Woodchuck Pass
Usa, north-america
N/A
2,937 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk Woodchuck Pass! This beast sits way up in Sheridan County, Wyoming, clocking in at a cool 9,636 feet above sea level.
Forget your sedan, you'll need a 4x4 to tackle Forest Road 226. It's a gravel road, and not exactly smooth sailing. Think rocky terrain, seriously steep inclines, and a handful of creek crossings (we're talking ankle-deep, but one's so murky you won't see the bottom!). Oh, and did I mention the gates? You'll need to hop out and open (and close!) three of them along the way. Given its elevation, snow can shut this beauty down without warning, so check conditions before you go. But trust me, the views are worth the adventure.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Max Elevation
- 2,937 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in north-america
moderateBoy Scout Lane is one of the American Top Haunted Roads
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, thrill-seekers and ghost hunters, listen up! There's this seriously creepy lane out in the middle of nowhere in Portage County, Wisconsin, called Boy Scout Lane. It's west of the Wisconsin River Golf Club, near Plover. Legend says it got its name from a seriously messed up tragedy involving a troop of Boy Scouts way back when – think 1950s or 60s. The stories vary wildly: a murderous scoutmaster, a killer bus driver, a tragic accident with a lantern leading to a forest fire… or maybe they just vanished into thin air! Some say two scouts even escaped, only to die of starvation and exposure in the woods. Whatever the true story, the legend says the spirits of those scouts still roam these woods, searching for help or their lost buddies. The road itself? Forget paved paradise! This unpaved track is less than half a mile (around 2,580 feet) of pure, unadulterated creepiness running straight through the woods. There's nothing much around it. No factual basis to back up the hauntings, of course, but the stories alone draw paranormal enthusiasts and curious souls. Just a heads up, though: the surrounding land is now private property, so stick to the road!
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering the Strawberry Ridge Road in UT
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let's talk Strawberry Ridge Road! This beast of a road straddles the Utah and Wasatch county line in Utah, deep in the Uinta National Forest. Forget pavement; this is pure, unadulterated dirt for 29.4 miles. It's a north-south trek that links Main Canyon Road to Forest Road 042 (Indian Creek Road). You'll be climbing high, reaching a dizzying 9,668 feet above sea level! Be warned: this road is usually a no-go from late October until late June/early July due to snow. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4 to even think about tackling it. But hey, the views are incredible! We're talking panoramic vistas of Strawberry Reservoir and the majestic Wasatch Mountains. Just factor in plenty of time; this isn't a quick jaunt. Expect the drive to take anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours without stops.
moderateLa Huasteca Canyon Road
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through northeastern Mexico, just outside of Santa Catarina, and you stumble upon La Huasteca canyon road. This beauty plunges straight into the Sierra de las Cumbres mountains, leading you to a seriously impressive canyon dam. Get ready for some views! We're talking towering canyon walls, massive mountains, and mind-blowing rock formations that will have you reaching for your camera every five seconds. Just a heads-up: this asphalt road can get a little dicey when the rainy season hits, with potential flooding in the canyons. And if you're an off-road enthusiast, you're in luck – this whole mountain range is riddled with exciting 4x4 trails. Plus, nearby you have the legendary Road Mexico 105 Peñas de Tlanchinol. Let the adventure begin!
hardNeedles Highway is a scenic curvy road in South Dakota
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through South Dakota's Black Hills in Custer State Park? You HAVE to check out Needles Highway (SD 87)! This paved byway is part of the larger Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway and it's a 14-mile (22.53km) rollercoaster of twists and turns. Get ready for hairpin corners, skinny tunnels, and those iconic granite spires jutting from the landscape. Think pine and spruce forests, shimmering birch and aspen meadows, and rugged granite peaks. Seriously, you won't need any gear higher than second on this road! The highlight? Those tunnels! The Needles Eye Tunnel is legendary, barely wide enough at 8' 4" and just 12' high. It's an awesome photo op! There are two other tunnels along the way: Hood Tunnel and Iron Creek Tunnel. Best time to visit is spring through fall, as winter snows close the road. Aim for early April to mid-October, but always check ahead. This is tourist central so be prepared for some other traffic. RVs and big trailers? Probably best to skip this one. The narrow lanes and tight turns make enjoying the views a real challenge. The granite "needles" themselves give the road its name and the whole thing was designed by Governor Peter Norbeck back in the day, who apparently walked the entire route himself! There's an entrance fee for Custer State Park, so factor that in. My tip? Go early. Like, sunrise early. The drive itself takes about 45-60 minutes, but you'll want to stop a million times for photos. Seriously, go slow and savor it – you'll probably find yourself cruising at 20 mph. Don't miss Sylvan Lake and Needle's Eye. Keep an eye out for mountain goats, deer, and cute little chipmunks, too!