Activity

Off-Roading

7 destinations along 7 roads

Some of the West's best country only opens up past the end of the pavement, and the vehicle becomes the key. But a backcountry road is not a trail to bushwhack: the rule out here is to stay on the designated route, because a single track cut across the desert crust lasts for decades. Air down, carry recovery gear and more water than the trip should need, and tell someone where you're headed — there's no signal and no tow truck. Tread lightly, and the whole map opens up.

US-501

Sand Mountain

Fallon

Nevada's largest dune — a 600-foot mountain of singing sand, a buried Pony Express station, and a butterfly found nowhere else

I-701

San Rafael Swell

Castle Dale

A massive dome of exposed rock layers with slot canyons and natural bridges

SR-881

The Apache Trail

Apache Junction

The 1904 road built to raise Roosevelt Dam, still barely tamed

US-891

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park

Kanab

Sweeping dunes of coral-colored sand framed by red cliffs

US-1911

Moab

Moab

The adventure capital of the American Southwest

UT-261 / US-1631

Valley of the Gods

Mexican Hat

A free, uncrowded alternative to Monument Valley

Burr Trail Road1

Burr Trail Road

Boulder

A jaw-dropping backcountry road through slot canyons to Capitol Reef

Related tags

PhotographySpringSandstoneFallScenic DrivingOff the Beaten PathNo Cell ServiceMonsoon-Aware