BLM Back Country Byways

Unless otherwise stated, BLM Back Country Byways can accommodate normal touring cars. (Road Type I)

Sort by Byway State Index

Arizona [back to top]

• Black Hills Back Country Byway

  Black Hills Back Country Byway is the perfect place for experienced mountain bikers and four-wheel-drive enthusiasts to test their skills. For some quiet time, take a hike along the numerous nature trails and end up at a natural hot springs.

  Portions of this byway may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. (Road Type III)

• Harquahala Mountain Back Country Byway

  The Harquahala Mountain Byway runs through the 22,880-acre Harquahala Mountains Wilderness and contains an interesting observatory on top of Arizona's highest mountain.

  Portions of this byway may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. (Road Type III)

• Old Route 66 - Oatman Road

  This desert route passes through Oatman, Arizona, whose ghost town appearance brings back the Old West. Free-roaming burros, staged gunfights, and gorgeous desert views come together to recreate a truly Western atmosphere.

California [back to top]

• Barrel Springs Back Country Byway (California, Nevada)

  This route in the northern corners of California and Nevada travels through rugged terrain perfect for wildlife viewing. Historical buildings and evidence of emigrant life remain along the route, testifying of early settlers' trials on the frontier.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Bradshaw Trail

  This BLM Back Country Byway follows historic desert trails steeped in western lore and showcasing spectacular scenery.

  Portions of this byway may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. (Road Type III)

• Buckhorn Back Country Byway (California, Nevada)

  Famous for wild animals, including horses and burros, the unique Ponderosa Pine Dunes, and wet season waterfowl, Buckhorn Backcountry Byway is the perfect way to enjoy nature up close.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Chimney Peak Back Country Byway

  Chimney Peak Back Country Byway is a rugged trek through some of California's best desert landscapes, passing over 50,000 acres of designated wilderness.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Parker Dam Road

  Following the Colorado River, Parker Dam Road showcases scenery, history, and recreation in one of the West's most impressive places.

• Saline Valley Road Back Country Byway

  From US-190 north to Death Valley Road near Big Pines, Saline Valley Road takes you to a little-known corner of the Death Valley ecosystem.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

Colorado [back to top]

• Alpine Loop

  This route winds its way to an elevation of 12,800 feet, crossing Engineer and Cinnamon Passes. The rugged scenery includes river meadows, alpine tundra, ghost towns, ore mills, abundant summer wildflowers and impressive fall colors.

  Portions of this byway may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. (Road Type III)

• Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway

  The Gold Belt Tour follows historic railroad and stagecoach routes leading to North America's greatest gold camp, three world-class fossil sites, and numerous historic sites. The Shelf and Phantom Canyon Roads cut along unpaved routes through winding canyons. Five byway communities allow a glimpse into this area's rich heritage.

  Portions of this byway may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. (Road Type III)

• Los Caminos Antiguos

  'The Ancient Roads' lead you to key historical areas in the San Luis Valley--a high, enormous sun-baked flat between the Sangres and the San Juan foothills.

Idaho [back to top]

• Lewis and Clark Back Country Byway

  Explore two National Trails, visit the homeland of Sacajawea and the Lemhi Shoshone, enjoy beautiful scenic vistas and observe the abundant wildlife. You can see how nature and humans have shaped the landscape, from wildfires and critical habitats.

• Owyhee Uplands Back Country Byway

  From expanses of sagebrush and wildflowers, to sheer, red-walled river canyons, the Owyhee Uplands represent what many people believe the real West is all about.

Montana [back to top]

• Big Sheep Creek Back Country Byway

  Big Sheep Creek Byway is located near Dell, 24 miles north of the Montana-Idaho state line. The road is mostly two-lane gravel with a few side roads that lead to the foot of the Rocky Mountains and provide many opportunities for solitude and exploration.

• Big Sky Back Country Byway

  Crossing a variety of different landscapes across vast Montana wilderness, Big Sky Back Country Byway follows much of the Regina-Yellowstone Trail, once used as the principal route from Canada to the famed National Park.

• Garnet Back Country Byway

  The Garnet Back Country byway lies in the midst of the mountainous wilderness punctuated by the Garnet ghost town. Picnic, cross-country ski, snowshoe, horseback ride, hike, snowmobile, camp, and stop by the ghost town visitor center to take advantage of all this scenic byway has to offer.

  Portions of this route are narrow trails, suitable only for bikes, snowmobiles, ATVs or similar vehicles. (Road Type IV)

• Missouri Breaks Back Country Byway

  The Missouri Breaks National Back Country Byway runs through central Montana, encompassing an area of varied geography and historical importance.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

Nevada [back to top]

• Barrel Springs Back Country Byway (California, Nevada)

  This route in the northern corners of California and Nevada travels through rugged terrain perfect for wildlife viewing. Historical buildings and evidence of emigrant life remain along the route, testifying of early settlers' trials on the frontier.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Bitter Springs Back Country Byway

  Bitter Springs Back Country Byway offers more than a drive with many rock formations, like the Muddy Mountains and colorful sandstone for sightseeing.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Buckhorn Back Country Byway (California, Nevada)

  Famous for wild animals, including horses and burros, the unique Ponderosa Pine Dunes, and wet season waterfowl, Buckhorn Backcountry Byway is the perfect way to enjoy nature up close.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• California Trail Back Country Byway

  The California Trail Back Country Byway parallels a portion of the California National Historic Trail, which saw over 250,000 immigrants make their way from Independence, Missouri to California over 150 years ago.

• Fort Churchill to Wellington Back Country Byway

  The Back Country Byway spans 67 miles beginning in Fort Churchill and ending in Wellington. Fort Churchill was built in order to protect the Pony Express riders and settlers against the Indians in the area.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Gold Butte Back Country Byway

  The Gold Butte Back Country Byway travels across 62 miles of Nevada desert. The town of Gold Butte stands as an old mining town established in the early 1900s where precious metals such as gold, copper, zinc, and lead were mined.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Lovelock Cave Back Country Byway

  Lovelock Cave has yielded 2,000-year-old artifacts. Among the findings to marvel at are the famous Lovelock Cave duck decoys, baskets and textiles now held in museums across the United States.

• Lunar Crater Back Country Byway

  The Lunar Crater Back Country Byway is 24 miles long. It has been a National Natural Landmark since its designation in 1973.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Mt. Wilson Back Country Byway

  Mount Wilson Back Country Byway extends over 66 miles of the Wilson Range. The gravel road winds through volcanic caldera now overgrown with piñons and junipers.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Red Rock Canyon Back Country Byway

  Red Rock Canyon Back Country Byway runs for 13 miles across a paved loop through the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.

New Mexico [back to top]

• Chain of Craters Back Country Byway

  Chain of Craters Back Country Byway follows New Mexico County Road 42, showcasing the Chain of Craters and providing access to the Continental Divide Trail and to other attractions.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Guadalupe Back Country Byway

  This backway follows NM-137 in southern New Mexico. It begins at the NM-137/US-285 junction near Brantley Dam State Park and proceeds southwest to Sitting Bull Falls in the Lincoln National Forest.

• Lake Valley Back Country Byway

  This backway is nestled between the Mimbres and Caballo Mountains and the Cookes Range in southwestern New Mexico. Drive NM 152 and 27 between Las Cruces and Truth or Consequences, near a string of lakes and reservoirs.

• Quebradas Back Country Byway

  Quebradas Back Country Byway follows County Road A-129 to US-380, passing through two wildlife refuges.

• Wild Rivers Back Country Scenic Byway

  The Wild Rivers Back Country Scenic Byway follows the Rio Grande Gorge in the north-central area of New Mexico, near the village of Questa.

Oregon [back to top]

• Christmas Valley Back Country Byway

  Christmas Valley provides the best of nature. The 93-mile loop runs through breathtaking high desert landscapes, by Fossil Lake, and up to Lost Forest where you can learn about the prehistoric creatures that once lived there.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type I, II)

• Cow Creek Tour Route

  A refreshing break from the steady highway pace, this 45-mile detour wanders alongside Cow Creek as it dips through the coastal mountain range of Oregon. Along the route are quaint farms and ranches, and stately forests.

• Diamond Loop Back Country Byway

  Travel alongside ancient craters formed from long ago volcanic eruptions.

• Galice to Hellgate Back Country Byway

  Travel through a deep river canyon and steep mountain slopes. Enjoy a day of white water rafting, fishing or a guided tour along the Rogue River when you visit the Galice to Hellgate National Back Country Byway.

• Grave Creek to Marial Back Country Byway

  Explore the rugged mountains and canyons north of the Rogue River in the southwestern part of Oregon as you climb from the Rogue River's narrow gorge over the ragged ridges of the Siskiyou Mountains and down to the settlement of Marial.

• Lakeview to Steens Mountain Back Country Byway

  The Lakeview to Steens Mountain Back Country Byway provides an excellent opportunity to take in scenic forested lands, wetlands, and a wide range of recreational activities.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type I, II)

• Lower Crooked River Back Country Byway

  Cross into the hilly sections of Oregon's high sagebrush desert, follow a striking river canyon and catch glimpses of the blue-green waters of the Lower Crooked River.

• Lower Deschutes River Back Country Byway

  The Lower Deschutes River Byway follows the Deschutes through the multi-colored walls of a canyon made of Columbia River basalt. Fish or raft the waters of this nationally recognized river.

• Nestucca River Back Country Byway

  Explore the wooded canyon of the Nestucca River Byway. The forest is a temperate rainforest and provides habitat for many different species. The canyon walls are made up of seafloor sandstones and basalts, which tell the story of when this whole area was

• Quartzville Road Back Country Byway

  Meander beside the blue-green depths of the Green Peter Reservoir and the Quartzville Creek National Wild and Scenic River as you discover a pathway of old-growth forests, highlighted with rocky outcroppings.

• Snake River-Mormon Basin Back Country Byway

  The Snake River/Mormon Basin Back Country Byway provides you with amazing sights. The route is full of towering river canyons, aspen lined meadows, flowered basins, and timbered mountains teeming with wildlife.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type I, II)

• South Fork-Alsea River Back Country Byway

  The South Fork-Alsea River Back Country Byway parallels the river, which is always in sight. The byway provides ample turn-outs for viewing the timbered landscape and local wildlife.

• South Fork John Day River Back Country Byway

  Drive along the South Fork John Day River and enjoy the majestic old growth local trees. This byway is a prime place to view a variety of wildlife.

• Steens Mountain Back Country Byway

  The Steens Mountain Back Country Byway climbs over 9,733-foot-high Steens Mountain, the highest peak in southeastern Oregon.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type I, II)

Utah [back to top]

• Bull Creek Pass National Back Country Byway

  Bull Creek Pass National Back Country Byway travels through the Henry Mountains, surrounded by tall walls of granite.

  Portions of this byway may require a 4-wheel drive vehicle. (Road Type III)

• Nine Mile Canyon Backway

  Nine Mile Canyon is known as a major representative area of the prehistoric Fremont Culture. The canyon houses a myriad of rock panels along the main road and in side canyons.

• Pony Express Trail National Back Country Byway

  The Pony Express Trail National Back Country Byway takes travelers back in time to experience the Pony Express. Sites along the way tell of the historic trail's operation from 1860 to 1861; it also details stagecoach travel.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Silver Island Mountain National Back Country Byway

  Located 120 miles west of Salt Lake City, Silver Island Mountain National Back Country Byway follows a 54-mile loop in northwest Utah.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway

  Take in the stunning desert landscape of Southern Utah when you drive the Smithsonian Butte Back Country Byway. All nine miles between Big Plain Junction and Rockville, UT, just south of Zion National Park's southern entrance, offer gorgeous views of the surrounding geographic wonders including the byway's namesake and Zion Canyon, not to mention the historical Grafton ghost town.

• Transcontinental Railroad Back Country Byway

  Although one might look at Utah’s northwestern region and see nothing but vast, isolated desert, a sharp observer would see a historical playground distinguished by the Transcontinental Backcountry Byway.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

Wyoming [back to top]

• Red Gulch/Alkali National Back Country Byway

  Red Gulch/Alkali road gives travelers a unique opportunity to travel a route between Wyoming 31 and U.S. 14.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Seminoe to Alcova Scenic Backway

  The backway is in a remote area, but provides amazing landscape transformations while traversing the Seminoe Mountains, the Pedro Mountains, and Fremont Canyon.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type I, II)

• South Big Horn/Red Wall Scenic Backway

  The South Big Horn/Red Wall Back Country Byway is a 100-mile mostly gravel road that traverses the antelope-dotted prairies northwest of Casper travels up into the Big Horn Mountains, and drops back onto the prairie.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

Multi-State [back to top]

• Barrel Springs Back Country Byway (California, Nevada)

  This route in the northern corners of California and Nevada travels through rugged terrain perfect for wildlife viewing. Historical buildings and evidence of emigrant life remain along the route, testifying of early settlers' trials on the frontier.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

• Buckhorn Back Country Byway (California, Nevada)

  Famous for wild animals, including horses and burros, the unique Ponderosa Pine Dunes, and wet season waterfowl, Buckhorn Backcountry Byway is the perfect way to enjoy nature up close.

  Portions of this byway may require a high-clearance type vehicle. (Road Type II)

Back Country Byway Road Types [back to top]

Type I:

Roads that can accommodate normal touring cars. These roads are paved or have an all weather surface and have grades that are negotiable by a normal touring car. These roads are usually narrow, slow speed, secondary roads.

Type II:

Roads which require high-clearance type vehicles. These roads are usually not paved but may have some type of surfacing. Grades, curves and road surfaces are such that they can be negotiated with a two wheel drive high clearance vehicle without undue difficulty.

Type III:

Roads which require 4-wheel drive vehicles or other specialized vehicles such as dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles ATV’s), etc. These roads are usually not surfaced. However, the roads are maintained for safety and resource protection purposes. They have grades, tread surfaces and other characteristics that will require specialized vehicles to negotiate.

Type IV:

Trails that are managed to accommodate dirt bike, mountain bike, snowmobile or ATV use. They are usually single track trails.

Tips for Visiting Back Country Byways [back to top]

Remember—Safety First.

Be prepared. Check weather and road conditions before departing. Carry appropriate equipment for back country conditions and always be prepared for weather changes and emergencies.

Visit www.blm.gov for information about how the Bureau of Land Management administers public lands.

Please take care of yourself and the environment

• Check weather and road conditions ahead of time
• Bring area-specific maps and route descriptions
• Carry plenty of water
• Bring adequate fuel
• Carry a spare tire, jack, tools, shovel, blanket, etc.
• Remember that signing and fencing are for your safety
• Tread Lightly on the land

For travel tips visit treadlightly.org

* The National Landscape Conservation System continues to grow as special areas are designated. Visit BLM's website periodically for updated information: www.blm.gov.