5 Top Destinations for Off-Roading Throughout the United States

Hitting the open road is a distinctly American pastime, and no matter where you travel, you’re bound to experience some of nature’s most beautiful landscapes, including areas prime for off-roading adventures.

Indeed, for the folks with four-wheel-drive and a taste for adventure — not to mention dust — offroading offers a unique way to experience the beauty of the outdoors.

Ready for a wild and rugged ride? Well, buckle up, partner — because there’s plenty to discover. Here are five backcountry wilderness areas across the country worth exploring.

1. Explore Red Dirt Roads in Sedona, Arizona

The majestic desert town of Sedona, in northern Arizona, is surrounded by steep canyon walls, numerous red rock buttes and 1.8 million acres of national forest lands. Drivers can explore the desert mesas and backcountry buttes around Sedona by Jeep, climbing over sandstone outcroppings and a network of red dirt roads.

Be aware, however, that many areas in Sedona require a Red Rock Pass, which provides you access to national forest land in Red Rock Country. Without the pass in your rig, you do risk the threat of a citation.

2. Discover Towering Red Rock Formations in Moab, Utah

A seemingly endless amount of back road trails are ready to be explored in Moab, Utah. Whether you’re looking for an easy two-wheel, drive-friendly scenic route or an adrenaline-pumping, four-wheel drive trail, you’ll find both options and then some in southern Utah.

Experienced drivers can test their four-wheel-drive chops at Pritchett Canyon, Gold Spike or Moab Rim, which is considered the most difficult — and barely passable — of them all. Conversely, novice drivers can take their time and cruise through Secret Spire and Chicken Corner without much worry, as well as a decreased chance of getting stuck (quite literally) between a rock and a hard place.

3. Get Some Mud on Your Tires in Azusa, California

Mud, mud and more mud. That’s what you’ll find when you visit Azusa. Located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County, this off-road paradise is famous for its large mud pits that are big enough to swallow up a Humvee.

In addition to all that mud, there are also stream crossings, sandy washes, dirt hills and areas for rock crawling that can be explored in Azusa Canyon, particularly for those who don’t want to get down and dirty in the mud pits.

4. Traverse Rugged Mountain Ranges in Silverton, Colorado

Winding 63 miles through Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, this alpine loop requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive rig. The trip takes between four to six hours and passes through old mining towns.

Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to get out on foot and explore hiking trails and camping spots. But before taking on this off-road adventure, you may want to consider outfitting your vehicle with specialized off-road tires, designed with treads prime for off-road use.

5. View Vast Wilderness Along Dalton Highway, Alaska

Dalton Highway isn’t your typical highway, as this heavily-traveled route is mostly gravel. In fact, Dalton Highway spans 414 miles from the towns of Livengood to Deadhorse. Originally constructed as a service road, it’s considered one of the country’s most dangerous roads because of its lack of cell reception and services.

However, adventurous drivers can take the journey to gaze upon some of the most spectacular wilderness in America, including the Brooks Range, Yukon River and the Arctic Ocean.

Did you hear that? Adventure is calling. From the red rocks of Sedona and Moab found in the great Southwest to Alaska’s expansive wilderness areas, there’s certainly no shortage of backroads to explore via 4X4 across the United States.
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