A Nevada road trip between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas is a journey through some of the state’s most awe-inspiring landscapes, highlighting the remarkable variety of outdoor adventures in eastern Nevada. From hiking amidst the alpine beauty of the Ruby Mountains to summiting Wheeler Peak in Great Basin National Park, this route showcases the road less traveled.
Along the way, explore historic gems like Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park and marvel at the surreal rock formations of Cathedral Gorge State Park. Whether you’re a hiker, or history enthusiast, this Nevada road trip itinerary celebrates the beauty and adventure waiting in Nevada. Discover the road less traveled and immerse yourself in the outdoor wonders of the Silver State!
Location map of the Nevada road trip for outdoor lovers
** Click on the three dots near the top of the right hand corner to email a copy of the Nevada road trip map. **
Day 1 on our Nevada road trip: Salt Lake City to Ruby 360 Lodge via Bonneville Salt Flats, Wendover and Elko
Driving distance and time: 248 miles and 3 hours, 45 min driving time.
We rented a car in Salt Lake City – and immediately hopped onto I-80 west. In no time we left the city traffic behind and enjoyed an interesting drive past Great Salt Lake and countless salt flats. I knew we had to stop when we saw the extensive Bonneville Salt Flats shimmering off in the distance – the largest of the salt flats west of Salt Lake City.
Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah
Distance/time from the Salt Lake City Airport: 131 miles and 2 hours driving time.
The Bonneville Salt Flats in western Utah were our first stop on a week-long Nevada road trip. Before leaving Salt Lake City I didn’t look at the map in any detail, so it was a pleasant surprise to reach these extensive salt flats best-known for land-speed racing.
From a distance the Bonneville salt flats glittered. The contrast between blue sky and white salt crust was breathtaking, creating a surreal landscape. Go prepared on a visit. During summer, temperatures can soar above 100°F (38°C) and it’s shocking how much reflected heat is thrown off. Don’t forget your sunglasses as the salt flat is blindingly bright.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are known for land speed records. According to a sign in the parking lot, Gary Gabelich roared to 622.407 miles per hour on October 23, 1970. A rocket engine and specially designed inflatable tires made it all possible.
John and I stopped in Utah to check out the Bonneville Salt Flats located on I80 just 10 minutes from the Nevada border
West Wendover – our first stop in Nevada on our week-long road trip
Distance from Bonneville Salt Flats to West Wendover: 13 miles and 18 minutes driving time.
Time needed: 10 minutes
Everyone who enters Nevada via I-80 from Utah is officially welcomed by Wendover Will – a 63-foot tall neon cowboy. You’ll find him on Wendover Boulevard, about a mile after turning off the interstate.
Stay at Ruby 360 Lodge: A Hidden Retreat in the Ruby Mountains
Driving time from Wendover Will to Ruby 360 Lodge: 131 miles and 2.25 hours (Check your watches as you usually lose an hour between Utah and Nevada.)
We’d made a quick stop in Elko to pick up snacks and lunch material for the next few day’s hikes. From Elko it takes just over 30 minutes to reach the Ruby 360 Lodge. What a difference those 24 miles make! Enjoy beautiful and hilly backroads once you reach Lamoille. Then the scenery explodes.
John and I had the pleasure of spending three nights at the Ruby 360 Lodge. In winter it’s a heli-ski lodge but come summer and fall, you can visit simply for one of their fabulous dinners with live local music or spend a few nights like we did and hike some of the exceptional trails nearby. They also have yurts up on the mountain which are very popular.
Make reservations for dinner and overnight on the Ruby 360 Lodge website. The staff are kind and friendly, the food is excellent and it’s a great place to simply relax.
Day 2: Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive and a day hike in the Ruby Mountains
Distance and driving time from Ruby 360 Lodge to the end of Lamoille Canyon: 17 miles and 39 minutes each way
Dedicate the second day of your Nevada road trip to exploring the short yet stunning Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive followed by a half to full day hike in the Ruby Mountains, one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Nevada. And that’s saying something as there are 314 named mountain ranges in the state – more than any other in the Lower 48.
Lamoille Canyon Scenic Drive
The start of the picturesque 12-mile-long Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is less than a 25-minute drive from Elko, Nevada, a must stop on a Nevada road trip geared to outdoor lovers. The only caveat – it’s only open in the summer and early fall as Lamoille Canyon is in a snow belt.
As the road winds up scenic Lamoille Canyon, why not stop at one of the numerous pull offs or picnic areas to better appreciate the impressive scenery. You’ll find access to some of the finest day hikes in Nevada from the parking lot at the end of the scenic byway.
Day hike to Dollar, Lamoille, Liberty and Favre Lakes
A hike to as many as five alpine lakes at the end of Lamoille Canyon rewards you with breathtaking mountain vistas – literally as you’ll need to cross 10,450-foot Liberty Pass to get to three of the five lakes.
I think Liberty Lake is the most beautiful of the five alpine lakes but if you just want a taste of the Ruby Mountains, I’d encourage you to do the 4.0-mile round-trip hike to Dollar and Lamoille Lakes. If you can commit to a full day’s hike then include Liberty and Favre Lakes – but hike to Castle Lake only if you’ve got the energy.
The Ruby Mountains are a hiker’s paradise – and an exceptional stop on a Nevada road trip for outdoor lovers.
Day 3: More hiking in the Ruby Mountains on your Nevada road trip
Distance and driving time: 17 miles and 39 minutes each way
Time needed: About four hours of hiking – if you do both hikes – plus time for lunch somewhere pretty.
Island Lake hike
The four-mile return hike to Island Lake (elevation 9,700 feet) gains just 900 feet – so it’s a hike a lot of families can do. Cross a bridge over Island Lake Creek one mile into the hike and continue up on good rock to reach a glacial cirque and beautiful Island Lake, named for the small island in the middle of it. Keep an eye out for mountain goats and Himalayan snowcocks – found in Nevada primarily in the Ruby Mountains and the Humboldt Range near Elko.
Park at the end of Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, cross the highway and look for the trailhead.
Thomas Canyon hike
Thomas Canyon trail located off the Lamoille Scenic Byway is a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) out-and-back hike that takes roughly two to three hours to complete. This moderate trail features wildflower-filled meadows in late spring and early summer, cascading waterfalls, and outstanding views of the rugged Ruby Mountains.
You’ll find the trailhead in the Thomas Canyon Campground by site 33. There is lots of free parking nearby. If you like camping, the campground would be a good spot to spend a night or two.
Day 4: Ruby 360 Lodge to Baker via Ely and Cave Lake State Park
Distance and driving time from Ruby 360 Lodge to Baker: 231 miles and 4 hours driving time.
Today’s a busy day on the Nevada road trip with lots of driving along with stops in Ely and two state parks – Cave Lake and Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic Park.
Ely
Distance and driving time from Ruby 360 Lodge to Ely: 169 miles and 3 hours driving time.
Time needed: 1 hour to 90 minutes
In Ely take an hour to drive through town admiring the 28 murals and public art installations. The murals give you a window into “Ely’s past, present, and aspirations for the future.” You can download a map from the Ely Mural Arts and Audio Tour website showing the location of all the murals. Once you’re standing in front of them, call the Mural Tour hotline at (775) 242-5625 and get a full description – that “breathes life into the artwork, offering insights into the themes, techniques, and historical significance of each masterpiece. “
Train lovers will also enjoy a trip to the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum and the Nevada Northern Railway. Sign up for a guided tour of the East Ely Yard Complex or better yet book one of the many themed train rides out of Ely.
The one that looks really interesting is the Great Basin Star Train excursion – a combo of trains and star gazing in the night sky led by a ranger. They sell out quickly!
Cave Lake State Park
Distance and driving time from Ely: 14 miles and 19 minutes.
Time needed: 2 – 6 hours depending on how much hiking you want to do.
Scenic Cave Lake State Park sitting at an elevation of 7,300 feet has been described as a mini Great Basin National Park because of its mountains, interesting rock formations and an alpine lake that’s popular for boating and fishing, though it’s currently drained while a dam is rebuilt.
When John and I visited the park in mid-September it felt as though we had the whole place to ourselves. We would have loved a solid day of hiking so we could cover 16 miles over all five trails. Instead, we hiked the Cave Overlook Loop and a section of the Twisted Pines Trail. Pinyon pine and juniper forests, solitude, views of dramatic Square Top Peak and other rock formations made for a memorable hike.
Ward Charcoal Ovens Historic Park – an off the beaten stop on a Nevada road trip
Distance and driving time from Ely: 19.7 miles and 26 minutes
Timed needed: 30 minutes or 2 hours if you plan to hike.
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park is known for its six beautifully-preserved, beehive-shaped charcoal ovens, built in the 1870s to support the nearby mining operations. These structures were used from 1876 – 1879 to convert wood into charcoal, which was then used to fuel the region’s silver smelters. When the mining was finished (and the forests partially denuded) the structures were used for travelers and even as a hangout for stagecoach bandits.
Wander in and out of the ovens and take to the scenic trails nearby if you’ve got the time. There are approximately 10 miles of easy to moderate trails starting at either end of the park.
Overnight at the Stargazer Inn in Baker – your base for Great Basin National Park adventures
The Stargazer Inn in Baker, Nevada isn’t fancy but it’s comfortable and the perfect place to stay on your Nevada road trip, especially when there aren’t many options in this part of the state. Check in at the Bristlecone Store and while you’re there, pick up some food for dinner and breakfast. They had a good selection of drinks including wine, food, home baked goodies, and gifts.
Day 5: Explore Great Basin National Park – one of the must-dos on a Nevada road trip for outdoor lovers
Today is a day to explore Great Basin National Park. You’ll see that there’s plenty to do during the day and even into the evening with astronomy tours multiple times a week. Don’t push it as you’re at altitude. Drink lots all day long and sunscreen up.
Lehman Caves: A Subterranean Wonderland
Distance and driving time from Baker: 5.5 miles and 8 minutes.
Time needed: 75 minutes as you must get there early and check in.
The Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park are the largest in Nevada. Visit year-round though be prepared for reduced hours in winter. It’s a good idea to book a tour ahead of time on Recreation.gov so you aren’t disappointed.
Most people do the 60-minute tour which I think is the right amount of time unless you’re seriously into caving. You’ll see dramatic flowstone curtains, dense clusters of rare shield formations – which is more than any other cave in North America, soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites and more. It’s magnificent and a great addition to a Nevada road trip especially on a hot day since the cave stays cool year-round.
At the end of the tour grab a bit to eat at the cafe onsite.
More things to do in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is one of the least visited national parks in the US, so it’s not a place where you’ll be fighting crowds. After you’ve visited Lehman Caves there is still lots to discover.
I’d encourage you to do the Alpine Lakes Loop hike and visit Bristlecone Pine Grove. With more time and enthusiasm add on a hike in the Baker Creek area, and plan to join a two-hour astronomy tour, but only in summer on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
For detailed descriptions of everything to do in Great Basin – including where to camp, read Top Things to Do in Great Basin National Park.
Day 6: Climb Wheeler Peak and drive to Pioche – an exciting day on our Nevada road trip
Distance and driving time from Baker to Pioche: 115 miles and 1 hour, 40 minutes.
Wheeler Peak hike
Distance and driving time from Baker to the trailhead: 16.5 miles and 29 minutes each way.
Plan an early start to beat the thunderstorms on the day you decide to do the Wheeler Peak hike, Nevada’s second highest summit.
The fantastic 8.8 mile out and back hike to Wheeler Peak will be a test of your acclimatization as you’ll top out at 13,065 feet or 3,982 metres. It’s a difficult though not technical hike that will take 5 – 7 hours in total depending on your hiking pace and fitness level.
For a complete guide and lots of pictures read my Guide to Hiking Wheeler Peak.
Pioche – Nevada’s Living Ghost Town
Pioche called “Nevada’s liveliest ghost town” is a historic mining town known for its Wild West charm and colorful past. It was once dubbed one of the roughest towns in the West.
Today visitors can glimpse its history by walking the downtown core past historical buildings like the Thompson Opera house built in 1873. The Mountain View Hotel, a historic landmark dating back to 1885, reportedly hosted Herbert Hoover. The Boot Hill Cemetery is the final home of over 100 “murderous souls” including three men who were killed during the famed Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
The place to eat in Pioche is the historic Silver Cafe – the state’s oldest cafe that has been running continuously since 1907. Gunslingers is good for coffee, subs and ice cream.
Overnight at Overland Hotel & Saloon
I had my doubts about the Overland Hotel & Saloon, rebuilt in 1948 after a terrible fire in Pioche. From the outside it looked a little worn, but inside the rooms were large, clean and comfortable.
Day 7: Pioche – Cathedral Gorge State Park – Las Vegas – the last day of our Nevada road trip
Distance and driving time from Pioche to the Las Vegas Airport: 186 miles and 3 hours (allow extra time to get through Las Vegas.)
On the last day of your Nevada road trip, I encourage you to get up early and visit Cathedral Gorge State Park at sunrise. You absolutely must visit it and at the very least hike down from the Miller Point Lookout to the Cathedral Slots. It’s a short drive from Pioche, so you could return for breakfast.
If not continue to Las Vegas stopping in either Kershaw-Ryan State Park in Caliente or Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge if time allows.
Cathedral Gorge State Park – a photographer’s dream
Distance and driving time: 11 miles and 13 minutes
Cathedral Gorge State Park, located 2.5 hours north of Las Vegas is the home of an otherworldly landscape of dramatic, eroded clay formations and narrow slot canyons. The Cathedral Slots, which we discovered at the end of our hike, were the unexpected highlight in the park for us.
Though short, the slots offer a maze-like experience as you slip through the towering walls of hardened bentonite clay. The light filtering into the slots add to the atmosphere. The narrow passages are fun to explore no matter what your age.
I’d suggest parking at the Miller Point Overlook. You can’t miss the gazebo overlooking the park’s canyons. We visited in the morning – but I’d suggest timing a visit for sunrise or sunset. That view will be one of the highlights on your Nevada road trip.
If you’re a hiker – and you’re prepared with lots of water, a sun hat and sunscreen, then descend on the Miller Point Trail into the magnificent canyons – appreciating you’ll finish the hike by climbing out at the end. For those wanting more, add in the 4-mile-long Juniper Draw Trail and discover the park’s stunning desert terrain. The trail winds through open valleys, around unique formations, showcasing the park’s geology and sparse vegetation.
Las Vegas – the end point of our Nevada road trip
We simply drove to the Las Vegas airport after visiting Cathedral Gorge State Park. I was able to arrange a one way car rental drop off at no extra charge.
I loved discovering the lesser-known areas of eastern Nevada during our week-long road trip. The quieter, off-the-beaten-path places we visited easily outshined the glitz of Vegas for me.
More fun things to do in the western United States
Visiting Hoover Dam From Las Vegas
Best Hikes in Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
Great Things to Do in Redmond Oregon and Nearby
Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes Cycling Guide in Idaho
A big thank you to Travel Nevada for making this trip possible. And what a great one it was.
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