Las Vegas, Nevada—the glitzy, twinkling desert metropolis where dreams are made (or broken) and where just about anything can happen. That’s the first visual that comes to mind for many when we think of the so-called “Sin City,” and it’s not exactly a wrong one.
However, there’s more to Las Vegas than just gambling, neon lights, glamorous nightlife, and all sorts of debauchery we will not mention here. The expansive desert landscapes that surround the city are where the real action can be found for anyone who prefers to spend their time outdoors, especially those of us who enjoy the adrenaline-inducing thrills of mountain biking.
In fact, mountain biking in the Vegas desert ranks among the best there is in the US, presenting a number of opportunities to witness spectacularly desolate vistas, encounter otherworldly plants and diverse wildlife, and challenge your MTB skills as you shred the miles of singletrack outside the city.
In this article we will share our top tips for having a grand Las Vegas mountain bike adventure, from the best gear and safety advice to details on all the biking trails you need to know about.
Let’s get started!
Why Choose an RV Rental for Your Vegas Desert Mountain Biking Trip
The best way to escape the Strip and experience desert biking near Las Vegas to its fullest? Renting an RV, of course! It obviously comes as no surprise that we would think so, but as you will soon see below, there are a number of benefits of using an RV rental for your Vegas MTB trip:
- Convenience: It goes without saying that staying in an RV is the most convenient way to travel, as you get to keep all of your gear with you at all times, and you have the ability to stay off-grid and close to all the trails rather than having to drive to and from the city each day.
- Comfort: By renting an RV, you’ll always have access to amenities like a kitchen, a bed, and a bathroom, all without having to shell out for an expensive hotel stay. Plus, there’s no beating waking up to make breakfast and coffee right there in the middle of the gorgeous desert before you go hit the trails.
- Cost efficiency: Since you’re not driving back and forth from town, paying for a hotel room, or spending a lot of time in casinos or eating at restaurants, a Las Vegas desert RV rental can be an excellent way to save some dough over the course of your mountain biking adventure.
What would you rather tell people when you get home? “Oh, I just stayed in a hotel and spent most of my time losing money in casinos,” or, “Dude, I had the time of my life exploring the desert, biking a bunch of sick trails and sleeping out in the quiet wilderness”? We think you already know the answer.
Essential Gear and Preparation
Obviously, an RV rental alone won’t be the only thing you need to bring along for this desert biking adventure, and even your packed clothes, toiletries, and other daily essentials will only go so far. You’ll also need all the necessary biking equipment and safety gear to ensure a healthy and successful trip as you explore those Las Vegas-area biking trails.
First and foremost, you have to remember that this is the desert. You can’t be messing around when it comes to things like hydration, sun exposure, animal encounters, cacti or other thorny plants, and generally respecting the environment you’re in.
With that in mind, here are just a few items we recommend you pack and keep with you as you explore the rugged desert wilderness:
- A vacuum-insulated water bottle or hydration bladder so you can stay cool and hydrated. For that matter, you’ll probably want to keep a few gallon jugs of filtered water in the RV at all times so you can easily refill as needed.
- A bottle of high-SPF sunscreen lotion to keep your skin happy and healthy under the bombardment of sunlight.
- A portable first aid kit for treating any minor injuries you might have along the way.
- A compass in case you get turned around on a back trail and lose track of how to get back.
- A mountain bike tool kit for self-reliantly patching tires or fixing up any other little issues that might arise out there. Make sure you have a tubeless tire plug kit, some tire sealant, and chain lubricant to go with it.
- A safety whistle + flashlight combo so you can be located if you get stuck somewhere.
Additionally, we have some tips on preparing physically and mentally for this biking adventure, along with how to stay safe in the desert:
- Obviously, this is not an adventure you should undertake if you’re not at least relatively physically fit. As you prepare for the trip, make sure you are getting a healthy amount of sleep and exercise, preferably outdoors in the latter case. You’re going to be getting a LOT of direct sunlight on the trail, so you might as well try to get used to the heat and exertion now.
- As we mentioned above, self reliance is key. There’s a good chance you’ll be biking in places where there aren’t a lot of people around, so you should go in feeling confident in your abilities to address issues on your own, whether they’re merely scratches and scrapes or more serious mechanical problems with the bike.
- In the event something happens that you can’t address yourself—like getting too dehydrated or injured badly enough that outside assistance is required—it never hurts to have made backup plans. This could mean letting friends and/or family know beforehand where you’re about to go biking so they can occasionally check in and make sure you’re okay. Better yet, it could mean heading out with other people so someone is there to assist you or call 911 if needed.
- Always be mindful of your surroundings. While it’s not guaranteed, it is possible that you’ll encounter some dangerous wildlife on the trail, including venomous rattlesnakes, lizards, or scorpions, along with carnivores such as mountain lions or coyotes. If you see any creature—even if it seems cute and approachable—keep your distance and do not get closer to take a picture or touch it.
Finally, we ask that you abide by “Leave No Trace” principles and do your part to keep the Vegas desert bikeable for future riders. That means 1) not leaving trash or other clutter behind, 2) thoroughly and completely putting out any campfires you start, and 3) generally leaving the environment the way you found it—or even in better condition if you can help it.
Biking Trails in the Vegas Desert
Now, onto the burning question: Which are the best mountain biking trails in Las Vegas? There are quite a few in the area to choose from, but we’ll try to narrow it down to the ones we think are most worth your time.
Historic Railroad Trail
- Location: Boulder City, NV
- Difficulty level: Easy to Intermediate
- Terrain: Level, well-maintained dirt and gravel road
- Scenery: Breathtaking Lake Mead views and decommissioned railroad tunnels
Located about 40 minutes southeast of the Las Vegas Strip, the Boulder City-adjacent Historic Railroad Trail is an easygoing, family-friendly mountain bike trail along an old railroad bed overlooking Lake Mead. The level trail winds through several old train tunnels and connects all the way to the Hoover Dam. Don’t miss this Nevada gem!
Bootleg Canyon – Mother Trail
- Location: Boulder City, NV
- Difficulty level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Terrain: Steep descents and rocky features
- Scenery: Epic views and adrenaline-pumping descents
If your type of mountain bike trail is more of the “I got a little beat up, but it was awesome” variety, be sure to check out the Mother Trail system accessible from the Bootleg Canyon Park trail head. Here you’ll find some super gnarly, technical trails that will test your skills and endurance, and where there’s little shade to be found. The consequences of wiping out here are steep indeed—you’ve been warned.
Bear’s Best
- Location: Las Vegas, NV
- Difficulty level: All skill levels
- Terrain: Ranges anywhere from mellow dusty trail to steep drops and rocky obstacles
- Scenery: Wide-open rocky and grass-dotted desert with views of the city
Rather than being a lone trail, Bear’s Best is actually a network of trails that spiderwebs across the expanse of desert just outside of Las Vegas. This sudden transition from city to desolate landscape is quite a stark contrast indeed, and some of the trail options in this area are as wild as nature itself. Here you’ll find everything from moderately swoopy singletrack to technical portions that will test your abilities to their fullest.
Cottonwood Valley / Blue Diamond Area
- Location: Blue Diamond, NV
- Difficulty level: All skill levels
- Terrain: Varied, with sections of sand, hard-packed soil, and rock gardens
- Scenery: Wide-open desert with Joshua tree forests, wildlife sightings, and mountain vistas
If you’re searching for world-class mountain biking, look no further than the Cottonwood Valley system of trails that runs to and from the small town of Blue Diamond, which itself can be found due southwest from Las Vegas (about a half-hour drive from the Strip).
This scenic trail network offers a little something for riders of all skill levels, with loops that wind through forests of Joshua trees and present a variety of natural features, from rock gardens to sandstone to small ledgy drops. Probably the most well known ride of them all is the Rubber Ducky Trail, which leads to a Joshua tree full of rubber ducks placed by fellow riders—or maybe they grow there naturally, who knows? 😉
Southwest Ridge
- Location: Desert Hills, NV
- Difficulty level: Advanced
- Terrain: Rocky and technical singletrack accessible after a steep climb up the ridge
- Scenery:
Some of the best views of the Las Vegas skyline can be had from the upper heights of the Southwest Ridge trail area. The climb to the top of the ridge is a challenging one, but the trails and epic scenery you then have access to are absolutely worth the effort—provided you have the skill to traverse your way back down.
This is not a trail area for the faint of heart. During your descent down from the ridge you will encounter a gnarly amount of dramatic rock ledges, steep drops, and exposed singletrack. But man, if you catch a view of the city during sunset…that’s bucket list material right there.
After the Ride: RV Campsites and Relaxation
Sure, nailing a sick ride through the Vegas desert is reason enough alone to venture out beyond the city, but what about after the ride? Everyone deserves a chance to wind down at the end of a long day of hard adventuring, right?
The question is, where do you go about getting some post-ride rest and relaxation? Don’t forget, my friend, you came out here in an RV! Assuming you parked it close to the trailhead, you’re already ahead of most people on getting “home” by the time you finish your ride.
If you need some specific recommendations on Las Vegas area RV campsites, we’ve got a few for you:
- Red Rock Canyon Campground — Located in the stunning Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, you’ll find a campground with six RV sites (along with a bunch of standard tent campsites) that offer incredible mountain vistas right at your doorstep. As you might expect in the middle of the Mojave Desert, there aren’t a lot of amenities provided here—just drinking water, vault toilets, and trash cans.
- Lake Mead RV Village — If you decide to try that Historic Railroad Trail we mentioned earlier, you’ll be happy to know you’ll then have easy access to a fabulous and affordable RV park in the form of Lake Mead RV Village. Here you get access to full hookups, Wi-Fi at most sites, outdoor games, a convenience store, a laundry facility, and close proximity to a variety of attractions, including the namesake lake itself.
- Canyon Trail RV Park — Want even more of a “glamping” experience? Check out Canyon Trail RV Park, situated just minutes away from the Bootleg Canyon Mother Trail by bike. Not only do you get full hookups, showers and laundry, and free Wi-Fi, but also a swimming pool and hot tub, cable TV access, restrooms and showers, and two enclosed dog runs. Talk about camping in style!
In terms of relaxing activities to enjoy after each ride, we recommend the usual stuff like roasting marshmallows around a campfire, doing some stargazing, watching the local wildlife if you can (from a safe distance, obviously), and if you choose to park in an RV resort, taking advantage of the amenities they offer. Of course, if you still have extra energy (and maybe some money) to burn, you can always make your way into Vegas proper and easily find something entertaining to do.
One last pro-tip I can give is to grab some artisan-baked pizzas from the Cottonwood Station restaurant in Boulder City. Thank me later.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of thrills and adventures awaiting you on the biking trails surrounding Las Vegas. From cross-country singletrack through Joshua tree forests to adrenaline-pumping rocky terrain with death-defying drops, there’s something for everyone in this desert landscape, and we encourage you to embark on your own biking adventure in a Las Vegas RV rental as soon as possible!
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