Long Canyon Road is a challenging drive in Utah

Long Canyon Road is a challenging drive in Utah

Usa, north-america

Length

12 km

Elevation

1,206 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Long Canyon Road, nestled in Grand County, Utah, near Moab and within Canyonlands National Park's Sky district, is a wild ride you won't soon forget!

This 12 km (7.5 mile) dirt track kicks off from UT-279 and winds its way up to UT-313, which conveniently leads to Dead Horse Point State Park.

Get ready for a climb! You'll ascend from 1,206 meters (3,956 feet) to a lofty 1,865 meters (6,118 feet). High-clearance vehicles are your best bet for conquering this trail, though most can handle it, unless recent rains have made things extra messy. The road's mostly smooth sailing, but "Pucker Pass" lives up to its name โ€“ narrow, steep, and bumpy! It's a wide gravel road for the most part, but watch out for those tight spots in Pucker Pass. Uphill traffic has the right-of-way, so stay alert when passing. Expect some rocky terrain (up to 6-inchers!), loose surfaces, and shelf roads, but there's generally enough space to pass or pull over. Oh, and youโ€™ll drive *under* a massive boulder that's created a natural tunnel โ€“ photo op!

The views? Seriously epic. From start to finish, you'll be treated to stunning vistas of Long Canyon and the La Sal Mountains. Plenty of pull-offs allow you to soak it all in.

Open year-round (weather permitting), but best tackled when dry. After heavy rain, Pucker Pass can get extra tricky.

Where is it?

Long Canyon Road is a challenging drive in Utah is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 38.7606, -99.4329

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
12 km
Max Elevation
1,206 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
38.7606, -99.4329

Related Roads in north-america

White Pine Peakhard

White Pine Peak

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk about White Pine Peak! Nestled way up in Millard County, Utah, this bad boy tops out at a whopping 10,223 feet. Getting there? Buckle up! Forest Road 434 is your path, but itโ€™s not for the faint of heart. We're talking rough, rocky, and seriously steep. Think 4x4 or bust โ€“ seriously, you'll need it. Winter? Forget about it; this road is a no-go. If you're not comfortable with heights or rugged, unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. But for those who dare, prepare for some incredible views and a climb that'll definitely get your heart pumping!

Tamarisk Road is a drive worth taking on the shore of Lake Mohaveeasy

Tamarisk Road is a drive worth taking on the shore of Lake Mohave

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, so you're looking for an easy off-road adventure near Lake Mohave in Nevada? Check out Tamarisk Road! This little 2.4-mile jaunt in Clark County runs parallel to the Lake Mead Powerline Road within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area and offers a pretty cool escape. The road itself is mostly sandy and rocky, but nothing too crazy, so it's stock-friendly. I'd still recommend having a 4x4 and tires that can handle the sand, just to be safe. The elevation is relatively flat, so no crazy climbs here! Just remember to pack plenty of water and get ready for some beautiful scenery along the shores of Lake Mohave. It's a super chill drive!

Chalk Creek Drive: a beautiful road to St. Elmo ghost towneasy

Chalk Creek Drive: a beautiful road to St. Elmo ghost town

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Usa

Okay, so you wanna hit up St. Elmo's Ghost Town, huh? You gotta cruise down County Road 162, also known as Chalk Creek Drive in Colorado's Chaffee County. This stunner runs right through the heart of the Sawatch Range. Think of it: you're heading east-west from Highway 285 near Nathrop. It's about 15.8 miles (25.42 km) of mostly smooth sailing on pavement, then it turns to dirt as you climb higher towards Alpine. Good news: it's plowed year-round, so no excuses! You'll be topping out at 10,016 feet (3.053m), so expect some serious mountain vibes. It's a pretty steep climb from Highway 285 โ€” we're talking about a 2,280-foot (695m) elevation gain over those 15.8 miles. Not crazy steep, but you'll feel it! But the real reason to go? St. Elmo itself! Originally called Forrest City, this place is like stepping back in time. Seriously, it's one of the best-preserved ghost towns around. Bring your camera because you'll find 43 original buildings standing: a saloon, courthouse/jail, general store, and old homes. The general store is open in summer, where you can rent ATVs to explore the area! St. Elmo is also rumored to be the most haunted ghost town in Colorado, so keep an eye out for spirits! Plan on making a bunch of stops along the way, because the views are unreal!

Why is it called Pennask Summit?moderate

Why is it called Pennask Summit?

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Canada

Yo, road trip lovers! Let's talk Pennask Summit, a seriously epic mountain pass sitting way up high at 1,733m (5,685ft) in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Why "Pennask"? It gets its name from the nearby Pennask Creek. You can totally drive it โ€“ it's all paved and part of Highway 97C, or as the locals call it, the Okanagan Connector. Heads up though, this pass is the highest point on the whole road! It's not exactly a Sunday drive, though. You'll be facing some long, steep climbs, especially if you're heading west. But trust me, the killer views are totally worth it. Good news, it's usually open year-round, but winter can throw a curveball with occasional short closures. And get this: it's the second-highest pass in BC! The whole shebang is about 81.4 km (50.57 miles) long, carving through the Thompson Plateau. You'll cruise from Aspen Grove to Peachland, right in the Okanagan Valley on the west side of Okanagan Lake. Road trip goals, right?