Alamo Road

Las Vegas, Nevada (Clark County)

Last Updated: 07/06/2019
5 / 5 ( 1 reviews )
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Highlights

Highlight: Alamo Road
Nice trail drive through allowing the driver to experience the desert scenery located in the National Desert Wildlife Refuge, just outside of Las Vegas. There are multiple opportunities to explore other trails going into the canyons and mountains, making this a great area for a weekend get away. Because there is unrestricted camping in the area, it is a great place for campers get to higher elevations to decrease/escape some of the heat from the Vegas Valley.

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Route Information

Advanced Rating System

Recommended Vehicle:
2WD Vehicle with High Clearance
Concerns:
Summary:
The trail consists of mostly flat packed dirt road with loose rocks. There are some ruts where clearance is needed.

Technical Rating

MANDATORY
1
EASY
OPTIONAL
2
EASY
Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential rocks and/or tree stumps less than 5" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 5" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 6" inches. Good tire placement likely. Can be steep, but with good traction.
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Community Consensus

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Description

Trail run that starts at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge and ends at the town of Alamo approximately 70 miles away. For this run description, we did an out and back ending at the 30 mile marker. The road consists mostly of dirt and gravel that is passable in a 2WD vehicle with high clearance. There are some spots where 4WD is preferable and may be needed depending on recent and/or current weather conditions. Cellphone service was not available for most of the trip. We currently use Verizon. As always, please tread lightly. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Waypoints

1. Desert National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (0 mi)
This is the start for the Alamo road run. A great place to obtain information on the Desert National Wildlife refuge, get a map, use the facilities and air down tires before starting your day.
2. T intersection (0.1 mi)
Just after leaving the Visitor Center, you will encounter a T intersection. There will be a large sign with directions and mileage markers for the trails. Turn left/north.
3. Turn off for Joe May Road (3.4 mi)
On the right will be a turn off for Joe May Road. It is a short road into the desert area which leads to a hike to Joe May Canyon Guzzler area. A guzzler is a rain water catching system to provide water to the wildlife in the area.
4. Campsite (8 mi)
To the right of the trail, you will see a campsite. It is primitive with no facilities or amenities.
5. Cow Camp Road (9.3 mi)
To the right of the trail will be a turn for Cow Camp road leading into the Black Hills. From here, you can hike to the sheep range and Cow Camp spring. Cow Camp road ends with a great camping area with a historical corral.
6. Hidden Forest Road (15.6 mi)
To the right will be a turn for Hidden Forest Road leading to Dead Man's Canyon. Primitive camping available. From here, you can hike into the Hidden Forest to the ridge, pine spring and winegrass spring. There is a log cabin in the forest, as well.
7. White Rock Road (21.7 mi)
To the right will be a turn for White Rock Road leading to White Rock Canyon. Large flat campsite at the end of the road.
8. Deadhorse Road (25 mi)
To the right will be a turn for Deadhorse Road leading to multiple primitive and secluded camping areas.
9. Slate Mine Road (28.1 mi)
To the left will be a turn for Slate Mine Road. It is currently closed to the public. Signs are posted.
10. Sheep Pass / Endpoint (30.5 mi)
We ended the trip at Sheep Pass before passing Sheep Pass guzzler and into the desert floor. You can choose to continue on the trail passing Cabin Spring road and the desert dry lake before arriving in Alamo at approximately mile marker 78.

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Las Vegas

Take US 95 North from Las Vegas to Corn Creek Road. Turn right/east on Corn Creek Road. A visitor center is approximately 4.8 miles from US 95. This is a good place to air down, use the restroom and look at the maps. Near the sign/map is a place to register informing the park staff you are entering the refuge for the day. Please keep in mind, the speed limit on Corn Creek Road is 35 mph and it is enforced.

Camping

Dispersed
Camping is allowed in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge year round. Car camping is allowed within 50 feet of the road. Camping is primitive. No amenities. Please follow the link for more information on the Desert National Wildlife Refuge: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/desert/
Camping: Alamo Road

Land Use Issues

None

Trail Reviews (5)

Questions & Answers (2)

Q: Can you come from Alamo to sheep pass where you stopped last time so as to finish the mapping? It would be nice to have it complete. Thanks.
–AJ (03/08/2019)
A: AJ, Thanks for the question. This is a direct quote from the US Fish and Wildlife Service website: Motorists wishing to drive on Alamo Road stand a very good chance of getting stuck at Desert Dry Lake. The dirt on the road has turned to powder, which is also referred to as “poof dirt.” The conditions are very hazardous. We may get a chance later this year to update this trail and possibly travel the entire road. Depending on road conditions. Please check back often. Again thanks for the question and thanks for using Trailsoffroad.com
–James and Mimi Nicholson (03/09/2019)
Q: You stated to air down. How much?
–Aniceto (05/15/2017)
A: This is a very tough question to answer specifically. There are many variables to include vehicle, tire size, terrain and personal preference on airing down to name a few. Some people prefer not to air down while others will air down aggressively. Those that do air down do so to improve traction by increasing the area of surface contact or for ride comfort on bumpy/washboard or uneven roads. I personally have 35-inch tires and air down to approximately 12-15 PSI(pound per square inch). Please keep in mind when going to a lower PSI there is a chance of breaking the bead/seal and ending up with a flat tire. I would recommend having an air compressor with you and check for function before airing down. Hope this helps.
–James and Mimi Nicholson (05/15/2017)

Writer Information

James and Mimi Nicholson

Mapping Crew - Nevada
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We are James and Mimi Nicholson, married for 19 years, living in Nevada. We are not new to Off-roading; having owned Jeeps for 18 years. We started with a 1979 CJ-5. Other 4 wheel vehicles owned include CJ-7, Cherokees, Grand Cherokee and a Liberty. We like to overland, camp, whitewater raft and kayak. We have been off-roading in Oregon, Washington, Georgia, South Carolina, California, Arizona, Utah, Louisiana, Texas and Nevada Our focus while off-roading is safety, treading lightly and simply enjoying the outdoors with friends and family. Our current rig: 2015 Jeep Wrangler JKU Tank Rubicon. AEV 3.5" lift with 315/75/16 GY Duratracs with level 8 Tracker wheels. C gussets, control arm skids, ACE rock sliders, Engo 10,000 winch, OR-Fab tire/can carrier. M.O.R.E. skid plate, Gobi stealth roof rack. S-pod. ARB OBA. Adams front and rear drive shafts.
For individual use only, not to be shared.

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