
Christmas Tree Pass is an enjoyable drive through the desert of Nevada
Usa, north-america
26.23 km
1,210 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Christmas Tree Pass in Nevada! This isn't your typical Vegas experience. We're talking about a 16.3-mile dirt road (NPS Road 20) snaking through the Newberry Mountains, hitting a peak of 3,969 feet. Find it by heading outside Laughlin off NV-163 or coming from Searchlight on US-93.
The views are seriously amazing β classic Nevada desert landscapes giving way to mountain scenery. You'll be cruising through the Lake Mead National Recreation Area so there are hiking and rock scrambling opportunities along the way! The road's generally in good shape but watch out for some steep and rough patches, especially on the east side just below the summit. High clearance is helpful in spots. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes!
The real highlight? The pass is named for *the* Christmas Tree β a local tradition of decorating a tree along the route with ornaments. Plus, don't miss Grapevine Canyon! Seriously cool ancient rock art is etched into the granite boulders. Allocate about an hour to drive, not including stops, along this route sacred to Native American tribes.
Where is it?
Christmas Tree Pass is an enjoyable drive through the desert of Nevada is located in Usa (north-america). Coordinates: 35.8568, -99.6384
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 26.23 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,210 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 35.8568, -99.6384
Related Roads in north-america
moderateEiseman Hut
πΊπΈ Usa
Eiseman Hut is a high mountain refuge at an elevation of 3.424m (11,233ft), located in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. Located in the rugged Gore Range north of the Vail Valley, this infamous gravel road to the summit is rough with several hairpin turns. Itβs called Forest Road 719. Make sure you get your vehicle and yourself well-prepared before driving this road. 4wd vehicle required. The route is snow free from June to October. Always be prepared for winter weather, even in summer. Built in summer of 1996, the hut was funded by Dr. Ben Eiseman and a number of charitable foundations. Understanding Auto Insurance Logistics on US Roads Driving the idyllic Ebbetts Pass National Scenic Byway across California's Sierra Nevada Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardWhere is Mountain Springs Summit?
πΊπΈ Usa
Cruising through the Mojave Desert? You've gotta check out Mountain Springs Summit! This pass, sitting pretty at 2,770 feet in San Bernardino County, California, gives you classic desert vibes near Goffs. The road? Smooth sailing all the way on Interstate 40, a major highway that used to be part of the iconic Route 66. Just be ready to share the road with plenty of trucks! This stretch clocks in at about 34.4 miles, taking you from Fenner to Needles, not too far from the Arizona border. Get ready for some wide-open scenery as you eat up the miles in this arid landscape!
hardWhere is Hurrah Pass in Moab?
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, buckle up for the Chicken Corners Trail, a wild ride near Moab, Utah! This 14.8-mile unpaved adventure starts from Kane Creek Canyon Road and winds its way to Fielder Natural Arch. We're talking about a route that straddles San Juan and Grand counties, taking you to a max elevation of 4,793 feet. The road shadows the Colorado River, climbing to the pass (the high point) and then descending to incredible views. For most of the route, a high-clearance SUV should be fine, but the last few miles definitely demand 4x4 capability β things get rough! Expect some seriously exposed sections that'll have you peering straight into canyons β totally worth the adrenaline rush, though. The views from Hurrah Pass are incredible. You can see the Colorado River, the Potash Evaporation ponds, Dead Horse Point, and Canyonlands National Park! You can usually tackle this trail year-round, but late spring and fall are ideal β summer can get scorching. Go early for the best light and to dodge the crowds. Trust me, this drive along the Colorado River is a must-do!
hardDriving the scenic Castle Creek Road in Colorado with beautiful aspen trees
πΊπΈ Usa
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down Castle Creek Road (aka County Road 15) in Colorado's Pitkin County, surrounded by a sea of shimmering aspen trees. Seriously, it's an Instagram dream come true! This windy road is paved smooth as butter, winding its way up into the Rockies, specifically the Elk Range, south of Aspen in the Ashcroft Valley. The views? Absolutely magnificent, and the best part is, you won't be fighting hordes of tourists for a parking spot. The road leads to Ashcroft, a cool little ghost town with restored buildings from its silver mining heyday back in the 1880s. Keep in mind, though, that Old Man Winter usually shuts this beauty down around November 15th, and it doesn't reopen until around May 15th. But when it's open, get ready for some unforgettable hikes right off the roadside. The drive itself has some steep climbs and hairpin turns to keep things interesting! The main paved road is about 13.2 miles long, climbing 1,844 feet from Aspen. If you're feeling adventurous at the end of the pavement, a gravel road, Cooper Creek Road, climbs up even higher.