Nellis Dunes OHV Area
Nellis Dunes OHV Area is the closest large-scale off-road riding destination to Las Vegas, approximately 20 miles northeast of the Strip in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area corridor near North Las Vegas, managed by the BLM Las Vegas Field Office. The area encompasses roughly 4,000 acres of Mojave Desert terrain centered on the undulating sand and gravel flats, rocky desert washes, and rolling dune formations that run between the Las Vegas Valley and the Lake Mead basin. The terrain at Nellis Dunes is broadly accessible: the open desert cross-country character suits beginners learning desert riding, while the arroyo crossings, rocky shelf roads on the eastern margins, and the larger dune faces provide enough technical challenge to hold experienced riders for a full day. ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4 trucks are all permitted on the open desert; there are no designated single-track trails, the riding is cross-country over the dune terrain and along the established desert two-track routes that form over heavy-use areas. Primitive camping is permitted under BLM dispersed rules. The proximity to Las Vegas makes Nellis Dunes the highest-traffic OHV area in Nevada by user count: the site draws riders from the Las Vegas metro who want a short drive rather than the 90-minute trip to Logandale or the 2.5-hour drive to Sand Mountain. Nevada OHV registration is required for all machines. Contact BLM Las Vegas (702-515-5000) for closures after significant wind or rain events that can alter dune conditions.