Nevada Off-Road Trails

Anniversary Mine Road is located east of Las Vegas in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA). The LMNRA, operated by the National Park Service, is located in Nevada and Arizona. Lake Mead was formed in 1935, less than a year before the construction of the Hoover Dam was finished. 1964 Congress approved the expanded area as the first National Recreation Area. The Anniversary Mine was started in 1921 to produce Borax, refined from the colemanite deposits of the Lovell Wash and White Basin areas. The mine was closed in 1928 due to operating costs and growing competition in California. During its operation, the Anniversary Mine produced approximately 200,000 tons of Borate. Aside from the mine site and tailing pile, the trail provides access to the Anniversary Narrows slot canyon hike and Ore Car Mine hobbyist rockhounding area. The Muddy Mountains Wilderness Area is located just to the north for non-motorized backcountry adventure.

Sunrise Pass Road is a graded dirt road. It can be accessed from the Johnson Lane OHV Park located east of Minden, Nevada. As the road gradually ascends to Sunrise Pass, it traverses alluvial plains covered in sage and low canyons with juniper trees. Rising to 7,087' at Sunrise Pass, the road takes you to the heart of the Pine Nut Mountains. From the top of the Pass, the road descends to the very north end of Smith Valley, Nevada.

Numerous side trails lead to dispersed campsites, natural springs, abandoned mines, and scenic views. Most of this wide dirt road can accommodate two-way traffic.  Most of the Pine Nut Mountain area is managed by BLM.

During dry weather, this road can be driven with 2-wheel drive high clearance SUV vehicles. During the winter months, the mountains get snow, and 4WD with recovery equipment, water, and extra supplies are warranted. Muddy road conditions are present during the spring thaw and wet weather. During these conditions, canyon washes may have shallow water crossings.

Intermittent to no cell service was available on the T-Mobile network along this road. Minden and Carson City both have gas, food, and lodging, and both are 9 miles from the trailhead.

Boathouse Cove Road is one of a handful of trails in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA) leading to the waterfront along the northern edge of Lake Mead. It makes a great day trip for activities like paddle boarding, hiking, and camping. Geology enthusiasts and rockhounds will love the entire LMNRA area for its beautiful formations and mineral deposits. For those who appreciate flora and fauna, various species of cacti can be found along the trail, and it is not uncommon for wild burros and horses to roam the area.

The LMNRA, operated by the National Park Service, is located in both Nevada and Arizona and includes Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. Lake Mead was formed in 1935, less than a year before the construction of the Hoover Dam was finished, and in 1964, Congress approved the expanded area as the first National Recreation Area.

The Old Spanish Trail in southern Nevada was the main trade route in the region from 1826 to 1848. The settlers and traders of the time had to travel through these harsh desert conditions to reach settlements to the north. This northern section follows a portion of the historic trail that borders the Valley of Fire State Park. The route is easy enough for stock 4x4s and an excellent way to connect Las Vegas with many other regional trails. The early section of the trail is a vast open desert, but it eventually works its way into a very scenic canyon with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The entire area is also great for those interested in geology and rockhounding.

Como, Nevada, is a gold-mining ghost town established in 1862 with a peak population of "several thousand" people, according to a Mining and Scientific Press article published in 1912. Today the population is zero. Back then, the town folk enjoyed eight saloons, 4 stores, 4 hotels, a blacksmith, and many other services. The most famous residents were Paiute Chief Truckee and his son Chief Winnemucca.

Como, at an elevation of 7,116 feet, can be reached via a poorly graded dirt road that is under-maintained and full of cobblestone size rocks. It is a very bumpy ride but does accommodate two-way traffic. During dry weather, the road can be driven with a 2-wheel drive high clearance SUV.

Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land. Intermittent to no cell service was available on the T-Mobile network at this location. Food, gas, and lodging are available at the trailhead, just outside Dayton, Nevada, along Highway 50.

High Rock Canyon, an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC), boasts exceptional scenic beauty, vital wildlife habitats including bighorn sheep terrain and dense raptor nesting areas, and National Register-quality archaeological sites and districts. It also features a 14-mile stretch of the Applegate Trail, a National Historic Trail adorned with emigrant graffiti. Captain John Fremont first chronicled the Northern Paiute trail through the canyon in 1844. The Applegate brothers later led emigrant wagon trains through this rugged passage en route to Oregon's Willamette Valley. During the Gold Rush in 1849 and into the 1850s, it was a bustling route to California's goldfields and towns. Today, it lies far off the beaten path, preserving its unique charm.

Callville Wash South is located east of Las Vegas in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA). Named after Mormon settler Anson Call, who established Callville in 1864, the Callville Wash provides a natural route for seasonal water to flow from Muddy Peak and the Muddy Mountains Wilderness down to Callville Bay on Lake Mead. Though the trail only travels around 500 feet of elevation, the shift from the summit of Muddy Peak to the approximate banks of Lake Mead is an impressive 4,000-foot elevation difference.

Sent by Brigham Young, Anson Call established Callville as an outpost for the Mormon settlement in December 1864. Callville was used as a military fort/garrison, but just five years later, the garrison was shut down due to the end of the war and lack of conflict with native peoples. The completion of transcontinental railroads made Callville obsolete, and it was abandoned. Structures could still be seen in the 1930s until the Colorado River was dammed to allow the filling of Lake Mead. Today, Callville Bay Resort and Marina are closely located to the original historic site.

Traversing a wide dry wash surrounded by ancient ocean-bottom mud hills, Boxcar Cove Road is one of a handful of trails in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA) leading to the waterfront along the northern edge of Lake Mead. This remote trail winds through the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert landscape, offering travelers expansive views of the surrounding canyons, unique rock formations, and glimpses of Lake Mead. The rewarding cove at the road's end is a perfect spot for outdoor activities like fishing, swimming, and picnicking, making this a great off-road trail for the weekend adventurer.