Where is Union Pass in WY?
Usa, north-america
116.83 km
2,808 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Union Pass in Wyoming is calling your name. This isn't just any mountain pass; we're talking about a 9,212-foot-high stunner straddling Sublette and Fremont counties, right between the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests. Think breathtaking views and a seriously epic drive.
So, how do you tackle this beast? Union Pass Road is mostly unpaved and clocks in at a solid 72.6 miles, connecting U.S. Route 287 near Dubois to U.S. Route 189 in Pinedale.
Give yourself about four hours *each way* to soak it all in. The landscape is unreal – picture vast meadows, sparkling mountain lakes, and panoramas of the Tetons, Wind River Range, and Absaroka Mountains. Plus, you'll be cruising past the headwaters of the Colorado, Mississippi, and Columbia rivers. Talk about a scenic drive!
Now, a word of caution: leave the sedan at home. This road demands an SUV with all-wheel or 4-wheel drive. While the road's generally in good shape, expect some rough patches, especially on the Pinedale side. This is an adventure, not a Sunday cruise, so be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 116.83 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,808 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in north-america
hardA wild 4x4 road to Teddys Peak in CO
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a serious dose of Colorado high country, you NEED to check out Teddys Peak. This unpaved beast of a road tops out at a whopping 12,066 feet, straddling Costilla and Huerfano counties in southern Colorado. Tucked away in the Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, inside the San Isabel National Forest, this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. We're talking rough and rugged terrain that demands a 4WD vehicle with some decent clearance. Be ready for some steep climbs, too – there are sections hitting an 11% grade! Keep in mind that Mother Nature calls the shots up here. Expect the road to be closed from around November due to heavy snow. Even in the summer months, don't be surprised if you run into a bit of the white stuff. But trust me, the panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, plains, and forests from the summit are totally worth it. Get ready to have your breath taken away!
hardA narrow shelf road to Gold Strike Pass in NV
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Gold Strike Pass is calling your name! Nestled in Nevada's Clark County, within the stunning Lake Mead National Recreation Area (a hop, skip, and a jump from Vegas, baby!), this mountain pass sits pretty at 2,408 feet. Forget the smooth asphalt—Goldstrike Pass Road is a 2.1-mile unpaved adventure. Think loose rock and dirt, hugging narrow ledges. Passing other vehicles can get a *little* cozy, so buckle up! Keep an eye on the weather, because Mother Nature loves throwing curveballs here. Washouts can happen when it's wet, and those blind corners on the ledge road? Keep your eyes peeled. Get ready for an immediate climb with switchbacks that'll have you high above the highway and lake. Trust me, you'll want a stock SUV with high clearance for this one. And the reward? Killer views of the iconic Hoover Dam and the sprawling Lake Mead region. Seriously, your Instagram will thank you.
easyLast Dollar Pass is one of Colorado's best back-country roads
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, picture this: Last Dollar Pass, perched way up in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, at a cool 10,676 feet. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it’s a 22-mile dirt road adventure (#638, if you're mapping it) snaking between CO-62 and CO-145. Back in the 1800s, this was the supply route for miners, but now it's a seriously scenic alternative to the highway between Ridgway and Telluride. Now, a regular car *can* handle it when it's dry, but after a downpour, things get muddy, and 4WD is your friend. Ideally, you want a high-clearance vehicle for this one. Allow two to three hours to soak it all in — there's hardly any traffic to rush you. But hey, keep an eye on the sky! Don't even THINK about tackling this road in bad weather. It's usually open from June to September when things are dry. The views? Epic. Think massive aspen groves (hello, fall foliage!), wildflowers popping in early summer, and jagged peaks like the Wilson Range and the Sneffels Range dominating the horizon. Keep your eyes peeled for deer, elk, and maybe even a bear! Fun fact: this is where they filmed the opening and closing scenes of John Wayne's "True Grit"!
hardRoad ID-64
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip dreamers, let's talk ID-64 in Idaho's Lewis County! This little beauty clocks in at just over 14 miles and connects Nezperce and Kamiah. Now, don't let the short distance fool you; it's got some personality. Think winding, sometimes narrow, and definitely steep stretches. The road starts paved, lulling you into a false sense of security, and then BAM! Signs pop up, warning you about 7 miles of twisting, turning gravel. It’s a proper mountain road so expect some elevation changes, of course, and watch out for the usual road hazards. But, hey, the views are totally worth it!