Best places to take off-highway vehicles

Riding in the desert aboard an off-highway vehicle could be termed a mind-cleansing experience. At any given time, the ride can be a relaxing experience free of the rigors of the city and its neighborhoods.

An off-highway vehicle is characterized as any wheeled motorized vehicle not designated for use on a highway and capable of cross-country travel on land or other natural terrain.

Key to note, however, is that there are specific areas that can be utilized for journeys on OHVs. Riding in restricted areas can result in stiff fines.

In Clark County, the Bureau of Land Management has several areas that can be utilized for OHV machinery, including the dry lake in Dry Lake Valley northeast of the intersection of Interstate 15 and U.S. Highway 93, Jean Dry Lake, Nellis Dunes and Roach Dry Lake.

According to the BLM, the most popular routes are Rocky Gap Road located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (exit on the Lost Springs/White Springs exit of the 13-mile scenic drive); Bitter Springs Back Country Byway, a 28-mile route 40 miles northeast of Las Vegas between Valley of Fire State Park and the Muddy Mountains Wilderness; and Gold Butte Back Country Byway, which covers 62 miles and can be accessed by taking I-15 north from Las Vegas about 90 miles toward Mesquite.

Other popular routes include Big Dune Special Recreation Management Area, 15 miles south of Beatty; Jean/Roach Dry Lakes Recreation Management Area, 20 miles south of Las Vegas east of Jean; Eldorado Valley, 5 miles south of Boulder City; Nelson Hills/Eldorado Special Recreation Management Area, 17 miles south of Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95 and then 3 miles on Highway 165 to a powerline road; and Nellis Dunes Special Recreation Management Area north of Nellis Air Force Base (take I-15 to the Apex turnoff, go right and continue 1½ miles to the gas pipeline where Nellis Dunes will be found east of the side of the frontage road).

In Nye County, areas that are legal to use include Amargosa Flats Dry Lake, Big Dune (the vegetated portions of the dunes only), Crystal Dry Lake and Stewart Dry Lake.

Limited usage areas in Clark County include Coyote Springs, Eldorado Valley, Gold Butte, Mormon Mesa, Piute Valley, Rainbow Gardens, Sunrise and Frenchman mountains and the Virgin River. OHV vehicles are limited to existing roads, washes and dry washes outside of the closure areas and areas with designated roads.

BLM lands restricted from OHV usage include Red Rock Canyon, Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and all wilderness areas.

Las Vegas Valley areas closed to OHV usage include the north (Apex on I-15 or Lee Canyon on U.S. 95); south (Sloan Exit on I-15 or mile marker 14.5 on State Route 604; east (National Park Services Lake Mead National Recreation Area); west (U.S. Forest Service’s Spring Mountains National Recreation Area); Big Dune (dune beetle habitat as posted); and any fenced restoration site and livestock closure.

Further information can be found by visiting www.blm.gov/nv or by calling the BLM’s Southern Nevada District Office at 702-515-5000.