Slumbering Hills Loop

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.