A Mountain Biker’s Guide to Las Vegas, Nevada
Discover the best Las Vegas mountain biking trails and how to link them up in this complete guide. Also learn where to eat, camp, and more!
While most people visit Las Vegas for the glitz, glamour, slot machines, and shows, the Las Vegas mountain biking scene is actually pretty impressive. I’ve ridden here several times and every time I go, there is more and more trail to explore and more people out enjoying them.
So why should you add Sin City to your mountain bike agenda? For one, it’s a great winter getaway for when you want a break from the snow and it’s also a fun city to experience regardless of whether you have a poker face. The ethnic food scene is top-notch (see restaurant recommendations at the bottom) and there are a lot of great non-gambling experiences to enjoy post-ride like Cirque du Soleil shows, magic shows, concerts, and more.
So if you’re up for some awesome desert riding with a little bit of everything, read on to start planning your mtb trip to Vegas.
Need Help Planning Your Trip?
I’d love to chat about your Nevada mountain biking adventure! Click the link below to set up a trip planning session.
What to know before you go
Before planning your Las Vegas mountain biking adventure, here are a few things to know before you go:
A map or GPS app is essential
Some of the trails around Las Vegas have trail name signs, but most do not. It’s essential to have some sort of navigational tool like TrailForks downloaded to your phone. I don’t recommend MTB Project for Las Vegas because many of the trails are unsanctioned and therefore not on MTB Project.
Do not underestimate the desert
Even if you plan your mountain bike trip in the cooler winter months, don’t underestimate the desert climate. It can be dry, hot, windy, cold, or all of the above in one day. Pack lots of water and snacks, apply sunscreen, and stuff a lightweight windbreaker in your pack for just in case.
>> Read next: How to Survive Your First Mountain Bike Trip to the Desert
The trails are full of sharp, pointy things
Cactus spines and sharp rocks abound in Las Vegas. Tubeless tires are a must and top up your sealant before you go. A tubeless tire plug kit is also essential.
Rattlesnakes live here
I’ve never seen a rattlesnake on the trail, but it’s important to remember that they live here. If you see one, don’t freak out. Just give them their space and move on. Rattlesnakes want as little to do with you as you want with them.
Wild burros live here too!
One of the reasons I love mountain biking in Las Vegas so much is because there are wild donkeys everywhere! They are so cute and fuzzy and majestic. If you see wild burros on your ride, enjoy watching them from a distance and give them their space. (It’s also illegal to feed them).
Best Time to Visit
The best time to plan a mountain bike trip to Las Vegas is during the cooler winter months. I’ve visited in January, February, and November, and the temps were always a comfortable mid-50’s during the day.
It does get cold at night, so if you’re camping be sure to bring lots of warm layers.
Late fall and early spring could also be good times to visit, but check the weather before you go to make sure temps are reasonable. Las Vegas does get heavy rains as well, typically in the spring.
I would avoid mountain biking in Las Vegas during the summer at all costs.
Mountain Biking Guide to Las Vegas
Las Vegas has hundreds of miles of trail, most of which are open to mountain bikers. However, that being said, even though they’re open to mountain bikers doesn’t mean mountain bikers should ride them. A lot of trails are hit by motos, ATV’s and horse traffic, so it’s best to avoid those.
I’ve tried to highlight the best Las Vegas mountain biking trails and routes that I’ve ridden. I’ll continue to update this post as I ride more around the area!
Here are the main trail networks:
- Bear’s Best
- Cottonwood Valley (aka Blue Diamond)
- Da Burbs
- Southwest Ridge
- Cowboy Trails
- Mt. Charleston
- Bootleg Canyon
- McCullough Trails
- Union Trails
Bear’s Best
Bear’s Best is one of the largest and most popular mountain bike trail networks in Las Vegas. It mostly consists of mellower cross-country trails, but you can find a bit of tech in there if you want. If you’re looking for a good introduction to desert riding or you’re newer to mountain biking or you’re taking the family on a ride, this is a good place to start.
The trails are not well marked at all, though, so have TrailForks downloaded to your phone or else you will get lost.
Best trails to ride in Bear’s Best:
- Beginner: Permagrin, Berry’s Dive
- Intermediate: Yellow H
- Advanced: Get Schwifty, Morgan’s Mile, The Circus (if you’re looking for an experience…)
Bears best Route recommendation
>> Las Vegas Bear’s Best
This loop is a great intro loop to mountain biking in Las Vegas. It’s mostly a cross-country ride with very little tech, but there are plenty of options to add on miles or more challenging terrain.
Bear’s Best is huge, though, so before you start straying from this route make sure you calculate the miles. If you are looking for a big day, check out Ken’s Choice Loop.
Route directions: Mesa Park > Canal Bike Path > Canal Road > Alice > Round the Outside > Outer Alice > Kona > Saguaro > Porn Star > Man With A Van > Benchmark > Permagrin > Canal Bike Path
Make it harder: Add Get Schwifty. The first part is a semi-technical climb and then it’s a fun ridgeline descent. You can connect it back to Permagrin via Betty Boop. Another great add-on is to climb Lower Flagpole from Permagrin and descend down Morgan’s Mile.
Make it longer: Literally so many options I don’t even know where to begin. You could continue on Outer Alice to Gnarly (a slog of a climb) and descend down Yellow H back to the loop.
Cottonwood Valley & Blue Diamond
Cottonwood Valley (aka Blue Diamond) is a step up from Bear’s Best. There’s a lot of riding around here, too, with a bit more tech. Landmine Loop is a great intermediate ride and Three Mile Smile is super fun and one of Vega’s iconic trails if you’re willing to climb for it (or you can set up a shuttle).
Best trails to ride in Cottonwood Canyon/Blue Diamond:
- Beginner: Rubber Ducky
- Intermediate: Landmine Loop, Three Mile Smile, Dead Horse Loop
- Advanced: The Hurl, Mountain Springs Connector
Blue Diamond/Cottonwood Valley Route recommendation
>> #1 Landmine Loop
If you’re new to Las Vegas mountain biking, this is a great loop to start off with. There’s not a whole lot of elevation gain or loss, but you’ll get a feel for the sharp rocks, desert riding, and punchy ups that Vegas is known for.
Be sure to do Rubber Ducky for a fun surprise!
Route directions: Blue Diamond Parking > Landmine Loop > Rubber Ducky > Inner Loop > Lil Daytona > Landmine Loop
Make it longer: A fun add-on to Lil Daytona for a longer descent is Mustang Loop. After finishing Rubber Ducky, continue on to Beginner Loop to Viagra to Mustang Loop, which will lead into Lil Daytona
Make it harder: Add on The Hurl at the end. This is the most technical trail in the Blue Diamond area. It’s more of a badge of honor than a ‘fun’ trail, but it’ll definitely add some tech to your ride.
Blue Diamond/Cottonwood Valley Route recommendation
>> #2 Redhawk’s Red Canyon
This is a big day with a hefty climb up to the top of Badger Pass. It’s one of my favorite rides, though, for its backcountry feel, great view out over Las Vegas if you go all the way out to the overlook, and a super fun descent down Three Mile Smile.
Eat your Wheaties and keep an eye out for wild burros!
Route directions: Late Night Trailhead Parking > Beginner Loop > Latenight Connector > Powerline Road (EASY TO MISS! Stay right on fire road after going through tunnel underpass) > Dead Horse Loop (we climbed up Dead Horse Loop Alt) > Satan’s Escalator > Dead Horse Loop SW > Overlook > Dead Horse Loop > Three Mile Smile > Badger’s Pass
Make it easier: Shuttle to the top of Three Mile Smile. If you want to do a little climbing it’s worth going down Dead Horse Loop to the overlook and then climbing back up to the start of Three Mile Smile.
Make it shorter: If you’re done with climbing when you reach the top of Satan’s Escalator on Badger Pass, you can cut over to the start of Three Mile Smile via fire road. You will miss a super fun descent to the Las Vegas overlook, but if you do this, you will need to climb back up to the start of Three Mile Smile.
Make it harder: You can add on Techno at the bottom of Three Mile Smile. I haven’t done this trail, but it’s rated black on TrailForks so it must have at least a bit of tech.
Blue Diamond/Cottonwood Valley Route recommendation
>> #3 Mountain Springs Connector Shuttle
I actually didn’t totally love this trail, but it’s a local’s favorite, so I included it here. Mountain Springs Connector (formerly known as Fook Yu) is definitely best-ridden as a shuttle, but don’t expect it to be all downhill. The first 1/2 mile or so is all climbing.
There are some cool rockwork features near the bottom that are fun to session. This trail is best for advanced riders who are comfortable with narrow sidehill riding, tight switchbacks, and techy rock features
At the end, there are several options to get back to the Late Night Trailhead parking area. I took Top Secret to Latenight Loop to Latenight Connector to Viagra.
Route directions: Parking area off Rt. 160 > Mountain Springs Connector > Flu For You OR Top Secret > Latenight Loop > Latenight Connector > Viagra
Make it harder: Do Mountain Springs Connector as an out-and-back. This will be a hefty climb!
Make it longer: There are lots of ways to add miles to your shuttle by linking it to other Blue Diamond trails such as the Landmine Loop or even the lower section of Three Mile Smile via Badger Pass.
Da Burbs
I haven’t ridden in Da Burbs yet, but a friend mentioned that this area is very confusing, so have TrailForks ready. It seems like Cleod 9 is the trail to do here. I’ve also heard that climbing is quite brutal in Da Burbs.
Southwest Ridge
Southwest Ridge is one of my favorite places to ride in Las Vegas. It sees less traffic than Bear’s Best and Cottonwood Valley and has a bit more variety. The climb up is a bit of a grunt, but not too bad if you take Good Call. Then the descents down Menny Thanks and Bipolar are a blast!
Best trails to ride in SOuthhwest Ridge:
- Beginner: Southwest Ridge is not a place for beginners
- Intermediate: Good Call, Legalize It
- Advanced: Menny Thanks (descending the westside), Bipolar
Southwest Ridge Route recommendation
>> Menny Thanks Loop
This is my go-to loop if I only have a day or two of riding in Vegas. The climb up Good Call starts with a steep pitch, but it mellows out toward the top. There are some punchy rock ledges to get up and over, which are a good test of strength and skill.
Legalize It is pedaly and punchy and has some great views out over the city. Then it’s time for a super fun, flowy, techy descent down Menny Thanks!
Route directions: Southwest Ridge Parking > Concrete dam (you can ride across it) > SW Ridge Access Road > Good Call > Legalize It > Menny Thanks > Legalize It > Good Call > Menny Thanks
Make it shorter: You can leave out all or part of Legalize It. If you just want to do a section of Legalize It, I recommend doing the shorter section to the east of Good Call and then finishing your ride on Menny Thanks.
Make it easier: Instead of descending Menny Thanks, take Good Call back down.
Make it longer: If you have it in you, climb back up Good Call and descend Bipolar.
Cowboy Trails
If you’re looking to get rowdy, head to the Cowboy Trails. This area has some of the most technical riding in Las Vegas (aside from Bootleg Canyon, which is technically in Henderson). The trail to do is Bone Shaker, which is a super fun DH line with a lot of drops, cool rock features, and a steep, loose chute at the end.
Ebb n’ Flow and Flow Job and also part of the Cowboy Trail system and two of the best mountain bike trails in Las Vegas.
Best trails to ride at Cowboy Trails:
- Beginner: Cowboy Trails is not a good place for beginners
- Intermediate: Flow Job, Goat Roper
- Advanced: Boneshaker, Ebb n’ Flow
Cowboy Trails Route recommendation
>> #1 Ebbing and Flowing
Update: Some riders have reported that there is barbed wire across the entrance to Flow Job, preventing access. If this is the case, you’ll need to climb up Goat Roper from the other side to descend Ebb n’ Flow. Unfortunately, this will mean you need to shuttle or ride back on the highway. I don’t know what the situation with Flow Job is.
Ebb n’ Flow is Las Vegas’s newest mountain bike trail and it’s rad! It’s 7 miles of rolling terrain (‘mostly’ down) with incredible views and a good smattering of technical features like drops, rock gardens, and very tight switchbacks. I personally didn’t mind the switchbacks, but I’m sure a lot of people will grumble about them until they get burned in better.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a downhill trail, though. In addition to the 5-mile climb up Flow Job, to access Ebb n’ Flow, there are several additional climbs, making this ride a pretty big day. It’s a must, though, for strong intermediate or advanced riders!
Route directions: Flow Job Trailhead Parking > Flow Job > Ebb n’ Flow
Route notes: There’s not much you can do to customize this ride other than clip off the final push up Flow Job to the overlook. This will cut off about half a mile and 200 feet of climbing. You’ll miss out on a great view, though!
Make it easier: Descend back down Flow Job instead of Ebb n’ Flow
Cowboy Trails Route recommendation
>> #2 Bone Shaker Lap
Bone Shaker is the best and most popular DH trail in the Cowboy Trails network if not all of Las Vegas. It’s got a bit of everything from fast flow and small drops at the top to a few rock gardens with techy moves, and a steep, loose chute at the end. It’s the kind of trail you want to immediately do a second time now that you know what’s coming at you!
Bone Shaker is best left for advanced riders who have good bike handling skills and enjoy technical riding. It could also be great for strong intermediate riders who enjoy stopping to session features.
Route directions: Cowboy Trails Parking Area > Kibbles-n-Bits > First Finger > SARS > Bone Shaker
Make it shorter: You could climb up Bunny and Fossile Canyon, which makes for a shorter climb. However, these trails see a lot of horse traffic and aren’t the most fun to pedal.
Make it harder and longer: This is the Cowboy Trails, there are lots of ways to make this ride harder and longer! If you’re up for a second descent, climb Bunny and Fossil Canyon and descend down Bomb Voyage, which is a bit rougher and rawer than Bone Shaker.
Mt. Charleston
Mt. Charleston is the highest peak in Nevada’s Clark County at 11,916 feet and there are a few fun mountain bike trails down its slopes. Unfortunately, if you visit in winter, they may be under snow, so check the forecast before you head out there. Mt. Charleston is about a 40-minute drive from the city.
I do recommend heading up to Mt. Charleston if you can for a different Las Vegas mountain biking experience amid pine trees instead of cacti.
Unless you have a shuttle, be prepared to work for your descent, though!
Best trails to ride on Mt. Charleston:
- Beginner: None
- Intermediate: Tin Can Alley, Lower Showgirl
- Advanced: Chutes & Ladders
Mt. Charleston Route recommendation
>> Tin Can Alley Loop
Bone Shaker is the best and most popular DH trail in the Cowboy Trails network if not all of Las Vegas. It’s got a bit of everything from fast flow and small drops at the top to a few rock gardens with techy moves, and a steep, loose chute at the end. It’s the kind of trail you want to immediately do a second time now that you know what’s coming at you!
Bone Shaker is best left for advanced riders who have good bike handling skills and enjoy technical riding. It could also be great for strong intermediate riders who enjoy stopping to session features.
Route directions: Tin Can Alley Parking > Step Ladder > Link > Tin Can Alley > Shady Hollow
Make it easier: Use two cars to shuttle Tin Can Alley
Make it longer: There are a few upper trails you can add to make your ride longer like Upper Showgirl. If you have a shuttle, you can also do Lower Showgirl as a second descent.
Bootleg Canyon
This is the Las Vegas mountain biking trail network that everyone wants to know about and ride. To be fully transparent, I haven’t ridden Bootleg Canyon yet. I want to dedicate a few solid days to just this area and do a full separate post on it since it’s such a popular place (and it’s actually not really part of Las Vegas – it’s in Boulder City). Stay tuned for a Bootleg Canyon post!
McCullough Trails
I don’t know much about this trail network. Pandemic is supposedly a fun new trail in the area. These trails are actually out near Boulder City, so I’ll probably add them to the Bootleg Canyon post.
Union Trails
I know absolutely zero about this trail network. Sorry!
Trip Planning Resources
Las Vegas bike shops, rentals, & mountain bike tours
Whether you’re looking to pick up some spare parts, rent a mountain bike, need mechanical assistance, or you prefer to do a mountain bike tour, there are a handful of great Las Vegas bike shops and services.
- Las Vegas Cyclery: Located right on the edge of Las Vegas near the Cottonwood/Blue Diamon Trails, Las Vegas Cyclery offers a wide range of biking services. They have full-suspension mountain bike rentals, a serice shop, and a retail store. They’re also the folks behind Escape Adventures, if you’re looking to book a full or half-day tour (see below).
- Escape Adventures: We saw an Escape Adventures day tour out at Cottonwood/Blue Diamond and it looked like they were pretty dialed. Escape Adventures has comfortable vans with hanging bike racks and you can choose either a full-day or half-day tour. Rental bikes are included.
- Bike Blast Las Vegas: Bike Blast provides several different services and experiences from mountain bike rentals to guided and semi-guided tours.
Best places to eat & drink in Las Vegas
There are SO many great little places to eat in Las Vegas. Don’t think you need to spend an arm and a leg on a meal, either. Many of the smaller, ‘strip-mall’ ethnic restaurants are very well priced and delicious. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Shang Artisan Noodle: Eat here – you will not be disappointed! They make their own noodles and everything I’ve tried is outstanding. Their menu is also affordably priced, the service is fast, and there’s good parking. We eat here every time we visit Las Vegas.
- Weera Thai: I loved this little Thai restaurant. The interior decor is really cool and the food tasted authentic and yummy. They also have an interesting cocktail list.
- Gabi Cafe: If you’re looking for some good coffee and a unique setting, check out Gabi Cafe. It’s super cute and eclectic and the coffee and baked goods are really good.
- Lucy Ethiopian: I love good Ethiopian food and Lucy didn’t disappoint. The inside is a bit dark and lacking character, but the food is great.
Where to camp & stay
Surprisingly, there’s not a whole lot of camping around Las Vegas. The only campground west of the city is Red Rock Canyon Campground, which has easy access to most mountain bike trails. However, the campground is pretty primitive with no showers, no electricity, no cell reception and it has pit toilets.
Unfortunately, Las Vegas has really cracked down on dispersed camping, so if you’re looking to camp you’ll need to book a site at Red Rock Canyon Campground.
There are plenty of hotels and Airbnb’s available, though. I recommend looking for one near the western edge of the city so you can have quick and easy access to the trails.
What to pack
For a complete packing list, head over to my Mountain Bike Trip Packing List post. Here are a few recommendations specific to Las Vegas mountain biking:
- Dry lube: It’s dry and dusty in Las Vegas, so be sure to pack some dry chain lube to keep dirt and dust out of your chain. I like to use the Rock n’ Roll Gold.
- Sunscreen: You’re heading to the desert, so sunscreen up! Even if the temps are cool, be sure to take sun protection seriously here.
- 3 liter hydration reservoir: Don’t underestimate the desert environment. Even if you’re heading out for a ‘quick’ spin, carry more water than you think you’ll need. I typically always fill up my 3L hydration bladder even if I’m just heading out on a short pedal.
- Tire sealant: There are a lot of sharp, pointy things in Las Vegas. Top up your tire sealant before you go and bring a small bottle with you in case your tires meet their match.
- Light windbreaker: I used my Patagonia Houdini jacket a lot more than I expected on my most recent trip to Las Vegas. It’s super lightweight, packs down small, and kind of a no-brainer. (Men’s version here)
- Robust bike lock system: Unfortunately Las Vegas isn’t the most honest of cities, so if you’re going to be leaving your bikes on a rack at all, you need a robust locking system. We typically have three different locks on each bike at a time: a cable with a padlock, two U-locks (one for each bike), and two burly chain locks (one for each bike). Overkill? Maybe. But I’d rather go overboard than have a bike thief walk away with my most prized possession.
I hope this post helps you plan an unforgettable mountain bike trip to Las Vegas! There’s so much more to the city than casinos and shows. The desert outside the city is one of my favorite places to explore by mountain bike and hope you think so too!
Looking for more fun things to do?
Check out these popular tours in Las Vegas
Related posts:
- Best Places to Mountain Biking in Nevada
- Best Winter Mountain Biking Destinations for Year-Round Riding
- How to Survive Your First Mountain Bike Trip to the Desert
- Mountain Biking in Caliente, Nevada
What questions do you have about Las Vegas mountain biking? Which trail or route are you most excited to ride? What other recommendations do you have? Leave a comment below!
I think your ebike information is incorrect. No BLM land allows ebikes, see herehttps://www.blm.gov/nevada/red-rock-canyon-nca/recreation : “E-bikes of any type are not permitted on mountain bike trails — they are limited to motorized-approved roads (Scenic Drive, Rocky Gap Road, Harris Springs Road, Cottonwood To Good Springs Road, Black Velvet Canyon Access Road and the Mustang Loop).”
Even if people are breaking the law, it’s not responsible to post that they’re ok when the land manger doesn’t allow them
I wasn’t aware that e-bikes aren’t allowed in the Red Rock Canyon NCA. Thanks for the tip.
This is a fantastic list of trail recommendations, it was very helpful planning a long week of riding different areas and styles around Vegas.
Thanks, Dan! So glad you found it helpful. Hope you had a great trip 🙂
great information and much details provided. will be in Vegas this Nov and hopefully with your shared information, i will have a blast trailing in Vegas.
It’s one of my favorite places to ride in the southwest- have fun!
Fantastic write up, thanks for taking the time to educate others on the amazing trails we have to offer!
P.S. Just a quick correction, Mt. Charleston peak is 11,916 ft. =)
Thanks for reading! I love the mountain biking in Las Vegas. And thanks for Mt. Charleston correction 🙂
Hi Becky.
I was wondering if there are any businesses that run mountain biking tours. I might bring my husband in early October and he wouldn’t want to ride by himself. He’s an experienced mountain biker so I know he would want to have some fun on the trails. Can you help with a good tour business…if one exists?
Escape Adventures runs day and multi-day tours out of Las Vegas
Thank you so much for all this precious information. I have taken notes and will save a lot of time on the trails and visit the best ones.
Your canadian friend,
Étienne
You’re welcome! Have a great trip!