10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails – Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

We'll explore the best Las Vegas bike trails, highlighting scenic routes and adventurous paths for cyclists of all levels
By
John Watson
John Watson
Writer
John is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog read more
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Reviewed By
Jessica Kingston
Jessica Kingston
Expert Consultant
Jessica is our expert consultant on all things connected to biking - gear, technique, you name it. Being a pro cyclist in the past, she knows exactly how things work in and read more
Last updated: September 03, 2023
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Las Vegas is known around the world for its iconic hotels and casinos. But there’s another side to this city that you might not be as familiar with. It has a host of fun outdoor activities for you to try. Including plenty of cycling tracks. To give you some ideas, here are the best Las Vegas bike trails.

1. Union Pacific Railway Trail

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

Just a few minutes away from the iconic Vegas strip lies the Union Pacific Railway Trail. This is a paved path, making it the ideal way for families to introduce children to the joy of cycling in Las Vegas. It also connects with multiple parks, so you can plan stops along the way for play or picnics. This article Trusted Source Beginner’s guide to cycling with kids Cycling can be a great way to get some quality alone time, but it’s also a brilliant opportunity to spend time with your family.In this guide, we take a look at the best ways to get children onto two wheels and riding safely and confidently, from non-pedalling passengers to independent riders. www.bikeradar.com gives you some tips on how to make bicycling with children fun. If you want, this track can connect you with the longer River Mountain Loop, which we’ll discuss later.

2. Pittman Walsh Trail

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

If you are looking for a nice relaxing ride, this path is ideal. It lasts for around four-and-a-half miles. It’s paved and relatively flat. Plus, the trail is clearly marked and well-lit, so you can even ride it at night. You will need to a few road crossings. But these are fairly quiet streets, so you shouldn’t have any problems. Again, there are some parklands along the track, so you can plan a picnic if you want. Though, because it’s a popular inner-city track, I recommend locking your bike if you are leaving it unattended. This article talks you through some of the places where to put a U-lock on your bike while riding.

3. Wetlands Loop

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

This is one of the most scenic Las Vegas bike paths. The wetlands are huge, around 120 acres, and are the home to plenty of animal species. So, you’re likely to have some kind of wildlife encounter. The Wetlands Loop circles it’s way around the edge of the nature reserve. Most of the track is flat and paved. But the final few miles are unpaved and covered with gravel. If you have a road bike, this can cause some problems. That’s why I recommend getting a mountain bike before taking on this track. Don’t worry, you don’t need to spend a lot of money. If you’re on a tight budget, check out this guide to the best full suspension mountain bikes under $2000.

4. River Mountain Loop

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

Las Vegas is known for its beautiful mountainous backdrop. This trail will give you a closer look at these iconic landmarks. It stretches for 32 miles and provides some stunning views of the River Mountains. Though this track is smooth and wide, it does have a few steep climbs that will put your cardio abilities to the test. The main loop is long enough but there are plenty of other side loops that you can explore. On these hilly tracks, I recommend using this an electric mountain bike like NAKTO fat tire electric bike, which comes with three riding modes and a six-speed gearbox you won’t have any problems getting up steep sections.

5. Blue Diamond

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

If you are new to the world of mountain bike riding, the Blue Diamond is a good place to start. There are a few fun mountain biking elements. For example, you’ll have to contend with loose terrain and some rock obstacles blocking the path. But these are fairly easy to navigate. I recommend considering getting a bike with larger wheels, to better absorb the bumps in the road. This list of the best 24-inch mountain bikes will give you some good options to investigate. This article Trusted Source 9 Tips on Mountain Biking for Beginners Looking to hit the trails? Brush up on these mountain biking basics to get started. www.bicycling.com has some tips to help a beginner learn the basics of mountain biking.

6. Bootleg Canyon

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

Bootleg Canyon is one of the most diverse places for mountain bicycling in Las Vegas. There are plenty of fun tracks to explore. There are steep downhill sections to test your nerves. Rock obstacles that will allow you to see how strong your bike control skills are. There are over 35 miles of bike tracks in this location. A few of them might be okay for beginners, but most of them cater to more advanced riders.

7. Railroad Trail

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

If you want a fun bike track that culminates in some spectacular scenery, this is the trail for you. The historical trail gets its name because you’ll pass through some older railway tunnels and over the Hoover Dam. The path is fairly flat, making it easy to ride. When you reach the Hoover Dam, you’ll have to get off and walk the rest of the way. Don’t worry, though, there are plenty of places to park your bike. This article Trusted Source How to lock a bike properly | Essential advice to prevent bike theft It’s every cyclist’s worst nightmare – returning to your bike only to find a broken lock and no trace of your pride and joy. The sad fact is that bike theft is an extremely common crime and, as a result, bicycle security is essential. Knowing how to lock a bike properly will keep you a step ahead. www.bikeradar.com talks you through the basics of locking your bike so no one steals it while you explore the dam.

8. Cowboy Trails

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

The desert of Las Vegas can often make you feel like you are living in a Western movie. This a fantasy you can explore on the aptly named Cowboy Trails exploits. These trails can get very wild. You’ll have to face some steep downhill switchbacks that are lined with cacti, making any mistake painful. The steep uphill sections feature plenty of loose rock, making it hard to get a grip. As you can imagine, this trail is only suitable for an experienced rider. I also recommend getting a solid mountain bike like the Chameleon MX D Mountain Bike, with 29-inch front tires that allow you to get over any obstacle with ease. The only problem is that the tracks aren’t very well-marked. I recommend checking out this article to get a better idea of what to expect on the Cowboy Trail.

9. Deadhorse Loop

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

This is one of the many bike routes Las Vegas that is located within the Cottonwood Valley Trail System. There is plenty to explore along this track. You’ll get steep switchbacks that will burn your legs. There are downhill sections that test your control. Because of this, this loop is only advisable for more experienced riders.

10. Bear’s Best

10 Best Las Vegas Bike Trails - Discovering Breathtaking Routes Beyond the Neon Lights

Finally, Bear’s Best is one of the largest trail networks in the area and home to some of the best dirt bike trails Las Vegas. This park has trails that cater to all abilities. Beginners and intermediate riders should stick to something like Berry’s Drive or Permagrin. But if you are an advanced rider looking for a challenge, why not take on The Circus?

Final Thoughts

Riding through the desert on a mountain bike is a lot of fun. There are plenty of scenic mountain views and wildlife encounters to enjoy. Even better, there is a huge mix of trails in the area. Some cater to absolute beginners, taking you along flat gravel paths. Others are best left to experienced riders, with loose rocks and steep ascents. Hopefully, this list of the best Las Vegas bike trails has given you some ideas. So, grab your bike and explore what lies beyond the glitzy strip.

References

1.
Beginner’s guide to cycling with kids
Cycling can be a great way to get some quality alone time, but it’s also a brilliant opportunity to spend time with your family.In this guide, we take a look at the best ways to get children onto two wheels and riding safely and confidently, from non-pedalling passengers to independent riders.
2.
9 Tips on Mountain Biking for Beginners
Looking to hit the trails? Brush up on these mountain biking basics to get started.
3.
How to lock a bike properly | Essential advice to prevent bike theft
It’s every cyclist’s worst nightmare – returning to your bike only to find a broken lock and no trace of your pride and joy. The sad fact is that bike theft is an extremely common crime and, as a result, bicycle security is essential. Knowing how to lock a bike properly will keep you a step ahead.

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