Easy ATV Rides Starting from Laughlin

What makes a route beginner-friendly

An easy route isn't about distance, it's about the ground under your wheels. Beginner terrain is wide enough to see what's coming, firm enough that the machine doesn't bog down, and gentle enough that you never need to climb or descend anything steep. Around Laughlin, that usually means:

• Graded desert roads. Wide, maintained dirt roads that link one part of the desert to another. Smooth enough to relax, with room to pull over.
• Broad, firm washes. Dry riverbeds where the sand is packed. Stay out of deep, soft sand until you've got the feel of the machine.
• Gentle foothill roads. Gradual climbs toward the mountains west of town, with wide turns and long views back toward the river valley.

How we choose your route

We'll share pickup details when you book. You'll leave with clear directions so you're not guessing at junctions.

Stay on legal routes

Much of the desert around Laughlin is public land, and the rules depend on who manages it:

• Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, west of town, allows off-highway vehicles only on roads and trails that existed when the monument was designated in 2023. No cross-country riding.
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area covers land along the river and has its own rules for vehicles on park roads. Check before riding anywhere inside it.
• Bureau of Land Management land generally limits vehicles to existing roads and trails. Signs mark closures and wilderness boundaries.
• Private land and tribal land are off-limits without permission.

Nevada also generally doesn't allow off-highway vehicles on public streets unless they're posted as open to them. Our ATV rules page covers the basics.

Riding safely in the desert

• Go early or late. Avoid the heat of the day, especially from late spring to early fall.
• Carry water. More than you think: at least a liter per person per hour in warm weather.
• Keep your speed down on loose gravel, around blind corners and near other people.
• Watch for washes after rain. Summer storms can send water down washes quickly. Never ride or park in a wash if rain is around.
• Respect wildlife. Desert tortoises live in this area. Watch the ground, give any you see plenty of room, and never pick them up.
• Turn back early. If a stretch looks harder than you'd like, turn around. Easy ground is never far away.
• Be back before dark. Plan your ride to finish with daylight to spare.

Pick your machine

Riding as a couple? Choose two single-rider quads or one two-up ATV. For timing, see half day vs full day, and for the rest of your trip, our guide to things to do in Laughlin for couples.