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 – 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 – 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
easyHow to drive the Sedona's Red Rock Scenic Byway in Arizona
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through Sedona's Red Rock Scenic Byway is like driving through a living, breathing museum – no walls needed! Just 110 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona, this stretch of Arizona Highway 179, nestled between Coconino and Yavapai counties, is a total knockout. For about 14.3 miles, you'll wind through the heart of Red Rock Country, where the scenery is so vibrant and unique, it's almost unreal. This paved road will keep you on your toes with some curves, so keep your eyes peeled and enjoy the ride! Good news: you can usually hit this route year-round. Just a heads-up, winter might bring a touch of snow (November to March is prime time), but don't let that stop you! The drive itself is only around 30 minutes if you don't stop, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. There are viewpoints galore begging for a photo op. Weekends, especially late mornings and afternoons, can get pretty busy, so plan accordingly. This byway is your gateway to everything Red Rock Country has to offer. Think inspiration, history, and outdoor adventures all rolled into one epic road trip. The main 7-mile stretch, from Sedona to the Village of Oak Creek, is like driving through a postcard, with towering red rock sandstone formations and a dramatic high desert vibe. Prepare to be amazed by the raw power and beauty of nature as you weave through pine forests in the Coconino National Forest. It's a landscape painted with improbable colors that will leave you breathless. Get ready for a scenic drive you won't soon forget!
moderateWhen is Wapusk Trail built?
🇨🇦 Canada
Located in the geographical heart of Canada, near the tree line on the edge of Hudson Bay, the Wapusk Trail is recognized by the Guinness World Records as the longest seasonal winter road in the world. Careful preparation for your trip will ensure that if, and when, things do go wrong, you are prepared for the situation. When is Wapusk Trail built? Every January, the road is painstakingly constructed on snow and ice to provide temporary access for a few weeks to remote settlements surrounding Hudson Bay. These settlements, which are typically only reachable by air, rely on this road until the arrival of warmer March weather necessitates its closure. Designed in cold conditions, the road is strategically laid out, following the path of least resistance and traversing natural terrain features like muskeg, lakes, rivers, and creeks. These winter roads play a crucial role in facilitating transportation during the winter, connecting isolated areas where permanent or all-weather roads are absent. Unfortunately, the increasing brevity of the seasons poses significant challenges. It is becoming progressively more arduous to construct reliable ice roads as they are highly dependent on the unpredictable thickness of the ice. As an alternative, air transportation is available, albeit at a considerable cost. How long is Wapusk Trail? The road is 772 km (479 miles) long and stretches west from the communities of Shamattawa and Gillam in Manitoba and east to Peawanuck. In 2011 the road was made a bit longer, arriving to Winisk. The road runs 252 km from Peawanuck to Fort Severn, 234 km from Fort Severn to the Manitoba border, 90 km from the border to Shamattawa, and 196 km from Shamattawa to Gillam. The first 90 km of the road west from Fort Severn is the worst part of the road when the wind is blowing. The number of trucks averages between 30 to 40, with 44 trucks being the record number of trucks in one year, transporting consumer goods, fuel and construction materials. This type of ‘temporary highways’ have a crucial role in enabling goods to be delivered to communities without permanent road access. When was the Wapusk Trail constructed for first time? The winter road system dates back to the 1950’s built by private construction companies to provide a means of transporting freight to isolated northern communities that would be less costly than air transport. The trail has been featured in Ice Road Truckers TV show. How long does it take to drive the Wapusk Trail? It takes about 12 to 17 hours to complete the drive, depending on the conditions. How to prepare to drive the Wapusk Trail? Due to the remoteness of the area, take special care to ensure that your vehicle is ready for the trip. You need to be prepared. In case of a breakdown, there is very little in the way of passing traffic or inhabitants around, and no cell phone service in parts. Winter survival and communication equipment are recommended. Take emergency supplies and extra parts; make sure you know your route. Know where you are and know where you are going. Pic&more info: https://www.tvo.org/article/since-ice-roads-wont-stay-frozen-we-need-to-get-serious-about-building-permanent-roads-in-the-far Saskatchewan Highway 955 is worth the white-knuckle drive Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive: A Comprehensive Travel Guide 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.
hardHow long is the Copper River Highway?
🇺🇸 Usa
Cruising through the Valdez-Cordova area of Alaska? You HAVE to check out the Copper River Highway. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience! Clocking in at just under 50 miles (around 80 km), this road starts in the town of Cordova and hugs the old Copper River and Northwestern Railway bed, leading you towards the iconic Million Dollar Bridge over Miles Glacier. Now, here's the scoop: after the highway ends, a rugged, unpaved section stretches another 10 miles (16 km) towards the Allen River. But be warned! Beyond the bridge, it gets pretty dicey. Most vehicles tap out after another couple of miles due to a steep drop-off. Only serious off-road rigs need apply beyond that point! Heads up: Mother Nature keeps things interesting here. The road is currently closed past mile 36 because of erosion near Bridge 339. They're working on a fix, but for now, that's the end of the line. The first 12 miles (19 km) are smooth sailing on pavement, then it's gravel road fun the rest of the way. This route is PACKED with amazing trails and scenic overlooks. Just keep in mind that winter shuts down the road beyond Mile 12.4. Even in spring, snow can block access to some spots. But when it's open? Totally worth it for the views!
hardHow long is Niles Canyon Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Niles Canyon Road is a short drive located in Alameda County, in the U.S. state of California. The road is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young woman. How long is Niles Canyon Road? Niles Canyon Road (CA-84) is fully paved. The road is 11.74km (7.3 miles) long running from Fremont, in California's San Francisco Bay Area to Sunol, in the Sunol Valley. Is Niles Canyon Road haunted? Unveiling a mysterious urban legend that has captivated generations: The Niles Canyon Ghost, the ethereal apparition of a young woman named Lowerey who tragically lost her life in a haunting car accident rumored to have occurred on the ominous February 28th, with the precise year veiled in uncertainty but believed to be nestled within the 1920s era. Revered folklore whispers that this spectral figure traverses the very same treacherous, serpentine path year after year on that fateful date, yearning for a fortuitous hitchhike towards San Francisco. Despite the perils that shroud this foreboding route, countless intrepid individuals still embark on a pilgrimage, venturing into the ebony depths of the winding road, guided by the glimmering hope of catching a fleeting glimpse of the elusive Niles Canyon Ghost. Numerous witnesses attest to having witnessed a mysterious lady cloaked in a ghostly white gown, her ethereal presence punctuated by eerie illuminations that cast an otherworldly aura. As whispers of this spectral enigma spread, the brave-hearted adventurers who have claimed to have encountered her are surpassed only by the growing numbers of those who, captivated by the allure of the supernatural, embark on quests to seek out this ethereal apparition, entwined in the mystique of Niles Canyon's haunting history. A memorable road trip to Stillwater Pass 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.