Nevada seasons
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Nevada
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Nevada depends on which end of the state you're in. Las Vegas and the south ride best from October to April. Reno, Carson City and Lake Tahoe ride best from late spring to early fall. Spring and fall work across the middle, which is when US 50 and US 93 are at their best.
- Las Vegas
- October to April
- Reno and Tahoe
- May to October
- Central Nevada
- Spring and fall
- Watch for
- Heat, wind, snow on passes
The short version
Nevada has two riding seasons, one at each end
Las Vegas sits around 2,000 feet in the Mojave Desert. Reno is around 4,500 feet against the Sierra, Lake Tahoe is above 6,000, and Ely in the east is around 6,400. That spread gives Nevada two riding seasons running in opposite directions: the south rides through the winter, and the north rides through the summer.
Rain is rarely the problem here. Nevada is the driest state in the country. The things that end a ride are heat in the south, snow and cold up high, and wind almost everywhere. Plan around those and there's good riding somewhere in Nevada nearly every month.
For the roads themselves, see the best motorcycle roads in Nevada.
Month by month
The best time to ride a motorcycle in Nevada, month by month
| Month | Las Vegas and the south | Reno, Carson and Tahoe | Central and eastern Nevada |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Prime. Cold mornings | Cold. Snow and chain controls on the passes | Cold. Snow on the summits |
| February | Prime | Cold | Cold |
| March | Prime. Windy days | Warming in the valley, snow up high | Cold mornings, wind |
| April | Great. Rally season | Good in the valley, Mount Rose still wintry | Improving, windy |
| May | Hot by month's end | Great | Great |
| June | Very hot. Dawn rides, or ride up Mount Charleston | Prime | Good. Hot valleys |
| July | Dangerous heat, monsoon storms | Prime. Busy at Tahoe | Hot valleys, storms. High roads open |
| August | Dangerous heat, monsoon storms | Prime. Smoke risk | Hot, afternoon storms |
| September | Still hot, cooling late | Prime. Rally season | Great |
| October | Season opens | Good. First snow possible up high | Great early, cold late |
| November | Prime | Cold. Passes get snow | Cold. High roads close |
| December | Prime. Short days, cold nights | Winter | Winter |
General patterns, not a forecast. Check the weather and NDOT's NVRoads before every mountain or long-distance ride.
Las Vegas and the south
Southern Nevada: October to April
From October through April, Las Vegas, Henderson, Laughlin and Mesquite are some of the best winter riding in the West. Red Rock, Valley of Fire and Lake Mead are comfortable all day, and the big spring rally in Laughlin lands in this window. Winter mornings in the open desert can be close to freezing, so layer up and let the sun do some work.
Summer is another story. Las Vegas regularly passes 110 degrees, and the open desert can be worse. If you ride, go at first light and be done by mid-morning, or climb Mount Charleston, where it's much cooler. Monsoon storms from about July to September can flood washes and roads in minutes, so never ride into moving water.
Reno and Lake Tahoe
Reno, Carson City and Tahoe: late spring to early fall
Northern Nevada has real winters. Mount Rose Highway, Kingsbury Grade and Spooner Summit stay open, but snow, ice and chain controls are common from fall into spring. The valley floor around Reno and Carson City dries out sooner, so early-season rides stay low and save the passes for later.
June through September is prime, with warm days and cold mornings at the lake. Tahoe is crowded on summer weekends, so ride the shore early or midweek. Late summer can bring wildfire smoke from fires in California and Nevada. September is a favorite month, with fewer crowds, the Street Vibrations rally in Reno and the first color in the aspens.
The basin and range
Central and eastern Nevada: spring and fall
US 50, US 6, US 93 and SR 375 cross valley floors around 5,000 to 6,000 feet and climb over summits well above that. Spring and fall are the sweet spot: the valleys aren't hot yet, and the passes are clear. Summer works too, with hot afternoons in the valleys and cool air on the summits.
Winter is cold and snowy in Ely, Austin and Eureka, and the high road in Great Basin National Park closes above the lower campgrounds, sometimes into early summer. Wind is a year-round factor out here, gusting hard across the valleys and around trucks.
By region
Best months to ride, by Nevada region
| Region | Best months | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, Red Rock, Lake Mead | October to April | Midday from June to September |
| Mount Charleston | May to October | Icy winter days |
| Laughlin and the river | October to May | Summer afternoons |
| Reno and Carson City | April to October | Winter storms |
| Lake Tahoe and the passes | June to September | Snow and chain controls |
| US 50 and central Nevada | May to June, September to October | Winter, summer midday |
| Great Basin and the Ruby Mountains | July to September | Snow outside summer |
What to watch
Heat, wind, snow and traffic
Helmet and lane rules are on the Nevada motorcycle laws page, and the overview is on the Nevada hub.
- Heat: In southern Nevada summers, dehydration sneaks up fast in dry air. Drink before you're thirsty and wear vented gear, not a T-shirt.
- Wind: Spring is often the windiest season. Gusts across open valleys can push a bike a full lane.
- Monsoon storms: Mostly July to September in the south and east. Lightning, sudden downpours and flooded washes.
- Snow and chain controls: On the Tahoe passes from fall into spring, and on central summits in winter.
- Smoke: Late summer wildfire smoke can settle over Reno and Tahoe.
- Festival traffic: In late August and early September, traffic to the Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert jams I-80 east of Reno and SR 447.
Plan it
Plan your Nevada season with Rippin'
- Weather and road alertsRippin' sends weather alerts before you ride, and riders flag road hazards on the map. See road and weather alerts.
- Ride plansShare a ride card with departure time, route, fuel stops and RSVPs, so a dawn start in July actually happens.
- AI trip plannerBuild a US 50 crossing or a Tahoe weekend with stops and pacing. Free has limits, Plus is unlimited. See the AI ride planner.
- Passport stampsGet a stamp for every town you ride through, from Rachel to Austin to Genoa. Stamps and badges pay points.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
What is the best month to ride a motorcycle in Nevada?
For Las Vegas, March and November. For Reno and Tahoe, June and September. For a US 50 crossing, late May, June or September.
Can you ride a motorcycle in Las Vegas in summer?
Yes, at dawn. Be done by mid-morning, carry water, and watch for monsoon storms. Or ride up to Mount Charleston, where it's much cooler.
When does it snow on Nevada motorcycle roads?
Mount Rose, Kingsbury Grade and Spooner Summit can see snow from fall into spring. Central summits and Great Basin get winter snow, and Mount Charleston does too.
When is monsoon season in Nevada?
Mostly July to September in southern and eastern Nevada. Storms build in the afternoon with lightning and flash floods.
Is spring a good time to ride in Nevada?
Yes, especially in the south and across the middle. Expect wind, and expect snow still on the Tahoe passes in early spring.
When is the best time to ride Lake Tahoe?
June through September. Weekdays and early mornings beat the summer weekend traffic.
Ride Nevada at both ends.
Download Rippin' free. Every ride pays points, winter desert loop or summer Tahoe pass.
Free on iPhone and Android. How Rippin' works
