Level: Intermediate
Length: 30 mi (48.3 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +596/597 ft
Total: 236 riders
Mountain Biking Blue Diamond
#2 of 106 mountain bike trails in Nevada
#258 in the world
Blue Diamond is were you will find some incredible high desert singletrack. The firm desert floor makes the tight twisty trails fast and they go on for miles. There are some good climbs and switch backs on the south side of the road that offer great views of Vegas, or stay on the north side and enjoy relatively flat trails that will make anyone smile. If you are looking for a challenge take the Late Nite trail on the north side. I found it to be the most technical in the park with a good climb from the parking lot and some good rock riding on the way down. Be sure to find a loop though the town of Blue Diamond. It is like a oasis in the desert. Take a camera and alot of water!!!
First added by hoff on Jun 19, 2005. Last updated May 10, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Heading west on the 15 from Vegas take the Blue Diamond exit or highway 160. Just stay on the road and once you pass the turn off for Red Rock Canyon the parking lot will be on the right after a mile or two. The lot is hard to see if there are no cars in it but there is a well marked sight seeing lot on the left after another mile. If you get to the mountains you have gone to far. There is a trail map in the lot.
System trails (1)
Featured in
Miles and miles of trails in the desert!! They are all exposed, so make sure you have water and sunscreen! Three Mile Smile was a fun flowy descent. Rubber ducky has a fun tree of rubber ducks to view. Most of the riding was suitable for a beginner/intermediate and none of the other trails have anything that stands out specifically. Hurl was technical and had a bunch of climbing and rocks. A great trail system to get in a lot of miles and get lost for the day.
| ThankSuperfine river bottom sand and washed out paths make Cottonwood Valley slightly more challenging than usual. Paths coming out of washes are ledges now and not smooth transitions, easy to OTB.
| ThankGreat trails after a good rain a week before.
| ThankFun ride! Definitely go chat with the crew at McGhie's Bike Outpost. They were extremely helpful in providing a map of the trail. There's a couple of climbs throughout but otherwise it's pretty straightforward. Be sure to bring lots of water and be wary of the heat.
| ThankThis was the first trail system I have ridden in the southwest. So many miles of trails. Rent a bike from mcghies in blue diamond and ride right out the door to the trails. Everything seemed well marked and maintained. If you want a good challenge I suggest the black velvet trail.
| ThankLove these desert trails!
| ThankGreat trail system!!! Everything from easy to very difficult. The trails are fairly well marked but it's easy to get lost out there. If you are in Vegas without your own bike, rent from McGhies. They are awesome and the bikes are very good.
| ThankOverall a great ride! I'm from Florida and a novice. In Florida I deal with lose sand, exposed tree roots and pretty much zero elevation. Nevada is very different.
This trail taught me a lot of critical lessons and I am sharing this for other noobs on the site:
1. Study a trail map. I didn't and wound up going on parts of a more challenging trail called "hurl."
2. Know your limits. If your out matched take your time. There is a lot of lose rock on this trail. You will slide and it can be fun just be smart.
3. Bring Lots of Water. I thought I brought enough and I didn't. I now understand that having a blather in the back pack is not just easier, it allows more volume.
I rented a bike from Mcghies outpost. Great folks and the bikes a well maintained.
| ThankMostly flow trails with a mild to moderate amount of climbing. Rental a 27.5 bike with the 3 inch tires and suits this sort of trail really well. Had a blast in 75 degree weather in February.
| ThankThe badger loop is a long climbing trial. The reward at the end of it is bombing down switchbacks and fast trails back to highway 159. What a blast.
| ThankThe reviews are right on. This is a great trail and shows how much fun can be had in the desert. Moderate amount of climbing and some fast sections. The views are breathtaking. I almost got caught in a thunderstorm and would have surely been interesting if it had rained.
The town is quaint and there is a bike shop. Grab a map from the guy. It will surely help. There are tons of intersections and a map will help determine the correct path. I didn't see any Burros on this trek.
| ThankAwesome trail half an hour from the strip. McGhie's outpost has great rates on rental bikes, and come with multitool, extra tube/repair kit, mini air pump, helmet, gloves, water, and great advice. It's also located about half a mile from the trailhead. Bring loads of water and suncreen. Great trails with lots of awesome flowy sections and enough pretty technical sections to keep it interesting. Only a handful and semi-difficult climbs.
| ThankNice ride, not too technical. Bring water, no trees.
| ThankWe came to Vegas for some Spring Break family riding and had a blast out at the Late Nite trail head. Head west from the parking lot for some beginner friendly riding. We rode the Beginner Loop and a bit of the Inner Loop over to the Blue Diamond trail. What a blast!!! I have a 10 year old who is a decent rider a a 45 year old wife who is very cautious and both had to walk just one rocky climb out of a wash. This trail has some REALLY fun flowy sections that had all 6 of us hootin' and hollerin'.
Head south out of the parking to ride 3 Mile Smile. My 18 year old and I rode this trail to it's completion at the south end and loved it. I'm 50 and starting to show some caution in my trail selection but there was nothing that was over my head including White Rhino and some switchbacks at Techno. Coming back down is amazing, with enough obstacles to keep it interesting but fast enough to keep it fun. I just follow my 18 year old and watch him disappear in the distance and remember the days when I was fearless. This is a MUST RIDE if your in the Vegas area.
| ThankFor every level of skill ans ability, take a run with Mc ghie's staff they are awesome
| ThankStarted at the Bicycle Outpost at Blue Diamond town, for a map and advice - excellent service, and good to park your car there also.
My first desert tracks, and I loved the scenery. Tracks have some rocks, but only a couple of "serious" spots that potentially requiring walking.
Trails are largely unmarked - fine for locals, but does make it hard for visitors.
| ThankExcellent trail for everyone
| ThankNice rolling single track which is non technical and great for a longer workout on the large loops. Elevation changes are minimal, but some areas closer to the roads were a bit sandy and loose. Great scenery and a good sampling of the local plants.
| ThankAmazing ride. Was in Vegas for 3 days and will make part of return trip every time. Really fast, flowy with some rock steps that were really technical. Great mtb community in the area. Go early in your Vegas outing so as not to suffer from celebrating on the strip in the desert...it goes directly from mild to really hot very fast..Vegas bike shop at escape adventures was a great guide service. Rode with some roadies on their FIRST mountain bike excursion and the guide let me go while he checked in on them while they were walking bikes.loved it!
| ThankGreat trails so many to choose from to Landmine pass, to Lawn mower, Late Night and Black velvet.There are so many different trails you could be out there all day. You can go on an easier trail to a more technical trail.
| Thank