Guides/OHV areas
OHV area260 (network total) trail midifficulty: moderate

Silver State Trail OHV System

AgencyBureau of Land ManagementLast verified—
Silver State Trail OHV System — ohv area near Caliente, Nevada
BLM Nevada (S. Szesciorka)
Area vitals5 facts
Trail miles
260 (network total)
Technical difficulty
Moderate
Vehicle classes
4WD truck/SUV, ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, Motorcycle
Best months
Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Cell coverage
Spotty near US-93; minimal on the trail network.
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The Silver State Trail is a 260-mile OHV network in Lincoln County, Nevada, the first congressionally designated off-highway vehicle route in the country. The system loops through public land in and around Caliente, Pioche, Panaca, and Alamo, crossing BLM, Forest Service, and Nevada State Parks land along its routes.

Individual segments range from easy gravel forest roads suitable for stock 4WD vehicles to single-track tighter than 50 inches wide that's only legal for registered OHVs. The Chief Mountain Trailhead, nine miles west of Caliente off US-93, is the most-used access point. Riders typically choose a loop based on their vehicle and skill, since the full network can take multiple days to ride end to end.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Vehicle width restrictions. Some segments are limited to vehicles under 50 inches wide. Check segment rules before riding.
  • Elevation range. Higher segments hit snow as early as October and as late as May.
  • Long distances between services. Carry extra fuel and water; the network has no gas or potable water.
  • Mixed-use traffic. Watch for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders on shared segments.
  • Wet weather. Native soil sections turn slick after rain. Wait for surfaces to dry.
  • Limited cell coverage. Service drops out away from US-93.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 37.60537, -114.66148

Area facts

5 fields
AgencyBureau of Land Management
Nearest townCaliente, Nevada
Agency contact775-726-8100
ClosedJul, Aug, Dec, Jan
Coordinates37.60537, -114.66148

Getting there

Directions

From Las Vegas, drive 150 miles north on Interstate 15 and US-93 to Caliente. The Chief Mountain Trailhead sits nine miles west of Caliente; turn northwest off US-93 at the Silver State Trailhead sign onto an unnamed dirt road and drive 0.5 miles to the staging area. Other trailheads lie along US-93 between Caliente and Pioche.

Approximate Chief Mountain Trailhead coordinates: 37.605366° N, -114.661483° W.

Photos

4 photos

Photos · 4

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The network sits in southeastern Nevada along the US-93 corridor, between Las Vegas and Ely. Caliente anchors the southern end with the most-used trailhead; Pioche sits to the north, with Panaca and Alamo serving smaller access points. The trails cross a mix of mountain ranges and basin valleys, with elevations from roughly 4,000 to over 9,000 feet.

Trail Overview

The Silver State Trail isn't a single linear route. It's a marked network of connected segments that share signage and management. Surface conditions vary from improved gravel two-tracks that any high-clearance vehicle can handle to narrow single-track restricted to vehicles under 50 inches wide. Riders typically plan a loop in advance using the BLM's network map, choosing segments suited to their vehicle. Full traverses of the network take three to five days. Most visitors ride a one-day loop centered on a trailhead near Caliente or Pioche.

Points of Interest

  • Chief Mountain Trailhead. The primary access point, nine miles west of Caliente on US-93. Staging area, signage, and connection to multiple loops.
  • Cathedral Gorge State Park. Adjacent to the network near Panaca. Bentonite-clay slot canyons.
  • Echo Canyon and Spring Valley State Parks. Both connect to network segments and offer developed camping.
  • Pioche. A 19th-century silver mining town with full services and history museums.
  • Highland Range and Wilson Range. Two of the major mountain ranges the network crosses, with elevation sections in pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on most BLM land in the network, with the standard 14-day stay limit. Echo Canyon and Spring Valley State Parks offer developed camping with fees. The Caliente area has commercial campgrounds and lodging.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Visit spring or fall. Summer temperatures top 95°F at lower elevations; winter brings snow above 6,000 feet.
  • Check vehicle restrictions before riding. Some single-track segments are limited to vehicles under 50 inches wide.
  • Carry recovery gear and extra fuel. Gas stops are not available on the trail network.
  • Plan a loop in advance using the BLM network map. Signage is good but spotty in places.
  • Cell service is unreliable. Bring an offline map or GPS.
  • All vehicles must be registered with Nevada DMV (street-legal or OHV registered).
  • Contact the BLM Caliente Field Office at 775-726-8100 for current conditions and trail status. The agency's Silver State Trail page lists segment-specific rules and recent closures.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Silver State Trail OHV System?
Silver State Trail OHV System is rated moderate.
When is the best time to visit Silver State Trail OHV System?
The best months are Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov. Avoid Jul, Aug, Dec, Jan.
Is there cell service at Silver State Trail OHV System?
Spotty near US-93; minimal on the trail network.

Resources

1 map