Getting Oriented
The trail system sits in the Moapa Valley northeast of Las Vegas, wedged between I-15 to the west and Valley of Fire State Park to the south. Logandale and Overton are the staging towns, both on NV-169. The BLM Las Vegas Field Office administers the area. From Logandale, Liston Road is the primary access; it crosses the Union Pacific tracks and continues into an unsigned trail-system entrance.
The area is adjacent to Valley of Fire State Park, known for its bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops set against gray and tan limestone. Petroglyphs left by the area's earlier inhabitants are scattered through the canyons and are part of why the BLM protects the area.
What to Expect
A network, not a route. Surfaces shift between graded dirt road, sandy washes, slickrock benches, and short rock-crawling pinches in the canyons near Valley of Fire. Riders typically pick a loop in the 10 to 30 mile range and route by ability: beginners can stay on the perimeter graded roads, and experienced rigs find rock gardens and tighter lines deeper in.
Cell signal drops in the lower canyons, and the sandy washes are easy to lose your bearings in once you're a few miles off the main road. A paper map or a downloaded route on your phone is the difference between a quick loop and a long afternoon hunting for the way out.
Vehicle and Permit Rules
- Open to ATVs, UTVs and side-by-sides, motorcycles, and 4WD trucks and SUVs.
- Modified Jeeps and trucks handle the more technical lines. Stock vehicles should stay on the graded roads and the easier washes.
- No width or length restrictions are posted at the entrance.
- Street-legal vehicles do not need additional registration. Off-road-only vehicles must carry a current Nevada OHV decal.
- Spark arresters are required on motorized vehicles between May 1 and October 31.
Hub Towns and Trailheads
- Logandale. The closest town to the trail entrance. Small grocery, gas, and a couple of casual restaurants. Most riders fuel up here before heading in.
- Overton. A few miles north on NV-169. Larger services including a small museum, a hardware store, and a few motels.
- Mesquite. Forty miles northeast on I-15 if Logandale and Overton don't cover what you need.
- Las Vegas. Forty-five miles southwest. Full services and the closest major airport for fly-in trips.
Where to Camp
Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land throughout the trail system, with the standard 14-day stay limit. There are no developed campgrounds, picnic tables, or potable water at the trailhead, so bring everything you need. Pack out all trash. Established fire rings exist near the main staging area; check Clark County and BLM fire restrictions before lighting anything, especially May through October.
Developed camping is available a few miles south at Valley of Fire State Park (Atlatl Rock and Arch Rock campgrounds) for trips that want amenities.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Plan around the season. October through April is the comfortable window. Mid-summer is dangerous without serious heat preparation: afternoons routinely top 105°F with no shade and no water at the trailhead.
- The annual Hump 'N Bump Jeep Festival, hosted by the Vegas Valley 4 Wheelers in the fall, is the area's biggest event. Three days of organized trail runs, vendors, and after-dark socializing. Worth timing a trip around if you want a community ride; worth avoiding if you want solitude.
- Petroglyphs and rare desert plants are scattered through the area. Don't carve, touch, or drive over either. The petroglyph sites are part of why the area is protected and worth a separate hike-in visit.
- The BLM trail-system map is the most reliable navigation source; signage on the ground is sparse. Download or print before you go.
- Valley of Fire is right next door for a non-driving day. The state park's red sandstone is some of the most photogenic in Nevada.
