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Trail Day Essentials
Nevada is a lot more than the Las Vegas Strip. Between the Mojave Desert in the south, the Sierra Nevada around Lake Tahoe and the high mountain ranges of the Great Basin, it offers paved desert loops, a rail-trail through old dam tunnels, world-famous lakeside singletrack and quiet mountain trails where you might not see another rider all day.
We’ve grouped the trails below into four regions: Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, Reno and Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and Eastern Nevada. Each card lists the trail’s surface, length and type, with a link to the map, directions and the official trail page, so you can pick a ride that fits your bike and your legs.
Nevada Bike Trails Map
All 16 Nevada Bike Trails at a Glance
Sort by any column or search by trail name, county or region. Lengths are in miles; click a trail name to jump to its details.
| Trail | Region | Counties | Length (mi) | Surface | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Mountains Loop Trail | Las Vegas & Southern Nevada | Clark County | 34 | Asphalt | Greenway |
| Historic Railroad Trail | Las Vegas & Southern Nevada | Clark County | 3.7 | Crushed Stone, Dirt | Rail-Trail |
| Lower Las Vegas Wash Trail | Las Vegas & Southern Nevada | Clark County | 13.4 | Asphalt | Greenway |
| Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Park | Las Vegas & Southern Nevada | Clark County | 35 | Dirt, Rock | Mountain Bike |
| Cottonwood Valley Trails | Las Vegas & Southern Nevada | Clark County | 10 | Dirt, Rock | Mountain Bike |
| Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive | Las Vegas & Southern Nevada | Clark County | 13 | Asphalt | Scenic Road |
| Tahoe-Pyramid Trail | Reno & Carson City | Washoe, Storey Counties | 49.6 | Asphalt, Dirt | Greenway |
| Peavine Mountain Trails | Reno & Carson City | Washoe County | 48 | Dirt | Mountain Bike |
| Ash to Kings Trail | Reno & Carson City | Carson City | 7.2 | Dirt | Mountain Bike |
| Prison Hill Recreation Area | Reno & Carson City | Carson City | 16 | Dirt, Sand | Mountain Bike |
| Tahoe East Shore Trail | Lake Tahoe | Washoe County | 3 | Asphalt | Greenway |
| Flume Trail | Lake Tahoe | Carson City, Washoe Counties | 14 | Dirt | Mountain Bike |
| Tahoe Rim Trail (Tahoe Meadows to Tunnel Creek) | Lake Tahoe | Washoe, Carson City Counties | 24.6 | Dirt, Rock | Mountain Bike |
| Ward Mountain Recreation Area | Eastern Nevada | White Pine County | 50 | Dirt, Rock | Mountain Bike |
| Cave Lake State Park | Eastern Nevada | White Pine County | 20 | Dirt | Mountain Bike |
| Lamoille Canyon Road | Eastern Nevada | Elko County | 12.1 | Asphalt | Scenic Road |
Las Vegas & Southern Nevada
Paved loops around Lake Mead, a rail-trail through Hoover Dam tunnels and rocky desert singletrack, all within an easy drive of the Strip. 6 trails.
River Mountains Loop Trail
The River Mountains Loop Trail is a 34-mile paved loop around the volcanic River Mountains, linking Henderson, Boulder City, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the Hoover Dam area. About 16 miles of it run through the national recreation area, with big views over Lake Mead.
It’s 12 feet wide and car-free, but don’t expect a flat rail-trail: the loop rolls the whole way, with roughly 750 feet of elevation change inside the park alone. Bike repair stations, pit toilets and several trailheads are spread along the route. Ride it in the cooler months or early in the morning, and keep in mind that the Lake Mead section needs a park pass.
Trail facts
- Asphalt
- 34-mile loop
- Greenway
- Clark County
- Cycling
Historic Railroad Trail
The Historic Railroad Trail follows the bed of the railroad that hauled equipment and materials to build the Hoover Dam in the 1930s. It’s 3.7 miles one way and passes through five huge tunnels, each about 25 feet wide, with views over Lake Mead most of the way.
The wide gravel surface and gentle grade make it one of the easiest rides around Las Vegas. The trailhead sits below the Lake Mead Visitor Center and shares parking with the River Mountains Loop, so the two make an easy combination. It’s the only part of the original Hoover Dam railroad that isn’t under water, and it’s in a fee area, so bring your park pass.
Trail facts
- Crushed Stone, Dirt
- 3.7 miles one way
- Rail-Trail
- Clark County
- Cycling
Lower Las Vegas Wash Trail
The Lower Las Vegas Wash Trail is a 13.4-mile paved path that follows the Las Vegas Wash, the channel that carries the valley’s stormwater toward Lake Mead. It’s 10 feet wide, wheelchair accessible and one of the best car-free rides on the east side of the valley.
Shaded picnic areas, water fountains and parks line the route, and it connects to the Upper Las Vegas Wash Trail and the River Mountains Loop Trail, so you can build a much longer day from it. Like most Las Vegas paths, it’s best ridden early in the day from late spring through early fall.
Trail facts
- Asphalt
- 13.4 miles
- Greenway
- Clark County
- Cycling
Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Park
Bootleg Canyon, on the edge of Boulder City about 26 miles southeast of Las Vegas, is Southern Nevada’s best-known mountain bike area, with about 35 miles of singletrack on Bureau of Land Management land. It has been rated an IMBA “Epic”, and the canyon’s name goes back to the liquor bootleggers of the Prohibition years.
The network mixes cross-country loops with steep, rocky downhill runs such as the Elevator Shaft, which drops down a 22 percent grade. The terrain is rough and technical, so it suits intermediate and advanced riders more than beginners; the Lake View trails are the friendlier option. Spring and fall are the best seasons, since summer temperatures often top 100°F.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Rock
- About 35 miles of singletrack
- Mountain Bike
- Clark County
- Mountain biking
Cottonwood Valley Trails
The Cottonwood Valley trail system sits below the cliffs of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, near the village of Blue Diamond. The BLM’s featured ride here is a 10-mile loop with about 800 feet of climbing through Joshua tree forests and hidden desert washes.
Around it is a large network of singletrack, from flowing beginner loops to hard-packed trails with embedded rocks and small ledgy drops for stronger riders. There’s no fee and the area is open all year, which makes it the go-to desert ride for Las Vegas locals in winter. Stay on the signed system trails, since the BLM is working to close unauthorized routes.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Rock
- 10-mile signature loop
- Mountain Bike
- Clark County
- Mountain biking
Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive
The Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive is a 13-mile paved, one-way loop through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, just west of Las Vegas. It’s one of the most popular road rides in Nevada, winding past red and cream sandstone formations below limestone cliffs that reach about 7,000 feet.
The first half climbs steadily to the high point of the loop, and the second half gives most of it back on a fast descent. Because traffic only runs one way and the road is wide, it’s friendlier for cyclists than most scenic roads, but you’ll still be sharing it with cars. Check the current entry pass and timed-reservation rules before you go.
Trail facts
- Asphalt
- 13-mile one-way loop
- Scenic Road
- Clark County
- Cycling
Reno & Carson City
A river trail that runs from the Sierra foothills to the desert, and year-round singletrack on the hills above Reno and Carson City. 4 trails.
Tahoe-Pyramid Trail
The Tahoe-Pyramid Trail follows the Truckee River from Lake Tahoe to Pyramid Lake, a planned route of 114 miles. The Nevada part, about 50 miles from Verdi through Reno and Sparks to Pyramid Lake, drops from the Sierra foothills into the high desert.
The route changes a lot along the way: bike lanes on Old US 40 from Verdi, long paved riverside paths through Reno and Sparks, about 9 miles of dirt trail between Mustang and USA Parkway, and roughly 24 miles of mostly natural-surface trail from Wadsworth to Pyramid Lake. Some gaps are still bridged by roads, and the section on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation needs a day-use permit.
Trail facts
- Asphalt, Dirt
- About 50 miles in Nevada
- Greenway
- Washoe, Storey Counties
- Cycling
Peavine Mountain Trails
Peavine Mountain rises right behind northwest Reno, and its trail network is the city’s main mountain bike playground. There are about 48 miles of singletrack, and the Biggest Little Trail Stewardship is expanding the system toward roughly 70 miles.
The trails range from long climbing routes to new flow trails such as the 3-mile Golden Fleece, and the Sierra Vista bike park on the lower slopes adds jump lines, a pump track and a cross-country loop. The sagebrush hills dry out fast after storms, so Peavine is often rideable when the Tahoe trails are still under snow.
Trail facts
- Dirt
- About 48 miles of singletrack
- Mountain Bike
- Washoe County
- Mountain biking
Ash to Kings Trail
The Ash to Kings Trail is a 7.2-mile singletrack on the hills west of Carson City, linking Ash Canyon Road in the north with Kings Canyon Road in the south, or about 13.4 miles as an out-and-back. Volunteers led by Muscle Powered finished it in 2015.
It’s a tough ride: the climbs are long, there’s very little shade and summers are hot, so bring more water than you think you need. The reward is big views over Carson City and a short detour to the 25-foot Kings Canyon waterfall. Ash Canyon also links to more trails heading up toward the Tahoe Rim Trail.
Trail facts
- Dirt
- 7.2 miles one way
- Mountain Bike
- Carson City
- Mountain biking
Prison Hill Recreation Area
Prison Hill, on the southeast edge of Carson City, has about 16 miles of trails rated from easy to expert. Newer routes such as the Desert Peach and Odyssey trails and the 5th Street loops sit alongside older ones like the North Loop, first built by the BLM in the 1980s.
The Dead Truck Canyon descent, named after an early-1950s Chevrolet pickup found along the trail, is the local favorite for experienced riders. Because the hill gets less snow than the mountains and dries quickly, it’s rideable almost all year. Trailheads include 5th Street, Koontz Lane, Clearview Drive and Silver Saddle Ranch.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Sand
- About 16 miles of trails
- Mountain Bike
- Carson City
- Mountain biking
Lake Tahoe
A paved lakeshore path and the classic high-altitude rides above the Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe. 3 trails.
Tahoe East Shore Trail
The Tahoe East Shore Trail is a 3-mile paved path from Incline Village to Sand Harbor State Park, and one of the most scenic short rides in the country. Opened in 2019, it’s 10 feet wide and runs along the shoreline above the clear water of Lake Tahoe.
Along the way are 16 vista points, 11 beach access points and six bridges, the longest about 810 feet. The first mile climbs about 150 feet above the lake, then the path rolls gently to Sand Harbor. Bike racks, repair stations and restrooms are provided. Parking at the north trailhead fills up early on summer days, and Sand Harbor charges cyclists a small entry fee.
Trail facts
- Asphalt
- 3 miles
- Greenway
- Washoe County
- Cycling
Flume Trail
The Flume Trail is Lake Tahoe’s most famous mountain bike ride. The classic route is about 14 miles from Spooner Lake to Tunnel Creek: you climb more than 1,000 feet to Marlette Lake at 8,157 feet, then follow 4.5 miles of singletrack along a cliff some 2,500 feet above the lake.
The trail follows the line of the wooden flumes that carried water to Virginia City in the late 1800s. It isn’t very technical, but the drop-offs are real, so ride within your limits. Most riders take the commercial shuttle from Tunnel Creek to Spooner Lake, and bikes can be rented at the Tunnel Creek end. The trail is usually rideable from late May to November.
Trail facts
- Dirt
- About 14 miles point to point
- Mountain Bike
- Carson City, Washoe Counties
- Mountain biking
Tahoe Rim Trail (Tahoe Meadows to Tunnel Creek)
For a bigger day than the Flume Trail alone, start at Tahoe Meadows near Mount Rose Summit, ride the Tahoe Rim Trail south past Marlette Peak, then drop to Marlette Lake and finish on the Flume Trail. The full route is about 24.6 miles, roughly 80% singletrack, and it’s rated an IMBA Epic.
It climbs about 1,450 feet and descends almost 3,900 feet, topping out near 8,800 feet. The Tahoe Rim Trail section is the most technical part, with rock steps and a 900-foot climb. Bikes are only allowed on this stretch on even-numbered calendar days, e-bikes aren’t allowed, and you’ll need a shuttle to the start.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Rock
- 24.6 miles point to point
- Mountain Bike
- Washoe, Carson City Counties
- Mountain biking
Eastern Nevada
Fast-growing singletrack around Ely and a long road climb into the Ruby Mountains, far from the crowds. 3 trails.
Ward Mountain Recreation Area
The small mining town of Ely has quietly become one of Nevada’s best mountain bike destinations, with more than 50 miles of singletrack around town. The largest network is the Ward Mountain Recreation Area in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, with the Ice Plant trails close to town.
The Ice Plant Fun Loop (9 to 12 miles) has a gradual, beginner-friendly climb and a fast, bermed descent, while the G-Loop shuttle down the Okee Dokie trail and the steep Squaw Peak loop are for stronger riders. About 50 more miles are planned on Ward Mountain and Garnet Hill, with the goal of making Ely an IMBA Ride Center.
Trail facts
- Dirt, Rock
- 50+ miles of singletrack around Ely
- Mountain Bike
- White Pine County
- Mountain biking
Cave Lake State Park
Cave Lake State Park sits in the Schell Creek Range southeast of Ely, with about 20 miles of trail around a small mountain reservoir. It’s high enough to be a cooler option than the desert valleys in summer.
The favorite ride links the Steptoe Creek, Cave Lake Overlook, High Roller and Twisted Pine trails into a loop of about 10 miles with roughly 1,800 feet of climbing, most of it on tight switchbacks, followed by a flowing 4-mile descent. The easier Steptoe Creek Trail makes a good short ride. A small bike-in fee applies.
Trail facts
- Dirt
- About 20 miles of trails
- Mountain Bike
- White Pine County
- Mountain biking
Lamoille Canyon Road
Lamoille Canyon Road climbs 12.1 miles into the Ruby Mountains southeast of Elko, from about 6,000 feet at the canyon entrance to around 8,800 feet at the road’s end. It’s a National Forest Scenic Byway, and the climb is one of the best road rides in northern Nevada.
The canyon was carved by glaciers, so you ride between steep rock walls, aspen groves and, in early summer, plenty of wildflowers. The two-lane road has a 35 mph limit, and the upper section is usually open to cars only from June to October. The Ruby Crest Trail starts at the top, and the ride back down is a long, fast reward.
Trail facts
- Asphalt
- 12.1 miles one way
- Scenic Road
- Elko County
- Cycling
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