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
hardDriving the Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in California is quite an adventure
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up, road trippers! Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in Monterey County, California, is calling your name! This 24.2-mile stretch winds its way through the Los Padres National Forest, hugging the Santa Lucia range like a long-lost friend. Built back in '37, this beauty is well-maintained but definitely cozy – think two lanes and no center stripe, with steep banks on either side. Give yourself an hour to an hour and a half to soak it all in. While it's usually pretty quiet, keep an eye out for fellow adventurers. The eastern side is all lush forest with peeks of views, so be sure to take advantage of the pull-outs for those Insta-worthy shots. You'll climb to a cool 2,759 feet, crossing the Old Coast Road about seven miles from Highway 1. Heads up – it can get dicey in winter, and the road sometimes closes for military exercises. Landslides happen, so be aware. Now, for the real talk: this road isn't playing around. Expect serious drop-offs and zero guardrails. Take your time, hug those curves, and keep your eyes peeled. The last section? Prepare for over 100 turns! Blind corners are a thing, so stay sharp on the way up. If you're cool with driving on the edge (literally), the views are insane. Pro tip: skip this one at night, and don't rely on your cell service. Trust me, it's worth it for the bragging rights!
hardTreasure Hill
🇺🇸 Usa
Treasure Hill is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.805m (9,202ft) above the sea level, located in White Pine County, along the central eastern boundary of the U.S. state of Nevada. The peak is located within the White Pine Range range. The road to the top is very rough, tippy and bumpy at times. The road is usually impassable in winters. Great trail for experienced wheelers. The trail is narrow with few places for passing so meeting someone can be a challenge. In order to drive this road up, you need a high clearance vehicle! The trail is very steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. Navigating the Scenic Byways of Pennsylvania 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.
moderateHow Long Is Howland Hill Road?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, road trip lovers, listen up! You HAVE to add Howland Hill Road in Del Norte County, California, to your bucket list. Yep, this is the spot where they filmed scenes from "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi"! This isn't your average cruise; it's a 6.8-mile (10.94 km) redwood wonderland connecting Crescent City and Hiouchi, peaking at 643 feet (195 meters). Think towering trees and dappled sunlight – seriously stunning! Give yourself around 35-45 minutes to soak it all in, especially at Stout Grove, home to some of the most postcard-worthy redwoods. Now, a little heads up: Mother Nature sometimes throws a curveball. Winter storms can make parts of the road impassable, and summer might bring road work (usually May-July) and those pesky mosquitos, so pack your bug spray. Built way back in 1887 as a stagecoach route, it's a narrow, winding adventure. Big rigs and RVs might find it a bit tight, so maybe leave those at the campground. The road surface can be a mix of smooth, hard-packed gravel and some potholed sections, so keep your eyes peeled, but standard cars should be just fine. Get ready for an amazing drive!
moderateWhere is Leviathan Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Leviathan Peak in California's Alpine County is calling your name with killer remote views and a summit sitting pretty at 8,963ft. Find this gem southeast of Lake Tahoe, nestled within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near the Nevada border. What awaits you at the top? A communication site that's been there since the 60s, and the old Forest Service Leviathan Fire Lookout. The 360-degree views are unreal – think Sierra Mountain range vistas, neighboring peaks, and the Nevada desert shimmering in the distance. Now, the road... It's Leviathan Peak Road (Forest Road 31057), and it's all dirt. Seriously, 4WD is your best friend here. You can cruise most of the way, then hike the last quarter-mile to the fire tower after you reach a locked gate. The tippy-top is service vehicles only. Clocking in at just 1.4 miles from California State Route 89 (Robert M. Jackson Memorial Highway), south of ..., this climb packs a punch with a 708 ft elevation gain and an average gradient of 9.6%. Heads up: this road is a no-go in winter (usually closed from late November to early April due to its location high in the Sierra Nevada). And, word to the wise, it gets seriously windy up there!