Silver State Trail OHV System

The Silver State Trail is a 260-mile OHV network in Lincoln County, Nevada, the first congressionally designated off-highway vehicle route in the country. The system loops through public land in and around Caliente, Pioche, Panaca, and Alamo, crossing BLM, Forest Service, and Nevada State Parks land along its routes.

Individual segments range from easy gravel forest roads suitable for stock 4WD vehicles to single-track tighter than 50 inches wide that's only legal for registered OHVs. The Chief Mountain Trailhead, nine miles west of Caliente off US-93, is the most-used access point. Riders typically choose a loop based on their vehicle and skill, since the full network can take multiple days to ride end to end.

Getting Oriented

The network sits in southeastern Nevada along the US-93 corridor, between Las Vegas and Ely. Caliente anchors the southern end with the most-used trailhead; Pioche sits to the north, with Panaca and Alamo serving smaller access points. The trails cross a mix of mountain ranges and basin valleys, with elevations from roughly 4,000 to over 9,000 feet.

Getting There

From Las Vegas, drive 150 miles north on Interstate 15 and US-93 to Caliente. The Chief Mountain Trailhead sits nine miles west of Caliente; turn northwest off US-93 at the Silver State Trailhead sign onto an unnamed dirt road and drive 0.5 miles to the staging area. Other trailheads lie along US-93 between Caliente and Pioche.

Approximate Chief Mountain Trailhead coordinates: 37.605366° N, -114.661483° W.

Trail Overview

The Silver State Trail isn't a single linear route. It's a marked network of connected segments that share signage and management. Surface conditions vary from improved gravel two-tracks that any high-clearance vehicle can handle to narrow single-track restricted to vehicles under 50 inches wide. Riders typically plan a loop in advance using the BLM's network map, choosing segments suited to their vehicle. Full traverses of the network take three to five days. Most visitors ride a one-day loop centered on a trailhead near Caliente or Pioche.

Points of Interest

• Chief Mountain Trailhead. The primary access point, nine miles west of Caliente on US-93. Staging area, signage, and connection to multiple loops.
• Cathedral Gorge State Park. Adjacent to the network near Panaca. Bentonite-clay slot canyons.
• Echo Canyon and Spring Valley State Parks. Both connect to network segments and offer developed camping.
• Pioche. A 19th-century silver mining town with full services and history museums.
• Highland Range and Wilson Range. Two of the major mountain ranges the network crosses, with elevation sections in pinyon-juniper and ponderosa pine.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on most BLM land in the network, with the standard 14-day stay limit. Echo Canyon and Spring Valley State Parks offer developed camping with fees. The Caliente area has commercial campgrounds and lodging.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

• Visit spring or fall. Summer temperatures top 95°F at lower elevations; winter brings snow above 6,000 feet.
• Check vehicle restrictions before riding. Some single-track segments are limited to vehicles under 50 inches wide.
• Carry recovery gear and extra fuel. Gas stops are not available on the trail network.
• Plan a loop in advance using the BLM network map. Signage is good but spotty in places.
• Cell service is unreliable. Bring an offline map or GPS.
• All vehicles must be registered with Nevada DMV (street-legal or OHV registered).
• Contact the BLM Caliente Field Office at 775-726-8100 for current conditions and trail status. The agency's Silver State Trail page lists segment-specific rules and recent closures.