If you’ve spent any time exploring Nevada’s outdoors, then you know that the best adventures can always be found along the road less traveled. It may not be as easy as driving down the paved highway, but it’s always the back roads that boast the most breathtaking scenery! Tackle an unpaved road that takes you through the Muddy Mountains of Nevada when you seek out the Bitter Springs Trail (or the Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway.) This back road makes for one adventure you’re sure to remember!
Explore 28 miles of pure scenic beauty with the Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway that can be found just 40 miles outside of Las Vegas. Winding through the desert foothills of the Muddy Mountains, this back road is an adventure you'll never forget.
Escape from the hustle and bustle of Las Vegas crowds and immerse yourself in the wild beauty that is the Nevada desert. The Bitter Springs Trail makes for an easy day trip if you have a vehicle that can handle some rugged unpaved roads - high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly encouraged.
To find the road, take Interstate 15 north from Las Vegas for 33 miles to Exit 75E. Take the exit and turn right, following Highway 169 east for a little over three miles. The highway will bend to the left and continue onto the Bitter Springs Backcountry Byway.
Winding its way through a rocky landscape filled with desert shrubs, wildflowers, and colorful sandstone, the road is a true backcountry experience. This is Nevada's wild beauty at its finest.
Keep your eyes peeled while traversing the road and you're bound to spot some of the rich history that resides in the area. From abandoned borax mines to tracks from the Old Spanish Trail, there's a lot waiting to be uncovered!
And since the back road stretches through such a prime location, you can easily extend your adventure at nearby Valley of Fire State Park or Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The options are endless.
If you have yet to pursue any of the BLM backroads that run through our beautiful state, the Bitter Springs Trail is a great place to start! Take on this rugged backcountry byway for a true Nevada-style scenic drive.
