Bunker Hill Mine Road
Silver baron ghost town at 10,000 feet.
The switchbacks start easy enough through pinyon and juniper, but once you hit the limestone shelves above 8,000 feet, Bunker Hill Mine Road turns nasty. This old mining supply route climbs relentlessly to the Ruby Mountains’ highest ghost town, where the Bunker Hill Mine pulled millions in silver from 1869 to 1893. The final mile to the headframe requires careful tire placement on loose rock shelves with thousand-foot exposure. Original mine buildings still stand, including the superintendent’s house and assay office.
Expert-level terrain demands lockers, skid plates, and confidence on narrow ledges. The limestone gets greasy when wet, making this a dry-weather-only proposition from June through October. No permits, but this is serious backcountry — bring recovery gear, extra water, and let someone know your route. The payoff is massive: 360-degree views from the Ruby Crest, Nevada’s most pristine ghost town, and knowing you’ve driven one of the state’s most technical mining roads.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9850 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Elko, Nevada |
| Land manager | Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Bunker Hill Mine Road?
No. This trail demands a modified 4WD with front and rear lockers at minimum. Lifted suspension and skid plates are strongly advised — the limestone rock sections will eat up stock underbodies and unprotected differentials.
When does Bunker Hill Mine Road open each year and is snow a real concern?
June through October is your window, but early June can still have snow near the 9,850-foot summit. Check conditions before heading out — early season snowpack in the Ruby Mountains can linger well into summer and the road closes entirely in winter.
Do I need a permit to run this trail or camp out there?
No permit required to drive the trail. Dispersed camping is allowed under Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest rules — standard 14-day stay limit applies, and you're responsible for packing out everything you pack in.
What's the hardest section and what exactly makes it difficult?
The upper limestone rock climbs approaching the ghost town are the crux — jagged, loose rock with steep off-camber shelf sections and no bailout points once you're committed. One wrong line and you're on your side with nobody around for miles.
How far is the nearest gas station and is there any water on the trail?
Elko is your last fuel stop before heading out — top off there, it's roughly 40+ miles to the trailhead depending on your approach. There is no reliable water source on the trail, so carry all you need for the full day; there's zero cell service out here if something goes wrong.
Trail track
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