FR123 is a wild road in the Tushar Mountains of Utah

FR123 is a wild road in the Tushar Mountains of Utah

Usa, north-america

Length

25.42 km

Elevation

2,600 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Forest Road 123: Utah's Alpine Adventure

Looking to test your driving skills? Forest Road 123 in Piute County, Utah, is calling your name—if you're brave enough to answer. This beast of a road climbs to a jaw-dropping 3,503 meters (11,492 feet) above sea level, making it one of Utah's highest drives.

Also known as Big John Flat Road, this 25.42-kilometer (15.8-mile) stretch winds through the heart of Fishlake National Forest in the Tushar Mountains, Utah's third-highest range. The name "Tushar" comes from an ancient word meaning "snow"—and yeah, these mountains live up to that reputation.

Here's the real talk: this isn't your typical leisurely Sunday drive. The unpaved road gets seriously narrow and steep past Big John Flat, which means trailers are absolutely off the table. You'll need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance, and honestly, you should probably bring a good sense of humor because there's zero cell reception out here. Oh, and watch out for rockfall—nature's way of keeping things exciting.

The entire route sits above 2,600 meters, running north-south from North Beaver Creek Road to SR-173 near Elk Meadows Ski Resort and Puffer Lake. Winter? Forget about it—this road doesn't get plowed, and both sides of the summit are closed year-round to motorized vehicles anyway. Stay on the actual trail.

But here's what makes it worth it: stunning mountain vistas, genuine solitude, and incredible wildlife spotting. Turkey, elk, deer, chipmunks, ground squirrels—they're all hanging out in these mountains. The Tushars deliver that rare combo of adrenaline and serenity that keeps adventurers coming back.

Where is it?

FR123 is a wild road in the Tushar Mountains of Utah is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 46.7811, -95.1876

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
25.42 km
Max Elevation
2,600 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
46.7811, -95.1876

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Bald Mountain Pass?easy

Where is Bald Mountain Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Bald Mountain Pass in Utah is calling your name! This epic stretch of pavement, also known as State Route 150, is rumored to be the highest paved road in the entire state. Where do you find this gem? Straddling Summit and Duchesne counties in northeastern Utah, it's your gateway to the western Uinta Mountains. Clocking in at 77.2 miles (124.24km) from Kamas, Utah, all the way to Evanston, Wyoming, this road is a serious climb, topping out at a whopping 10,734 feet (3.272m) above sea level! Heads up: Mother Nature dictates the open season here. Typically, you can hit this road from Memorial Day weekend until early November, but keep an eye on the weather. Snow can linger *late*! But let me tell you, the views are SO worth it. Prepare for your jaw to drop as you ascend. The summit offers insane panoramic vistas. You'll get a crystal-clear shot of Mirror Lake and a bunch of other sparkling lakes dotted around the Uintas. And the mountain peaks? Majestic doesn't even begin to cover it. Bald Mountain Pass is THE overlook for the High Uintas – trust me, you want to see this!

The Winter Nightmare: The 2013 Strandingextreme

The Winter Nightmare: The 2013 Stranding

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, buckle up for the Virgin River Gorge, a 29-mile slice of I-15 cutting through Arizona's northwest corner and linking Vegas with Salt Lake City. It's a total showstopper, carved right through towering limestone cliffs. Seriously impressive stuff! But don't let the views fool you. This ain't your average cruise. We're talking winding canyon roads, and some serious elevation changes. Think narrow lanes and tricky bridge structures. Oh, and weather? It can get wild! Zero shoulders mean there's no room for error. Black ice is a real threat in the "Narrows" section during winter – the sun never hits the asphalt, turning it into a sneaky skating rink. Plus, wind gusts can be intense, especially if you're driving a bigger rig. We're talking winds funneled through the canyon walls that can really push you around. Back in 2013, a crazy Arctic storm trapped hundreds of motorists overnight, a good reminder of how quickly things can turn south. They had to re-channel the Virgin River a dozen times. Crazy! Keep an eye on the forecast before you head out, especially in winter. No tailgating, because truck traffic can be heavy. If you can swing it, hit the gorge during daylight hours to avoid that black ice. And double-check that everything on your vehicle is secure, because those winds are no joke. The Virgin River Gorge is an engineering marvel, but it's also a beast. Treat it with respect, and you'll have an unforgettable drive.

When was Bow Pass in Alberta built?hard

When was Bow Pass in Alberta built?

🇨🇦 Canada

Bow Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.088m (6,850ft) above sea level, located in the Canadian province of Alberta. It's one of the highest roads of the country. When was Bow Pass in Alberta built? Located within the Banff National Park, on the western part of Alberta, the road was completed in 1940. Is Bow Pass in Alberta paved? The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called (also known as Highway 93 north), the highest road in Canada’s national parks. A minor paved road, west of the pass, climbs up to How long is Bow Pass in Alberta? The pass is 75.8 km (47.09 miles) long, running south-north from Lake Louise to Saskatchewan River Crossing. Is Bow Pass in Alberta open? Set high in the Waputik Range, part of the Canadian Rockies, the pass is the highest point on the road. It is typically open all year round but snow can be expected at any time of year and extreme weather is common in winter Is Bow Pass in Alberta worth it? The drive is very scenic and the views cannot be captures in photos. It’s an impressive example of road engineering, producing better and better scenery as you climb higher. It does get busier at weekends and in the main holiday season. The parkway is busy in July and August with up to 100,000 vehicles a month.  Lytton-Lillooet Highway is a scenic drive along the Fraser river Saskatchewan Highway 955 is worth the white-knuckle drive Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Why is it called Patchwork Parkway?moderate

Why is it called Patchwork Parkway?

🇺🇸 Usa

Cruising through southwestern Utah? You HAVE to check out the Patchwork Parkway. This 51-mile stretch connects Heritage Highway 89 and Scenic Byway 12, winding from around 6,000 feet up to a whopping 10,626 feet on a stunning plateau before dipping back down to 6,500 feet. Why "Patchwork"? Legend has it that pioneers used to lay quilts on the snow to protect their feet, hence the name! You'll be tracing routes once used by Native Americans and early settlers. This fully paved road – also known as Scenic Byway 143 and the Brian Head-Panguitch Lake Scenic Byway – links Parowan to Panguitch and gives you access to Brian Head, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Panguitch Lake. Speaking of which, don't miss a stop at Panguitch Lake for some amazing fishing. The views are insane! Think dramatic geological rock formations, serene lakes, and lush forests. A quick detour between Milepost 8 and 9 leads to Hidden Haven, a secret oasis with a waterfall and rock climbing – totally worth it. It’s only a couple of hours to drive the whole thing but give yourself more time, you will want to stop! The road has overlooks and pullover areas where you can admire peaks and plateaus, lakes, lava fields and canyons. Just a heads-up: you will want to take it slow, there are some exposed and unsecured sections of road in innumerable twists and turns. Also, the scenery is breathtaking. Expect vibrant orange and red canyons, silt cliffs, and forests of pine, fir, and spruce. The plateaus are also prime for stargazing. And if you have the time, a quick 30-mile detour south from Panguitch will get you to the unearthly Bryce Canyon, where you can marvel at the hoodoos and stone forests.