Burro Wash Trail

Trail Overview

The free trail is a busy and easy in-and-out trail. It can be conquered without the use of 4WD, but it can become difficult when rains come to the desert and change the landscape. You will want to have a high-clearance vehicle and at least all-terrain tires to help protect against the sharp rocks. The trail does not have restrooms, and cellular service cuts in and out while on the trail. The trailhead is in a small Nevada town just outside of Las Vegas called Boulder City at the Mead Substation (part of the U.S. Department of Power). There are several things to do in town. Boulder City is a very family-friendly area with several parks and festivals throughout the year. It is the home of the Hoover Dam and was built for the workers during the construction. It is only one of two towns in Nevada that prohibits gambling. Sometime between 2020 and 2021, the trail was graded. The trail is a service road for the powerlines in the area, and the difficulty in the past was beyond what a service truck could handle. There are two main parts of the trail. The first half of the trail will end on a plateau overlooking the mountain where the shelf road will bring you into the valley. The second half of the trail will wind through the mountains and valleys and end at the Colorado River. In the first half of the trail, you will encounter long stretches of whoops, sharp lava rocks embedded into the road, and even a very small amount of water if there has been recent rain. Depending on the time of year, you will see several cactus flowers along the road. The midpoint overlook is the best view you will get during the first half and is a great resting point. The second half of the trail will begin with a shelf road winding down into the valley. If erosion takes place on the trail again, there will be some difficult spots along the route. Views will be filled with mountains and valleys during the second half of the trail. You will enter the wash area and be able to pick up your speed a bit. The sand can become overwhelming for a vehicle if driving too slowly. Disengaging your traction control will help to keep your vehicle moving. The final stop of the trail is the Colorado River. There is a great little area to camp near the water with plenty of space for several vehicles. Be wary of the shoreline as the river can change drastically due to the tides.

Photos of Burro Wash Trail

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Difficulty

In the current state, the trail does not require 4WD to drive in. 4WD is suggested to get back out of the wash area.

Technical Rating