Norris Canyon Road is a scenic drive in Yellowstone NP
Usa, north-america
18.5 km
2,286 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Norris Canyon Road! This beauty winds through the heart of Yellowstone, way up high in Wyoming. We're talking serious elevation, folks—over 7,500 feet the whole time and topping out over 8,200!
This fully paved, 11.5-mile stretch connects Norris Geyser Basin with the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, making it a super handy shortcut. Just be warned, it's a bit of a climb! Some sections hit a 10% grade, so your car will get a workout.
Think of it as a scenic detour between the Grand Loop Road and Canyon Village! You'll find the turnoff for Virginia Cascade Drive along the way. Heads up, though: cell service is spotty at best up here.
Keep in mind that Old Man Winter shuts this road down for the season, so plan your trip accordingly. It's all about the views, the crisp mountain air, and that feeling of being utterly immersed in Yellowstone's wild beauty.
Where is it?
Norris Canyon Road is a scenic drive in Yellowstone NP is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 36.4859, -97.4933
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 18.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,286 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 36.4859, -97.4933
Related Roads in north-america
hardSignal Peak: Ultimate 4wd destination in NM
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, fellow adventurers, let me tell you about Signal Peak! This baby sits pretty in Grant County, New Mexico, smack-dab in the Gila National Forest. We're talking serious altitude here – 9,002 feet (2,744m)! The road up, Signal Peak Road (aka Forest Road 154), is a 6.7-mile unpaved path north of Silver City. Translation? Leave your low riders at home! You'll want something with some clearance to tackle this steep climb. Trust me, the views are worth it. Starting near a *ahem* let's say "challenging" area, you'll ascend 517 meters, with an average gradient of 4.79%. The prize? A fire lookout at the top! From there, you can feast your eyes on most of southwestern New Mexico, the vast Chihuahuan Desert to the south, and the rugged Gila Wilderness to the north. It’s panorama perfection!
hardBeef Basin Trail is a challenging 4wd road in Utah
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to southeastern Utah, south of Canyonlands National Park, eh? Get ready for Beef Basin Road #093, a real adventure at 82 miles long! You can hop on it from Utah Highway 211 and San Juan County Road #107. Now, listen up! This isn't your grandma's Sunday drive. You're gonna need some serious ground clearance and four-wheel drive. Seriously. There's a point where signs are screaming at you that you better have a heavy-duty rig. Under *ideal* conditions and with an experienced driver, you *might* get a 2WD vehicle a ways in, but even then, high clearance AWD is recommended! Beef Basin is HOT and DRY, especially in summer. Bring at least a gallon of water per person per day – no joke. And remember, Southern Utah roads are moody! Conditions change fast with the weather and maintenance. Speaking of weather, even a little rain can turn this road into a beast. They might even close it down. And forget about it in winter (November to April-ish) because of snow piling up on Horse Mountain and the Abajo Mountains. But if you hit it right, the scenery is unreal.
hardHow long is Farwell Canyon Road?
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, adventurers, listen up! If you're cruising through the Chilcotin District of British Columbia, Canada, you HAVE to check out Farwell Canyon Road. This 117 km (72.7 miles) dirt track stretches from the Taseko Lake Road to the Chilcotin-Bella Coola Highway, south of Riske Creek. The best part? You don't need a monster 4x4, just a regular car and a gentle foot on the gas to avoid any bumps or our bovine friends! It climbs up to 1,592m (5,223ft), giving you seriously epic views. Sure, it's a narrow, dusty road, and you might encounter some steep climbs and lumbering logging trucks, but the scenery more than makes up for it. Expect miles of switchbacks as you descend into the canyon towards the Chilcotin River. Word to the wise: maybe skip this one if it's pouring rain, as it gets tricky when wet. But if you're up for an off-the-beaten-path adventure with incredible vistas, Farwell Canyon Road is calling your name!
moderateKolob Terrace Road is a very scenic drive into the mountains of Utah
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Kolob Terrace Road in Utah, a hidden gem snaking through Zion National Park. Forget the crowds, this 40.5-mile paved road is the park's best-kept secret, linking Virgin (yes, that's the town's name!) with Cedar City. Give yourself about an hour and a half for a non-stop adventure. You'll wind in and out of the park, feasting your eyes on views that most visitors miss. Be warned: this road climbs steeply from Virgin into the forested Kolob Terrace, so your car will work for its views! You'll be soaring over 8,000 feet! At its highest point, near Kolob Reservoir, you'll hit 8,162 feet above sea level. Heads up if you're visiting in winter, the upper stretches past Hop Valley Trailhead might be snowed in. Below 6,000 feet, you should be clear. But the real star of the show? The scenery! This drive is a feast for the eyes, with classic Zion vistas unfolding at every turn. Fun fact: Keep an eye out for familiar scenery, as some scenes from "Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid" were filmed here!