Slumbering Hills Loop
Nevada's loneliest volcanic desert circuit
The Slumbering Hills Loop cuts through a moonscape of ancient volcanic cones in Nevada’s forgotten northwest corner, where cinder piles and lava tubes create an otherworldly maze 50 miles from the nearest paved road. This 47-mile circuit connects abandoned mining camps from the early 1900s silver boom, threading between Massacre Rim’s basalt columns and the aptly named Devil’s Garden volcanic field. The route passes through the ghost town of Denio Junction’s original townsite, where stone foundations mark failed dreams and rusted equipment tells stories of boom and bust.
Moderate difficulty demands high-clearance 4WD for loose volcanic rock sections and occasional deep sand washes, but technical challenges stay manageable for experienced drivers. Summer heat makes this brutal—stick to late fall through early spring when temperatures drop and flash flood risk diminishes. Carry 2+ days water, extra fuel, and recovery gear; cell service doesn’t exist for 100 miles in any direction. The payoff is having Nevada’s most alien landscape entirely to yourself, plus some of the darkest night skies in North America.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 75.6 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5200 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Denio, 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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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Slumbering Hills Loop without modifications?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will get through, but skinny tires on loose volcanic cinder can be squirrelly. All-terrain tires and a skid plate are worth having — the rocky basalt sections will find your undercarriage if you're not careful.
When is Slumbering Hills Loop actually drivable, and what kills it in summer?
Best window is October through April. Summer temps in this corner of Nevada regularly crack 100°F with zero shade, and the remote nature of the route makes a breakdown genuinely dangerous. Spring and fall give you the best conditions; winter is doable but watch for snow above 5000 feet.
Do you need a permit to run this trail?
No permit required — it's BLM land and dispersed camping is allowed throughout. No fees either. Standard Leave No Trace rules apply; pack out everything.
What's the hardest section of the loop and what should I actually expect?
The roughest miles cut through the cinder cone fields where the surface turns to chunky loose rock and the two-track gets faint. Navigation matters here — the trail can disappear into the landscape and a wrong line puts you into soft volcanic ash that'll sink a tire fast.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there water on route?
Denio, Nevada is your last reliable fuel stop, and the station there keeps limited hours — don't roll in on empty expecting it to be open. There is no reliable water on the route; carry a minimum of 5 gallons per person for a 2-3 day run in this desert.
Trail track
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