
How To Travel The Utah Forest Road 17
Usa, north-america
35.72 km
2,839 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna escape into the heart of Utah's Dixie National Forest? Then you HAVE to experience Forest Road 17, also known as Old Escalante Road. This gem winds through Garfield County’s high country, offering views that'll make your jaw drop.
This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about a 22.2 mile (35.72km) gravel road that climbs to a whopping 9,314 feet (2.839m)! Yeah, you'll want a high-clearance vehicle for this one. Expect some steep sections – some ramps max out at an 11% gradient! The road is usually wide and smooth.
Keep in mind, this road is a seasonal beauty. Typically, it's snowed in from late October until late June or early July. The route links Johns Valley Road to UT-12, giving you a fantastic east-west traverse of southern Utah. While it is a gravel road, it is free of potholes, washboards or any other sort of irregularities. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 35.72 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,839 m
- Difficulty
- easy
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