Devils Head

Devils Head

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,786 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! We're heading to Devils Head in northern Arizona's Coconino County, a lava dome reaching a whopping 9,140 feet above sea level. This isn't your Sunday drive; Forest Road 557A to the top is a gravelly, rocky, and bumpy ride, so make sure your 4x4 is ready for some action!

Winter? Forget about it – this road's usually snowed in. But when it's open, experienced off-roaders will be in heaven. The summit might be dotted with communication towers, but the views? Absolutely stunning! Think sweeping vistas of Flagstaff, the majestic San Francisco Mountain, and the whole of northern Arizona unfolding before you.

Word to the wise: if unpaved mountain roads make you nervous, this might not be your cup of tea. It’s steep in places, and rain can turn the road into a muddy challenge. But if you're up for it, especially in the fall, it's SO worth it! The road is graded, but those switchbacks and hairpin turns demand your full attention. Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and mountain bikers sharing the road. And near the top, you'll pass through an area still recovering from a massive wildfire back in '77 – a stark reminder of nature's power. Get ready for a memorable climb!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Max Elevation
2,786 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Abajo Peak?moderate

Where is Abajo Peak?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a spot you NEED to add to your Utah bucket list: Abajo Peak! Perched way up high in San Juan County, near the Colorado border in the Manti-La Sal National Forest, this peak hits an elevation of 11,318 feet! What awaits you at the top? Well, besides a bunch of communication towers, you get absolutely jaw-dropping views! Think panoramic vistas stretching across southeastern Utah, Colorado, and even a glimpse of the Four Corners where Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico all high-five. To get there, you'll be cruising on Forest Road 0087 (aka Abajo Peak Road) for about 12.7 miles, starting near Monticello. Fair warning: it's all unpaved, and you'll be climbing 4,196 feet in elevation, so the average gradient is a respectable 6.26%. Most of the road is in pretty good shape, but things get a bit rugged towards the very end. Seriously, you'll want a 4x4 for this one! Keep in mind, Mother Nature dictates the schedule here. Generally, you can hit this road from late June through October, depending on the snow. The Abajo Mountains, locally known as the Blue Mountains, are calling! Trust me, the views are SO worth the drive.

Calamity Passextreme

Calamity Pass

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're looking for a wild ride in Colorado, you HAVE to check out Calamity Pass! Perched way up high in Jackson County, inside Rocky Mountain National Park, this beast hits a whopping 9,698 feet above sea level. Forget smooth tarmac; we're talking a rugged, gravel 4wd track, also known as Forest Service Road 740 (or Teller Divide). This isn't your Sunday drive – be prepared for a bit of a rocky and muddy challenge, especially that last mile coming from Rand; it gets seriously steep and rocky! Word to the wise: keep a close eye on the weather! This route is prone to avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides, so definitely don't tackle it in bad conditions. Plus, those icy patches can sneak up on you. But if you're up for it, the views are absolutely insane and worth every bump in the road. Get ready for some epic scenery!

Steel Pass is a truly outstanding 4wd adventure in Death Valleyextreme

Steel Pass is a truly outstanding 4wd adventure in Death Valley

🇺🇸 Usa

Steel Pass, sitting pretty at 5,134 feet in California's Inyo County, is not for the faint of heart! This off-road adventure, also known as Steele Pass, winds through the remote and rugged heart of Death Valley National Park. Steel Pass Road is entirely unpaved and gets progressively rockier as you near the summit. This 45.8-mile stretch runs north to south from Eureka Valley Road to Saline Valley Road (southbound is generally easier). Considered one of Death Valley's most challenging backcountry routes, expect narrow sections, silt beds, ever-changing washes and canyons! High-clearance 4WD is an absolute must. Longer wheelbase vehicles might find it extra tricky. You'll need to be able to navigate narrow, sharp dry falls – sidewall tire damage is common, so pack a few spares! The road can be impassable after heavy rains. Waterfalls in Dedeckera Canyon require some real skill, and the Saline Valley wash has some tight, rocky turns. Make sure you have enough gas, too, as there's no cell service here. The drive can take anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours non-stop. Always check the Death Valley National Park website for the latest road conditions due to frequent flooding. It is best traveled with more than one vehicle. Get ready for an epic adventure!

Going-to-the-Sun Roadmoderate

Going-to-the-Sun Road

🇺🇸 United States

# Going-to-the-Sun Road: Montana's Most Spectacular Mountain Drive Want to experience one of America's most jaw-dropping road trips? The Going-to-the-Sun Road is an 80-kilometer stretch of pure Rocky Mountain magic that cuts straight through Glacier National Park, with the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (2,026 m) marking its dramatic high point. Built over eleven grueling years and finally finished in 1932, this highway is basically a masterclass in impossible engineering—seriously, it was such a feat that it earned National Historic Landmark status in 1985. Fair warning: it's the *only* road crossing the park, so if you want to experience these glacially carved landscapes, this is it. The journey itself is absolutely wild. Starting from the gorgeous shores of Lake McDonald on the west side, you'll wind through thick cedar-hemlock forests, past cascading waterfalls, and along some genuinely nerve-wracking narrow ledges that hug sheer cliff faces. The Garden Wall section? That's where things get *really* intense—the road was literally carved directly into a near-vertical cliff, offering those heart-pounding valley views that'll make your stomach flip. Once you reach Logan Pass, you're treated to sprawling alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers in July, plus mountain goats casually hanging out near the visitor center. The descent on the eastern side opens up into gorgeous glacial lakes and wild, wind-shaped terrain. Before you go, know the rules: any vehicles over 6.4 meters long or 2.4 meters wide (mirrors included) are banned from certain sections. The road only opens mid-June to mid-October depending on snowmelt, and yes, you'll need a reservation these days because literally everyone wants to drive this thing. Can't blame them.