Nevada Off-Road Trails

Rocky Gap (also known as Potato Ridge), a favorite of local off-roaders, is located in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation area that starts just off of Scenic Loop Drive and continues to Lovell Canyon Road. This can be a challenging off-road trail depending on the season and the vehicle driven. There are bypasses for all of the obstacles except for one particularly rocky wash, which gives the trail its name. There is beautiful scenery to be seen during the drive. Evergreens, canyon and rocky landscapes are just some of the views.

Wheeler Pass is located approximately 50 miles Northwest of Las Vegas in the Spring Mountain National Recreation area. Wheeler Pass Road was previously known as the road from Bennett's Ranch to Indian Creek. Bennett's Ranch was settled in 1875 in the Pahrump Valley. Indian Creek was a ranch owned by a small group of Indians. Now known as Indian Springs. Its history includes being a station on the Tonopah and Las Vegas railroad. Currently, it is part of the Creech Air Force base. As you travel towards the trailhead, you may encounter wild horses on the roads and the surrounding areas. On the trail, travelers will pass the Charcoal kilns. The Tecopa Charcoal Ovens in Wheeler Wash were built in 1875 by Nehemiah (“Red”) Clarke. Per information on a sign posted at the site in the past: These beehive-shaped structures are the remains of three charcoal making kilns and one Lime Kiln built for Jonas Osborne in 1877. He designed and built a big furnace to smelt over 20 tons of silver and lead ore each day in the boomtown of Tecopa, California in January of 1878. Forty-four men attempted to keep the furnace working by cutting and hauling the ore, and feeding and constantly repairing the furnace. It completely failed and was abandoned in the fall of 1878. As this area of the Spring Mountains had the best and closest source of wood, the kilns were set up here and the charcoal produced was carried by horse-drawn wagons about 50 miles to the Tecopa Smelter. Evidence shows only tree limbs were cut in fuel and no extensive tree cutting was done. A single kiln has an estimated capacity of 35 cords of wood which would produce 50 bushels of charcoal, enough charcoal to produce one tone of silver-lead ore. Wood for the kilns was provided by Harsha White, who operated a sawmill in Clark Canyon, and was in partnership with Nehemiah Clarke. Unfortunately, the kilns have not been able to withstand time, weather, and vandalism. The remnants can still be seen. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, water, snacks and your camera.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Titus Canyon Road is a spectacular off-road trail within Death Valley National Park guaranteed to please. It is no wonder this one-way trail attracts thousands of globetrotting visitors each year. The 27-mile long road plunges visitors into fossil-rich canyons, over mile-high passes on rocky shelf roads, through a ghost town, along petroglyph-filled walls, and culminates in the grand finale. Titus Canyon Road shrinks to one vehicle-wide and takes the driver and passengers through a 1.5-mile twisty bobsled-like run through its Narrows before dumping everyone out into a wide vista of northern Death Valley. This gem of a trail is truly one of the most satisfying roads in southern California and is on par with many of the iconic trails in the United States.

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.

Named after the old Kodak color film used in still photography, aptly named Kodachrome Road has some of the most colorful landscapes in Nevada. The unique geology in the region has a wide variety of different colored rocks and dirt that create a sand art bottle appearance. Located only minutes outside of the city, this popular trail is a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas without an all-day commitment. Connecting it with other trails within the Sunrise Mountain Special Recreation Area will make for a very colorful offroad day trip in the desert.

Leaving civilization just outside Mesquite, Nevada, Lime Kiln Canyon is a scenic, rough, and rugged gateway into the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. This trail leads into a very remote desert and canyon landscape that ascends steep, narrow paths flanked by towering sandstone cliffs and juniper-dotted plateaus. Lime Kiln Canyon is known for its dramatic geology, with layered rock formations and vivid colors reflecting the interplay of erosion and time. The area provides abundant outdoor recreation opportunities and is popular with all types of users, from off-roading to camping to rock climbing. This trail is remote, with no nearby services, so preparation is essential, but it rewards visitors with unparalleled access to the Arizona Strip and the Parashant's untouched wilderness, a haven for solitude and natural beauty.

More than 150 years ago, the Old Spanish Trail was the main commerce route between Sante Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles. It passed through the Las Vegas Valley to take advantage of the natural springs, but today, there is very little left of the original route. In August 2001, three segments of the trail that ran through southern Nevada were placed on the National Register of Historic Places, marking the trail's historical significance. The northern section covered here, which is not recognized yet, is an excellent way to have an overlanding experience on a truly historic route. The trail travels from north Las Vegas all the way to the Valley of Fire Highway, accessing some remote and primitive camping along the way.

Trekking through the rolling hills of the Eldorado Mountains between Boulder City and Bullhead City, Nelson Roller Coaster is a heart-pumping offroad trail that features scenic views and non-stop adventure as you rise and fall and twist and turn through the remote landscape of southern Nevada. Aptly named, this trail takes you on a desert thrill ride through countless steep climbs and descents that will almost make you nauseous. Combine this short trail with numerous other trails in the area and enjoy an entire day exploring gold mining history dating back to 1775, when Spaniards originally discovered gold in these very hills.

Bunkerville Ridge, bordering the Grand Parashant National Monument, is one of the reasons why you purchase an off-road vehicle. Once a thriving mining district, the region found a resurgence as a popular OHV area. The trail has a beautiful mix of desert plant life, rocky landscapes, and points of interest that captivate everyone. There is an old water tank made to look like a steam locomotive. A natural arch is just a short walk from the trail. You can hike into a slot canyon with cascading waterfalls during the spring and early summer. Side trails lead to multiple old mine sites. You'll wind your way through a narrow canyon, climb steep hills, and ride along narrow ledges, all while enjoying spectacular views of the Virgin Mountains. Be sure to check this one out!

Traveling between the historic town of Nelson and the oasis-like waters of Lake Mojave, Aztec Wash Road is a relaxing desert drive through sandy washes and thick cholla cactus forests with numerous nearby connecting roads to explore. This trail offers a great mix of historical intrigue and natural beauty as you traverse the rugged desert landscape that is known for being one of Nevada's first major gold strike areas. With plenty to see and explore and bountiful recreational opportunities, Aztec Wash is a great place to spend a day or camp out for the weekend.