Best Trips Using DIrt/Gravel Roadways

In midwest, most gravel roads serve farms. But most of the western mountain forests are National, with lots of gravel roads built for logging (and recreation). Deserts and grasslands are administered by BLM. Even the crudest highway maps shade the forests a different color.

DeLourme and Benchmark sell state map atlases that shows these backroads. Forest service districts also have maps. I also suggest browsing Forest Service district webpages, including the 'current conditions' pages. They also list campgrounds, and dispersed camping policies. BLM also has campgrounds, but generally is more focused on renting rangeland to ranchers.