Logandale, NV – Offroad Drive

Introduction:

What? :

Logandale BLM OVH area is spread over 45,000 acres and 200 miles offroad trails system leading you in between the red rock hills and boulders to unique desert sceneries as well as playground of a large section red sand dunes that are the signature of this off-road heaven.

 

The trails can accommodate a variety of skill levels, most are mid-level.

 

We did a 15 miles offroad loop drive (although the loop name is “13 miles”).

The main loop drive is mildly challenging with some deep sand dune area, for most stay in 4-high unless you are taking this loop at a slow speed or overcoming side rocks/climb challenge.

 

I recommend driving it counterclockwise so you will save the long send dune to be last, but you can go in any direction.

 

It will take you about 2-3 hours to complete.

 

 

Where? :

Moapa Valley is about 62 miles north of Las Vegas, or 73 miles south of St. George, Utah.

From I-15, take Nevada Hwy 169 toward Logandale/ Overton.

Turn right on Liston Rd. Follow the road to the right, cross the railroad track. The dirt road turn left away from the track, follow the road into the LTS area.

From the rail crossing this will be 3 miles driving on well-maintained road until you will reach staging area.

 

Google Map Link

 

 

 

When? :

The BLM area is open year-round but the best time to visit here is Oct - April.

Summer months introducing scorching hot with mid-day temperatures rising to 115f.

Summer afternoons may have monsoon rain, there are flash flood possibility so be aware, but the wet dunes will get easier to ride on.

 

Winter have low night and early morning temperatures but perfect day temperatures with almost no rain at all.

  

 

 

Due note 1:

This is OVH (Off-Highway Vehicle) area so Dune buggies/side by sides and any other off-road vehicle are welcome.

 

Due note 2:

The desert is a fragile ecosystem, and it doesn’t take much to damage the landscape for many years forward, trails leading to a top of a hill will stay there for many years. There are many well-marked trails and sand dunes in this system. You won’t need to drive past the existing trails and designated routes, respect the lad.

 

Due note 3:

Cell reception in the area might be limited, downloading a trail map of the area in advance.

 

Due note 4:

Restrooms and few picnic table with shade are available in the staging area.

 

Due note 5:

Located in Moapa Valley, you can find here plenty of food and grocery stores.

The nearest gas station is on highway 169, Logandale, 0.7 mile north of W Liston Ave.

There is another gas station south of here.

There are gas stations on highway I-15, at Moapa.

 

Due note 6:

Primitive Camping is available at designated campsites where there are fire rings.

 

Due note 7:

Make sure that your off-road vehicle is up to the trip, that you have a basic recovery kit and the knowledge how to use it.

 

Due note 8:

Although not so much remote and very popular destination, especially during weekends, traveling in groups is always a good idea.

 

 

 

My thoughts:

This is fun place to spend few hours off-road drive that combine interesting red rock landscape, vast area and fun send dune drive.

 

 

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The Drive:

 

We started from the staging area at the end of the 3 miles dirt road.

Right after getting down into the creek, we took the turn right here the trail following the creek cutting it way in between the red rock hills and large boulders.

 

The trail following the line of the red rock hills in the dry bed wash.

On your left there are the high cliffs of the red rock and on the right side there is a series of narrow long send hump parallel to the creek.

There are many short trails climbing up to the “hump” and going down to the creek.

 

No matter where you are driving you need to keep driving south parallel to the red cliffs and do not take any trail forking to the right, away from the red rocks.

Along this section there are many short side canyons that penetrate the red rock cliffs, if you have time, you can explore some of them by foot.

The drive in this section is not technical and simple to navigate.

 

After 5.4 miles from the staging area, you will get to a large opening in the red cliff hills to your left. This opening in the hills is as a result of a large drainage creek leading in that direction, turn left and follow the creek. This is North Fork Overton Wash.

There are several interesting rock formations along this section of the drive.

After about additional mile the narrow creek open-up.

 

Keep driving in the creek, you will pass a trail to your left and right after large wash merge (coming from the right), at mile point 7.6 you will take the trail to your left, leading out of the creek.

 

The trail will climb moderately in general direction to the north.

As a result of ATV runs, I found it that the trail here was exceptionally bumpy in many sections.

 

Do not climb the hills on your right but heat left into the open sandy area.

If you did not air down your tires, this is the time to do so, from here we are getting into deep sandy area.

 

Find the trails that are heading to the left, there are few of them.

From here take the trails leading southwest, there is a large red rock hill and we preferred to take the left trail. The trails are leading into the direction of Indian Pictograph Park

We did not had time to explore by foot this area so we turned right (north) and start to drive in the deep dune area.

The area consists of deep very soft red sand with large rocky red rocks hills on bot sides.

This is a fun section of the drive, keep distance and enjoy the send drive.

 

This sand-dune trail running in between the red rock is about 4.1 mile long, what a fun drive.

Once you reach the end of this section you will reconnect the trail you came from and after short climb up you will be back at the staging point.

 

From here you have another 3.4 miles to the road, drive 0.7 mile to the north and you will find a gas station.

 

 

This is a very popular offroad area and there are many good reasons for that.

We had amazing red rock desert views, fun, bumps, and soft sand dunes runs…