The Scenic Journey Along State Route 153: From Beaver to Piute in Utah

The Scenic Journey Along State Route 153: From Beaver to Piute in Utah

Usa, north-america

Length

65.17 km

Elevation

3,122 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Get ready for an epic Utah adventure on State Route 153, a stunning road connecting Beaver and Piute counties! This hidden gem, nestled high in the Fishlake National Forest, stretches for about 40 miles (65 km) and will take you between 1.2 and 1.5 hours to drive non-stop.

SR-153 peaks at a breathtaking 10,242 feet (3,122m) above sea level, offering unbelievable views. You'll find awesome camping and hiking spots along the way, plus some of the best hunting in the state.

The first 21 miles, known as Beaver Canyon Scenic Byway, are paved and perfect for all vehicles. This section climbs east from Beaver (off I-15) into the Tushar Mountains, topping out around 9,200 feet (2,800 m) near Puffer's Lake turn-off. Heads up: snow tires or chains are a must from November to March due to heavy snow.

But the real adventure starts after Puffer's Lake! The remaining 15 miles to Junction are unpaved and only open in dry weather (usually closed in winter). It winds over the Tushar Mountains and down into the Sevier River Valley. Word to the wise: check conditions in Beaver before heading out, and leave the trailer behind! The last 5 miles near Junction are paved again, bringing you smoothly into town. Get ready for a wild ride!

Where is it?

The Scenic Journey Along State Route 153: From Beaver to Piute in Utah is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 36.8738, -96.8622

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Length
65.17 km
Max Elevation
3,122 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
36.8738, -96.8622

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Guardsman Pass?hard

Where is Guardsman Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, so you're in Utah and looking for a scenic drive? Let me tell you about Guardsman Pass! This beauty sits high in the Wasatch Mountains, right on the border between Salt Lake and Wasatch counties, east of Salt Lake City. You'll cruise along Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway (aka Guardsman Pass Road or Utah 190 West) for about 24 miles, connecting Cottonwood Heights and Park City. Good news – you can totally do it in a regular car! And even better news, it's paved! Word of warning though: being up at 9,740 feet, it's usually closed during the winter months because of the snow. Aim for late May/June to October. But even in summer, watch the weather – a big storm can make things dicey. The drive is full of curves and some seriously steep parts, especially if you're heading up from Park City. That climb is about 7 miles, gaining over 2,600 feet, with an average gradient of 7.1%. It's a good one! Is it worth it? Absolutely! Plan for about an hour each way, *without* stops. There's parking and bathrooms at the top. But trust me, you'll want to stop! The views are incredible, especially in the fall when the aspens are bursting with orange and yellow and the oaks are radiating red. Pack a picnic, bring your camera, and enjoy the ride! Oh, and heads up, it's one of Utah's highest roads!

Why was the road to Baldy Mountain built?hard

Why was the road to Baldy Mountain built?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventurers, listen up! You absolutely HAVE to check out Baldy Mountain in New Mexico's Colfax County. This isn't just any peak; we're talking serious altitude – 12,185 feet! The road to the summit (also known as Baldy Peak, Mount Baldy, or Old Baldy) has a cool backstory. It's an old mining road carved into the Cimarron Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, leftover from the days of copper, gold, and silver booms. Near the top, you can even explore the remnants of the Mystic Lode copper mine! The adventure kicks off just north of Elizabethtown on NM-38. From there, it’s about 8 miles of pure unpaved, mountainous bliss. Get ready for a climb, though; we're talking a 3,500+ foot elevation gain! Word to the wise: This road's a beast! Typically snowed in and closed until July (sometimes even later!). It’s narrow, windy, and demands your full attention, especially with limited spots to pass. If you're brave enough, tackle the 17 hairpin turns that are calling your name! You’ll definitely want a 4x4 vehicle with high clearance. Plus, keep an eye on the sky – this area gets some seriously intense monsoon season action with rain, hail, and lightning. But if you're prepared, the views are absolutely worth it!

Where is Sitgreaves Pass?hard

Where is Sitgreaves Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Sitgreaves Pass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,096m (3,595ft) above sea level, located in Mohave County, in the U.S. state of Arizona. Very few guardrails give you no leeway for error. Where is Sitgreaves Pass? The pass is located between Kingman and Oatman, in the northwestern corner of Arizona, high in the Black Mountains. Why is it called Sitgreaves Pass? The pass was named for Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, of the Corps of Topographical Engineers. How long is Sitgreaves Pass in Arizona? The road to the summit is entirely paved. It’s called , part of Historic U.S. 66 W. The pass is 35.40km (22 miles) long, running from Oatman to Walnut Creek. The summit is about 3 miles west of Ed's Camp. Is the road to Sitgreaves Pass dangerous? The road is pretty narrow, very curvy, with lots of blind hairpin turns and no shoulders. It’s a fabulous drive if you are not scared of heights or of tumbling down a mountainside. In many places, there are only a few wooden fence posts and a piece of chain between you and the drop over the edge of the mountain. Make sure to look for the old cars off the road near the hairpin curves. This road is built like a bobsled run, with crazy switchbacks and steep drop-offs plunging thousands of feet down. It is slow going, with some of the winding sections slowing down to 20mph. The road is steep, hitting a 12% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. You'll be fine in normal vehicles, but larger RVs are going to have serious issues. Don’t take this road in bad weather, and do not attempt it after dark. Is the road to Sitgreaves Pass in AZ worth it? Plan about 45 minutes to complete the drive without any stops. However, the drive will take longer due to its beauty. Take your time; it's well worth the drive. There are plenty of pull-offs for you to get out and take pictures, so don't try to take pictures while you are driving. A lot of mining took place along the stretch of road between Oatman and Cool Springs. There are some historical buildings, or rather remains of historical buildings, along this route. A road trip to Lobdell Lake in California is truly epic Rim of the World is a Scenic Byway in Southern California 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.

Where is Main Boulder Road?moderate

Where is Main Boulder Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! Main Boulder Road in Montana is calling your name. Picture this: you're cruising through the southern part of the state, practically hugging the Wyoming border, and smack-dab in the middle of the Custer Gallatin National Forest. This isn't just any drive; it's a 52.3-mile adventure from Big Timber to McLeod, taking you to a seriously popular trailhead. Think epic views and a trail lover's paradise! Now, a heads-up: this road is a bit of a split personality. The first 20-ish miles are smooth pavement, but then it gets wild with a well-maintained gravel road. Word to the wise: it's not the best choice for long vehicles, as there are no good turnaround points beyond the pavement. Oh, and keep an eye out for a couple of bridges that have seen better days – be sure to check conditions before you head out. We're talking high country here, folks, reaching over 8,000 feet near the trailhead. That means winter access can be tricky due to snow, as the gravel part isn't plowed. But if you time it right, the scenery is unreal!