, so no need for a monster truck. From the pavement, it's a short hop, maybe just a bit longer than a stone's throw, to get to the lake. Trust me, it's worth the trek for the pristine beauty that awaits!

Where is Montana Snowbowl?hard

Where is Montana Snowbowl?

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, so you want to hit up Montana Snowbowl, huh? This epic ski resort is nestled in western Montana, just northwest of Missoula. To get there, you'll be cruising on Montana Snowbowl Road. The first couple of miles are paved, but then things get interesting – you'll be kicking up some dust on a well-maintained gravel road for the last 5 miles as you climb in elevation. Speaking of elevation, you'll be heading up! This road gains a lot of elevation and gets you to the base of the resort. Be warned, though: the road can get a little dicey in spots, especially depending on the snow conditions. You'll need to keep your eyes peeled for oncoming traffic since it's a narrow road, and some sections can be pretty steep. The whole shebang is about 7 miles long, but the views? Totally worth it. Plus, once you get there, you have access to some incredible summits.

Road AB-532 Ehard

Road AB-532 E

πŸ‡¨πŸ‡¦ Canada

Okay, picture this: You're cruising along AB-532 E in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. This isn't just any road trip, it’s a high-altitude adventure in the Canadian Rockies' Highwood region of Kananaskis! For about 26 kilometers, you'll be winding and weaving on a well-maintained gravel road that connects the paved AB-22 (aka the Cowboy Trail) to Range Road 42A. Heads up, though: this road can get pretty wild! We're talking strong winds, especially in the afternoon, and crazy-fast weather changes. Plus, it's steep in places and gets super narrow. If you're pulling a trailer, you might want to rethink this one. But the views? Totally worth it! You'll climb to a whopping 2,041 meters (6,696 feet) above sea level at a spot called "The Hump." Just remember, this road closes down for the winter, so plan your trip accordingly! Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery.

Tobias Peakhard

Tobias Peak

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ Usa

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a serious off-road experience in California's Tulare County, Tobias Peak is calling your name. We're talking about a lung-busting climb to 8,218 feet (2,505 meters) in the Sierra Nevada. The road? Well, let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lotta steep. You'll need a 4x4, and a healthy dose of confidence on unpaved mountain tracks. Oh, and did I mention the drop-offs? Yeah, don't look down if you're scared of heights! Word of warning: this road is usually snowed in from October to June. But, if you time it right and the weather's on your side (seriously, check that forecast!), you'll be rewarded with insane views from the lookout tower at the summit, built way back in 1935. Just remember, if you see a thunderstorm brewing, skip the lookout. Stay safe out there!