Guides/Overland routes/Nevada
Overland route96 midifficulty: moderate

California Trail Back Country Byway

RegionNevadaAlso inIdahoAgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Trail vitals6 facts
Length
96mi
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance vehicle. 4WD recommended for dirt sections, especially after rain.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty near US-93; minimal on the dirt sections
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California Trail Back Country Byway is a 96-mile route through northeastern Nevada that parallels the original California National Historic Trail, the path more than a quarter-million emigrants followed west between the 1840s and 1860s. The byway crosses the Thousand Springs Valley, follows wagon ruts still visible in the desert pavement, and passes ghost towns and emigrant grave sites managed by the BLM Elko District.

The route uses both paved and graded dirt sections, and BLM rates it for high-clearance overland travel. The byway divides 45 miles in, with one branch ending two miles south of Jackpot, Nevada and the other heading east to Oakley, Idaho. Allow at least three hours of driving without stops.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Winter access. Snow closes the higher dirt sections roughly November through April. Plan for late spring through early fall.
  • Wet weather. Native soil sections turn to slick clay after rain. Avoid right after storms.
  • Open range. Cattle on the road. Drive slowly and watch for grazing animals at night.
  • Limited cell coverage. Service drops out a few miles off US-93.
  • Historic resources. The wagon ruts and grave markers are federally protected. Driving or walking on the ruts damages the trace.

Location

96 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 41.480, -114.910

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townWells, Nevada
Websitewww.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/13594
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Approx. location41.480, -114.910

Getting there

Directions

From Wells on Interstate 80, take Exit 351 north onto US-93. Drive 26 miles north to the byway access on the right. The byway runs east and north from there for 96 miles, with a junction at mile 45. The northern branch ends two miles south of Jackpot, Nevada on US-93. The eastern branch continues via Elko County Road East and ends in Oakley, Idaho.

Approximate trailhead coordinates near the Wells access: 41.48° N, -114.91° W.

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The byway sits in the far northeast corner of Nevada, in Elko County north of Interstate 80. The historic California Trail enters Nevada from Idaho here and runs southwest across the Thousand Springs Valley before turning west toward the Humboldt River. Modern Wells anchors the southern access on US-93, with Jackpot near the Idaho border serving as the northern endpoint. The historic trail's wagon ruts, water-stop locations, and grave markers remain visible across the valley.

Trail Overview

Drivers can pick up the byway 26 miles north of Wells off US-93 or enter from the Jackpot end. Surface conditions alternate between paved county roads and graded native soil, with a few sections crossing open range where wagon ruts cut diagonally across the landscape. The full byway runs about 96 miles and takes three hours of driving without interpretive stops. With stops at the named historic sites, plan a full day. The byway divides at mile 45, with one branch ending near Jackpot and the other crossing into Idaho via Elko County Road East and ending in Oakley.

Points of Interest

  • Thousand Springs Valley. A major emigrant water-stop. The springs draw waterfowl and antelope.
  • Wagon ruts. Visible in several stretches where the original trail crossed compacted desert pavement. Stay on the modern road; do not drive on the historic trace.
  • Wilkins. Ghost town on US-93 near the byway's junction.
  • Emigrant grave sites. Marked along the route. Most date to cholera and exposure deaths during the 1850s peak migration.
  • California Trail Interpretive Center. Off the byway in Elko, with curated context for what travelers see in the field.

Where to Camp

Primitive camping is allowed on most BLM land along the route with the standard 14-day stay limit. There are no developed campgrounds directly on the byway. The closest fee campgrounds are at Angel Lake near Wells and at the Humboldt National Forest properties south of the byway.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Visit May through October. Snow closes the higher dirt sections from late November through April.
  • Carry water, fuel, and food for the full driving day.
  • Stay on the modern road. Driving on or beside the historic ruts damages a federally protected trace.
  • Visit the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko before or after the drive for context.
  • Cell service drops out on the dirt sections. Carry an offline map.
  • Contact the BLM Elko District Office at 775-753-0200 for current conditions.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is California Trail Back Country Byway?
California Trail Back Country Byway is rated moderate. The route runs 96 miles.
What kind of vehicle do you need for California Trail Back Country Byway?
High-clearance vehicle. 4WD recommended for dirt sections, especially after rain.
When is the best time to visit California Trail Back Country Byway?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Is there cell service at California Trail Back Country Byway?
Spotty near US-93; minimal on the dirt sections