Why is it called Dunraven Pass?
Usa, north-america
26.07 km
2,718 m
easy
Year-round
Dunraven Pass, sitting pretty at 8,917 feet in Wyoming's Park County, is the highest point you can drive to inside Yellowstone National Park. Named after some Irish Earl who swung by back in 1874, this pass is a real treat.
The road, built way back in 1915 and paved in the '40s, stretches for about 16.2 miles from Canyon Village up to Devils Den. Don't rush it! This paved road winds and climbs through the Washburn Range, serving up incredible panoramic views. Word to the wise: this area is prime grizzly bear territory, so keep your eyes peeled!
This pass is the highest in the park, so expect closures during the winter months. Dunraven is usually the first to close when snow starts falling in the fall, and the first to close when snowstorms roll through. Typically, it shuts down in early October and doesn't reopen until late May or early June. Even in summer, snow's not out of the question at this altitude!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 26.07 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,718 m
- Difficulty
- easy
Related Roads in north-america
extremeHow long is Interstate 4 (I-4) in Florida?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! If you're cruising through Central Florida, you're gonna run into Interstate 4 (I-4). This isn't just any highway; it's a 132-mile stretch from Daytona Beach to Tampa, notorious for being, well, a bit wild. Why the reputation? Think about it: Orlando and Tampa are magnets for tourists and snowbirds. Mix that with locals, add a dash of semi-trucks, and you've got a recipe for some seriously congested roads. These folks don't always know where they're going, and that can lead to some… interesting driving decisions. The speed limit is often 65 mph, which sounds great, but locals tend to push it, while visitors might be cruising much slower. You can imagine the chaos when those two meet. And the infrastructure? Let's just say Florida's growth is outpacing the roads. Take the I-4/Route 27 interchange in Davenport, for instance. It can take up to an hour to go just six miles, especially with all the development happening. So, when should you avoid I-4? Weekday rush hours are brutal, and weekends aren't much better. January is the absolute worst, thanks to football games and other events. July, August, November, and December are also challenging because of the theme park crowds. If you're visiting, ditch the GPS. Seriously. Development is so rapid that those things can't keep up. Grab an old-fashioned map. If you're feeling adventurous, take on I-4 during peak hours! It's an experience. Just be prepared for anything!
hardTravel guide to the top of Gem Peak in MT
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're hunting for an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Montana, Gem Peak is calling your name. Nestled way up high in Sanders County, in the southern reaches of the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness, this peak tops out at a cool 6,092 feet. The road up, Forest Road 2205, is all dirt and gravel, a proper mountain track. You *can* technically make it in a regular car, but trust me, you'll be way happier in a 4x4 with some decent clearance. Keep an eye on the weather, as conditions can change quickly. This is a single-lane road with some serious exposure – think stunning views on one side, and a sheer drop on the other! The last couple of miles get pretty rocky, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Starting from Idaho Point Road, this 4-mile climb is located within the Kootenai National Forest. It's a steep one, with grades hitting up to 13% in places. At the summit, you'll find a historic fire lookout tower that's been standing tall since 1921. The views? Absolutely epic. Just be sure to take it slow, enjoy the scenery, and maybe pack a picnic for the top!
extremeWhere is Badwater Basin?
🇺🇸 Usa
Badwater Basin is a salt pan at 86m (282ft) below sea level, located in Inyo County, in the U.S. state of California. At this elevation it’s the lowest point in North America. Where is Badwater Basin? The basin is a surreal landscape of vast salt flats located in Death Valley National Park, in the eastern central part of California. Why is it called Badwater Basin? This site was once a lake, but as it has dried up, sediment and salt have accumulated here over time because the lake has no outlet. A sign near the parking lot says that the area was named Badwater because a traveler was passing through and saw that there was water for his mule to drink. However, because the water is so full of salt, the animal refused to drink it, and thus the name Badwater was born. How long is the road to Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP? The road to the basin is totally paved. It’s called Badwater Road (CA 178). Starting at Furnace Creek (on CA-190), the drive is 15.5 miles (24.94km) long. The road is steep in parts, with a maximum gradient of 4% through some of the ramps. High in the rocky cliffs above the road, a sign reads 'SEA LEVEL', giving a good indication of just how low the land is. Is Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP challenging? You must be prepared and use common sense. At Badwater Basin, significant rainstorms flood the valley bottom periodically. Death Valley is one of the hottest places in the world, and climatic conditions in the park can be extreme. With an air-conditioned vehicle, you can safely tour many of the main sites in Death Valley. Avoid canyons during rainstorms and be prepared to move to higher ground. While driving, be alert for water running in washes and across road dips. Cell phones may not work in many parts of the park. Do not depend on them. Is Badwater Basin in Death Valley NP worth it? Plan around 30 minutes to complete the drive without any stops. It is a truly unique place to discover. A visit to the basin is an otherworldly experience. This area is very popular, so be sure to note that if you go on a busy weekend. Badwater Basin can be viewed from your vehicle in the parking area . The road passes Artist’s Drive, another worthy attraction with unique Death Valley geology. How to drive the Sedona's Red Rock Scenic Byway in Arizona Daniel’s Pass is a classic road trip in Utah 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.
hardHow do you get to Punta Allen?
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, so you wanna get to Punta Allen, the chillest village at the end of the Boca Paila Peninsula in Quintana Roo? Get ready for QROO 15, a coastal road that's more of an adventure than a highway. It's about 53 km (33 miles) from Tulum, running along the Caribbean coast, taking you right to the edge of paradise and the entrance to BahÃa de la Ascensión. Fair warning: this road, also known as Javier Rojo Gómez, is *unpaved*. Think narrow, think jungle, think Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve vibes. If it's dry, you'll dodge potholes – not too bad. But watch out for those sneaky *topes* (speed bumps)! They can be brutal. The southern half, especially after the Boca Paila bridge, is where things get real. You might need some off-road skills to avoid sinking in the sand. Leave the low-rider at home; you'll want an SUV for this trek. Keep your eyes peeled for potholes and remember if it's been raining, the road can become one with the beach – easy to get stuck without 4WD. No lanes here, just weaving around potholes and watching for oncoming traffic. The speed limit is 40 km/h, and trust me, you'll want to stick to it for the animals' sake! This area is remote – seriously remote. Fill up your tank in Tulum; there's no gas in Punta Allen. Electricity is patchy, and ATMs and internet are non-existent. Aim to finish the 2-3 hour drive before sunset, 'cause you're heading back the same way. But is it worth it? Absolutely. Take your time! There are tons of spots to pull over and enjoy deserted beaches and rocky coastline. Keep an eye out for crocodiles on the first lagoon bridge. You'll see lizards, iguanas, crabs, birds – a whole wildlife parade. Once you reach Punta Allen, you'll understand why the journey is part of the magic. Think pristine white sand beaches and emerald waters stretching as far as you can see – pure paradise!