Steel Pass is a truly outstanding 4wd adventure in Death Valley
Usa, north-america
73.7 km
1,565 m
extreme
Year-round
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!
Where is it?
Steel Pass is a truly outstanding 4wd adventure in Death Valley is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 41.8780, -97.2351
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 73.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,565 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 41.8780, -97.2351
Related Roads in north-america
hardMount Elbert
🇺🇸 Usa
Mount Elbert is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.504m (11,496ft) above the sea level, located in Lake County, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The summit is located in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. The road to the summit is very rough, tippy and bumpy at times. Located on the Elbert Massif in San Isabel National Forest, the road is totally impassable in winters, often until July 4th or later. Great trail for experienced wheelers. The trail is narrow with few places for passing so meeting someone can be a challenge. High altitude sickness may occur at this altitude. The mountain was named in honor of a Colorado statesman, Samuel Hitt Elbert, who was active in the formative period of the state and Governor of the Territory of Colorado from 1873 to 1874. The trail to the summit is called Forest Road 110J (Iron Mike Road or Halfmoon Road). It’s an old mining road. Keep an eye on the weather for thunderstorms and lightning. Near the summit there are remants of several abandoned old mining buildings. The road can be driven in many stock SUVs equipped with 4x4 & higher clearance. However, the road is continuously rocky and does present some degree of clearance challenges for stock SUVs. Avoid dangerous afternoon storms. If you see dark puffy clouds building, turn around and get off the mountain. Maverick Mountain: Driving to the 8,086ft lookout in Fort Apache Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
easyHow scenic is Beartooth Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because Beartooth Pass in Wyoming is calling your name! This baby tops out at a whopping 10,964 feet, making it one of Wyoming's highest. Forget boring commutes; this drive is all about the views. We're talking seriously scenic—think winding switchbacks with jaw-dropping vistas into the valley below. Opened back in '36, the road is paved, but don't think it's gonna be a breeze. It's curvy, like *really* curvy, so be prepared for some white-knuckle moments. But trust me, it's worth it for the alpine scenery alone. Once you hit the summit, make a pit stop at Beartooth Pass Vista Point for even MORE incredible views. Heads up though: Beartooth Pass is a fair-weather friend. Typically, it's only open from mid-May to mid-October. Even in summer, you can get hit with snowstorms, crazy winds, and wicked thunderstorms. So, check the forecast, pack your layers, and get ready for an unforgettable ride!
easyA Desert Trip: The Scenic Pinto Basin Road in the Joshua Tree NP
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through Joshua Tree National Park? You absolutely HAVE to take Pinto Basin Road! This fully paved, two-lane beauty stretches for nearly 30 miles (47km) and is essentially the main artery slicing through the heart of the park. This recently revamped road (Park Route 11) whisks you from the Mojave Desert to the Sonoran Desert, showcasing the incredible diversity of the landscape. Keep your eyes peeled, because this area is STUNNING! But remember, safety first! Watch your speed, especially with those gradients hitting up to 5.3% in places. Sadly, many animals (including desert tortoises) are roadkill victims, so drive responsibly. Reaching a dizzying height of almost 4,000 feet (1,197m), the views are breathtaking. But the desert has its dangers. Be aware of rattlesnakes, scorpions, and black widows if you're hiking. Summer brings scorching heat and intense sun, and flash floods can strike without warning – so pay attention to weather reports and never drive through standing water! Stay safe and enjoy this unforgettable desert adventure.
moderateForest Road 137
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Forest Road 137 in Utah's Beaver County! This high-altitude beauty sits entirely above 7,200 feet, so prepare for some thin air! Snuggled within Fishlake National Forest, most of this scenic road is unpaved – just a little bit of pavement to tease you. It's a maintained one-lane road, thankfully with turnouts, that most 2WD vehicles can handle with care. I wouldn't recommend hauling a trailer, though. Keep an eye out for dispersed camping spots begging you to pitch a tent. Spanning almost 16 miles east to west, you'll climb to a breathtaking 10,082 feet! Heads up, it's a no-go in winter. Oh, and pro tip: this is bear country, so keep your eyes peeled! Seriously, though, this drive is a photographer's dream. Get ready for incredible vistas of LeBaron Lake, Upper Kents Lake, Kents Lake and Lower Kents Lake. Your Instagram feed will thank you!