Bitter Springs Back Country Byway

Just 40 miles outside of Las Vegas, motorists can cruise a different sort of strip altogether. The Bitter Springs Back Country Byway, a 28-mile unpaved road through the desert foothills of the Muddy Mountains, is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown Las Vegas and the perfect back-to-nature escape. The rocky landscape, dotted with dry washes, native shrubs and wildflowers and colorful sandstone, is a showcase of interesting formations. Motorists passing along the byway will discover dusty remains of abandoned borax mines, the odd desert stream, dry creek beds, local wildlife and even tracks originating from the Old Spanish Trail, a path forged by Spanish explorers in 1776 and later used by settlers heading west. With its narrow canyons and wide plains, the Bitter Springs Back Country Byway also boasts a fantastic selection of sites for truly memorable camp-outs. A night under the stars off this secluded desert byway is something you’re not likely to forget. Because of the rugged terrain in the Muddy Mountains, motorists venturing along the unpaved Bitter Springs Back Country Byway are encouraged to drive a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive. And when you’ve had your fill of byway cruising, there are many more points of interest nearby, from Valley of Fire State Park to Lake Mead National Recreation Area to Hoover Dam and more.

From Las Vegas, take Interstate 15 northbound; if driving from Mesquite take Interstate 15 southbound. Take the Valley of Fire Exit and turn onto State Route 169. State Route 169 will turn left, and there will be a dirt road straight ahead. Continue straight to where you enter the byway. At the intersection of State Route 169 and the Bitter Springs Trail, follow the Bitter Springs Trail south on the dirt road. The byway ends at the intersection of Bitter Springs Trail and Northshore Road.