David Link
Viva Las Vegas! You don't have to make a deal with Lady Luck to find the best Las Vegas motorcycle rides. REVER has you covered with this collection of motorcycle routes in Las Vegas in the Mojave Desert. From the scenic vistas of the Hoover Dam to the open stretches of highway in Death Valley, this is your winning ticket to tour Vegas. And let us say, these aren't just the best motorcycle rides near Las Vegas, these are some of the best rides in the country! So fill up your tank, flip down your shades and hit the throttle towards Vegas baby.
What's worse than losing all your money at a Vegas casino? You could get turned around in the desert! Stay on the route with a motorcycle navigation app built by rider for riders. REVER is free to download, and you can get started right away. Open our extensive library of top-rated rides from all over the world, or start building your own collection with our ride tracking features. If you want to really prepare for motorcycle riding in Las Vegas, make the upgrade to REVER Pro. You can tackle the desert with premium features like turn by turn and voice navigation, weather radar and alerts, and mobile route planning and adjustments. In addition, you can utilize our LiveRIDE location tracking feature to keep your friends and family updated on your progress and let them know when you've completed a ride safely.
Riding in the Mojave Desert is not to be taken lightly. Las Vegas and the surrounding area is one of the driest and sunniest areas in North America. Temperatures regularly reach the high 90s and even low 100s in the summer. Vegas has even seen some days reach almost 120 degrees! You need to carefully vet your riding gear setup before you hit a long stretch of desert highway. We vehemently recommend breathable riding gear, motorcycle cooling vests and motorcycle hydration packs for these routes. One thing is for sure, you can never carry enough water into the desert. In addition, make sure your motorcycle shades are up to snuff to combat the intense desert sun. While the summer heat is unforgiving, the winters can be downright cold at times. Vegas can receive up to half a month of freezing temperatures, so if you're planning motorcycle rides in Las Vegas during this season, dress in layers to prepare for the cold desert wind.
Vegas is best known for its neon lights and casinos, but there is actually a lot to do in the city outside of gambling. One of the best ways to start a visit to the strip is to ride up to the Skyfall Lounge in the Delano. You can grab a drink and catch stunning views of the strip from the top floor of the casino. If you've never seen the Bellagio Fountains erupt, you have to stand next to the pool for one of the synchronized shows every 15 minutes. There are hidden gems to explore off the strip as well. Frankie's Tiki Room is the quintessential tiki dive bar just north of the strip. Or indulge your inner kid with a visit to the Pinball Hall of Fame. Not only can you see machines from different eras, you can drop a quarter in and relive your glory days by playing each and every machine in the 10,000 sq. ft. building. Don't forget to check the calendar for Las Vegas motorcycle rallies when you're in town. The biggest event is Vegas Bikefest in late September and early October. Or you can always stop by the most famous biker bar in town, the Hogs & Heifers Saloon, to see what's up.
Escape Vegas in a matter of minutes to tour Red Rock Canyon on this quick one and a half hour ride. The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is a scant 15 miles outside of Las Vegas, and this park is the main highlight of the ride. (Note: entrance to the park does require a daily use fee.) The drive is very popular, so to ensure entrance, it is not a bad idea to make a reservation beforehand. The scenic drive through Red Rock Canyon is a one-way 13 mile “U” off of Highway 159. If you miss a pull off area or a parking lot is full, you can't turn around and go back. However, your pass is good for the full day, so you can ride it twice if so desired. Temperatures easily reach 100 degrees in the canyon, so prepare accordingly with reliable gear and plenty of water, even if it is just a short ride. If you hit a hiking trail while you're there, watch where you step and put your hands as creatures like rattlesnakes, scorpions and spiders could be hiding nearby. One last word of caution, watch for flash floods if significant rain is in the forecast. While flash floods are more of a risk to hikers, they can still make for an unpleasant or even dangerous ride. Consider rescheduling your ride if a severe storm warning is in effect.
We'll begin this route just east of the canyon at the limits of the Las Vegas metro area on Highway 159. Ride on 159 / Red Rock Canyon road for a few miles west past Calico Basin to the fee area entrance. Before you enter the scenic loop, there is a visitors center with restrooms and exhibits centered around the canyon. Once you have admission, head north on the scenic loop. The one way road is shared with bikers and slow moving tourists, so stay aware as you explore the park. The first rock feature to see, the Calico Hills, will come up almost immediately on your right. These red and white rocks are named for their resemblance to calico fabric. The Sandstone Quarry Overlook is up next. If you look to the north from here, you can see one of the high points of the park called Turtlehead Peak. From the quarry overlook, you'll ride up in elevation to another must-see viewpoint in the park. The High Point Overlook is the farthest you can drive into the canyon, and it offers excellent views of the entire area at 4,771 ft. Look off to the east to see more of Turtlehead Peak, or scan off to the west to see White Rock Hills High Point.
When you're finished at the High Point Overlook, wind back down the scenic loop past White Rock Mountain Road. You can take this little spur to the White Rock Trailhead if you want to get off road for a bit. There is one more spur to explore up ahead on Rock Gap Road. This will take you into Lost Creek Canyon famous for its preserved petroglyphs. These are carved stone figures and pictographs (red dye images and hand prints) left by Native Americans at least 800 years ago. In fact, people first settled this area as early as 11,000 B.C. The trail to the petroglyphs is very short and can be attempted by almost anyone. You can hike to petroglyphs on each side of the Willow Springs Picnic Area. There is still a little more of the scenic loop to explore, so keep heading south past Icebox Canyon. Stop at the Red Rock Wash Overlook for one last view of this unbelievable area. Finally, ride by Bridge Mountain and Pine Creek Canyon off to the west until you meet back up with Highway 159 to end the one-way loop.
Since we know you're still itching to ride more, hang a right on 159 / Red Rock Canyon Road to head south. You'll cruise through the desert past Mt. Wilson and Spring Mountain Ranch on your right. At Blue Diamond, NV, there is a little cafe called Cottonwood Station that serves homemade pizza if you're hungry. Up next, hit the junction with Highway 160, and turn right headed to Mountain Springs, NV. You'll cruise up and over a small mountain pass in the shadow of Potosi Mountain at 8,514 ft. Once in Mountain Springs, there is a cool little roadside saloon decorated with signed $1 bills on the wall. It is aptly called the Mountain Springs Saloon, so stop by if you're in need of a burger. Back on 160, you'll ride past another scenic desert mesa and out onto a flat stretch of desert highway. Hit the throttle and enjoy the ride to Pahrump, NV. Once you hit the city limits, you'll pass the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School that features the longest race track in the US. If you're looking for food in Pahrump, Red Sky BBQ is a quality stop, or try the Ohjah Japanese Steakhouse across the street. Now that you're in Pahrump, you're only about an hour from Death Valley. Make a day of it by trying our 4 hour Death Valley Loop from Pahrump.
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No visit to Vegas is complete without a visit to the Hoover Dam, and we've plotted the quintessential hour ride along the shores of Lake Mead to the dam. We'll start at the eastern city limits on Highway 147 / Lake Mead Boulevard. You'll immediately pass through a small canyon with Frenchman Mountain at 4,052 ft. just to the south. Lake Mead access requires a fee, so stop at the station to pay for admission. At the junction with Northshore Road, take a right to ride down to the Las Vegas Wash. This urban river carries Las Vegas' extra water into Lake Mead, and it actually supports some wetlands in the desert. There are some hiking trails along the wash if you want to explore the wetlands. Northshore Road will run into Lakeshore Road, and you'll hang a left to ride towards Lake Mead. This lake is the result of damming the Colorado River with the Hoover Dam, and it is the primary water source for not only Nevada but parts of Arizona, California and Mexico as well. It is the largest reservoir in the US in terms of capacity.
Lakeshore Road will take you through White Owl Canyon, and there is a left turn to a parking area at The Cliffs where you can see Las Vegas Bay. A little farther south, Sunset View Overlook offers more views of the bay. Lakeshore Road will follow the edge of Lake Mead down past Boulder Harbor. Up next is Boulder Beach, which provides miles of beachfront swimming opportunities along the lake. Once you're finished touring the lake shore, it is time to jump on the Great Basin Highway towards the Hoover Dam. Take a left on Business 93, and the road will soon merge with Interstate 11. There are two ways to explore the Hoover Dam. The first is to see it from the road on the new bypass on Interstate 11 over the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. This bridge towers 890 ft. above the Colorado River and is a marvel of engineering just like the dam itself. The bridge was completed in 2010, and it is the second-highest bridge in the United States.
If you want to park and tour the dam, you'll have to clear a security checkpoint. Through traffic is no longer allowed over the dam, so once you're finished, you'll have to ride back and cross the river on Interstate 11. You can enter this area by taking Highway 172 / Hoover Dam Access Road where Business 93 merges with Interstate 11. Aside from parking for dam tours, you can also park at the Boulder Dam Bridge lot to climb a series of switchback trails up to the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge pedestrian section. From here, you'll be able to look down at the Hoover Dam in all its glory. The photo opportunities here are epic to say the least. Construction on the dam began in 1931 and was completed in 1936. Over one hundred workers died during its construction, but the dam was the most famous works project completed during The Great Depression. The Hoover Dam was the largest concrete structure ever built at the time, and it is still a marvel of engineering today.
When you're finished at the dam, continue on past the Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge into Arizona. There is a short hike just off the road here called Spooky Canyon that takes you through a tight slot canyon just up from the Colorado River. Stay on Highway 93 / Interstate 11 until you see the Willow Beach exit. The beach is a fee area, but the ride down through the hills cut by erosion to the Colorado River is worthy place to end this ride. Willow Beach is a popular raft and kayak launch on the Colorado River, but it also provides hiking, fishing and camping opportunities as well. Plus the rugged canyons along the river are not to be missed.
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Escape the heat of the Mojave Desert with a ride up to the high altitude of the Spring Mountains on this short hour and a half loop north of Vegas. The Spring Mountains rise dramatically from the desert floor below, and the pinnacle of this region is Charleston Peak at 11,915 ft. The region's high altitude makes it a snowy paradise in the winter and a cool escape from the sweltering desert in the summer. You'll be riding up to Mt. Charleston, a small community near Charleston Peak. From there, you'll explore more of the Spring Mountains and ride back down a canyon road to the desert floor again. There are no services on the mountain, so make sure you fuel up before you go. Check weather conditions before you head out as well. Winter conditions can make the roads icy and even shut down the roads for a short time. It's hard to believe, but yes snow falls that close to Las Vegas!
We'll start the route on Highway 157 just off 95 northwest of Vegas. Highway 157 / Kyle Canyon Road starts on the desert floor and climbs up into the forests of Mt. Charleston. Along the way there are off-road opportunities to explore like the Lucky Strike OHV Trail. You know you're getting close to Mt. Charleston when the desert scrub brush turns into pine trees. Just off to the left of Kyle Canyon Road, the Spring Mountains Visitor Center has restrooms and a Silent Heroes Of The Cold War memorial. There are several hiking trails and camping areas along the road as you ride into Mt. Charleston. Only about 300-400 people live in this mountain community, but it is a popular destination for tourists and Vegas residents alike. As you ride by the short winding streets of town, look off to your left to see the large feature known as Cathedral Rock. Kyle Canyon Road ends just below Cathedral Rock, but you can ride just a little farther into the high valley to the Mary Jane Falls Trail Head. There is a seasonal waterfall hike on the trail here called Big Falls that is best seen in June and early July. Of course, it is hard to miss Charleston Peak looming just to the west. The peak is known for its prominence as it dramatically sticks out from the rest of the Spring Mountains Range.
Once you're finished in Mt. Charleston, head back down Kyle Canyon, and look for a left onto Deer Creek Road / Highway 158 before you get back to the welcome center. Deer Creek Road will take you even higher into the mountains as you ride some exciting curves in the shadow of Cockscomb Ridge at 9,694 ft. Don't miss the Desert View Overlook off to your right along the road. When you link up with Lee Canyon Road / Highway 156, you'll turn right to continue on the route. However, there is one more area to explore to the left on Lee Canyon Road. Take 156 all the way up to the Lee Canyon Ski Area. This modest resort offers a couple ski runs and a sledding area in the winter. In the summer, there are gravel forest roads to explore here if you're feeling adventurous. Take Lee Canyon back down when you're ready to go, and watch for the Sisters North and Sisters South peaks to the left. Each Sisters peak towers over 10,000 ft. above sea level. Enjoy the scenic ride back down into the desert on Lee Canyon Road. When you arrive at Highway 95, turn right to ride back into Las Vegas and complete the loop. If you're ready for one more detour, look for the left on Corn Creek Road to the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. You may be able to catch desert big horn sheep at this park.
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Tackle one of Nevada's best road trips on this three hour loop through the Valley of Fire. Begin this epic ride near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Las Vegas Boulevard / Highway 604. Cruise past Nellis Air Force Base, and then look for a left onto Highway 612 south. Your next turn will be a left onto Lake Mead Boulevard / Highway 167. Take this road out of Las Vegas into a nearby canyon, and keep an eye out for the Lake Mead fee station ahead. Make sure to fuel up before you enter this area. You'll have to pay a day use fee to ride this section of the route. Take another left when you hit the junction with Northshore Road near Lake Mead. There is a small overlook for Lake Mead just off the road here if you want to stretch your legs. You'll pass several dead end roads on your right that lead to the shore of Lake Mead. Feel free to take one if you're feeling adventurous. Once you pass the road for Callville Bay, you'll enter more rugged desert country with features like Razorback Ridge and Echo Hills off to the right of the road. Eventually Northshore Road will follow the curve of a canyon wall and turn up north. Cruise a flat stretch of desert highway with the Overton Arm of Lake Mead just off to the east.
If you thought the ride was scenic so far, brace yourself for an unbelievable section of highway up ahead. After you leave the Lake Mead fee area, you'll take an immediate left onto the Valley of Fire Highway. Valley of Fire State Park is centered around 150 million year old sand dunes that have shifted and solidified into bright red sandstone outcrops. When the sun shines on the stone formations, it gives the appearance that the rocks are on fire, which is how the park got its name. There is much to see and do in the park, so make sure you take your time riding through. The first stop along the way is Elephant Rock, and there is a small parking lot next to this unique rock formation. Up next, there is a right turn up to the CCC Cabins Picnic Area. This short detour takes you to stone cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in The Great Depression. Moving on, your next turn will be a right into the main area of the park. This is a dead end road, so you'll take it up and back to see this section of the park. Ride Mouse's Tank Road north, and the Valley of Fire Visitor Center is just off the road if you need restrooms or water. Continue on up Mouse's Tank Road, and don't miss the Balanced Rock formation just off to your right.
You'll enter the most iconic section of the park through narrow red rock canyons. Stop at the Petroglyph Canyon Parking Lot to take photos, and consider hiking the short trail up to see petroglyph walls and the Mouse's Tank rock formation. The petroglyphs are rock carvings made by ancient Anasazi tribes that once lived in the area. Mouse's Tank is a unique rock formation in the shape of mouse ears that acts as a natural basin for water when it rains. The out and back hiking trail is a little under a mile and a half. If you're a movie fan, you may recognize this area from films like Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley and Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Continue north past the Rainbow Vista trail, and consider a short detour right to Fire Canyon and Silica Dome. Fire Canyon is an excellent photo spot. The white rock turns to red rock as you look deeper up the canyon. Back on Mouse's Tank Road, there is one more section of the park to explore.
Ride north through a flat section of the park, and look for the pastel pink rocks on each side of the road here. The road will curve around back to the south and take you to the farthest point of the park road at White Domes. This 1.1 mile hiking loop is worth the trip to check out caves, colorful rocks, and the abandoned film set from the 1966 Western The Professionals. When you're all finished with this section of the park, ride back down south on Mouse's Tank Road, and take a right on the Valley of Fire Highway to continue the loop. There is more to see in the western section of the park. Take a short detour on Campground Road to see more preserved petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock. There is a two story staircase to climb that puts you right next to the Anasazi petroglyphs. Two campgrounds offer lodging nearby as well. Continue on past Atlatl Rock to see a natural stone arch by the roadside in Arch Rock. Once you wind back down to meet up with the Valley of Fire Highway again, Fire Cave and Windstone Arch will be just off to your left. You'll have to park at the Beehives lot and take a trail to see these features.
Just when you thought you were finished with this scenic area, the Valley of Fire Highway has some thrills to deliver all its own. Ride west out of the camping area and thread through a narrow canyon up to higher ground. Don't miss the beautiful hills off to your left covered with different colored rock striations. After a short climb up a sweeping turn next to a rock face, the road follows the edge of more colored mountains until you arrive out on a flat desert plain. Hit the throttle and cruise the desert until you get to a junction with Interstate 15 at Crystal, NV. Take the Interstate back to the Las Vegas metro area limits, and hit the exit at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway to complete the loop.
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Brave the remote reaches of Death Valley National Park on this four hour loop through the best sections of the region. If you're searching for that “lonesome highway through the desert” ride, Death Valley is certainly just that. But Death Valley is actually more than just empty desert. There are snowy peaks that border each side of the valley, and in the spring the snow melt flows down to create fields of wildflowers. Death Valley also hides many springs and ponds that support the wildlife in the area. This said, the park's menacing name is not by accident. Furnace Creek, one area we'll visit on the ride, is the site of the highest recorded air temperature on earth. Yet Death Valley is famous for its low elevation above all else, and Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282 ft. below sea level. One thing is for certain, this ride is no joke. Head out prepared and leave early in the day. You don't want to spend all day under the immense heat of the Death Valley sun, that's for sure.
We'll begin the ride in Pahrump, NV, and consider taking the Red Rock Canyon ride also on our list of motorcycle rides near Las Vegas. From Pahrump, take Highway 372 over the state line into California. As with any ride in this area, make sure you fuel up and stock up on water whenever you can make a stop. Highway 178 merges with Highway 127 through Shoshone, CA. Take the right to ride through town. Look for a left back onto Highway 178 / Jubilee Pass Road just after Shoshone. A long stretch of open desert awaits, and afterward you'll thread through an area of small rocky peaks. Before you get to Ashford Junction, Jubilee Peak will be just on your left at 2,542 ft. Stay on 178 / Badwater Road as it curves up north. You'll pass the old Ashford Mill Ruins that once processed ore from gold mines in the area. Ride another flat stretch of desert up towards Sidewinder Canyon. This hiking trail is known for its narrow slot canyons and caves. From here, you'll keep heading north up into the most iconic section of Death Valley, Badwater Basin.
Badwater Basin is an amazing place to tour, and the road traces the eastern mountains of Death Valley along the way. Many American Westerns were filmed in this area, but this location is primarily known for its use in the original Star Wars film. After some twists and turns in the desert, you'll arrive at the Badwater Basin parking area. The basin gets its name from the high salt content on the desert flats. Water runs down from the mountains to fill the basin each spring, but it is immediately turned into “bad water” by the high salt content and other leftover minerals. You can even see large salt crystals form in the basin as the water evaporates. There is an observation deck where you can see the primary Badwater pool near the parking area. The sign denoting the basin's elevation at 282 ft. below sea level is also nearby. Off to the west, you'll see mile after mile of the salt flats stretch on into the distance. Continue north on Badwater Road, and look for a detour opportunity off to the left at Devil's Golf Course. This ancient lake bed is filled with so many jagged edges that “only the Devil could play golf here.”
Badwater Road stretches on through the harsh desert until you reach the end of the eastern mountain range at Furnace Creek. There are more hiking opportunities along the way at Desolation Canyon and Golden Canyon. Once Badwater Road ends at Highway 190, the route continues with a right turn, but you've earned a little break at Furnace Creek. Ride into the little desert community, and make a stop at the Last Kind Words Saloon to wash the sand out of your mouth. This restored saloon is packed with historic memorabilia all over the walls, and it really feels like you're in an old Wild West saloon. The food is surprisingly good for the middle of nowhere as well. You can also check out the Furnace Creek Visitors Center for more information about Death Valley just north of the saloon. When you're ready to head out again, take 190 east out of town and along a dry wash back into the mountains. You'll pass by Zabriskie Point which features excellent views of the surrounding badlands hills. Your next turn will be a right onto a dead end road called Dante's View / Furnace Creek Wash Road.
This next section involves a gradual climb up the wash to see Dante's View. Stay straight on the paved road when you meet a fork with the gravel Furnace Creek Road. Soon the flat desert gives way to rugged mountain terrain as you thread through a narrow canyon up to the lookout. You'll run out of road at Dante's View, and the views of the Death Valley floor and Badwater Basin are spectacular. Spend plenty of time taking in the park vistas before you ride back down. Back on 190, keep riding east past the Funeral Mountains Wilderness into Death Valley Junction. Just before Death Valley Junction, you can see Bat Mountain off to your left at 4,950 ft. Hang a right on Highway 127 to ride back to Shoshone. Along the way you'll loop around the rock formation known as Eagle Mountain. You can finish up the loop by taking Highway 178 back into Pahrump.
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"You don't stop riding when you get old, you get old when you stop riding."
― Anonymous
50% Labor Day "Flash Sale"
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