Las Vegas, Nevada—the glitzy, twinkling desert metropolis the place goals are made (or damaged) and the place absolutely anything can occur. That’s the primary visible that involves thoughts for a lot of after we consider the so-called “Sin Metropolis,” and it’s not precisely a flawed one.

Nonetheless, there’s extra to Las Vegas than simply playing, neon lights, glamorous nightlife, and all kinds of debauchery we is not going to point out right here. The expansive desert landscapes that encompass the town are the place the actual motion will be discovered for anybody who prefers to spend their time open air, particularly these of us who benefit from the adrenaline-inducing thrills of mountain biking.

In truth, mountain biking within the Vegas desert ranks among the many finest there’s within the US, presenting various alternatives to witness spectacularly desolate vistas, encounter otherworldly vegetation and various wildlife, and problem your MTB expertise as you shred the miles of singletrack outdoors the town.

On this article we’ll share our high suggestions for having a grand Las Vegas mountain bike journey, from the most effective gear and security recommendation to particulars on all of the biking trails you should find out about.

Let’s get began!

Why Select an RV Rental for Your Vegas Desert Mountain Biking Journey

One of the best ways to flee the Strip and expertise desert biking close to Las Vegas to its fullest? Renting an RV, in fact! It clearly comes as no shock that we’d assume so, however as you’ll quickly see beneath, there are a number of advantages of utilizing an RV rental in your Vegas MTB journey:

1. Comfort: It goes with out saying that staying in an RV is essentially the most handy technique to journey, as you get to maintain your whole gear with you always, and you’ve got the flexibility to remain off-grid and near all the paths reasonably than having to drive to and from the town every day.
2. Consolation: By renting an RV, you’ll at all times have entry to facilities like a kitchen, a mattress, and a toilet, all with out having to shell out for an costly resort keep. Plus, there’s no beating waking as much as make breakfast and low proper there in the course of the attractive desert earlier than you go hit the paths.
3. Price effectivity: Because you’re not driving backwards and forwards from city, paying for a resort room, or spending numerous time in casinos or consuming at eating places, a Las Vegas desert RV rental will be a superb method to avoid wasting dough over the course of your mountain biking journey.

What would you reasonably inform folks once you get dwelling? “Oh, I simply stayed in a resort and spent most of my time shedding cash in casinos,” or, “Dude, I had the time of my life exploring the desert, biking a bunch of sick trails and sleeping out within the quiet wilderness”? We expect you already know the reply.

Important Gear and Preparation

Clearly, an RV rental alone received’t be the one factor you should convey alongside for this desert biking journey, and even your packed garments, toiletries, and different every day necessities will solely go to this point. You’ll additionally want all the required biking tools and security gear to make sure a wholesome and profitable journey as you discover these Las Vegas-area biking trails.

At first, it’s a must to do not forget that that is the desert. You possibly can’t be messing round in terms of issues like hydration, solar publicity, animal encounters, cacti or different thorny vegetation, and usually respecting the surroundings you’re in.

With that in thoughts, listed below are only a few gadgets we suggest you pack and maintain with you as you discover the rugged desert wilderness:

Moreover, now we have some recommendations on getting ready bodily and mentally for this biking journey, together with tips on how to keep secure within the desert:

1. Clearly, this isn’t an journey it’s best to undertake for those who’re not at the very least comparatively bodily match. As you put together for the journey, be sure to are getting a wholesome quantity of sleep and train, ideally open air within the latter case. You’re going to be getting a LOT of direct daylight on the path, so that you would possibly as effectively attempt to get used to the warmth and exertion now.
2. As we talked about above, self reliance is vital. There’s a superb probability you’ll be biking in locations the place there aren’t lots of people round, so it’s best to go in feeling assured in your talents to handle points by yourself, whether or not they’re merely scratches and scrapes or extra severe mechanical issues with the bike.
3. Within the occasion one thing occurs you could’t handle your self—like getting too dehydrated or injured badly sufficient that outdoors help is required—it by no means hurts to have made backup plans. This might imply letting mates and/or household know beforehand the place you’re about to go biking to allow them to sometimes verify in and be sure to’re okay. Higher but, it may imply heading out with different folks so somebody is there to help you or name 911 if wanted.
4. At all times be aware of your environment. Whereas it’s not assured, it’s attainable that you just’ll encounter some harmful wildlife on the path, together with venomous rattlesnakes, lizards, or scorpions, together with carnivores similar to mountain lions or coyotes. When you see any creature—even when it appears cute and approachable—maintain your distance and do not get nearer to take an image or contact it.

Lastly, we ask that you just abide by “Depart No Hint” rules and do your half to maintain the Vegas desert bikeable for future riders. Which means 1) not leaving trash or different muddle behind, 2) totally and utterly placing out any campfires you begin, and three) usually leaving the surroundings the way in which you discovered it—and even in higher situation for those who will help it.

Biking Trails within the Vegas Desert

Now, onto the burning query: That are the most effective mountain biking trails in Las Vegas? There are fairly a couple of within the space to select from, however we’ll attempt to slender it right down to those we predict are most value your time.

Historic Railroad Path

• Location: Boulder Metropolis, NV
• Problem stage: Straightforward to Intermediate
• Terrain: Degree, well-maintained dust and gravel highway
• Surroundings: Breathtaking Lake Mead views and decommissioned railroad tunnels

Situated about 40 minutes southeast of the Las Vegas Strip, the Boulder Metropolis-adjacent Historic Railroad Path is an easygoing, family-friendly mountain bike path alongside an previous railroad mattress overlooking Lake Mead. The extent path winds via a number of previous practice tunnels and connects all the way in which to the Hoover Dam. Don’t miss this Nevada gem!

Bootleg Canyon – Mom Path

• Location: Boulder Metropolis, NV
• Problem stage: Intermediate to Superior
• Terrain: Steep descents and rocky options
• Surroundings: Epic views and adrenaline-pumping descents

In case your sort of mountain bike path is extra of the “I acquired a bit of beat up, but it surely was superior” selection, be sure you take a look at the Mom Path system accessible from the Bootleg Canyon Park path head. Right here you’ll discover some tremendous gnarly, technical trails that may take a look at your expertise and endurance, and the place there’s little shade to be discovered. The implications of wiping out listed below are steep certainly—you’ve been warned.

Bear’s Finest

• Location: Las Vegas, NV
• Problem stage: All talent ranges
• Terrain: Ranges anyplace from mellow dusty path to steep drops and rocky obstacles
• Surroundings: Vast-open rocky and grass-dotted desert with views of the town

Reasonably than being a lone path, Bear’s Finest is definitely a community of trails that spiderwebs throughout the expanse of desert simply outdoors of Las Vegas. This sudden transition from metropolis to desolate panorama is kind of a stark distinction certainly, and a few of the path choices on this space are as wild as nature itself. Right here you’ll discover every little thing from reasonably swoopy singletrack to technical parts that may take a look at your talents to their fullest.

Cottonwood Valley / Blue Diamond Space

• Location: Blue Diamond, NV
• Problem stage: All talent ranges
• Terrain: Various, with sections of sand, hard-packed soil, and rock gardens
• Surroundings: Vast-open desert with Joshua tree forests, wildlife sightings, and mountain vistas

When you’re looking for world-class mountain biking, look no additional than the Cottonwood Valley system of trails that runs to and from the small city of Blue Diamond, which itself will be discovered due southwest from Las Vegas (a few half-hour drive from the Strip).

This scenic path community presents a bit of one thing for riders of all talent ranges, with loops that wind via forests of Joshua timber and current a wide range of pure options, from rock gardens to sandstone to small ledgy drops. Most likely essentially the most well-known trip of all of them is the Rubber Ducky Path, which results in a Joshua tree filled with rubber geese positioned by fellow riders—or perhaps they develop there naturally, who is aware of? 😉

Southwest Ridge

• Location: Desert Hills, NV
• Problem stage: Superior
• Terrain: Rocky and technical singletrack accessible after a steep climb up the ridge
• Surroundings: 

A number of the finest views of the Las Vegas skyline will be had from the higher heights of the Southwest Ridge path space. The climb to the highest of the ridge is a difficult one, however the trails and epic surroundings you then have entry to are completely definitely worth the effort—offered you’ve the talent to traverse your method again down.

This isn’t a path space for the faint of coronary heart. Throughout your descent down from the ridge you’ll encounter a gnarly quantity of dramatic rock ledges, steep drops, and uncovered singletrack. However man, for those who catch a view of the town throughout sundown…that’s bucket checklist materials proper there.

After the Trip: RV Campsites and Leisure

Positive, nailing a sick trip via the Vegas desert is motive sufficient alone to enterprise out past the town, however what about after the trip? Everybody deserves an opportunity to wind down on the finish of an extended day of onerous adventuring, proper?

The query is, the place do you go about getting some post-ride relaxation and rest? Don’t overlook, my buddy, you got here out right here in an RV! Assuming you parked it near the trailhead, you’re already forward of most individuals on getting “dwelling” by the point you end your trip.

When you want some particular suggestions on Las Vegas space RV campsites, we’ve acquired a couple of for you:

• Crimson Rock Canyon Campground — Situated within the beautiful Crimson Rock Canyon Nationwide Conservation Space, you’ll discover a campground with six RV websites (together with a bunch of normal tent campsites) that supply unimaginable mountain vistas proper at your step. As you would possibly count on in the course of the Mojave Desert, there aren’t numerous facilities offered right here—simply ingesting water, vault bogs, and trash cans.
• Lake Mead RV Village — When you resolve to strive that Historic Railroad Path we talked about earlier, you’ll be blissful to know you’ll then have quick access to a superb and reasonably priced RV park within the type of Lake Mead RV Village. Right here you get entry to full hookups, Wi-Fi at most websites, outside video games, a comfort retailer, a laundry facility, and shut proximity to a wide range of points of interest, together with the namesake lake itself.
• Canyon Path RV Park — Need much more of a “glamping” expertise? Take a look at Canyon Path RV Park, located simply minutes away from the Bootleg Canyon Mom Path by bike. Not solely do you get full hookups, showers and laundry, and free Wi-Fi, but additionally a swimming pool and scorching tub, cable TV entry, restrooms and showers, and two enclosed canine runs. Discuss tenting in model!

By way of stress-free actions to get pleasure from after every trip, we suggest the standard stuff like roasting marshmallows round a campfire, doing a little stargazing, watching the native wildlife for those who can (from a secure distance, clearly), and for those who select to park in an RV resort, making the most of the facilities they provide. In fact, for those who nonetheless have further vitality (and perhaps some cash) to burn, you may at all times make your method into Vegas correct and simply discover one thing entertaining to do.

One final pro-tip I can provide is to seize some artisan-baked pizzas from the Cottonwood Station restaurant in Boulder Metropolis. Thank me later.

Conclusion

As you may see, there are many thrills and adventures awaiting you on the biking trails surrounding Las Vegas. From cross-country singletrack via Joshua tree forests to adrenaline-pumping rocky terrain with death-defying drops, there’s one thing for everybody on this desert panorama, and we encourage you to embark by yourself biking journey in a Las Vegas RV rental as quickly as attainable!

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