Nevada never ceases to surprise riders who come to visit. On the surface, it’s one vast desert sprinkled with the glitzy cities and top-secret bomb ranges.
But when you get out there on an ATV or UTV, you’ll find that Nevada’s massive public land access offers so much more. Yes, there are those magical, wide-open desert landscapes, but there are also rugged mountain ranges, forest trails, and sand dunes.
The best part, though, is the year-round rideability. The winter months are perfect for riding, but the summer is doable when you show up prepared with proper upgrades, communication equipment, and supplies.
We’re looking at the best trails and ride spots in Nevada so you can see everything this state has to offer.
Sand Mountain Recreation Area is just a short drive from Reno; it’s one of Nevada’s most iconic dune-riding destinations. Dunes can be incredibly dangerous and technical, and SMRA is no exception. But it also has plenty of open space for beginners to build experience and confidence too.
You can stack the odds in your favor by adding some awesome duning gear. A high-speed clutch belt like our Sand Storm Drive Belt pairs perfectly with a new clutch kit to deliver higher speeds, better engagement, and reliable performance. Of course, you’ll need whip lights to ride safely after dark, and you’ll want to upgrade to sand tires for optimal traction and flotation.
The Logandale Trails System is only about an hour from Las Vegas, right up I-15. This trail system takes you across ridges, through washes, and down gulches. The Logandale Main Loop offers an easy ride that’s packed with gorgeous views in close proximity to the Valley of Fire State Park. More experienced riders can air down and take on more technical rocky trails, replete with ledges, holes, and slickrock boulders.
The Logandale Trails System can be exceptionally hot in summer, so it’s best to avoid this time of year. Protect your UTV with an ARMW skid plate that glides over rocks and ledges while protecting your undercarriage from damage. And you should upgrade to rock tires like SuperATV’s Cliffhanger Rock Tires. Pair them with beadlocks to air down for maximum grip.
Nellis Dunes is right outside of Las Vegas and easy to get to. The dunes here are low and rolling, not the towering behemoths that turn UTVs into tumbleweeds. The wide-open space, combined with gentle rollers, makes this place ideal for some flat-out rides.
But don’t be fooled—the Nellis Dunes extends into some rugged terrain with challenging hill climbs and a few spots where mistakes lead to big rollovers. Make sure you go prepared with a light bar and whip lights for visibility in and around dunes as the sun goes down. With all the dust you’ll be kicking up, our LED Laser Whip Lights will look awesome cutting through the night sky.
A lot of the sand here is mixed with larger gravel and rocks, which makes it the perfect environment for all-terrain tires. Check out our Incursion All-Terrain Tires for a comfortable and capable AT tire. For a more aggressive setup, check out our Intimidator All-Terrain Tires, which use bigger lugs and a more aggressive pattern to grip loose terrain.
We know, we know, Dumont Dunes is technically in California, but it’s closer to Las Vegas than anywhere else, so we’re counting it. If you want massive dunes, Dumont Dunes is the place to be. With dunes surpassing 1,000 feet tall, there’s tons of terrain to carve, rip, and fly through. This is any off-roader’s dream ride park.
But if you want to keep the dream alive all weekend, you need to make sure you and your machine are ready for the rigors of dune riding. This is the same upgrade advice we give for every dune build: get yourself some paddle tires for better grip and flotation. For more speed and better engagement, upgrade to our Sand Storm Heavy-Duty Drive Belt and install a Rev1 clutch kit. To protect your cab, grab a half windshield that deflects sand and wind over your head without turning your cab into an oven.
Elko County is host to tons of trails that explore mountains, creeks, and forests in northern Nevada. Elko’s location makes it a good option for summer riding since temperatures typically only reach the upper 80s and low 90s.
Gorgeous views are worth the trip, but the variety of terrain makes preparing your rig challenging. The temperature can fluctuate a lot from the staging area to the highest points on the trails, so we highly recommend a flip windshield. It’s like adding layers for your cab, so you can fully seal your cab and vent or open it when it’s warm. You should close up the rest of your cab with a roof and rear windshield too. And put on some Incursion All-Terrain Tires to make sure you can tackle all 200+ miles of trail with plenty of grip.
We’re cheating on this one too. Fort Sage OHV Area is less than an hour from Reno, but it is technically on the California side. Still, this is an important ride spot for Nevadans thanks to its long sightlines, wide-open riding areas, and fast trail sections.
There’s plenty to look at, no matter where you are. From landmarks like Sail Rock to views of the surrounding valleys, there’s no shortage of nature to enjoy.
Equip yourself with mirrors and a GPS to make sure you always know where you are and what’s around you. And bring along spare belts to make sure you don’t break down.
Moon Rocks OHV Area is close to Reno and gets its name from the unique volcanic terrain that feels otherworldly. Along with fun rocks and great views, you can find challenging rock crawls, whoops, and other technical features.
For this kind of terrain, we recommend upgrading to an ARMW skid plate and installing Rhino 2.0 Axles. Definitely consider using rock tires and airing down with beadlock wheels for maximum performance.
This popular trail system is about as close to Reno as you can get. It’s perfect for day trips and offers great views of the city thanks to the major elevation changes on the trails.
Before you go, get ride-ready with front and rear windshields to protect your cab from the cold at higher elevations (go with a flip or vented windshield for maximum versatility). High-clearance A-arms or a lift kit will make getting over rough sections a lot easier too. And make sure you load up a purpose-built GPS, like the Garmin Tread 2, with the latest trail maps.
This is the perfect place to go cruising on old mining roads, take in some awesome views, and see some historic landmarks. The trails are very accessible to just about any rider and any machine, so the key here is to make it as comfortable as possible.
Install a roof to keep the sun off your head and mirrors to make reversing and avoiding obstacles easier. You’ll definitely want to bring a cooler/cargo box combo to carry the supplies you need for a great desert highland lunch.
Last but not least, and definitely biggest, is Black Rock Desert. The remains of this prehistoric lake cover hundreds of square miles, providing awesome, wide-open riding along with plenty of trails in the surrounding mountains.
Make sure you come to this vast landscape with plenty of spare parts and communication gear so you don’t get stranded. You’ll want spare axles, ball joints, drive belts, tires, and a tool kit. As long as you can keep your UTV moving and keep it in control, you’ll be able to get back to civilization.
You should also bring a reliable GPS, like those from Garmin, and communication equipment, like a Cardo PACKTALK Edge. Combine those with some extra light bars, and you’ll be easy to spot and easy to hear. Just don’t go during Burning Man, unless you’re into that sort of thing.
The best way to describe most of Nevada is hot and remote. With that in mind, it’s always important to prioritize cooling, hydration, and communication. Don’t get in a situation where one small vehicular failure turns your adventure into an emergency.
That’s also why customizing your machine for the kind of terrain you’re going to face is so important, whether that means upgrading tires, adding cargo, or getting a windshield.
Check out all of SuperATV’s ATV and UTV parts and accessories that are all built for battle so they can take on the harshest conditions Nevada has to offer.
