Nevada Off-Road Trails

Hidden Canyon is a neat trail running through a tight canyon from Logandale Main Loop to West Rim Alternate. This rocky trail has numerous obstacles suited for modified vehicles and experienced drivers. Although most obstacles are easier than nearby Shredder Trail and Bronco Falls, one waterfall requires attention and a slight lift at a minimum. Running this trail from east to west will make the waterfall an uphill challenge and significantly harder. Downhill (west to east) is recommended if you have any concerns. There is one campsite on the eastern side, right where it meets with Logandale Main Loop.

Mormon Mesa Rim is a long-winding trail covering over 22 miles along the circumference of Mormon Mesa. This trail is incredibly bumpy for the majority of the western side and about half of the eastern side. There are a few patches of smooth road, but they don't last long enough to really pick up any speed. Traveling the eastern portion of this trail takes you to the "Heart of the Mesa" and above the Moapa Valley M on the side of the hill. Camping is available along the rim with great views. However, none of it is ground tent friendly due to the rocky dirt.

One of the longer trails in the area, Trail H connects Logandale Main Loop to Weiser Valley. This trail is relatively easy, including a rather flat and calm section that allows an increase in speed. On the western portion, you will enter a wash where the trail gets bumpier. Expect washouts since this is an active wash. 4WD may be necessary depending on the conditions of this side of the trail. No campsites exist on this trail, but Logandale Main Loop has plenty of dispersed campsites.

This trail runs along the eastern side of the Black Rock Desert playa. It follows the historic Applegate/California Trail and passes Double Hot Springs, historic boiling hot springs that pioneers used to wash clothes and cook food. The Black Rock Hot Springs are cool enough to soak in. Both hot springs have dispersed camping areas. The road is flat and relatively easy, albeit bumpy, due to the natural gullies formed from the water coming off the mountains.

Placer Cove Road, located within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, is a short dead-end spur road south of Eagle Wash that leads to Placer Cove, a popular spot for cliff jumping. The cove at the end of the road provides a great place to hang out, swim, or conduct other water activities. The road surface is mainly hard-packed dirt with spots of small protruding rocks and short sections of coarse sand and gravel. The road is easily traversed by just about any vehicle, but users should be prepared for a slightly bumpy drive. Camping is not allowed along Placer Cove Road, but there are pit toilets located within the cove. Additionally, trash receptacles can be found at the start of the trail at the intersection with Eagle Wash.

Alta Canyon provides access to rugged terrain, stunning mountain vistas, and opportunities for camping, hiking, and excellent fishing. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the area, while Onion Valley Reservoir and Knott Creek Reservoir feature primitive campgrounds with designated campsites. Due to the narrow and rocky trail, 4WD and high-clearance vehicles are recommended. The remote area is typically accessible only during the summer, as winter brings heavy snowfall and ice accumulation.

Steven's Camp Recreation Area offers visitors a first-come, first-serve desert cabin in a unique setting of desert rims, expansive vistas, and lush meadows. The cabin features wood heat and a propane range for cooking, with hook-ups for generators and propane tanks to power electric lights and the range. Inside, you'll find a combined kitchen, community room, and two small bunk rooms. The recreation area is fenced off by livestock. It includes horse corrals, primitive campsites, a vault toilet, and access to the Upper High Rock Canyon Trail, making it an ideal spot for adventurers and nature enthusiasts. There are surrounding campsites in the area near the cabin. The access trail from the camp recreation area to State Route 8 is relatively easy, with a rough dirt base.

Starting at the soothing Black Rock Hot Springs and the majestic base of Black Rock Point, this trail leads you through an adventure like no other. Winding its way to hidden micro playas, it unveils perfect camping spots in cozy coves. The journey culminates at the mountain's summit, where breathtaking panoramic views of the vast Black Rock Desert and Playa await. The trail is a rugged dirt track dotted with unexpected washouts and gullies, making a 4WD essential for conquering the steep climbs to the overlook.

Combination Mine Road is a simple and easy dead-end road used primarily to access the southern end of the Nelson Rollercoaster trail. The road is located in close proximity to Nelson, Nevada, and was once part of the Colorado-Eldorado Mining District. Due to the high level of mining that took place in this area, you will find many rotting mine structures and closed-off mine shafts as you make your way down the loose dirt and gravel road. Starting at the Nelson Cutoff, Combination Mine travels down a washboard Mojave Desert track for 3 miles, passing several large areas used for camping and multiple mining relics until reaching a Y-intersection with Nelson Rollercoaster. The last half mile of the trail is uneventful and comes to an abrupt end at private property. This trail is easily traveled by any vehicle but is best to run in combination with other trails in the area that might require a more robust 4wd than what is required to travel this road.

Overton Wash is a great access point to quickly get into the Logandale Trails network directly from the town of Overton. The trail begins in the wash before quickly climbing in elevation with a great view of the town below. The trail transitions from the sandy wash bottom to loose dirt with rough rocks. 4WD is necessary to climb the steeper grades. Camping and shooting are quite popular along this route, so you will likely not be alone on this short trail.

West Rim runs parallel to Logandale Main Loop on the outside of the rocks. This moderate trail provides small rocky patches, loose climbs and descents, and minor washouts. Full-width vehicles may struggle with the narrowness of this trail, especially if a storm has rolled through and washed out the northern portions in the dirt hills. This is an excellent trail to bypass the more popular route through the canyon, as you will likely be alone out there. Camping is not an option directly on this trail, but the nearby Logandale Main Loop has plenty of options.

Microwave Tower Road is a 4-mile dead-end road that leads from the town of Goodsprings to the Potosi Tower radio equipment site. The road climbs sharply, gaining 1,700 vertical feet in just under 4 miles, and twists through numerous switchbacks as you make your way up the mountainside, taking in spectacular views in all directions. From the summit, breathtaking views all the way across the California border and down into the Las Vegas strip will make this trip well worth the drive. The road surface is generally two vehicles wide the entire way, with a few slightly narrower sections but nothing on the edges of the cliffside. The road is well-maintained and smooth the entire way, making it suitable for any vehicle.

Upper Gypsum Wash Road is a short out-and-back trail leading to a viewpoint overlooking Las Vegas Wash, Gypsum Wash, and Las Vegas Bay. The road is flat and graded, but no dispersed camping is located or allowed on this 1.5-mile stretch. There is plenty of room at the dead end for vehicles to stop, take photos, and turn around. To find camping, travel farther down Northshore Road to 8.0 Road or Boxcar Cove Road. Don't forget that visiting the Lake Mead National Recreation Area requires payment of a fee.

The Silver Leaf Mine winds up a narrow canyon, leading users to an old structure. Calling this a bumpy trail is an understatement. This difficult, rocky, and likely wet trail is very demanding for such a short distance, as you are driving in a drainage for snowmelt most of the time. Consistent 6-8 inch round rocks plaster the trail with occasional rocks in the 1-2 foot range. The wet nature of the trail early in the year adds to the difficulty. The trail once extended beyond the mine, but a rockfall has made the trail impassable to full-size vehicles. No campsites are along this trail, but nearby Cabin Canyon has multiple dispersed options.

Gold Creek, also known as Meadow Creek Road, offers a journey that starts off Highway 225 by the serene Wild Horse Reservoir and winds through diverse landscapes before ending at Rowland Road in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This relatively easy trail begins by meandering through picturesque ranchland, where wide-open fields stretch beneath the expansive sky.

As you continue, the trail ascends into the forested embrace of The Mahoganies, where the air grows cooler and the scenery shifts to towering trees and dappled sunlight. You’ll find Big Bend Campground, a serene spot nestled among the trees, offering a perfect setting for a peaceful night under the stars. The forest also provides numerous opportunities for dispersed camping, allowing you to set up camp in the tranquility of nature.

Gold Creek is more than just a trail; it’s a passage through the varied beauty of Nevada’s wilderness, from the pastoral charm of ranchland to the rugged splendor of the forest.

Jarbidge Canyon, an in-and-out trail accessed from Charleston-Jarbidge Road, is a cherry-stem road carved through the heart of the Jarbidge Wilderness and offers an exhilarating journey into one of Nevada's most remote and untouched landscapes. This rugged trail is a mix of rough dirt and rocky creek beds, winding alongside the headwaters of the Jarbidge River. The trail's wild and untamed character demands a high-clearance vehicle, making it a true adventure for those who dare to explore.

As you navigate Jarbidge Canyon, the air is filled with the scent of pine, and the sound of the river accompanies your journey. Along the way, you'll find the Pine Creek and Bluster Campgrounds, offering a rare opportunity to camp amidst the wilderness. The trail eventually leads to the trailhead for the Jarbidge River Trail and Jarbidge Lake, where the road ends and the adventure continues on foot. Jarbidge Canyon is a gateway to the wild, where the road is as rugged as the landscape it traverses, leading you deeper into the beauty and solitude of the wilderness.

Pole Creek-Canyon Creek Road winds through the rugged beauty of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, tracing the edge of the remote Jarbidge Wilderness. This trail, a blend of gravel and dirt, presents an adventurous journey where the terrain varies from smooth stretches to rougher, more washed-out grades. As you navigate the road, you pass through vast, grassy high desert plains, only to suddenly find yourself descending into dramatic canyons that seem to appear out of nowhere.

Though there are no established campsites, the trail offers numerous spurs where you can pull off and set up camp, surrounded by the wild solitude of the landscape. The road’s isolation and its ever-changing scenery provide a sense of discovery at every turn.

Overton Wash Escape runs briefly in the western part of Overton Wash before exiting and climbing the hills north of the wash as the canyon narrows. The trail is typical sandy and rocky wash bottom until you reach the packed dirt portion that climbs, guiding you around the wash bottleneck and back down into town. This trail is heavily prone to washouts and rapid changes with passing storms. The dirt portion is narrow and can become impassable. Before exiting the wash, there is an old car that you cannot miss. Camping opportunities were not found on this trail, but there are many options in the nearby Logandale Trails network.

Smoky Canyon is the gateway between the historic Leadville Road and the iconic High Rock Canyon. This rugged trail beckons adventurers to journey through untamed terrain, where nature's raw beauty awaits. The first 11 miles of the trail are relatively smooth, while the last 3 miles can be rougher due to washouts and gullies caused by the previous winter. These rough sections challenge your trek but tend to smooth out as the trail is used more from spring to fall. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended. At the trailhead of Little High Rock Canyon, a potential campsite offers a haven for those eager to immerse themselves fully in the wilderness.