Lunar Crater Back Country Byway is a 24-mile unpaved loop through a volcanic field in central Nevada's Nye County, roughly 77 miles east of Tonopah on US Highway 6. The route circles a 430-foot-deep maar crater that NASA used in 1972 to train Apollo 16 and Apollo 17 astronauts on volcanic geology before their lunar missions.

The surrounding Lunar Crater Volcanic Field holds more than 200 vents, basalt flows, and obsidian beds, with the named crater serving as the largest natural crater in Nevada. The area has been a National Natural Landmark since 1973. High-clearance is recommended; the road is rough but well-graded, and no technical obstacles block the loop.

Trailhead: 38.47859, -116.05458

Technical Difficulty: easy
Length: 24 miles
Direction: Loop
Vehicle: High-clearance vehicle recommended. Stock SUVs handle the route in dry conditions.
Nearest town: Tonopah, Nevada
Terrain: Bumpy unpaved gravel and basalt across a volcanic field
Cell coverage: None along the byway
Best months: Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Management: Bureau of Land Management
Trailhead: 38.47859, -116.05458

Resources

Plan in Epic Plans Official site Open in Google Maps

Directions

From Tonopah, drive 77 miles east on US Highway 6 toward Ely. The byway turnoff is on the south side of the highway near mile marker 79, marked with a sign. From Ely, the byway is roughly 90 miles southwest on US-6.

Approximate trailhead coordinates: 38.478594° N, -116.054581° W.

Photos · 3

Getting Oriented

The byway sits on the Nye–White Pine county line in central Nevada, halfway between Tonopah and Ely along the Reveille and Pancake Ranges. The volcanic field stretches across roughly 100 square miles, with the byway tracing a representative loop past the most-visited features. The named crater anchors the route's interpretive value; surrounding cinder cones and lava flows add the broader context.

Trail Overview

The loop runs as graded gravel and packed basalt across open desert. The surface is consistent throughout, with no technical sections or significant elevation change. A driver can complete the byway in 90 minutes without stops, but the interpretive pullouts and short walks to crater rims and lava beds usually push the visit to two or three hours. The road drains well after rain. Monsoon storms in July and August can briefly flood low spots.

Points of Interest

Lunar Crater. A 400-acre maar formed by phreatomagmatic eruption. The rim viewpoint sits on the byway with no walking required.
Easy Chair Crater. A cinder cone with a distinctive collapsed shape, named for its silhouette.
Lunar Lake. A dry playa visible from a pullout on the byway.
Obsidian beds. Black volcanic glass scattered across the field. Collection is prohibited; leave specimens in place.
Apollo training site marker. Notes the 1972 astronaut training run that included John Young, Charlie Duke, Gene Cernan, and Jack Schmitt.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on BLM land along the byway with the standard 14-day stay limit. There are no developed campgrounds on the route. The closest fee campground is in Tonopah. Travelers heading further east can camp at Cathedral Gorge State Park.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

Visit in spring or fall. Summer temperatures regularly top 95°F with no shade.
Carry water, fuel, and snacks for the full visit; there are no services on the byway.
Stay on existing roads and trails. The volcanic field's surface damages easily and the BLM closes off-route driving.
Watch for sharp obsidian and lava on foot. Tire sidewalls take damage from off-trail driving.
Cell service is unreliable. Carry a paper map or downloaded offline map.
Contact BLM's Tonopah Field Office at 775-482-7800 for current conditions.

Hazards

Heat. No shade and no water. Summer temperatures over 95°F are common.
Sharp surfaces. Obsidian and basalt cut tires and skin. Inspect tires after the loop.
Flash flooding. Low spots flood during monsoon storms in July and August.
Disorientation. The volcanic field can look uniform; staying on the marked road avoids getting turned around.
No cell service. Plan navigation in advance.