Mud Lake Road

Mud Lake Road stretches 15 miles across typical Mojave scrubland before revealing Nevada’s unexpected secret—a genuine marsh fed by underground springs in one of the state’s driest regions. The Bureau of Land Management maintains this route primarily for wildlife management access, but it’s open to public use. Expect endless washboard and soft sandy sections where the old lake bed still shows through, plus several cattle guards that’ll rattle your fillings loose.

Any high-clearance vehicle can handle this route, though 4WD helps in the sandy washes near the lake itself. Spring and fall migrations bring impressive waterfowl concentrations, making this a favorite with birders and photographers. Carry plenty of water—this isn’t camping country due to private land boundaries, but the lake makes a worthy day trip from Las Vegas. Best access is March through November when muddy conditions aren’t an issue.