2023 Top Ten Southwest U.S. Off Road Destinations, Ranked | Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah

2023 was a year full of adventure with Slim, our Chevy Colorado ZR2! To round out the year, we ranked our favorite Top 10 adventures throughout the Southwest that made a lasting impression on us. Here's to a great New Year!

1. Buckhorn Draw Road: Snaking its way through the captivating landscapes of Utah, Buckhorn Draw Road offers a mesmerizing journey through canyons adorned with ancient petroglyphs and rock art. This off-road adventure combines natural beauty with cultural history, creating a unique and enriching exploration for those seeking the hidden gems of the American Southwest.

2. Nelson Rollercoaster: Nestled in the Nevada desert, Nelson Rollercoaster is a thrill-seeker's paradise, featuring challenging off-road trails and spectacular desert scenery. Off-road enthusiasts are drawn to the heart-pounding experience of navigating the rugged terrain, making this destination a magnet for those seeking an adrenaline-fueled adventure in the great outdoors.

3. Valley of the Gods: Offering a serene alternative to the more famous Monument Valley, the Valley of the Gods in southern Utah boasts towering red rock formations and mesas. This less-traveled destination provides solitude amid breathtaking desert vistas, inviting visitors to explore and connect with the ancient geological wonders that define this captivating landscape.

4. Bloody Basin: Immersed in natural beauty and historical significance, Bloody Basin in Arizona takes adventurers through the rugged terrain of the Tonto National Forest. As visitors traverse this landscape, they encounter tales of the Old West, adding a layer of intrigue to the exploration of diverse flora and fauna in this historically rich region.

5. Hualapai Mountains: Majestic and cool, the Hualapai Mountains rise above the Arizona desert, offering a refreshing retreat with dense forests and scenic hiking trails. Nature lovers can revel in the diverse landscapes, creating a peaceful contrast to the arid surroundings and providing a serene escape in the midst of the southwestern wilderness. Along the way, you'll find many great historic relics to explore, making it a perfect destination for off-road enthusiasts.

6. Crown King: Accessible via a historic and challenging off-road trail, Crown King in Arizona is a quaint mountain town steeped in mining history. The journey itself is an adventure, with narrow, winding roads leading to a destination that captures the spirit of the Old West and offers a glimpse into the region's past.

7. Sego: Deep within the Utah desert, Sego stands as a ghost town, preserving the remnants of a once-vibrant coal mining community. Explorers can wander through abandoned structures and artifacts. Additionally, Sego boasts intriguing rock art, with ancient petroglyphs adorning the surrounding landscapes. These intricate carvings and symbols on the rocks provide a window into the cultural and artistic expressions of the indigenous peoples who once inhabited the region, adding an extra layer of historical significance to the haunting beauty of Sego.

8. Mohave Volcanoes: Situated in the vastness of the Mojave Desert, the Mohave Volcanoes showcase ancient volcanic activity. The volcanic cones and lava flows create a surreal landscape, inviting visitors to explore and learn about the unique geological history that shaped this intriguing region.

9. Robber's Roost: Nestled near Sedona, Hideout Cave carries an air of mystery and intrigue. Tied to the region's rich history, this cave is rumored to have served as a hideout for outlaws and bandits, adding an adventurous element to its exploration amidst the stunning red rock formations of Sedona.

10. Sears Point: Sears Point is a significant cliff and archaeological site that has been utilized for thousands of years. The area is home to many archaeological remains left by prehistoric civilizations like its petroglyph site, boasting over 2,000 panels of rock art.

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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.

Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

[nickwiesneski]

Fun idea with the AI narration. Love it. Great way to fill some of the travel footage gaps, compelling writing, and there's something relaxing about it as a frequent audiobook listener.

[DeborahFlorian-gylw]

Love the amusement ride audio playing as Glenn and Slim navigated the Nelson Rollercoaster 🎢 ! ✨🌵💫

[thedeafcattledog]

Those cows thought you had food, they were wanting to be fed LOL

[lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

Very unique use of having Slim and Glenn having a dialogue while recapping and making it a top ten...still love all those drone shots from The Valley of the Gods...and The Swell...I want to visit both of these places, hopefully one day.

[DanFalandys-ltmw]

Hello Glen, I am new to your audience and I have to say thank you and Amy for doing what you do. Cactus Atlas is my favorite new channel and I find myself binge watching to get caught up. You are a pleasure to listen to and your narration is so enjoyable and relaxing. I absolutely love the ghost town episodes and hope to get to some of them myself. I also enjoyed the "Slim"character he is a very fun addition 👍 and I look forward to more of that . Keep up the great work you are truly a natural at this.

[davenaicker]

Thanks for your video. From South Africa

[gloommoon]

Thank you for the awesome adventure and scenic views❤❤

[janlillis]

Doing the recap of 2023 was amazing I really enjoyed it. Thank you very much both of you, Amy and you for taking the time to do all these wonderful videos. May God bless you and the next year of travel.

[joywyse]

Great review Glenn, Slim and Phoenix 2. See you all in 2024.

[KidYuma]

If I remember a video you did, I thought you were an Arizonian born, I was surprised your from east coast? These drives must have been amazing to you. Thanks sharing these 10 ranked 2023 videos are amazing especially the Arizona ones after all that’s where we live.

[nickiarnold]

Ive been loving "❤Slim" having a voice. After watching a lot of your viedos. I traveled 7 states and 2900 miles this year. All in the places you videoed..Please keep posting..love your content.

[veronicasurvilla]

Just Fabulous! Great List. We recognized a few from previous vids you did and a few we have done as well. Thank you Again....keep em coming with your great Style! And Thank Slim as well. ;)

[susanasalinas]

I whole heartedly agree with the lust. Glad I was invited. Hi Amy. Happy New Year to you, your loved ones and all those around. Looking forward to 2024 adventures.

[gstiles]

Great recap of the year! The Cactus Atlas had a pretty epic 2023!! Can't wait to see what 2024 brings. Hoping that Glenn & Amy have a fun & prosperous new year!!

[Dronerangerspro]

Brilliant and I can only imagine, and appreciate the work you must have put into this. So cool

[RangelandRebel]

It has been a great year for some Cactus Atlas trips! Thank yall for all the great information and entertainment this year. Looking forward to what yall have in store for 24!

[theinstructor]

Great compilation! I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. Thank you.

[tglass]

This is absolutely epic! The drone photography and detailed description of the obstacles along the roads is really helpful to someone that wants drive one of these routes. Great 2023 recap. Looking forward to 2024 videos!

[karukun]

Great job--I live near your no. 1 spot/San Rafael Swell and have 30 years of exploration out there. You are just getting started. It is sacred ground to my children/grandkids.

[scotty]

Thank you for sharing your amazing adventures! Amy, great work putting the YouTube videos together! Really enjoy Slim’s narration👍👍👍 Looking forward to 2024!