Arizona
ModerateLonesome Highway — Breaks of the Big Bend Ranch to Solitario Overlook via Fresno Canyon
The road that built Roosevelt Dam — still demands respect.
Trail Type: Scenic Drive
USA
ModeratePothole Canyon to Wedge Overlook — San Rafael Swell North Circuit via Fuller Bottom Road
Utah's Little Grand Canyon, no crowds, no rails.
Texas
ModerateLonesome Highway — Davis Mountains Loop to Marfa via the Highland Desert Rim
Texas sky island solitude — Davis to Marfa the hard way.
California
ModerateOnion Valley Road to Whitney Portal Backdoor — Owens Valley Eastern Sierra High Approach
6,200 feet of Eastern Sierra granite in 13 miles.
Colorado
EasyLonesome Highway — Pawnee National Grassland to Crow Butte via the South Platte High Plains Back Road
Big sky, no crowds, and Oligocene badlands on the plains.
Texas
ModerateCoyote Hills to Pine Spring — Guadalupe Mountains Backcountry Loop via Dog Canyon
The Guadalupes' forgotten back door via Dog Canyon.
USA
EasyLander Road to South Pass — Wyoming’s Oregon Trail High Desert Crossing via Atlantic City
Oregon Trail ruts, ghost town gold, and the Divide.
California
ModerateHole-in-the-Wall to Mid Hills — Mojave National Preserve Desert Loop via Wild Horse Canyon
Iron rings, lava walls, and open Mojave sky.
Idaho
EasyFortymile Salmon River Canyon Road — Clayton to Salmon via the Pahsimeroi Valley Back Road
Two mountain ranges, one forgotten valley, zero crowds.
USA
EasyLonesome Highway — Centennial Egg Mountains Road to Dubois via Wind River Badlands Backdoor
Wyoming's Bear Lodge — better than the Tower crowds.