
Where is Canyon Road in Utah?
Usa, north-america
12 km
1,206 m
moderate
Year-round
Ready for an off-road adventure in Utah? Long Canyon Road, nestled in Grand County near Moab, is calling your name! This 12 km (7.5 mile) dirt track snakes through the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, connecting UT-279 with UT-313, the gateway to Dead Horse Point State Park.
Get ready for a climb! You'll ascend from 1,206 m (3,956 ft) to a whopping 1,865 m (6,118 ft), gaining 659 meters in elevation. While 4WD is recommended, most high-clearance vehicles can handle it – unless Mother Nature has been throwing a tantrum. Expect a bumpy ride with potential mud and sand, but nothing too crazy.
The highlight? "Pucker Pass," a narrow and bumpy section that lives up to its name! The rest is a wide gravel road, but be mindful of uphill traffic in the Pass. Watch out for rocks (up to 6 inches!), loose surfaces, and shelf roads, but don't worry, there are plenty of pull-offs. Oh, and did I mention you'll drive under a massive boulder that's formed a cool little tunnel?
But it's all worth it for the views! Long Canyon Road serves up incredible vistas of Long Canyon itself and the majestic La Sal Mountains. Open year-round (weather permitting, of course!), it's best explored when dry. Just be aware that Pucker Pass can get tricky after heavy rains. Trust me, this is one Utah adventure you won't forget!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 12 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,206 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
extremeWhere Is Patriarch Grove?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, California dreamers, listen up! Want to see the oldest trees on earth? Then point your GPS towards Patriarch Grove, nestled way up high in the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest. We're talking a lung-busting 11,335 feet! This place is in east-central Cali, practically hugging the Nevada border, and boasts some seriously unique scenery. Oh, and did I mention it's home to the Patriarch Tree, the *world's* biggest bristlecone pine? Heads up, though: this spot is REMOTE. Think no cell service, no gas stations, nada. Pack accordingly! The road in is only about a mile long (starting at Schulman Grove), but it's a rough one. Seriously, ditch the Prius and bring something with high clearance – this is an unpaved, rocky track that'll have your tires screaming for mercy if you’re not careful. Slow and steady wins the race (around 15 mph is suggested!). Also, keep in mind this road is seasonal. Usually, you can get through from mid-May to late November, but winter brings some serious snow (up to 13 feet!), shutting things down. Always check conditions before you head out. Trust me, the ancient trees and stunning views are worth the bumpy ride, just be prepared for a true off-the-grid adventure!
Skyline Drive
🇺🇸 United States
Skyline Drive is an absolutely stunning 169-kilometer stretch that runs the full length of Shenandoah National Park, hugging the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains across Virginia. This beauty was actually carved out during the Great Depression as a works project, and boy, did they nail the routing. You'll find 75 different overlooks peppered along the way, each one gifting you those postcard-perfect vistas—westward to the Shenandoah Valley below and eastward across the rolling Piedmont. What really makes this drive special is how connected it is to the surrounding landscape. Over 800 kilometers of hiking trails branch off from the road, including a whopping 160-kilometer stretch of the legendary Appalachian Trail that crisscrosses the drive repeatedly. The route winds through thick hardwood forests that put on an absolute show every fall, and you'll pass rocky ridges where peregrine falcons have made an impressive comeback. Whitetail deer basically own this road—seriously, you'll see them constantly—and if you're lucky (or cautious, depending on your perspective), black bears roam the backcountry. Once you reach the southern terminus, Skyline Drive hands off seamlessly to the Blue Ridge Parkway, so you can just keep rolling south into North Carolina if the mountain vibes are treating you right.
moderateDriving the scenic Cherohala Skyway through the mountains
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through Tennessee and North Carolina? You HAVE to experience the Cherohala Skyway, one of the most breathtaking drives in the USA! This beauty took 34 years and over $100 million to build, finally opening in 1996, and it's now a designated National Scenic Byway. The name? A blend of the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests it winds through. We're talking 51.8 miles (83.36km) of pure, paved road magic stretching from Tellico Plains, TN, to Robbinsville, NC (aka Tennessee State Route 165 meets North Carolina Highway 143). They also call it the Overhill Skyway, FYI! Get ready for some serious elevation – the highest point is 5,400ft (1,600m) near the state line at Santeetlah Overlook. Even in July, this place can be shrouded in fog and feel super chilly, so pack accordingly! Mountain weather is no joke. Just south of the legendary Tail of the Dragon, this mile-high drive is always a unique experience, a hidden gem snaking through the mountains. Think long, sweeping corners that are a dream for motorcycles and sports cars. This is a 2-lane road with wide shoulders and 15 scenic overlooks. Word to the wise: it can be desolate at night and treacherous in winter. Imagine yourself surrounded by forests of hardwoods and evergreens. Seriously, bring your camera! The Cherohala Skyway delivers incredible mountain views, vibrant foliage, and cascading waterfalls. You could technically drive it in 2-3 hours non-stop, but WHY would you want to? This easy drive is smack-dab in the heart of the stunning southern Appalachian Mountains.
hardWhere is Beef Pasture Gap?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to Beef Pasture Gap in Jeff Davis County, Texas! This isn't your average highway – it's perched way up at 6,161 feet! Seriously, it's one of the highest paved roads you'll find in the Lone Star State. You'll be cruising along Texas State Highway 118 (SH 118), a fully paved road that winds its way through the stunning Davis Mountains. The whole route clocks in at about 51.4 miles, stretching from I-10 down to Texas State Highway 17, near the cool little town of Fort Davis. Get ready for some seriously scenic backcountry vibes!