River Mountains Loop Trail: What to Know Before You Go
The River Mountains Loop Trail is a 34-mile paved, multi-use National Recreation Trail that circles the River Mountains, linking Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Hoover Dam, Boulder City, and Henderson into one continuous route. It's a genuinely different kind of trail from most others in this series — fully paved, shared with cyclists and e-bikes, and built by a multi-agency partnership rather than a single land manager. Most visitors walk one scenic section rather than the full loop. Welcome to the River Mountains Loop Trail, one of the most flexible and accessible ways to see this stretch of desert on foot, bike, or wheelchair.
Trail Snapshot
Distance | 34 miles total loop; most visitors walk a short section rather than the full distance
Elevation | Over 1,300 ft of variance between the loop's highest and lowest points, spread over gentle paved grades
Difficulty | Easy overall, though individual sections climb noticeably
Hike Time | Varies widely by section chosen
Fee | Free on the Henderson, Boulder City, and Railroad Pass sections; the portion inside Lake Mead NRA requires the standard park entrance fee ($25/vehicle, $15/person on foot or bike)
Restrooms | Yes, at several trailheads
Pets | Allowed, must be leashed
Elevation | Over 1,300 ft of variance between the loop's highest and lowest points, spread over gentle paved grades
Difficulty | Easy overall, though individual sections climb noticeably
Hike Time | Varies widely by section chosen
Fee | Free on the Henderson, Boulder City, and Railroad Pass sections; the portion inside Lake Mead NRA requires the standard park entrance fee ($25/vehicle, $15/person on foot or bike)
Restrooms | Yes, at several trailheads
Pets | Allowed, must be leashed
How to Reach the Trailhead
Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino (2800 S Boulder Highway, Henderson) is a strong first stop — free parking, restrooms and food inside the casino, and no fee-boundary ambiguity. Mountain Lake Park (1020 Golda Way, Henderson) and Equestrian Park (1699 Equestrian Drive, Henderson) are two more free, facility-equipped access points. The portion of the trail inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area's boundary requires the park's standard entrance fee.
What to Expect on the Trail
NPS rates the trail Easy overall, and it's fully paved with gentle rail-trail-style grades throughout — but don't mistake that for flat. The full loop varies by more than 1,300 feet between its highest and lowest points, and some individual stretches are genuinely steep with tight, low-visibility turns. Pick a short, scenic section rather than attempting the full 34 miles on foot. This is a shared-use paved path — cyclists, including e-bikes, move at real speed, so stay aware and keep to your side.
A Trail Built by a 30-Partner Coalition
Lake Mead views, desert and Mojave scenery, volcanic cinder-cone geology near Henderson, and a real chance of spotting bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, or coyotes await along the way. The trail's most scenic short section — five historic tunnels built for Hoover Dam construction near the Alan Bible Visitor Center — is covered in its own dedicated LvLocal guide, the Historic Railroad Trail, so check that out if this section interests you. The full loop was built by the River Mountains Trail Partnership, a genuine multi-agency effort spanning the National Park Service, Bureau of Reclamation, City of Henderson, City of Boulder City, City of Las Vegas, and Clark County, among other partners — planning began in 1996 and the partnership formally organized in 1997.
Best Time to Visit and Conditions
Open year-round, but this is a genuinely shadeless paved trail for most of its length — plan around the heat in warmer months, with fall through spring being most comfortable for a longer walk.
Practical Advice for New Visitors
- Bring water — most of the trail has little to no shade.
- Pack sun protection.
- Wear comfortable walking or biking shoes.
- Stay aware of cyclists sharing the path.
- Don't attempt the full 34-mile loop on foot in one day — pick a section.
- Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino is a great free, fee-free starting point with real facilities.
- The portion inside Lake Mead NRA requires the park's standard entrance fee — Henderson and Boulder City sections are free.
- Leash your dog for the walk.
The River Mountains Loop Trail rewards flexibility more than ambition — pick a scenic section that matches your time and energy, and treat it as one of the most accessible ways to explore multiple corners of the Las Vegas Valley's desert edge on foot, bike, or wheelchair.
