Waypoints
1. Y intersection/Trail head
(0 mi)
As you are heading down Valley of Fire highway, it will curve to the left/southeast at approximately 3 miles from the off ramp of Interstate 15. Do not follow the curve of the highway, continue straight/south onto a semi paved/dirt road names Old Spanish Trail road. A good place to air down will be when you the pavement ends and the dirt road begins. The road is mostly washboard for a few miles.
2. Campground
(0.6 mi)
As you continue on Old Spanish Trail road, there will a camp ground on the right. There are no facilities or amenities at this site.
3. Scenic landscape
(3.8 mi)
As you can see in the pictures, there is some spectacular desert landscape to be seen. This is just one variety that will be seen on the trail.
4. Directional Sign
(4.2 mi)
On the trail, you will encounter this sign that give general information and directions to some of the sights to be seen in the area.
5. Y intersection
(4.3 mi)
At this y intersection, you will see the turn for Colorock quarry on the right/southwest. Continue straight/southeast.
6. Campground
(5.3 mi)
To the left of the trail will be another clearing that can be used for camping. If you choose to set up camp in this area, if would be best to set up on the right or left and not in the center. In the pictures, you can see that a trail continues through to other parts of the desert. No facilities or amenities at this site.
7. Y intersection
(5.8 mi)
Here you will come to a split in the trail. The right is the bypass of the next few rocky obstacles. If you are out for an easy relaxing drive, stay to the right. If you are up for a little challenge, choose the left turn.
8. Rock obstacle
(5.8 mi)
As you enter the rocky course through this part of the trail, you still have two options. If you stay to the left, the trail is primarily rocky shelves. If you choose the right, you will encounter some medium to large rocks and boulders. Both are passable.
9. Rock obstacle
(5.9 mi)
The continues the same way as the beginning. Left is flat rock shelf. To the right, more boulders and a small shelf to climb.
10. Rock obstacle
(5.9 mi)
At this point, you will have to stay left and follow the gravel/rock trail to avoid damaging the desert.
11. Rock obstacle
(5.9 mi)
As you continue on the trail, going to the left, you will encounter a slight climb up a shelf and then more flat rock. If you choose the right, you will encounter the rocky gravel trail.
12. Rock obstacle
(5.9 mi)
Continue on the trail to encounter more rock shelves and gravel/rock trail. If you choose not to continue on the rocky trail, there is an option to get back on the bypass trail.
13. Trails merge
(6 mi)
Here is where the bypass and the rocky trails merge together and continue.
14. Scenic landscape
(6.6 mi)
Continuing on the trail, you will begin to see the Buffington Pockets, the multi colored sandstone formations.
15. Y intersection
(6.9 mi)
At this intersection, go right/southwest to follow the trail.
16. Scenic landscape
(6.9 mi)
From the trail, you can see the different types of desert landscape you will experience during the drive.
17. Y intersection
(7.1 mi)
At this intersection, the driver can choose to turn left/southeast and go down into a wash or turn right/southwest and continue on the higher ground. Both options will merge. We chose to turn left/southeast into the wash.
18. Campground
(7.2 mi)
At the bottom of the descent into the wash, you will see a campground on the left. This would make for a very nice secluded camping area. There are no facilities or amenities at this site.co
19. Campground
(7.6 mi)
Continuing on the trail, there will be a turn to the right going up a slight hill. At the top of the hill is another area for camping. There are some beautiful views of the valleys, mountains and rocky formations to be seen from the site. No facilities or amenities on site.
20. Scenic landscape
(8.4 mi)
Here are some examples of the different desert vegetation, rock formations and colors to be seen from the trail.
21. Y intersection
(9.4 mi)
At this intersection continue straight following the main trail. It appears that the right turn will travel up to a ridge.
22. Y intersection
(9.6 mi)
Continue straight on the main trail, the turn to the right appears to travel up to a ridge line.
23. Y intersection
(9.8 mi)
At this intersection, follow the trail to the left/southeast. There is a BLM sign pointing to the left.
24. Y intersection
(12.2 mi)
Continue following the trail through the left curve. There is a BLM sign showing the direction, but it is at the end of the curve.
25. Y intersection
(12.4 mi)
At this intersection, stay to the left. The right turn appears to be the more used trail, but it is misleading.
26. Scenic landscape
(13.3 mi)
As seen in these pictures, the valley floor opens up allowing views in all directions of the mountains and the vegetation.
27. Scenic landscape
(20.4 mi)
As you continue on the trail, you will be driving very close to this rock formation that has interesting shapes and colors. To the left of the trail, there appears to be some small shallow caves in the sandstone.
28. Scenic landscape
(22 mi)
Here are some more examples of the different types, shapes and colors of the rock formations. The second picture looks like a jack rabbit in shape.
29. Scenic landscape
(23.4 mi)
As you continue to drive in this old river bed, there are more interesting desert landscape to be seen and admired.
30. X intersection
(25 mi)
At this intersection, you will see that many trails merge. In the second and third pictures, you will see that there is a sign with directions. The second picture shows the view of the current trail on the left. At the sign, turn left/southeast. As you pass the sign, you will be able to verify that you are heading towards North Shore Road.
31. Y intersection
(27.8 mi)
As we get close to the end of the trail, you will encounter this intersection, turn right towards the visible North Shore Road to the end point. Continuing straight will take you to the overhead pass of the road and into the desert towards Lake Mead.
32. End point
(28 mi)
This is the end of the trail. Nice flat area to air up your tires, pack up any equipment you don't need and grab a drink for the trip home.