Cherry Creek Range Road
High-altitude mining road across Nevada's backbone
The Cherry Creek Range Road climbs from Ely’s copper smelter ruins toward 9,000-foot summits, following old mining tracks that connect Nevada’s loneliest highway stretches. This 45-mile cross-range route passes through the Cherry Creek mining district, where weathered headframes mark claims that produced silver and lead for decades, then descends through Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park with its beehive kilns that once fed the smelters below.
This difficult route requires experienced drivers and capable 4WD vehicles for steep grades, loose rock, and narrow shelf roads with serious exposure. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms that turn clay surfaces treacherous, making late spring and early fall optimal. Carry tire repair gear, extra fuel, and emergency supplies — you’re 50+ miles from help in either direction. What you earn is genuine Nevada high country solitude, panoramic basin-and-range views, and the satisfaction of crossing terrain that challenges both machine and driver in equal measure.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9100 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with low range |
| Nearest town | Ely, Nevada |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Cherry Creek Range Road?
No. Stock rigs will struggle — rock sections and steep grades demand a modified 4WD with low range, good ground clearance (8+ inches minimum), and all-terrain tires. Lifted trucks with skid plates are the norm out here.
When does the trail typically open after winter and when does it close?
May through October is the reliable window. Snow can close the high sections near 9,100 ft well into spring and return early in October — call the Ely BLM field office for current conditions before you go.
Do I need a permit to run Cherry Creek Range Road?
No permit required. It's BLM land, so access is free and open. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply, and dispersed camping is allowed following BLM guidelines.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The upper ridge approaches near the summit are the crux — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and sustained climbs with minimal room for error or recovery. One bad line and you're on your rocker panels with no cell service and nobody coming.
How far is the nearest gas from the start, and should I carry extra fuel?
Ely is your last reliable fuel stop at the eastern trailhead — the trail is 45 miles of remote Nevada with nothing in between. Carry a minimum 5-gallon spare can; Eureka on the west end has a station but don't count on it being open when you roll in.
Trail track
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