Monitor Range Wilderness Access Road
Nevada's forgotten high-desert wilderness traverse
The Monitor Range road cuts through 40 miles of absolute nowhere in central Nevada, climbing from sagebrush flats to alpine ridges where bighorn sheep outnumber humans a thousand to one. Starting from Highway 376 near Belmont, this forgotten mining road follows the eastern flanks of the range, threading between Table Mountain’s limestone cliffs and the ghost camps of Potts and Morey. The technical crux comes at Diana’s Punch Bowl, where fractured limestone creates a maze of car-sized boulders that’ll test your spotter’s patience and your skid plates.
This is solid intermediate territory requiring high-clearance 4WD with decent approach angles. The road deteriorates significantly above 8,000 feet, with loose rock and steep grades that catch overconfident drivers off-guard. Best tackled May through October when snow clears the high country. No services exist for 100 miles in any direction, so pack extra fuel, water, and recovery gear. What you get is untouched Nevada wilderness where you can camp on ridgelines and watch sunrise paint the Toiyabe Range across the valley.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 9100 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Belmont, Nevada |
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle the Monitor Range Wilderness Access Road without modifications?
Yes, a stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner will manage this trail. The limestone sections demand low-range and decent all-terrain tires — street tires on a bone-stock crossover will get you into trouble fast.
When does the trail typically open after winter and is snow a real concern at 9,100 feet?
The trail is generally passable from late May through October, though higher elevations can hold snow into June depending on the year. Don't push it before May — the limestone gets dangerously slick when wet and mud can swallow a rig whole.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on the Monitor Range Wilderness Access Road?
No permit required — this is BLM land and dispersed camping is free. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply; don't camp within 200 feet of water sources and pack out everything you pack in.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect there?
The technical limestone sections mid-route are where things get honest — loose rock, off-camber shelf road, and exposed ledges that require careful tire placement. It's not a white-knuckle nightmare, but one bad line can mean a bent rim or worse with no recovery help for miles.
There's zero cell service on this trail — how far is the nearest gas and what's the fuel range reality for 42 miles of backcountry?
Belmont is your last real stop before the trail but has no fuel — top off in Tonopah, roughly 45 miles southwest, before you head out. Factor in low-gear crawling burning extra fuel and carry a minimum 2-gallon reserve; the nearest pump once you're committed is a long, humbling walk.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.