California
ModerateChimney Peak Backcountry Byway — El Paso Mountains to Cinder Cones
Mojave volcanic country nobody bothers to visit.
Trail Type: Overland Route
California
ModerateModoc Volcanic Scenic Byway — Lava Beds to Medicine Lake Highlands
Lava, obsidian, and no crowds. True Modoc country.
Oregon
DifficultSheldon Antelope Range to Hart Lake Rim — Oregon High Desert Northern Circuit
Pronghorn, opals, and zero pavement. Real high desert.
USA
ModerateHole-in-the-Rock Road — Grand Staircase to Dance Hall Rock and Beyond
Mormon pioneer grit through Utah's raw desert.
Oregon
ModeratePoker Jim Ridge Road — Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge High Desert Run
Pronghorn country at 7,000 feet — no crowds, no signal.
USA
ModerateCottonwood Canyon Road — Grand Staircase-Escalante Slot Canyon Corridor
Painted cliffs, slot canyons, one hell of a road.
Oregon
ModerateOwyhee Canyonlands Backcountry — Jordan Valley to Rome via Three Forks
Oregon's forgotten canyon country.
USA
ModerateWhite Rim Road — Canyonlands National Park Loop
100 miles of canyon ledge road. No shortcuts.
Oregon
ModerateSteens Mountain Loop Road — Frenchglen to Alvord Desert
Glacial gorges above a desert playa. One road.
California
ModerateMojave Road — Needles to Afton Canyon via Mojave Desert Historic Trail
The oldest government road in California.