Where is the Kimsey Mountain Highway?
Usa, north-america
26.71 km
936 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: You're cruising through the Cherokee National Forest in southeast Tennessee, venturing deep into a seriously wild and remote area of Polk County. You're on the Kimsey Mountain Highway, also known as Forest Service Road 68, and let me tell you, it's an adventure!
Forget smooth pavement – we're talking a totally unpaved, single-track Jeep road with just enough turnouts to let you squeeze by oncoming traffic. This isn’t a race; it’s a slow and steady journey offering unique views of the forest. And because you're running near the crest of a ridge, expect some pretty spectacular vistas along the way.
This road is old-school. Built almost a century ago, it’s still pretty much in its original condition – rustic!
At its highest point, you'll be sitting pretty at 3,070 feet above sea level in the Southern Appalachians. Keep an eye out for fallen trees blocking the path and be wary of potential washouts. Bringing a chainsaw? Not a bad idea!
The whole stretch clocks in at about 16.6 miles (26.71km), winding its way from TN-30 to TN-68. Get ready for a trip back in time and a true escape into nature!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 26.71 km
- Max Elevation
- 936 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
moderateWhere is Coyote Flat?
🇺🇸 Usa
Coyote Flat, nestled high in California's Inyo National Forest, is a must-see for adventurous travelers. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though! We're talking a 16-mile unpaved journey starting near Bishop, climbing to a lofty 10,042 feet. Built back in the '40s as a mining road, Coyote Valley Road is best tackled in a high-clearance 4x4. Expect steep, rocky, and sometimes sandy terrain as you wind through pine forests and canyons. Keep in mind, this area is usually snowed in from late October until late June/early July, so plan your trip accordingly. And come prepared—there are no services or water sources up there! But the views? Totally worth it! Think grazing deer, glimpses of Palisade Glacier, and maybe even a coyote, bear, or mountain lion sighting if you're lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective!). Don't forget your mosquito repellent if you're visiting in the summer!
moderateKings Canyon Scenic Byway is a picturesque 50-mile route in California
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through Fresno County, California? You HAVE to hit the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway! This paved road (California 180) is your gateway to Kings Canyon National Park, stretching 50 miles from the foothills outside Fresno all the way to Cedar Grove. Nestled in Sequoia National Forest, this is no straight shot – get ready for a snaking, two-lane rollercoaster with more twists and turns than you can count, and some serious drop-offs! Maybe leave the big trailers at home; anything over 24 feet might have a tough time. You'll climb to a whopping 6,843 feet above sea level, so keep an eye on the calendar – the section below the Hume Lake turnoff usually closes for winter from mid-October to mid-May. Budget 2-3 hours for the drive, but honestly, clear your whole day. You'll want to stop at every scenic pullout! This road is all about the views: jaw-dropping geological formations, the roaring Kings River, and majestic groves of giant sequoias. As you wind your way up, prepare for mind-blowing panoramas, soaring granite cliffs, and dramatic shifts in the scenery as you gain 4,000 feet. Think unique geological displays, breathtaking vistas and a showcase of nature's wonderland! Explore natural caves, hit the hiking trails, and soak up the best outdoor recreation California has to offer. Seriously, this drive is internationally significant for its beauty, so get ready to be amazed!
easyDempster Highway is a Top Canadian Drive to the Arctic
🇨🇦 Canada
# The Dempster Highway: Canada's Ultimate Arctic Adventure Want to drive somewhere that'll make your friends' jaws drop? The Dempster Highway is it. Stretching 736 km (457 miles) across some of Canada's most remote and stunning Arctic landscape, this is the only all-weather road that actually crosses the Arctic Circle. And if you're brave enough to venture the extra 147 km to Tuktoyaktuk, you'll hit Canada's Arctic Coast on the first all-weather road that goes that far north. The route kicks off at the Klondike Highway near Dawson City in Yukon and winds its way through the Northwest Territories all the way to Inuvik on the Mackenzie River delta. Fair warning: this isn't a casual Sunday drive. It's a two-lane gravel road (also labeled Yukon Highway 5 and Northwest Territories Highway 8) that demands respect and preparation. Here's what you're getting into: the highway snakes through two mountain ranges—the Ogilvie and Richardson—crosses the Continental Divide three times, and follows ancient dog team routes that Indigenous peoples have used for thousands of years. The road uses seasonal ferries and ice bridges to cross the Peel and Mackenzie Rivers. Summer means it can get dusty, so bring a vehicle with solid clearance and definitely pack a spare tire. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. You'll cruise past stunted spruce and alder forests in the Eagle Plains (they're weirdly adorable at just 8-12 feet tall), roll through endless tundra, and eventually drop down to the aspen-covered delta. The highest point is North Fork Pass Summit at 1,328 meters (4,356 feet). Plan on spending at least two days and 12-16 hours of driving each way. Best times to go? Late June through early August for that surreal midnight sun experience (yes, 56 days of 24-hour daylight). Or swing by early August through early September for autumn colors without the extreme light show. Here's the reality check: services are incredibly sparse. Gas, diesel, and repairs exist only at Eagle Plains, Fort McPherson, and Inuvik. Cell service? Forget it in most areas. Seriously consider renting a satellite phone. Stock up on water, snacks, and emergency supplies before you leave civilization. Winter driving (December 15 to April 30) requires extra gear like a shovel, sleeping bag, and stove. Summer season runs roughly June 10 to October 14. Either way, check road conditions in Dawson City or at the Klondike River Lodge before you head out—and check again at Eagle Plains if you're pushing further north. Built between 1959 and 1978 (officially opened in 1979), the Dempster Highway is named after Inspector William John Duncan Dempster of the North-West Mounted Police. It's one of those roads that genuinely feels like you're discovering something most people will never see. If getting way off the beaten path is your thing, this is the adventure you've been waiting for.
moderateThe historic Old Plank Road in California was built in 1915
🇺🇸 Usa
Ever heard of a road made of wood? Deep in California's Imperial County, near the border with Mexico, lies the remains of the Old Plank Road, a seriously cool piece of early 20th-century ingenuity. Back in 1915, this eight-mile stretch was built right across the shifting sands of the Algodones Dunes, a landscape that looks like it belongs in the Sahara! Imagine driving on wooden planks, laid end-to-end like a primitive roadway. It was a single lane, so turnouts were added every mile so cars could pass each other. They called it a success, though it was hard work to keep the sand off the road. Mules were brought in to dust the planks off or even move sections of the road! This quirky road made it possible to travel between San Diego and Yuma, Arizona. About 3,000 vehicles a week traveled across the "railroad track for cars" Sadly, the plank road's reign didn't last. The harsh desert and shifting sands took their toll, and by the late 1920s, it was replaced with asphalt. Today, only fragments remain, a historic landmark and reminder of a time when a wooden road was the only way to cross these majestic dunes. The region of towering dunes resembles the Sahara desert and has been featured in films ranging from Rudolph Valentino's “The Sheik” to 1983's “Return of the Jedi”.