Forest Road 227: Driving the 3,000m Plateau in Duchesne County
Forest Road 227 is a high-altitude mountain track located in Duchesne County, in the US state of Utah, reaching a maximum elevation of 3,165 meters (10,383 feet) within the Ashley National Forest on a route that stays entirely above 3,000 meters.
| Location | Duchesne County, Utah, USA |
| Max Elevation | 3,165 m (10,383 ft) |
| Length | 14.16 km (8.8 miles) |
| Avg Gradient | 5.20% |
How is the road to Center Park Trailhead?
Starting from the FR119 junction and ending at the Center Park Trailhead parking area, the 14.16 km route consists of packed dirt and gravel through dense spruce forest. The 5.20% average gradient climbs 735 meters, where high-clearance 4x4s are needed to clear soft shoulders and deep ruts.
Is Forest Road 227 open in winter?
Extreme snowpack keeps the route closed from October to June. Summer storms drop temperatures below freezing and rain turns the high-clay dirt track into slippery mud where standard tires lose all traction.
What are the main hazards on FR 227?
Thin air robs engines of roughly 30% of their power throughout the drive. Tight, blind corners through thick woods lack safety barriers, while crosswinds hit the exposed upper sections and elk or deer frequently cross the track.
How to prepare for driving Forest Road 227?
The route lacks cell signal, fuel, and water. Driving the sharp gravel track requires a full-sized spare tire, checked cooling systems, and emergency gear to handle breakdowns in isolated high-altitude territory.
Pic: Shannon Bushman