
FR123 is a wild road in the Tushar Mountains of Utah
Usa, north-america
25.42 km
2,600 m
hard
Year-round
# Forest Road 123: Utah's Alpine Adventure
Looking to test your driving skills? Forest Road 123 in Piute County, Utah, is calling your name—if you're brave enough to answer. This beast of a road climbs to a jaw-dropping 3,503 meters (11,492 feet) above sea level, making it one of Utah's highest drives.
Also known as Big John Flat Road, this 25.42-kilometer (15.8-mile) stretch winds through the heart of Fishlake National Forest in the Tushar Mountains, Utah's third-highest range. The name "Tushar" comes from an ancient word meaning "snow"—and yeah, these mountains live up to that reputation.
Here's the real talk: this isn't your typical leisurely Sunday drive. The unpaved road gets seriously narrow and steep past Big John Flat, which means trailers are absolutely off the table. You'll need a 4WD vehicle with high clearance, and honestly, you should probably bring a good sense of humor because there's zero cell reception out here. Oh, and watch out for rockfall—nature's way of keeping things exciting.
The entire route sits above 2,600 meters, running north-south from North Beaver Creek Road to SR-173 near Elk Meadows Ski Resort and Puffer Lake. Winter? Forget about it—this road doesn't get plowed, and both sides of the summit are closed year-round to motorized vehicles anyway. Stay on the actual trail.
But here's what makes it worth it: stunning mountain vistas, genuine solitude, and incredible wildlife spotting. Turkey, elk, deer, chipmunks, ground squirrels—they're all hanging out in these mountains. The Tushars deliver that rare combo of adrenaline and serenity that keeps adventurers coming back.
Where is it?
FR123 is a wild road in the Tushar Mountains of Utah is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 46.7811, -95.1876
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 25.42 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,600 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.7811, -95.1876
Related Roads in north-america
hardOrd Mountain
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for an off-road adventure in Southern California? Check out Ord Mountain in San Bernardino County! This peak clocks in at 4,527 feet and gives you killer views, if you can handle the drive. We're talking Mojave Desert terrain, people! The road up is basically a gravel, rocky, bouncy dream (or nightmare, depending on your suspension). Hamburger Hill Off Road Trail is the name, and getting rad is the game. Heads up: this trail's usually snowed in from October to June, so plan accordingly. Once you're up there, the views are worth every bump. You'll get snow-capped San Bernardino mountains to the south, the Ord range stretching east and west, and the stunning Tyler Valley to the northwest. This used to be a mining area, so you'll see cool relics along the way. Definitely need a 4x4 and some solid off-roading skills for this one. It's steep in sections, and if you're not comfortable with heights or unpaved roads, maybe skip this one. But if you're an experienced wheeler looking for a challenge and incredible scenery, Ord Mountain is calling your name!
moderateWhere is the haunted Avon Bridge in Indiana?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Hendricks County, Indiana, just west of Indy, and you stumble upon the legendary Avon Bridge. This isn't just any old bridge; it's a triple-arch railroad trestle with a serious backstory! Built way back in 1906 for the Big Four Railroad, it stretches about 300 feet across White Lick Creek, standing tall at 70 feet. It’s a bit off the beaten path, south of U.S. 36 on County Road 625 East. Now, here's where it gets interesting. This bridge has earned its reputation as Avon's Haunted Bridge. Legend whispers of a young mother and her baby meeting a tragic end on the tracks, and now, some say her spirit lingers. Brave souls claim to hear moans and screams near the bridge at night, and on hot days, even see her tears on the concrete. Locals even have a tradition of honking their horns when driving underneath, supposedly to drown out her sorrowful wails. Spooky, right? So, if you're up for a bit of ghost hunting with a side of small-town charm, the Avon Bridge might just be your next stop!
hardWhere is Burr Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for the Burr Trail, a 66-mile (106 km) scenic backway straddling Kane and Garfield counties in south-central Utah. You'll cruise through Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Capitol Reef National Park, and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Starting from Bullfrog (Highway 276) near Lake Powell, you'll wind your way to the mountain town of Boulder (Utah Scenic Byway 12). Most of the road is pretty quiet. The western part, from Boulder to Capitol Reef, is paved. But inside the park, it turns into a graded dirt road that can get seriously washboarded – so gas up in Bullfrog, Ticaboo, or Boulder! Named after Mormon settler John Atlantic Burr, this trail can be tricky. While cars can usually handle it in dry weather (spring and fall are ideal!), rain can make it impassable, even for 4WDs. Check conditions with rangers before you go. Cell service is spotty, so pack plenty of water and supplies. The highlight? The Burr Trail Switchbacks – a super steep series of hairpin turns that climb 800 feet (244 m) in just half a mile (0.8 km). Talk about a test! The road's open year-round, but flash floods can happen anytime. Leave the RVs and trailers at home! Budget 2.5–3 hours for the drive, but plan for longer – you'll be stopping constantly. Think painted rocks, Henry Mountains views, contorted landscapes like The Gulch and Waterpocket Fold, red Circle Cliffs, and Long Canyon. Seriously, get ready for some epic hiking and side trips!
hardA steep unpaved road to the summit of Wolf S3
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're in British Columbia and craving a serious off-road adventure, you HAVE to check out Wolf S3! Nestled way up in the Selkirk Mountains, this bad boy tops out at a whopping 2,164 meters (that's 7,099 feet for my American friends!). Forget pavement – this 4.2 km (2.6 mile) climb is all about the rugged, unadulterated dirt. And when I say climb, I mean it! You're gaining 650 meters, battling an average gradient of over 15%, and tackling 10 hairpin turns that will make your palms sweat. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential. Word to the wise: this road is a no-go in winter. Also, keep an eye out for rock slides, and be prepared for some seriously muddy conditions if it's been raining. But the views? Oh man, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment! Get ready for some serious bragging rights and epic photo opportunities.