Nevada Trails

The Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway is a great overland-style trail east of Las Vegas and west of the Valley of Fire State Park. The 26-mile byway connects Interstate 15 to North Shore Road by following old mining roads and washes through the Muddy Mountains. History buffs and geology lovers will enjoy the area, which has multicolored sandstone formations known as the Buffington Pockets, natural springs, small water holes, petroglyphs, and pictographs. Tracks from the Old Spanish Trail, a path created by Spanish explorers in 1776 and later by settlers and miners heading west, can be seen crossing the landscape. Over the decades, as settlers put down roots in the area, mining ventures followed with old borax mines dotting the area where sandstone was quarried. There are plenty of extraordinary views and landscapes to be seen along the Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway, along with great dispersed campsites for extending your adventure. Wildlife in the area includes wild horses, bighorn sheep, birds of prey, and numerous reptiles. Bring your camera, sunscreen, and LOTS of water. Nearby is the Valley of Fire State Park, which has its own scenic views, campgrounds, and facilities.

In 1775, the Spaniards discovered gold in the hills southeast of modern-day Las Vegas and titled the area Eldorado. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this area turned into a bustling hub of mining activity and became known as The Eldorado Mining District. In the heart of this district, surrounded by dormant remains of once-prosperous mines, the Oro Plata Mine trail travels through the harsh Mohave landscape, revealing several of these long-lost camps. Along the way, you will relive the tough conditions once traveled by old miners as you travel up a narrow wash and encounter rock ledges, small boulders, and plenty of mining relics. Linking this trail with others in the area can make for an entire day of exploration of Nevada's mining past.

Burro Wash, located just south of Boulder City, is a popular 4x4 trail that splits two wilderness areas, travels through a narrow canyon with beautiful rock walls, and ends at a cove along the Colorado River. This rugged trail offers stunning views of the Mojave Desert and the surrounding mountains, including Black Canyon. Along the drive, you'll see unique geological formations, desert flora, and possible wildlife, such as big horn sheep. Burro Wash is great any time of the year, but particularly during the summer when it can be used as a getaway from the heat for relaxation and water activities. Gather your food, drinks, shade tents, trunks, and inflatables, and take this spectacular drive down to the river for a full day of fun.

Similar to the red rocks of Moab and Sand Hollow, Logandale Trails is a four-wheeler paradise on a smaller scale. Logandale is located in the Moapa Valley of Nevada, about an hour northeast of Las Vegas. The 21,000-acre trail system is a multi-use park with numerous diverse trails and exceptional interpretive sites, all maintained by local volunteers. While easily traveling through towering red rock canyons, you'll have endless options for a truly epic campsite. The southern boundary is The Valley of Fire State Park, so the natural red Aztec sandstone rock formations are found throughout the OHV park, beginning right at the trailhead. The main loop presented here is an effective way to experience this unique region, view numerous petroglyphs, or connect with just about every trail within the park.

A nice relaxing off-road trail ride through the Lucky Strike Canyon located in the Red Rock Conservation area for the first few miles, followed by a more challenging climb on a rocky trail to Angel Peak. Spectacular views of the surrounding valleys. This trail is for those who enjoy views from higher elevations. The trail is a great way to escape the Las Vegas heat during the summer.

Traveling through the scenic Spring Mountains and into the lowland of the Mojave Desert, Potosi Pass Road is a popular recreation area and a relaxing mountain drive through some of the oldest mining history in Nevada. Located less than an hour from Las Vegas, Potosi is a former lead mining district started by Mormon Missionaries in the mid-1850s. The mines were abandoned by the Mormons in 1857, and in 1861, the mines were once again reopened by California Mining interests. During World War 1, the area was an important source of zinc. Today, the trail rewards you with spectacular mountain views, rich desert vegetation, sheer cliff walls, and panoramic sights.