Best Trips Using DIrt/Gravel Roadways

[akronharry]

What are some of the best drives out there that you have taken that you can haul your travel trailer in (25 footer or less) with lots of camping right off that road and beautiful views. Planning for next year and would love to see some less traveled areas.

[fanrgs]

Also in Colorado--gravel county and Forest Service roads across the Flattops between Yampa and Meeker on the Western Slope. A little pavement on each end, but generally good gravel roads in between. Borders a wilderness area, so many great hikes and gorgeous views. Be sure to stop at Trappers Lake to fish for native greenback cutthroat trout. A number of Forest Service campgrounds are located along the route plus the free Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area campground at Buford (all are dry camping with water and vault toilets). When you get to the west end, be sure to reserve a campsite at Rifle Falls State Park to end one of the most scenic gravel routes in Colorado on a high note.

[paulj]

The longest gravel road that I've driven is the Dempster, 500 miles from Dawson City, Yukon, to Inuvik, NWT. That was in a compact pickup with tent camper. 2nd longest was Top of the World, Dawson to Tok, AK. When freshly graded, speeds of 40-50 mph were fine.

There are a couple of BC provincial hwys with gravel stretches, such as the notorious 'The Hill' on BC20 to Bella Coola.

But if a grader hasn't been by in months, gravel roads can develop bad washboarding. That can make a 90 mile 'short cut' very tiring.

[dcason]

How far do you wish to drive?

We travelled Labrador last year....only issue is that the Quebec 389 is not very pleasant due to the constant flow of log trucks or trucks delivering to the mine in Labrador city. East of Labrador a fair amount is paved these days but not all of it...still population and traffic is practically nil. We saw a couple of bears along the roadside and you can pull off anywhere you wish...but it is a LONG way. We spent time in Newfoundland and then off to Labrador going south on quebec 389 which by pure dumb luck was the best timing for us. No trucks barreling up our pattuties as they were all going north while we went south.

Enjoy your trip wherever you choose.
Donna

[Stars101]

What's a dirt road? Just kidding 🙂 In the Northeast even our driveways are paved! Actually MY driveway isn't, but I am in the minority in my area.

Enjoying this thread and printing some answers for my "To Do/Go See" files.

[agesilaus]

"Distributed???

Did you mean dispersed?"

You mean I was wrong? But I checked it with Dave13 and Dave38, they said it was OK. Heh...

[paulj]

Dispersed camping rules for one district:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/fishlake/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5121831

The availability of such camping depends on proximity to population centers, and the nature of the forests. It's easier to find suitable spots in open forests far from cities. In contrast in the dense forests close to Seattle or Portland, the few open spots may be occupied by locals, especially on summer weekends.

[dave54]

agesilaus wrote:
... distributed camping. That is the governmentese for boondocking. Camping in a non allowed area can be costly.

Distributed???

Did you mean dispersed?

[mockturtle]

You don't have to camp outside the designated NFS campgrounds to enjoy peace, scenery and solitude. Use this web site for the best and most comprehensive information. NFS Camping. And if you have a Golden Age/America the Beautiful Senior Pass, camping is half price.

[agesilaus]

mockturtle wrote:
What I would recommend is to search the USDA Forest Service campgrounds. Many are gravel road access, some many miles off the beaten path. And here in the NW, there are zillions of them.

Good idea but also be sure to check the website of that National Forest for their map of permitted distributed camping. That is the governmentese for boondocking. Camping in a non allowed area can be costly.

[mockturtle]

What I would recommend is to search the USDA Forest Service campgrounds. Many are gravel road access, some many miles off the beaten path. And here in the NW, there are zillions of them.

[rfryer]

Scratch the Apache Trail, that’s not a road to pull any TT on. It could get very awkward if you met opposing traffic, which you will. The west has a lot of public land with unpaved roads that would fit the bill, though. Lakes are popular and though the roads may be unpaved they’re usually wide and well maintained and the areas scenic.

[mockturtle]

Plenty of options in WA and OR, too.

[dahkota]

Idaho. Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

[paulj]

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.