
Cottonwood Canyon Road in Utah: adventure and beauty, not for everyone
Usa, north-america
74 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure on Cottonwood Canyon Road, a scenic byway winding through Kane County, Utah, just north of Page, Arizona, and nestled in the stunning Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.
Also known as K7000 or Cottonwood Canyons Scenic Backway, this 74km (46-mile) dirt road connects Cannonville with Highway 89, near Big Water. Originally a maintenance road for power lines, it's now a pathway to incredible views!
The road is usually open year-round, *weather permitting*, and takes around 2 hours to drive, depending on how many photo stops you make! The first 9 miles from Cannonville are paved until you reach the turnoff for Kodachrome Basin State Park. After that, it's graded dirt with a clay base that becomes an absolute mud pit when wet.
While a hardy 2WD car can handle it in dry conditions, a 4x4 is definitely more comfortable. But beware, even SUVs can get stuck after rain! This road transforms into a slippery mess when wet, and flash floods can wash out sections, especially during summer thunderstorms. The surface can also be rough in places due to less maintenance recently. This road is NOT suitable for RVs or trailers.
Before you go, check conditions at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Cannonville. There are no services along the route, so pack food, water, and emergency supplies. And remember, if rain or snow is forecast, stay away!
Where is it?
Cottonwood Canyon Road in Utah: adventure and beauty, not for everyone is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 41.3787, -103.0091
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 74 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 41.3787, -103.0091
Related Roads in north-america
extremeHow long is Saddle Road in Hawaii?
🇺🇸 Usa
Saddle Road is a very scenic drive located on Hawaii's Big Island, in the USA. Along the way, the road tops out at 2.062m (6,765ft) above sea level by Humuula Saddle. How long is Saddle Road in Hawaii? The road (Hawaii State Highway 200, also known as Ala Mauna Saddle Road) is 52.7 miles (84.8 km) long and links downtown Hilo and the junction with Hawaii Route 190 near Waimea. Two roads intersect Saddle Road close to Puʻu Huluhulu at its crest near mile 28 at 6,632 ft (2,021m) above sea level, the Mauna Loa Observatory Road to the south, and the Mauna Kea Summit Road When was Saddle Road built? Carved out of the lava, Saddle Road was initially built as a one-lane road by the U.S. Army in 1942 to connect military training facilities to better defend the island in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor. How long does it take to drive Saddle Road in Hawaii? To drive the road without stopping will take most people between 1.15 and 2 hours. The highway reaches a maximum elevation of 2.062m (6,765ft) at Humuula Saddle and experiences heavy use as it provides the shortest driving route from Hilo to Kailua-Kona and access to the slopes of Mauna Loa and the Mauna Kea Observatories. Saddle Road cuts through some of the best scenery on the Big Island. Is it safe to drive Saddle Road? It was once considered one of the most dangerous paved roads in the state. The road was marginally maintained. But now it has been enhanced and improved a lot. It feels like a highway and reduces the trip to around an hour. The paved road features excellent conditions. There have been major improvements to most stretches of this road over the last few years. Since 1992, there has been increased attention on the road, with efforts to rebuild and renovate the highway into a practical cross-island route. This resulted in repaving some sections and complete rebuilding of others. There is a portion of windy and narrow two-lane road at mile marker 11. During bad weather or heavy cloud cover, visibility can be close to zero. Wild animals and birds can be a hazard by running across the road - drive cautiously. One section of the road tends to be extremely foggy after dark for some reason (signage will alert you to that). The road is said to be haunted: the witness accounts included a variety of strange phenomena, including sightings of ghost lights. Are rental cars allowed on Saddle Road? It’s the shortest connection between both sides of the Big Island. The road features dangerously unpredictable weather. There are areas on the road with no cell service, though call boxes have been placed along the highway. There are no gas stations or stores or manned places to get help - take the number of an island tow company with you in case you need help. Pavement edges can be rough, and head-on collisions are still a real problem. A newly paved road makes this a lot easier and saves time getting to the other side of the island. It's no longer off-limits to rental cars (but check your contract to be sure) and it's smooth and has adequate shoulders the whole way. In the uphill sections, there is a separate lane for trucks and slower cars. Vail Pass is a difficult road in Colorado Shelf Road in Colorado: If you don't like steep drop-offs, don't take the road 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.
hardWhy is Carson ghost town famous for?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're feeling brave and your ride is ready for a challenge, I've got a trip for you. We're heading up to Carson, a ghost town perched way up in the Colorado Rockies, in Hinsdale County. We're talking serious altitude here - 11,584 feet! Carson was once a bustling mining town back in the day, but those tough Colorado winters eventually got the best of it. Now, it's an eerie, beautiful relic of a bygone era, just begging to be explored. The road in? It's not for the faint of heart. We're talking 3.5 miles of rough gravel, embedded rocks, and seriously steep sections. Passing can be tricky, and you probably won't see many other vehicles. But the views? Totally worth it. Expect stunning scenery and the chance to peek into abandoned mines along the way. You'll absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4 to make it. ATVs, motorcycles, hikers, and bikers are welcome too! Just be warned: this road is narrow, with switchbacks that'll test your skills and some pretty steep drop-offs. Beginner drivers, proceed with caution. Oh, and a heads up: this road is usually snowed in from October to June. Even in summer, keep an eye on the weather – a sudden snowstorm could close things down fast. Heavy mist can also roll in, making visibility a nightmare. So plan accordingly, be prepared, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
extremeWhere is Blue Jay Hill?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're in northern New Mexico, specifically Taos County, itching for an off-road adventure. Forget the mellow scenic drives; you're heading up Blue Jay Hill in the Carson National Forest! This isn't just any hill. Nestled in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness, near the Taos Ski Valley, it's a real climb, even though it's not the highest point in the state. We're talking a roughly 3 km ascent gaining 217 meters straight up into those alpine forests. The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. Think gravel, rocks, bumps—the whole shebang. It doubles as a ski lift access trail, so expect some seriously tippy terrain that demands a high-clearance 4x4. And watch out for those steep sections and surprise turns – especially after a good rain, when things get muddy. This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. Those drop-offs are no joke, and there are zero guardrails, so keep your eyes on the prize. Forget about hitting this trail in winter, unless you're on skis; it's buried in snow. But in summer? You're in for some epic views of those surrounding 13,000-foot peaks. Heads up: come prepared! This is remote, so bring everything you need. Cell service? Nope. Weather can change on a dime up here, so check the Taos forecast before you go, because you don't want to be caught in a freezing hailstorm without warning. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
moderateBear Lake summit
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for a seriously stunning drive up to Bear Lake summit! We're talking 7,818 feet above sea level, right on the northern edge of Utah in Cache County. You'll be cruising on US-89, a paved road that's as smooth as it is scenic. This road was built way back in 1926. Keep your eyes peeled; this pass is actually the highest point on US-89 in Utah. You can usually drive this route year-round, but be aware that crazy winter weather can cause temporary closures. Near the top, you'll find the Bear Lake Overlook Visitor Center – perfect for snapping some photos. Be warned: the road gets seriously steep as you climb towards the summit.