Tennessee’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster (And How to Survive Them) By: A Well-Traveled Survivalist
When you’ve spent decades chasing storms, crawling through flash-flooded passes, and navigating highways turned to chaos, you learn one thing fast: the road is rarely your friend in a disaster. Especially in Tennessee.
Now, I’ve driven all over this country—rockslides in Colorado, hurricanes in Florida, ice storms in Maine—but Tennessee? It’s got its own flavor of trouble. The combination of winding mountain passes, crumbling infrastructure, sudden weather shifts, and bottlenecked urban sprawl makes it one of the trickiest states to navigate during a crisis. Whether you’re escaping a tornado, dodging wildfires, or trying to outrun the first signs of societal collapse, understanding the roads—and how to outsmart them—might just be what keeps you alive.
Tennessee’s Most Dangerous Roads During a Disaster
Let’s get specific. If you’re in Tennessee and the grid goes dark or a twister touches down, avoid these roads like the plague:
I-24 Through Monteagle Mountain A steep, fog-prone stretch with frequent rockslides and sudden weather shifts. During a disaster, this becomes a deathtrap.
I-40 Through Downtown Nashville Gridlocked in the best of times. In a crisis? It’s a parking lot with panicked drivers and no clear escape route.
US-129 (Tail of the Dragon) 318 curves in 11 miles—thrilling on a Sunday ride, deadly when you’re trying to flee with a vehicle full of supplies.
I-75 Through Chattanooga Prone to major pileups and susceptible to flash flooding. Bridges and underpasses can trap you like a rat.
SR-64 Through Franklin County Low visibility, poor maintenance, and sharp elevation changes. When every second counts, this road turns into a gauntlet.
I-440 Loop in Nashville Short, poorly designed, and overloaded. A minor fender bender can stall traffic for hours, especially during an emergency.
State Route 68 Through Tellico Plains Narrow, winding, and prone to fallen trees. In rural areas like this, you’re on your own.
US-70S Through Murfreesboro Suburban chaos with high traffic density. Once panic sets in, forget about getting anywhere fast.
I-81 in Northeast Tennessee Notorious for black ice and bad weather. Add in a panicked population and you’ve got a dangerous mix.
SR-111 Near Cookeville Steep gradients and limited guardrails. Night driving here is hazardous—don’t even try it during a blackout.
15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life
Now, let’s say you’re caught in a disaster scenario. Roads are jammed, GPS is fried, and cell towers are down. Here’s what you need to know to survive:
Situational Awareness Scan far ahead for brake lights, smoke, or roadblocks. Keep your head on a swivel—danger rarely comes from just one direction.
Off-Road Maneuvering Know how to take your vehicle off pavement. Even a two-wheel drive can manage a field or ditch if you pick your line carefully.
Engine Braking Use your gears to control speed downhill—especially in the Appalachians. Burn out your brakes and you’re a rolling coffin.
Navigating Without GPS Keep a physical map. Learn to read topography so you can identify passes, rivers, and high ground.
Controlled Skidding Practice steering into a skid. Whether it’s rain, ice, or gravel, knowing how to recover might save your life.
Driving Blackout Learn to drive with your lights off using only your night vision in low-profile getaways. Don’t do it often, but know it.
Vehicle Field Repair From changing a tire to bypassing a starter relay, basic vehicle mechanics can get you out of a jam.
Fuel Rationing Techniques Feather the gas, coast downhill, and limit idling. In a crisis, every drop matters.
Using the Shoulder and Median These are legal gray zones during a crisis. Use them wisely—but avoid getting stuck in a soft shoulder.
Barricade Breaching Keep a tow strap, winch, or even bolt cutters. Sometimes survival means clearing your own way.
Convoy Driving In numbers there is safety—but it takes coordination. Establish signals, routes, and fallback points.
Escape Route Planning Always have two exits: your main route and a backup. Practice both.
Water Crossing Techniques Know your vehicle’s clearance. Never cross fast-moving water—six inches can sweep you off the road.
Defensive Driving Aggression gets people killed. Keep space, stay calm, and anticipate others’ panic.
Silent Starts and Idles Know how to shut down accessories and keep a low profile. Sometimes, quiet is your best ally.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas
Now for the brutal truth—eventually, you’re going to run out of fuel. Whether it’s panic-buying or supply chain collapse, it’s coming. But don’t throw in the towel just yet. Here are three DIY survival driving hacks that might buy you critical miles:
1. Ethanol Siphoning from Outdoor Equipment Gas cans dry up fast—but lawnmowers, ATVs, boats, and even chainsaws often contain small amounts of fuel. It may be ethanol-blended, but it’ll burn in most engines if you’re desperate.
Tip: Use clear tubing and gravity to siphon safely. Avoid ingesting vapors.
2. Emergency Biofuel Additives In certain engines, you can extend your gas with high-proof alcohol (like Everclear). It’s not ideal and not recommended long-term, but it can get you to the next stop.
Warning: Only for fuel-injected systems designed to tolerate ethanol blends. This is a last-resort move.
3. Human-Powered Flat Tow If you’re completely out of fuel but not out of manpower, use tow straps and a bike, ATV, or even another person on foot to pull your vehicle downhill or out of the kill zone.
Pro Tip: Lighten the load, remove excess gear, and use neutral gear. It won’t be fast—but it might save your life.
Final Thoughts
I’ve survived by being prepared, staying calm, and adapting fast. That’s what driving through a disaster demands. Roads in Tennessee are beautiful but brutal. The mountains don’t care. The floods don’t care. Panic sure as hell doesn’t care.
So next time you’re driving down I-24 and the skies go green, ask yourself: Do I know my vehicle? Do I know this road? Do I know how to get out alive?
Let me tell you something—Oregon is a beautiful place, but when the world starts to fall apart, beauty becomes a liability. Towering Douglas firs turn into roadblocks, winding coastal highways become landslide alleyways, and mountain passes? Death traps wrapped in ice and fog. I’ve driven through everything from flash floods in Mississippi to sandstorms in the Mojave, and if there’s one state where road conditions can shift faster than a rattlesnake’s mood—it’s Oregon.
When disaster strikes—whether it’s the Cascadia Subduction Zone finally letting loose, a wildfire tearing through the forest, or even just a good old-fashioned storm—you better know the lay of the land and how to drive your way out of it. That means knowing which roads to avoid, what skills to have under your belt, and what tricks you can pull when gas stations are out, GPS is dead, and the only thing keeping you alive is your vehicle and your grit.
Oregon’s Most Dangerous Roads During a Disaster
Let’s start with the roads. I’ve driven ‘em. I’ve cursed ‘em. And I sure as hell don’t want to be caught on them when the SHTF.
U.S. Route 101 – Oregon Coast Highway Beautiful? Sure. But come a tsunami warning or a landslide, and you’re boxed in between cliffs and ocean. Frequent landslides, narrow lanes, and no quick inland access make this road a death trap.
Highway 242 – McKenzie Highway It winds through lava fields like some kind of Tolkien nightmare. It’s closed in winter and often blocked by downed trees during storms. One wrong turn and you’re driving into Mordor.
Highway 58 – Willamette Pass Ice, fog, and remote as hell. The Willamette Pass is a long, lonely drive that becomes impassable during snowstorms or if a wildfire jumps the road.
I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge Winds strong enough to tip a semi. Rockslides? Regular. If you’re lucky, you’ll just get stalled behind a wreck. If you’re not, you’re under a pile of basalt.
Forest Service Roads in the Mount Hood National Forest Beautiful and off-grid—but that’s a double-edged sword. No cell service, no rescue, and all it takes is a fallen tree or flood to strand you for days.
Lolo Pass Road Tight turns, steep grades, and limited visibility. During winter, it’s a skating rink. During fire season, it’s your one-way ticket to toastville.
US-26 through Warm Springs Reservation Long stretches without services. Fires here move fast. And when evacuations start, this road gets choked up quickly with traffic and poor visibility from smoke.
Highway 138 through Umpqua National Forest Narrow, winding, and isolated. Perfect for getting lost or trapped by a fire moving faster than your vehicle can escape.
Crater Lake Rim Drive Don’t even think about it in winter. Volcanic terrain, snowfall measured in feet, and sheer drop-offs. This is the kind of place helicopters rescue you from—if they can find you.
OR-66 – Ashland to Klamath Falls It’s called the Green Springs Highway, but in a wildfire it’s just a green hell. Sharp curves, little shoulder space, and too many blind corners.
15 Survival Driving Skills You Better Master
You can have the best bug-out vehicle in the world, but if you can’t drive like your life depends on it—well, it won’t matter. These are survival skills I’ve used in hurricanes, riots, and wildfire zones, and if you want a chance of making it out alive, learn them.
Situational Awareness Driving – Don’t just drive—scan. Watch every mirror, road shoulder, and overpass. Know what’s around and what’s behind.
Evasive Maneuvering – Learn how to swerve safely at high speed. Practice J-turns and quick braking in controlled environments.
Driving Without GPS – Learn to read paper maps, landmarks, and follow the sun if needed.
High-Clearance Navigation – Know how to handle boulders, logs, and debris. Don’t get your oil pan torn open miles from help.
Throttle and Brake Control on Slippery Surfaces – Whether it’s ice or mud, smoothness is survival. Slam on the brakes and you’re spinning.
Water Crossing Techniques – Don’t charge through water unless you’ve judged its depth and current. Use a stick or walk it first if needed.
Off-Road Trail Recovery – Know how to winch, tow, and use traction boards. When stuck, you need to be your own tow truck.
Driving with Blown Tires or Limited Visibility – Practice limping on a flat. Tape the side mirror if it’s busted. Improvise and move.
Engine Overheat Management – Know how to manage a temp gauge climbing fast. Turn on the heater, ease the throttle, and coast downhill.
Fuel Management and Efficiency Driving – Coasting, idling wisely, and using gravity when you can will stretch every drop.
Driving in a Smoke or Dust Cloud – Windows up, lights on low beam, stay to the right, and sound your horn regularly.
Silent Night Driving – At times, noise discipline matters. Learn how to coast and minimize your engine sound during covert escapes.
Manual Transmission Know-How – If you can’t drive stick, you’re cutting your options in half. Many old rigs and military surplus vehicles are manual.
Changing a Tire Under Pressure – Practice doing it in the dark, in the rain, fast. Because that’s how it’ll happen.
Using a Car as a Shield or Tool – In riots or ambushes, your vehicle is cover and battering ram. Know its limits and use it accordingly.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas
Gas stations? In a disaster, they’re either bone dry or burned to the ground. Here are three field-tested tricks to stretch what you’ve got or go without.
Siphon Like a Pro Get a clear plastic tube (6-8 feet). Gravity is your friend. Find abandoned vehicles, lawnmowers, even boats—many have usable fuel. Always filter through a coffee filter or sock to catch debris. Gas can degrade, but in a pinch, even old stuff can be better than nothing.
Alcohol-Based Emergency Fuel Camp stove alcohol, isopropyl alcohol (90%+), and even Everclear can burn in small engines or mixed carefully with gasoline. Don’t try this in modern fuel-injected vehicles without research. But old carbureted engines? You’d be surprised.
Fuel-Saving Mod: Remove Roof Rack and Excess Gear That roof rack might look cool with your gear, but it’s tanking your fuel economy by up to 15%. Ditch it and stash gear inside if possible. Also, reduce weight. Every 100 pounds means fewer miles per gallon. Tighten tire pressure to the high end of safe range to reduce rolling resistance.
Closing Thoughts from the Road
Disaster doesn’t wait. When the earth shakes or flames come down the mountain, you’ve got one chance to get it right. That means knowing your routes, keeping your ride in top shape, and having the skills to keep moving no matter what’s in your way.
The roads I’ve mentioned aren’t just dangerous because of terrain—they’re dangerous because they isolate you. Because they can trap you in a box canyon of fire, water, or rock. Avoid them if you can. And if you have to use them? Go prepared, drive smart, and trust your instincts.
The rule of thumb? When in doubt, get out. Early. Delay by an hour, and you might be stuck for a week—or worse, not make it out at all. Practice your escape. Pack your rig. And when that siren wails or that first tremor hits, remember: survival favors the prepared.
Iowa’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster By a Well-Traveled Survivalist
There’s a reason most folks underestimate the land between the coasts. From a bird’s-eye view, Iowa looks like a patchwork of cornfields and gravel roads. But when a disaster strikes—be it flood, blizzard, tornado, or grid-down scenario—those roads can turn into a gauntlet. I’ve spent decades traveling through all kinds of terrain, from the jungles of Colombia to the mountain passes of Afghanistan. Let me tell you, Iowa’s backroads in the middle of a Midwestern thunderstorm? Just as dangerous as any warzone.
Disaster has a way of peeling back comfort like bark off a tree. When the sirens start, cell towers fail, and gas stations shut down, your best chance of survival might come down to your wheels and your wits. Below, I’ll lay out 15 survival driving skills every Iowan—or any prepared soul—needs to master, plus 3 DIY hacks to keep moving when your gas tank’s dry. But first, let’s talk about the battleground: Iowa’s most treacherous roads when the world goes sideways.
The Most Treacherous Roads in Iowa During a Disaster
Highway 20 (Western Segment) Western Iowa’s stretch of Highway 20 often floods after heavy rains. During a flash flood, this corridor turns into a watery grave. Flatland runoff builds fast, and without elevation to carry it away, you’re driving blind through standing water.
I-80 Between Des Moines and Iowa City While it’s one of the busiest interstates in Iowa, in a disaster, that’s exactly the problem. It bottlenecks fast, especially in snowstorms or mass evacuations. Don’t count on cruising this route during chaos.
County Road F62 (Marion to Knoxville) Twisting hills and tree-lined curves make this rural gem beautiful—but deadly. In winter, it becomes a skating rink; in rain, a mudslide risk. No plows, no lights, no help.
Highway 2 (Southern Iowa) A frequent victim of Missouri River flooding. Entire stretches of this road have been wiped out in past storms. In a bug-out situation, avoid this path unless you’ve recon’d it yourself.
IA-330 Northeast of Des Moines Tornado alley, plain and simple. The road is exposed, isolated, and flanked by ditches—not where you want to be when twisters tear through.
Gravel Roads in Tama and Poweshiek Counties During a disaster, GPS will push you onto these gravel roads to “save time.” Don’t fall for it. One storm and they’re impassable. Get stuck here, and you’re a sitting duck.
15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios
Reading the Road If the surface looks darker than usual during rain, it’s probably deeper than you think. Water distorts depth. Know how to read the color and ripple.
Driving Without GPS Memorize paper maps. Practice navigating with a compass and dead reckoning. Satellites fail. Your brain can’t.
Off-Road Maneuvering Know how to use low gear, lock differentials, and feather the throttle. A field may be your only way out.
Evasive Driving Practice J-turns and emergency braking in empty lots. If you’re chased or boxed in during civil unrest, you’ll be glad you did.
Tire Change Under Pressure Be able to change a tire in under 5 minutes with limited visibility. Bonus points if you can do it with a busted jack.
Escape Routines Know how to escape from a submerged vehicle, including kicking out side windows and cutting seatbelts. Timing is life.
Fuel Conservation Tactics Learn to coast, hypermile, and minimize gear shifting. Every drop of fuel matters when there’s no refuel in sight.
Navigating by Landmarks Learn to recognize silos, barns, water towers, and wind turbines as navigational aids. Nature and man-made markers never need batteries.
Communication on the Go Equip your vehicle with CB radio or GMRS. When cell towers go down, this is your only lifeline.
Driving in Blackout Conditions Practice using night vision (if you’ve got it) or driving with no lights using only moonlight and memory. Useful when stealth matters.
Handling Panic Situations Develop muscle memory for when adrenaline spikes. Whether avoiding a downed power line or maneuvering through looters, cool heads drive better.
Improvised Towing Use ratchet straps, tow ropes, or even paracord to pull another vehicle or debris. Just know the knots and tension limits.
Winter Ice Control Carry sand, kitty litter, and traction boards. Learn how to rock the car back and forth to break ice grip.
Engine Maintenance Know how to clean filters, check fluids, and jump a battery with spare wire if you don’t have jumper cables.
Brake Failure Protocol If your brakes go, pump fast, downshift, and use the emergency brake in pulses—not one hard yank. That saves lives.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas
The Ethanol Hack Iowa’s got corn. Lots of it. In an absolute emergency, you can distill ethanol from fermented corn mash. It’s not easy, but with copper tubing, a pressure cooker, and some time, it’s possible. Ethanol burns lean—filter it well or risk engine damage.
The Lawn Mower Siphon Trick That old lawn mower or ATV in someone’s abandoned shed? Many of them have gas. Carry a siphon hose and a catch can. Be respectful—if it’s not yours, it might be someone else’s lifeline.
Wood Gasifier Retrofit Advanced, but doable. With steel barrels, wood chips, and basic welding, you can create a wood gasifier to power an older carbureted engine. Think WWII truck tech. It ain’t pretty, but it rolls.
Tips for Staying Alive on Iowa Roads
Always carry a 72-hour car kit: water, food, wool blanket, trauma gear, jumper cables, flares.
Keep your gas tank no lower than half full. In a grid-down event, the line at Casey’s stretches to forever—and might never move.
Scout backroads now—while you still can. Drive them in daylight, mark danger spots on your maps, and cache supplies if you’re bold enough.
When the skies go black and the sirens wail, you won’t rise to the occasion. You’ll fall to the level of your training. So train hard. Know your routes. And never let your tank run dry.
The cornfields of Iowa might look peaceful, but when the world turns upside down, they’ll show you their teeth.
Arkansas’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster — and How to Survive Them Behind the Wheel
Let me tell you something straight: if you’re driving through Arkansas during a full-blown disaster and you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re not just putting your life at risk—you’re endangering everyone you pass on that broken stretch of asphalt. I’ve spent years roaming every type of terrain from deserts to frozen tundras, and there’s one truth that always holds: your vehicle is either your salvation or your coffin. It all depends on how you drive it—and where.
Arkansas, beautiful and rugged as it is, isn’t exactly known for pristine highway conditions. But throw in a disaster—tornado, flood, winter storm, grid-down blackout, or civil unrest—and those narrow backroads and twisting mountain passes turn into traps. Let’s take a look at the worst places to drive through in Arkansas during a disaster, followed by survival driving skills and DIY hacks that might just save your life.
Arkansas’s Worst Roads During a Disaster
1. Highway 7 (Between Harrison and Russellville) Picturesque? Absolutely. Safe during a flood or ice storm? Not a chance. Landslides, falling trees, and zero visibility curves make this a deathtrap when the weather turns.
2. Interstate 30 (Little Rock to Texarkana) This corridor gets clogged fast in any kind of mass evacuation. Throw in overturned trucks, panic drivers, or a fuel shortage, and you’ve got a parking lot with a panic problem.
3. Highway 10 (Near Perryville) Flooding hits this area hard. The road might still look “passable,” but underneath the water? Washed out culverts and crumbling pavement.
4. Interstate 40 (Especially near the White River crossing) This stretch turns into a swampy mess when the river floods. Combine that with heavy 18-wheeler traffic and frantic evacuees, and you’re playing roulette with every mile.
5. Scenic Highway 23 – “The Pig Trail” Don’t let the charming name fool you. During a disaster, those hairpin turns, narrow lanes, and zero guardrails can quickly become lethal.
6. Highway 71 (Between Fayetteville and Fort Smith) Rockslides, sharp inclines, and over-confident flatlanders trying to “make good time” can clog this route in the worst way.
7. Highway 270 (Hot Springs to Mt. Ida) Beautiful country, but limited visibility, heavy trees, and zero alternate escape routes. If something blocks your way, you’re boxed in.
8. Highway 67/167 Corridor One of the busiest roads during evacuations. Potholes, debris, and desperate drivers weaving in and out make it a gauntlet.
9. Highway 49 (Especially near Helena-West Helena) Low-lying areas flood fast, and that Delta wind can rip through with little warning. If the levees are stressed, it’s game over.
10. County Roads in the Ozarks These are gravel, often unsigned, and nearly impassable with heavy rain or snow. Don’t depend on GPS—it’ll lead you right into the woods and leave you there.
15 Survival Driving Skills to Get You Out Alive
When it hits the fan, knowing how to actually drive in crisis conditions separates survivors from statistics. Here’s what I’ve learned over three decades of road-running in war zones, wilderness, and wipeouts:
Threshold Braking – Learn to brake without locking your wheels. Keeps control even on wet or icy roads.
Handbrake Turns – When you’ve got to spin the vehicle on a dime in tight quarters (say, boxed in a riot), this old rally trick can be a lifesaver.
Low Gear Hill Descent – Keeps you from skidding downhill like a boulder. Especially critical in the Ozarks.
Off-Road Tire Placement – Know how to straddle ruts and avoid tire-poppers like branches and nails.
Driving Without Power Steering – If your engine dies or belt snaps, you’d better be able to muscle that wheel.
Escape Driving in Reverse – You might need to back out of a tight spot fast. Practice controlled reversing at speed.
Ramming Basics – If you must break through a barricade, hit low and center with controlled speed—not full throttle.
Water Fording Technique – Don’t guess. Know your vehicle’s wading depth, and never cross fast-moving water.
Driving by Compass – When GPS dies and you’re in the woods, compass navigation from map-to-ground is critical.
Driving with Blown Tires – Maintain control, keep speed low, and don’t brake hard. Get to a flat zone fast.
Tire Plugging in the Field – Carry a repair kit and know how to use it. Don’t wait until you’re leaking air 40 miles from help.
Situational Awareness – You need 360° mental coverage at all times. Watch mirrors, scan shoulders, anticipate threats.
Stealth Driving – Kill lights, coast in neutral, and keep RPMs low if you’re avoiding detection.
Fuel Efficiency Driving – Coast where you can, drive 45-55 MPH, and avoid sudden acceleration to extend your fuel range.
Mental Control Under Pressure – Might not seem like a “skill,” but it’s what separates panic from execution. Breathe, focus, adapt.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas
Sometimes, despite your planning, you’ll run dry. Maybe fuel’s gone, maybe your tank’s been siphoned while you slept. Here are three field hacks that can help you squeeze a few more miles—or at least survive the walk.
1. Alcohol Stove Siphon Burner (Emergency Siphon Booster) If you’ve got denatured alcohol, Everclear, or even high-proof liquor, you can rig a small burner under your intake pipe (carefully) to vaporize trace gasoline and create enough vapor pressure to nudge the engine over. Crude? Absolutely. But I’ve seen it work.
2. Campfire Carb Heat Trick If you’re stuck and the engine’s too cold to vaporize remaining fuel (especially in old carb models), build a small fire nearby and redirect heat with a metal plate toward the engine block. Don’t overdo it—you want warmth, not ignition.
3. Gravity Feed from Spare Canister Bypassing the fuel pump entirely with a gravity-feed line can give older vehicles a few extra miles. Hang the spare can higher than the fuel intake, use a clear hose and basic valve to control flow. Works best on low-pressure systems.
Final Thoughts from the Road
You don’t need to be a Navy SEAL or a Mad Max road warrior to survive behind the wheel during a disaster. What you do need is planning, experience, and the will to stay calm under fire. Don’t depend on luck. Don’t rely on rescue. When the road disappears, the GPS dies, and the fuel gauge hits E—you’ll wish you knew every one of these tips by heart.
Arkansas is a land of beauty, but beauty doesn’t mean mercy. The roads here can be cruel, especially when nature—or society—turns hostile. Keep your tank full, your eyes sharp, and your instincts sharper. Out here, survival favors the prepared.
I’ve driven through every kind of terrain this country has to offer. From the snow-packed switchbacks of the Rockies to the swampy trails of the Deep South. But nothing — and I mean nothing — tests a driver’s nerve like Nevada’s back roads during a natural disaster.
This state isn’t just vast; it’s harsh. Endless basins, razorback ridges, crumbling highways, and sudden weather shifts turn the Silver State into a survivalist’s gauntlet. If you’re ever caught out here when the big one hits — be it wildfire, flash flood, or an earthquake — knowing which roads to avoid and how to drive your way out might just save your life.
The High-Risk Highways and Byways
You need to understand: Nevada’s not all glitter and poker chips. Step outside Las Vegas or Reno, and you’re facing long stretches of desolate land. Most of the roads weren’t built for resilience — they were built fast and cheap during the boom times, and many haven’t seen serious maintenance in decades.
Here are the roads you need to avoid in a disaster:
US-50 (The Loneliest Road in America) – Beautiful? Yes. Practical in a disaster? No. With hundreds of miles of isolation and minimal services, a breakdown here could be your last.
NV-318 – Fast-moving floods have taken out sections of this road in the past. It becomes a trap in heavy rains.
US-93 North of Ely – Cracks, buckles, and poor signage mean you’ll be playing a dangerous guessing game if the GPS goes out.
SR-447 (Gerlach to Nixon) – Known to Burners heading to Black Rock, but not built for sustained traffic or emergency detours.
I-15 Near Mesquite – Crowded, especially during evacuations from Vegas. One wreck and you’re stuck with thousands.
US-95 Between Tonopah and Hawthorne – High winds and poor visibility from dust storms have caused deadly pileups.
SR-375 (Extraterrestrial Highway) – Cool name, bad lifeline. Services are scarce, and the road can vanish beneath flash floods.
Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway – Landslides, snow, and rockfalls make this route highly unstable during seismic or storm activity.
SR-278 (Eureka to Carlin) – Limited escape routes and heavy ranch truck traffic mean slow evacuations.
Goldfield to Beatty Road – This stretch is as ghostly as the towns it connects. A sinkhole once opened right in the middle of the two-lane road.
In a disaster, these roads go from inconvenient to deadly. Your best defense? Preparation, skill, and adaptability.
15 Survival Driving Skills to Get You Out Alive
When roads fail, it’s not horsepower that saves you — it’s skill. Here’s what you need to master:
Situational Awareness – Always scan for exits, hazards, alternate routes, and natural cover.
Off-Road Navigation – Know how to transition from asphalt to dirt without damaging your vehicle or losing control.
Reading Terrain – Learn to identify mud traps, sand pits, and rock hazards before you’re in them.
Driving Without GPS – When satellites fail, a compass, paper map, or just the sun’s position can steer you right.
Driving on Flat Tires – Sometimes, forward motion is your only option. Know how to keep going on a rim temporarily.
Escape and Evasion Maneuvers – Learn quick-turn techniques like the J-turn or bootlegger reverse to evade blocked paths or hostile encounters.
Driving at Night Without Headlights – Use the moon and ambient light to avoid detection or conserve battery when stealth matters.
Fuel Rationing Techniques – Accelerate smoothly, avoid hard braking, and coast when possible to stretch every drop.
Water Crossing Tactics – Know depth limits and current speeds. Fast water kills engines — and people.
Weight Distribution – Don’t overload one side. Balance your load to maintain control on uneven ground.
Braking Without ABS – Pump your brakes manually in older or stripped-down vehicles to avoid skidding.
Defensive Driving Under Stress – Tunnel vision can kill. Stay calm, even if the world’s on fire.
Tire Repair in the Field – Carry plugs, a compressor, and know how to use them. Duct tape won’t cut it.
Using Mirrors to Spot Threats – Check for looters, wild animals, or incoming hazards while maintaining your pace.
Driving Through Debris – Angle your tires to push over small rubble, not absorb it.
3 DIY Gasless Driving Hacks
Running out of gas out here isn’t a maybe — it’s a when. Here’s how to squeeze the most out of your options:
1. Solar Still for Fuel Recovery
In the heat of Nevada, old fuel tanks and gas cans can leak or evaporate. If you come across abandoned vehicles, use a siphon tube and a solar still to extract residual fuel. Lay out a black tarp inside the trunk or rear bed, create a funnel with tubing, and place a container underneath. The sun’s heat can help recover vapors and tiny fuel remnants over hours. Slow? Yes. Lifesaving? Also yes.
2. Gravity-Fed Fuel System
When dealing with older vehicles (carbureted engines, mostly), you can rig a gravity-fed fuel system using a hanging fuel container. Mount it higher than the engine and connect it with fuel line tubing. It’s crude, but it works — especially when your fuel pump is shot or power’s gone.
3. Biofuel Burn Conversion
If you find cooking oil or animal fat (yes, it happens on ranch roads), you can blend it with residual diesel to power older diesel engines. It’s dirty and smelly, but enough heat and filtration will get the engine running in an emergency. Don’t try this on modern engines unless you want to turn your vehicle into a lawn ornament.
Final Thoughts from the Driver’s Seat
Disaster doesn’t send an RSVP. When it strikes, Nevada’s roads become survival tests, not transportation systems. You won’t have time to plan once things go wrong — so you plan now.
Load your vehicle like your life depends on it — because it will. Keep water, a field repair kit, spare tires, fuel canisters, and navigation tools within reach. Practice your skills. Know your roads. Trust no route without proof it’s clear. And above all, when everyone’s panicking and honking and spinning their wheels — you keep calm, shift gears, and drive out.
Because when the highway becomes a war zone, the survivor isn’t the one with the biggest truck — it’s the one who knows how to use it.
Discover New York’s Most Challenging Survival Campsites
If you’re a prepper living in New York, you’re probably already aware that your survival plan needs to include reliable access to nature. In a state as diverse as New York, with its dense forests, rugged mountains, and sprawling lakes, it’s the perfect place to prepare for all kinds of situations. Whether you’re looking for an off-the-grid weekend retreat, a basecamp for your bug-out plan, or just a place to practice wilderness survival skills, New York is home to some of the best campsites that cater to every prepper’s needs.
As survivalists, we know that camping is more than just recreation—it’s preparation. It’s the opportunity to hone your skills, test your gear, and get comfortable with self-sufficiency in the wild. In this guide, we’ll go over 30 of the best campsites in New York for survival preppers. These campsites offer everything from backcountry, primitive camping to more established sites where you can stock up and get away from it all. Whether you’re testing out a new shelter or practicing bushcraft, there’s a spot here that fits the bill.
1. Adirondack Park: A Prepper’s Paradise
Adirondack Park is one of the largest protected areas in the U.S., covering over six million acres. The size of this wilderness alone makes it a perfect location for a prepper’s retreat. The park offers an expansive network of trails and primitive campsites where you can practice your skills in survival, navigation, and self-reliance. Remote lakes and rivers offer ideal spots for fishing and water purification practices.
Campgrounds: The state has more than 100 campsites scattered throughout the park, but for a true prepper experience, you’ll want to check out the backcountry sites.
Skills to Practice: Wilderness navigation, fire-starting, shelter-building, water filtration.
2. Letchworth State Park: The Grand Canyon of the East
Known for its dramatic gorge and the Genesee River cutting through, Letchworth State Park is a wonderful place for both beginner and advanced preppers. With over 14,000 acres of rugged terrain, this park offers a variety of experiences, from easy-to-access campsites to more remote, primitive ones for those who want to test their survival mettle.
Campgrounds: You’ll find several campgrounds with amenities, but the more remote sites on the western side of the park offer a challenge for those wanting a deeper survival experience.
Skills to Practice: Topographic map reading, first-aid, fire-starting in damp conditions.
3. Catskill Mountains: Steeped in Wilderness and History
The Catskills are a rugged mountain range that stretches over 700,000 acres in southeastern New York. A favorite for backpackers and survivalists, the Catskills are packed with hiking trails and primitive camping options. The terrain here will challenge your skills and force you to adapt to ever-changing conditions.
Campgrounds: The high-elevation sites along the Long Path and the Pine Hill-West Kill trail will provide solitude and allow you to practice backcountry survival.
Skills to Practice: Map and compass use, knot-tying, building improvised shelters.
4. Shawangunk Ridge: Rugged and Remote
If you’re looking for rugged, isolated terrain where you can disconnect and get serious about prepping, the Shawangunk Ridge is the place to be. This area offers everything from high cliffs to deep forests, making it a great location for testing your wilderness survival skills.
Campgrounds: The Sam’s Point area has several primitive campsites, but for the truly adventurous, the backcountry campsites off the main trails are the most secluded.
Skills to Practice: Shelter-building, hunting, foraging, signaling for help.
5. Taconic State Park: Remote and Quiet
Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Taconic State Park offers a peaceful retreat for preppers looking to escape to more remote locations. With its mix of dense woods and open fields, Taconic is a great spot to practice bushcraft and hone your fire-making techniques in a variety of environments.
Campgrounds: Several primitive campsites near Rudd Pond provide a more isolated experience. The Taconic Trail offers ample opportunities for backcountry exploration.
Skills to Practice: Water purification, creating traps, building effective shelters.
6. Finger Lakes National Forest: Lakeside Survival
The Finger Lakes region is known for its clear, deep lakes, and the national forest here is no exception. The forest offers several campsites located near water, which is ideal for learning fishing, water treatment, and utilizing natural resources. For a prepper, having access to a water source is a key factor in determining camp location.
Campgrounds: The Backbone Campground is situated in a secluded area, providing the perfect base for testing your outdoor skills.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, water purification, crafting tools from stone and wood.
7. Harriman State Park: Just a Stone’s Throw from the City
If you’re based in New York City, Harriman State Park offers a quick getaway without venturing too far. Despite its proximity to the city, Harriman is a large park with plenty of backcountry campsites, making it a prime spot for testing your survival skills in a relatively controlled setting.
Campgrounds: The park has both developed and primitive campsites, with remote sites along the Long Path and the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail.
Skills to Practice: Navigation, long-term food storage, night survival techniques.
8. Mohonk Preserve: A Nature Lover’s Sanctuary
This stunning preserve in the Shawangunk Mountains offers a variety of outdoor experiences, including backcountry camping for those who want to test their preparedness in a pristine, protected environment. It’s not just about camping here—it’s about integrating survivalism into the natural ecosystem.
Campgrounds: The preserve’s camping areas offer access to diverse habitats for testing different types of shelters and survival strategies.
Skills to Practice: Foraging for edible plants, emergency shelter-building, wilderness first-aid.
9. North-South Lake: Escape to the Catskills
Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, North-South Lake offers a prime location for preppers to practice their survival skills with access to both water and wilderness. The campsites here are well-established but also provide access to remote and less-visited backcountry areas.
Campgrounds: The North-South Lake Campground is ideal for beginner preppers, while the surrounding wilderness areas are perfect for more advanced survivalists.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, water filtration, natural navigation.
10. Lake Placid: Adventure and Survival Combined
Lake Placid is known for its winter sports, but it’s also an excellent spot for preppers. Located in the Adirondacks, this area offers both rugged terrain and access to water, making it a prime location for honing skills in a variety of environments.
Campgrounds: The area has several backcountry campsites that are ideal for testing both your survival gear and your ability to live off the land.
Skills to Practice: Winter camping, ice fishing, shelter-building in harsh conditions.
11. Green Lakes State Park: Beautiful and Practical
Located near Syracuse, Green Lakes State Park is a picturesque site with two glacial lakes. For preppers, this area offers the opportunity to practice survival in a relatively controlled environment while having easy access to clean water and fish. It’s a great location for testing emergency supplies and gear.
Campgrounds: The campgrounds offer access to lakeside camping with easy access to hiking trails and survival testing spots.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, emergency preparedness, first-aid skills.
12. Boreas Ponds: Remote and Rugged
For those who want to take their prepping to the next level, Boreas Ponds is a secluded, hard-to-reach location within the Adirondacks. The ponds and surrounding wilderness provide a truly isolated experience, perfect for testing your limits.
Campgrounds: Primitive campsites scattered around the ponds and accessible only by trail offer solitude and immersion in nature.
Skills to Practice: Water sourcing, navigating in isolation, long-term food storage.
13. Saranac Lake: A Prepper’s Oasis in the Wild
Saranac Lake offers a unique combination of wilderness, beauty, and remote camping. The region is home to multiple campgrounds and backcountry sites that are ideal for preppers looking to test their survival skills without too much interference from modern civilization.
Campgrounds: The surrounding forest and lake make it a great location for testing shelter-building, hunting, and trapping.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, fire-making, water filtration.
14. Ticonderoga: Fort and Wilderness
Ticonderoga is known for its historic fort, but the surrounding wilderness offers much more for a prepper. With its location near Lake Champlain, it’s a great area for practicing aquatic survival skills, navigation, and wilderness shelter building.
Campgrounds: Primitive campsites along the Lake Champlain shore provide a mix of history and survival experience.
Skills to Practice: Shelter-building, historical knowledge, water sourcing.
15. Allegany State Park: Large and Diverse
This massive state park offers a mix of forest, open land, and mountainous terrain. It’s perfect for preppers looking to test out a variety of survival techniques in one area.
Campgrounds: The park has several established campgrounds with primitive sites for serious survivalists.
Skills to Practice: Tracking, shelter-building, foraging.
16. Balsam Lake Mountain: A Peak Experience
For a real challenge, head to Balsam Lake Mountain. With a summit offering panoramic views and a remote setting, it’s a great place to work on your prepper skills in a more challenging environment.
Campgrounds: Several backcountry campsites along the mountain trails allow for extensive wilderness testing.
Skills to Practice: Hiking, navigation, fire-making in high altitudes.
17. Wilson State Park: Secluded Wilderness
This state park in the southern part of the Adirondacks is known for its wild, remote setting. It’s perfect for testing your backcountry survival skills without distractions from other campers.
Campgrounds: With its rugged terrain, the campgrounds are isolated, offering an excellent testing ground for preppers.
Skills to Practice: Navigation, bushcraft, water sourcing.
18. Hither Hills State Park: Coastal Survival Skills
Located on Long Island, Hither Hills State Park offers a different type of wilderness compared to the dense forests of the Adirondacks or Catskills. The coastal environment here is perfect for practicing coastal survival skills, such as fishing, foraging, and beach shelter-building.
Campgrounds: The park’s oceanside campsites provide access to both forests and beaches, offering an ideal setting for water-based survival practices.
Skills to Practice: Coastal foraging, fishing, shelter-building on sandy terrain.
19. Montauk Point State Park: Coastal Retreat
At the farthest tip of Long Island, Montauk Point offers some of the most remote, rugged coastal terrain. Ideal for preppers looking to master survival skills along the coast, Montauk combines the harshness of the sea with wilderness challenges.
Campgrounds: With limited campsites near the lighthouse and surrounding terrain, it’s a great spot for testing survival tactics and gear for coastal environments.
Skills to Practice: Saltwater fishing, sea survival, emergency signaling.
20. Rondout Reservoir: Off the Beaten Path
Located in the Catskills, the Rondout Reservoir is a hidden gem for preppers looking for a remote site. The reservoir and surrounding forest offer a pristine location to test your skills, especially for water sourcing and aquatic survival techniques.
Campgrounds: There are few established campgrounds here, and most camping requires a trek into more isolated areas.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, water filtration, long-distance hiking.
21. Seward Mountain: Rugged Adirondack Challenge
For preppers looking for a serious challenge, Seward Mountain provides the rugged terrain and remote setting you need to put your survival skills to the test. This area is perfect for training in altitude, exposure, and long-term survival practices.
Campgrounds: The lack of established campsites makes it an ideal spot for backcountry camping.
Skills to Practice: Altitude survival, trail navigation, advanced fire-building.
22. Palisades Interstate Park: Urban Escape
Located just across the river from New York City, Palisades Interstate Park offers a surprising escape into nature with cliffs, woodlands, and riverside spots. It’s ideal for prepping if you’re located in or near the city but need to retreat into nature.
Campgrounds: With easy access to the city but a wild atmosphere, this park is perfect for weekend getaways with a focus on survival training.
Skills to Practice: Urban escape planning, water purification, minimal camping.
23. High Peaks Wilderness: Ultimate Prepper Challenge
High Peaks is home to New York’s highest mountains, offering terrain that will test even the most seasoned prepper. This area offers an abundance of backcountry campsites in a rugged, remote wilderness environment, perfect for serious long-term survival practice.
Campgrounds: Remote campsites only accessible by foot, making it ideal for experienced preppers.
Skills to Practice: Wilderness navigation, shelter-building, winter survival.
24. Otter Creek: Off the Grid
If you’re looking for a true off-the-grid experience, Otter Creek offers remote backcountry camping perfect for preppers wanting to disconnect entirely. Located near the Adirondacks, it offers both water access and forested terrain for testing your survival skills.
Campgrounds: Primitive camping sites scattered throughout the area provide a true wilderness experience.
Skills to Practice: Fire-starting without matches, fishing, stealth camping.
25. Lake George Wild Forest: Nature’s Bounty
The Lake George Wild Forest offers abundant resources for preppers, including clean water, wild food sources, and shelter-building materials. The extensive trail network and forested terrain make it a perfect location for a comprehensive survival practice.
Campgrounds: A mix of primitive and established campsites throughout the area provides varying levels of challenge for preppers.
Skills to Practice: Wild edibles, trap-setting, crafting survival tools.
26. Zaleski State Forest: Wilderness Exploration
While technically just over the border in Ohio, Zaleski State Forest has become a popular choice for preppers looking to challenge themselves in the wild. Its isolation and rugged terrain make it a great spot for practicing long-term survival techniques.
Campgrounds: Zaleski offers few established campsites, so you’re likely to be in complete isolation.
Skills to Practice: Navigation, stealth camping, fire-starting in wet conditions.
27. Cherry Ridge Wilderness Area: Seclusion and Silence
Cherry Ridge is one of the most remote camping locations in New York State, offering a deep wilderness experience. This location is perfect for practicing survival skills in an isolated environment, far from civilization.
Campgrounds: With minimal infrastructure, this area is ideal for those wanting to test their true survival skills.
Skills to Practice: Long-term shelter-building, wilderness foraging, tracking.
Additional Tips for Preppers Camping in New York:
Be Prepared for the Weather: New York’s climate varies greatly depending on the region, so make sure to check weather reports before heading out. The Adirondacks can be cold, even in summer, while the Catskills can have sudden weather shifts.
Carry Essential Survival Gear: Always have a survival kit with essentials such as a knife, fire starter, first-aid kit, flashlight, water purifier, and food rations.
Know Your Water Sources: Many of these campsites offer access to lakes and rivers, but always purify your water. Knowing how to filter water and make it potable is a crucial prepper skill.
Practice Leave No Trace: Be respectful of nature. Take everything you bring and leave no trace of your stay.
Consider Emergency Communication: It’s a good idea to carry a satellite phone or radio in case of emergency, especially in more remote areas.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re looking for an off-the-grid retreat, a basecamp for your bug-out plan, or just a place to test your survival skills, New York State has something to offer every prepper. From the dense forests of the Adirondacks to the rugged peaks of the Catskills, each of these campsites provides a unique environment for prepping, learning, and honing your skills. So, gather your gear, pick a spot, and get out there—your next survival training adventure awaits!
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