Oregon
EasyFort Rock Valley Road — Christmas Valley to Fort Rock State Natural Area via High Desert Basin
A volcano rising alone from Oregon's ancient lake bed.
Trail Type: Scenic Drive
California
ModerateChimney Peak Backcountry Byway — Canebrake Road to Chimney Peak via Lamont Peak Divide
Southern Sierra desert ridge with zero crowds.
California
ModerateBunny Flat to Sand Flat — Mount Shasta Volcanic Rim Road
Shasta's flanks, pumice, and zero mercy.
USA
EasyTranscontinental Railroad Grade Road — Promontory Summit to Golden Spike NHS
Where the golden spike met the great desert.
USA
EasyWedge Overlook Road — San Rafael Swell Canyon Rim
Utah's Little Grand Canyon — no crowds, no guardrails.
Oregon
ModeratePainted Hills to Picture Gorge — John Day River Basin Backcountry Loop
Fossil beds, painted badlands, and empty Oregon rangeland.
USA
ModerateCottonwood Canyon Road — Tooele County Salt Flats to Simpson Springs via Pony Circuit
Bryce to Kanab through empty mesa and canyon country.
Oregon
EasyAlvord Desert Playa to Fields Station — Steens Mountain East Escarpment Base
A mile-high fault wall and an alkali desert floor.
California
ModerateVolcanic Legacy Scenic Byway Backcountry — Medicine Lake Highlands to Lava Beds
Alien lava country north of Shasta.
Oregon
ModerateBuckhorn Drive — John Day Fossil Beds High Desert Circuit
Painted badlands and fossil rimrock, zero crowds.