River Mountains Loop - Recreational Bike Trail

If you have used so many short mountain bike trails and you are open to trying an extra-long trail, then your ideal candidate is the River Mountains Loop Trail. This route is almost 35 miles trail. In addition, it includes many interesting sights that can make your long ride worth it.

Although the Rivers Mountain Trail is paved, much of the path takes you past rolling hills or across Lake Mead’s mountainous fringes. Therefore, expect constant inclines and declines throughout your ride.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

The River Mountains Loop Trail has several access points on its way, such as the Railroad Pass Hotel Casino (2800 S Boulder Highway), as well as the upper parking lot, and Bootleg Canyon Park (Yucca St, Boulder City). They all run on a loop, which means they return you to where you started.

Our team of experts recommends the Railroad Pass Hotel trailhead as the best place to start your lengthy adventure. This trail features a paved surface with a width of 12 feet, it is adjacent to equestrian trails that stretch for about 15 miles of its 34.5-mile length.

The route joins the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, as well as Hoover Dam, and Boulder City, it also features easy access to County Wetlands Park and through the Wetlands Trail Connector – to Lake Las Vegas.

Overall, this trail represents seamless connections to various sections until you return to your trailhead, but it is filled with poor markings or signage. So, you need to rely on a map to ascertain the paths to follow at intersections.

Sights of Interest

Covering the entire length of the trail means that you will pass through many points of interest. Our team of experts has divided these points into three parts:

1.      Henderson

A big part of the trail along Henderson turns along the base of mountains with the captivating Las Vegas Valley views, for example, Mount Charleston and the Strip across it, as well as Frenchman Mountain.

Sights of interest along the Henderson section include the Three Kids Mine, a historical Manganese mine; the River Mountains Bike Shop, where you can rent bikes and get services; and the Lake Las Vegas Development.

2.      Boulder City

The stretch along Boulder City is climbing or dropping to reach the Bootleg Canyon Park Trailhead, its high point. A big part of the trail through the city is along a flood wash which is wide and paved, and you will find signs leading to other trails in the area. The sight of interest here is Bighorn Park, where you can spot bighorn sheep late afternoon.

3.      Lake Mead National Recreation Area

This area involves the Boulder Beach Campground. This place is a large ground which is available for RVs.

Precautions

Riding the trail, you can cross and pass through many wash areas, which can get tricky for you, especially if the track is wet. Therefore, our team of bike enthusiasts advises that you avoid it during and after wet conditions. Also, we recommend riding the River Mountains Loop Trail clockwise.