A narrow dirt road with steep drop offs to Francis Peak in Utah

A narrow dirt road with steep drop offs to Francis Peak in Utah

Usa, north-america

Length

20.59 km

Elevation

2,887 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near northern Utah, you HAVE to check out Francis Peak! Perched way up high on the border of Davis and Morgan counties, this mountain clocks in at a whopping 9,471 feet.

The road? Well, let's just say it's an experience. You'll start on pavement, cruising nice and easy for about a mile. Then, BAM! You hit a winding, narrow dirt road that'll take you on a 12-mile rollercoaster up the mountain. It’s called Francis Peak Road, but some know it as Skyline Drive or Farmington Canyon Road.

Now, be warned, this climb is STEEP! Starting near Farmington, you're looking at almost 13 miles of uphill driving, gaining over 5,000 feet in elevation. And hold on tight – there are some serious drop-offs and iffy cell service the whole way.

Heads up: this road is a no-go in winter. Snow can stick around well into June.

Once you get to the top (which is inside the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, BTW), you'll find a restricted zone with huge radar towers that look like something out of a sci-fi movie! Sadly, you can't get right up to the towers themselves.

Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes sunbathing near the rocks! But most importantly, soak in the views! Seriously, they're insane. You can see Morgan to the east and the Great Salt Lake shimmering to the west. Trust me, this is one adventure you won't forget.

Where is it?

A narrow dirt road with steep drop offs to Francis Peak in Utah is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 39.5964, -97.8933

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
20.59 km
Max Elevation
2,887 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
39.5964, -97.8933

Related Roads in north-america

Driving the haunted Crawford Road in Virginiamoderate

Driving the haunted Crawford Road in Virginia

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up because we're heading to Crawford Road in York County, Virginia, just east of Richmond! This isn't your average scenic drive; it's a 3.6-mile (5.79km) stretch of pavement packed with eerie legends and ghostly tales. Think winding, dark, and seriously shaded – the kind of road where you're the only car for miles. And speaking of miles, forget streetlights; it's pure, unadulterated countryside. Crawford Road, or Road 637 as it's also known, runs from Goosley Road to Yorktown Road. The real star of the show is the infamous "Crybaby Bridge," where the legend of a bride who met a tragic end lives on. Stories say she ran from her wedding and… well, things didn't end well. Now, drivers claim to spot her in their rearview mirrors, forever reliving her final moments. Some even whisper about connections to the KKK. But here's the kicker: legend has it that if you're brave (or foolish) enough to kill your engine and lights under the bridge, you'll be greeted by voices and… let's just say some seriously unhappy spirits. Angry dead slaves will be hanging from the bridge and trees, and you will be paranormally attacked somehow. Word to the wise: Crawford Road is remote! Break down, and you're on your own for a while. Maybe skip this one after dark unless you're *really* looking for a scare.

Skyline Drive is one of the highest roads of Utaheasy

Skyline Drive is one of the highest roads of Utah

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: You're cruising along Skyline Drive Scenic Backway, clinging to the spine of the Wasatch Plateau in central Utah. Seriously, this road is HIGH, mostly hovering above 10,000 feet! We're talking about one of the loftiest roads in the whole state. This baby is 96.5 miles of pure adventure, stretching from Tucker (off U.S. 6) down to Salina Creek Road. You'll be climbing from 9,000 feet all the way up to a dizzying 10,897 feet! Just a heads-up: some of these ridges are barely wider than your vehicle. Built way back in the 30s, this route follows parts of trails settlers have used since the 1880s. It's a mix of FR150, 0173, UT31, and 150 roads, and most of it is unpaved. Think forested mountains, postcard-perfect alpine meadows, and a ton of lakes, streams, and campsites. While some sections are doable in a regular car, a high-clearance 4x4 is your best bet for the rougher patches. The north end is generally accessible year-round, but the southern parts? Stick to that 4-wheel drive. Nestled in Manti-La Sal National Forest, the road peaks at High Top, a mountain pass reaching that crazy 10,897-foot mark. With that kind of altitude, snow can shut it down for most of the year (July to September is the sweet spot), and even summer storms can make it impassable. All in, expect this trek to take 5-6 hours without stops. The views are insane, and it's prime territory for camping, fishing, and hunting. Fall is especially gorgeous when the leaves are changing. From the top, you can spot the Oquirrh Range, the Tavaputs, Mount Nebo, and the incredible Roan Plateau. This route is also known as the Utah Adventure Highway for a reason. One last thing: cell service is spotty, so come prepared!

A Paved Road Through the Peguis Canyon in Chihuahuamoderate

A Paved Road Through the Peguis Canyon in Chihuahua

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Mexican state of Chihuahua, heading into the epic Cañón Pegüis. This geological wonder is where the Conchos River decided to carve a 2,000-foot-deep path right through a mountain – seriously impressive! You'll find this jaw-dropping canyon in the northwestern part of Mexico, nestled within the protected Área Natural Protegida Cañón y Sierra del Pegüis. The road itself? It's fully paved (phew!), and known as Mexico 16. We're talking about a 226 km (140-mile) stretch of road that runs east-west, connecting the town of Ojinaga near the US border to Chihuahua City, the state's vibrant capital. Buckle up for seriously stunning views of Peguis Canyon along the way!

El Chorrohard

El Chorro

🇲🇽 Mexico

Okay, buckle up, amigos, because La Carbonera (Mexico 57D, the Saltillo-Matehuala highway) is a real rollercoaster! This stretch of road, also called El Chorro, winds its way through the Sierra Madre Oriental, treating you to incredible views of desert canyons and patches of pine forest. You'll be climbing high, peaking at around 7,150 feet (2,180 m) near the turnoff for San Antonio de las Alazanas – and close to Mexico's only ski resort, Monterreal! Then, it's a thrilling descent to Ramos Arizpe, way down at 4,265 feet (1300 m). The road itself? Think tight, twisty curves that demand your attention, especially since this is known as the trickiest part of the Matehuala-Saltillo route. Keep your eyes peeled not just for the scenery, but also for potential weather woes: floods, mudslides, and fog can roll in. So drive smart and enjoy the ride!