If you are a lover of off-roading, you probably have found there are some rather enjoyable spots near your home. You might even be willing to drive out in order to check out a few new spots, but if you really want to take in the best off roading locations in the United States, you might need to drive across country. With all of the incredible landscapes available inside of the U.S., there are some spots that you really are not going to surpass, regardless of where you are in the world. So, if you are willing and ready for a bit of a road trip, these are the top five off-roading destinations in the United States.
Imogene Pass, Colorado
This is the second highest elevated mountain pass in the entire state, and you are going to scale over 13,000 feet above sea level. However, the other option is all paved roads, which is not what you want. here, you are able to take in the non paved roads, just make sure your vehicle is equipped with four wheel drive and skid plates, although it is still alright for those who are just starting off.
Moab, Utah
This might be the most obvious choice when it comes to off roading in the United States, and while it might be a bit busier than other options, you really can’t create a list of top off roading destinations without it. Some of the trails are closed now, due to deterioration, but there are other trails that are fresh and new. Regardless of how many times you have visited Moab, it is always worth a return trip.
Rubicon Trail, North California
There is a Jeep Wrangler named after the Rubicon Trail. That alone should tell you it means something. However, this is not a location for beginners. The trails feature large rock slabs you will need to crawl over. Due to this, you need to make sure you have a well equipped vehicle (aka if it is just off the factory floor without any modifications, you probably should stay home).
Cinder Hills, Arizona
This is great if you like open trails for your truck, and then if you want something a bit more intimate, you can always break out your dirt bike as well.
Crystal Ridge Trail, Washington
This is a challenging trail and you don’t need to purchase a special pass to take it on. It is a total of 9.1 miles, although you are free to exit at the halfway point.
Photo credit: Nathan Van Arsdale / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)