California
ModerateCoyote Hills to Lassen Peak Backdoor — Lassen Volcanic Backcountry via Butte Lake Road
Volcanic backdoor most Lassen visitors never find.
Trail Type: Scenic Drive
New Mexico
ModerateBrokeoff Mountains Rim Road — Jemez to Valles Caldera via Redondo Peak Divide
Volcanic caldera rim on loose Jemez gravel.
California
ModerateGenesee Road to Shuteye Peak — Sierra Nevada Foothills Mining Spine via Bass Lake
Sierra summit, zero crowds, hundred-mile views.
USA
ModerateZion Plateau Road to Kolob Terrace — Red Butte and Lava Point Overland Circuit
Zion's back door, no shuttle required.
USA
ModerateLonesome Highway — Sunlight Basin Road to Dead Indian Summit via Clarks Fork Absaroka
Wyoming's deepest canyon on a forgotten back road.
USA
ModerateLonesome Highway — Bighorn Mountains West Slope to Shell Falls via Highway 14 Backcountry Spur
Wyoming canyon country above the basin floor.
Oklahoma
ModerateLonesome Highway — Ouachita Mountains Talimena Scenic Drive via Rich Mountain and Black Fork
Ridge-running hardwoods and forgotten red-clay spurs.
Montana
ModerateBeartooth Highway North Slope Road — Red Lodge to Cooke City via Beartooth Pass Summit
America's highest paved road with gravel teeth.
California
ModerateLonesome Highway — Tioga Pass to Mono Lake via Saddlebag Lake Road and Lee Vining Canyon
Sierra crest to ancient sea in 75 miles.
Oklahoma
ModerateLonesome Highway — Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Back Road to Quanah Parker Lake via French Lake Loop
Bison, granite domes, and Oklahoma's oldest rock.