Nevada road guide
The best motorcycle roads in Nevada
The best motorcycle roads in Nevada start a short ride from Las Vegas in Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and on Mount Charleston, cross the basin and range on US 50 and US 93, and finish in the Sierra above Lake Tahoe. Here are 13 classics by region, with why each is worth it, what to watch for and the best season.
- Roads listed
- 13
- Regions
- 4
- Biggest fuel gaps
- US 50 and SR 375
- Check before you go
- NDOT NVRoads
Before you pick
How to use this list of the best motorcycle roads in Nevada
Nevada's roads come in three flavors. Around Las Vegas, it's red sandstone and desert curves within an hour of the Strip. Across the middle, it's long straights that climb over one mountain range after another, with real distance between gas stations. Around Reno and Lake Tahoe, it's alpine grades and switchbacks at 7,000 to almost 9,000 feet.
Season matters as much as the road. A Valley of Fire run that's perfect in March is dangerous in July, and Mount Rose can be snowy in May. Check NDOT's NVRoads for closures and chain controls before mountain rides. The Nevada motorcycle rides hub has the overview, and the best time to ride in Nevada breaks the year down by region.
Las Vegas and the south
Roads out of Las Vegas
- 1. Red Rock Canyon Scenic Drive and SR 159Why: A 13-mile one-way loop under red and cream sandstone cliffs, then SR 159 and SR 160 past Blue Diamond for a longer desert run. Ten minutes from the western suburbs. Watch for: Timed-entry reservations for the scenic drive in the busy season, an entry fee, lots of cyclists and stop-and-go at the overlooks. Best season: October to April.
- 2. Mount Charleston loop (SR 157, SR 158 and SR 156)Why: Kyle Canyon Road climbs from the desert into pine forest in the Spring Mountains, Deer Creek Road links across, and Lee Canyon Road drops back to US 95. It is often 20 degrees or more cooler than the valley. Watch for: Weekend crowds, snow and ice in winter, and storm damage that has closed parts of these roads for long stretches. Check NVRoads. Best season: May to October.
- 3. Valley of Fire HighwayWhy: Runs through Valley of Fire, Nevada's oldest state park, past bright red sandstone. Take the scenic spur toward White Domes for the best rock. Watch for: Real heat by late spring, a state park fee at the gate, and drivers braking without warning at every rock formation. Best season: October to April.
- 4. Northshore Road (SR 167), Lake MeadWhy: Winds through Lake Mead National Recreation Area from the Henderson side toward Overton, with colored rock, washes and lake views. Link it to Valley of Fire and come home on I-15 for a classic half-day loop. Watch for: Heat, the recreation area fee, no services for long stretches, and wildlife. Best season: October to April.
Central and eastern Nevada
Basin and range: the long roads
- 5. Great Basin Highway (US 93)Why: North from Las Vegas through the Pahranagat Valley, Alamo, Caliente and Pioche to Ely, with Cathedral Gorge State Park near Panaca as a stop. Big empty country and very little traffic. Watch for: Long gaps between fuel, open range cattle, crosswinds, and deer at dusk. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 6. Extraterrestrial Highway (SR 375)Why: Roughly 100 miles of high desert from the US 93 junction at Crystal Springs to US 6 at Warm Springs, with the tiny town of Rachel as the only stop. A road for riders who like silence. Watch for: Open range, so cows can be standing on the centerline. Rachel is the only stop, so start with a full tank, and expect no phone signal for most of it. Best season: Spring and fall.
- 7. US 50, the Loneliest RoadWhy: From Fallon past Sand Mountain to Austin, Eureka and Ely, climbing over summit after summit between wide valleys. The towns are old mining stops with real character. Watch for: Fuel. Fill up in every town and know your range. Also wind, cattle and cold summits. Best season: May to October.
- 8. Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, Great Basin National ParkWhy: Climbs about 12 miles from near Baker to around 10,000 feet, through aspen and pine below Wheeler Peak. Pair it with Lehman Caves. Watch for: A steady grade that cooks brakes on the way down, temperatures far below the valley floor, and a gate on the upper road that stays shut in winter, sometimes into early summer. Best season: July to September.
Reno, Carson and Lake Tahoe
The Sierra side of Nevada
- 9. Mount Rose Highway (SR 431)Why: Leaves the south edge of Reno and climbs to a summit near 8,900 feet, one of the highest passes in the Sierra that stays open all year. On the far side, switchbacks drop to Incline Village with the whole lake spread out below. Watch for: Ice hiding in shady corners long after the valley is warm, chain controls during storms, and a summit that's cold even in July. Best season: June to October.
- 10. Lake Tahoe's east shore (SR 28) and Spooner Summit (US 50)Why: From Incline Village past Sand Harbor and Spooner Lake, then US 50 either down to Carson City or along the lake to Stateline. Clear blue water shows between the trees most of the way. Watch for: Heavy summer traffic, pedestrians and cars hunting for parking near the beaches. Best season: June to September, weekdays.
- 11. Kingsbury Grade (SR 207) and Foothill RoadWhy: Climbs from Stateline over Daggett Pass and drops steeply into the Carson Valley. Head north on Foothill Road (SR 206) through Genoa, Nevada's oldest settlement, under the Carson Range. Watch for: Steep grades, hot brakes, and ice in shaded corners outside summer. Best season: Late spring to fall.
- 12. Geiger Grade (SR 341) and the Comstock loopWhy: Switchbacks up from south Reno to Virginia City, then down through Gold Hill and Silver City on SR 342 to US 50. Old mining towns and big valley views. Watch for: Crosswinds on the exposed grade, mustangs grazing right up to the shoulder, and people wandering across C Street in Virginia City. Best season: Spring to fall.
Northeast Nevada
The Ruby Mountains
- 13. Lamoille Canyon Scenic BywayWhy: Take SR 227 out of Elko to the town of Lamoille, then follow the byway about 12 miles up a canyon the glaciers carved, with granite walls and snowfields on both sides. One of the most surprising rides in the state. Watch for: Mule deer, cars stopped mid-road for photos, and late snow near the top outside of summer. Best season: June to September.
- Worth the detourAngel Lake Road climbs from Wells into the East Humboldt Range, and Pyramid Lake northeast of Reno makes an easy desert run from the city. Both pair well with a longer trip across the north.
Summary
Nevada motorcycle roads at a glance
| Road | Region | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Red Rock Canyon and SR 159 | Las Vegas | Oct to Apr |
| Mount Charleston loop | Las Vegas | May to Oct |
| Valley of Fire Highway | Las Vegas | Oct to Apr |
| Northshore Road (SR 167) | Lake Mead | Oct to Apr |
| Great Basin Highway (US 93) | East | Spring and fall |
| Extraterrestrial Highway (SR 375) | Central | Spring and fall |
| US 50, the Loneliest Road | Central | May to Oct |
| Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive | East | Jul to Sep |
| Mount Rose Highway (SR 431) | Reno and Tahoe | Jun to Oct |
| Tahoe east shore and Spooner Summit | Tahoe | Jun to Sep |
| Kingsbury Grade and Foothill Road | Tahoe and Carson Valley | Late spring to fall |
| Geiger Grade and the Comstock loop | Reno | Spring to fall |
| Lamoille Canyon | Northeast | Jun to Sep |
Rider-added roads
Nevada roads riders have added in Rippin'
Nevada is new ground for Rippin', which began in Southern California, so most of these roads are still waiting for a rider to add them. The live list right after this section shows the Nevada roads on the map today.
To add one, ride it with Rippin' recording, open Segments and tap Create a Segment: set a start gate and a finish gate and trace the line. A person on our team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it. After that, every rider who rides through it is timed automatically and lands on its board. Rippin' never rewards speed on public roads, so the board is about who owns the road, not a race. Read about segments and leaderboards.
Loops also claim turf. A run out Northshore Road, through Valley of Fire and home on I-15 closes on itself, and the land inside becomes yours on the live map. Most of Nevada is unclaimed. See how Turf Wars works, and plan a loop with the loop builder.
Live from the app
Nevada on Rippin' right now.
8 upcoming events and 2 rider-added roads in Nevada on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
- Sat Nov 7Goldstrom's Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle ShowLas Vegas
- Sat Nov 7Hot Cakes Cool BikesLas Vegas
- Sat Nov 7MRAN BC Old Moto Grand PrixBoulder City
- Fri Nov 13NGPC Round 10 Desert MC Moto Oasis Grand PrixMesquite
- Sat Jan 2Xtreme International Ice Racing - StatelineStateline
- Wed Feb 3Mecum Las Vegas Vintage & Antique Motorcycle Auction 2027 (36th Annual)Las Vegas
- Fri Feb 19AMA Throttlecross - Reno, NVReno
- Thu Sep 30Las Vegas Bikefest 2027Las Vegas
Roads riders added in Nevada
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best motorcycle road in Nevada?
Near Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire and the Mount Charleston loop. Up north, Mount Rose Highway, Kingsbury Grade and Geiger Grade. For distance, US 50 and US 93.
What are the best motorcycle rides near Las Vegas?
Red Rock Canyon and SR 159, the Mount Charleston loop on SR 157, 158 and 156, and a loop through Lake Mead on Northshore Road and Valley of Fire.
Do you need a reservation to ride Red Rock Canyon?
The scenic drive has used timed-entry reservations during the busy season, plus an entry fee. Check the Bureau of Land Management's Red Rock Canyon page before you go.
Is Mount Rose Highway open in winter?
It's kept open year-round, but snow, ice and chain controls are common from fall into spring. Check NVRoads before you ride it.
How far apart is gas on US 50 in Nevada?
Far enough to plan for. Fallon, Austin, Eureka and Ely are the main stops, with long empty stretches between them. Fill up in every town.
Can I add a Nevada road to Rippin'?
Yes. Any rider can add a road with Create a Segment. A person on the Rippin' team checks it before it goes live, and your name stays on it.
Nevada's roads are wide open.
Download Rippin' free, ride a desert loop with it recording, and put the first roads in Nevada on the map.
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