City Escape: Henderson, Nevada

This City Escape northeast of Henderson, NV, offers some of the most striking rock formations and desert landscapes in the Southwest. The loop ride includes the stunningly beautiful Valley of Fire State Park, and a great return route through Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This is a four-season ride that can be toasty in mid-summer and chilly in the winter.

The route is straightforward and easy to navigate. There are some tight curves on parts of the loop, so be alert. You’ll need to have some cash ready for the nominal entry fee into Valley of Fire and the Lake Mead Recreation Area. The roads are well maintained, but be vigilant for sand on the road and flash floods.

Points of Interest

Valley of Fire State Park

Nevada’s oldest state park is the crown jewel of this City Escape. You won’t just ride through the 40,000-acre geological wonder—the well-paved side rides allow you to fully explore it. There’s currently a $10 entry fee into the park ($15 for non-NV vehicles).

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

The ride through this area is beautiful on a grand scale, with the entire park spanning 1.5 million acres. If you want a closer look at Lake Mead, you can take one of the side road access points like Stewart’s Point or Echo Bay. There is a $20 motorcycle entry fee.

Clark County Heritage Museum

The Clark County Heritage Museum is an interesting walk through time. The museum has a vast outdoor area with historic homes, a ghost town, and vintage trains. There’s also an indoor exhibit featuring a physical timeline of Nevada from ancient times to the present. Find it at 1830 S Boulder Hwy, Henderson, NV, (702) 455-7955.

Lunch Stop

Since you’ll be riding through state and national parks, you won’t encounter towns. Bring a light lunch to eat in one of the shaded rest areas in the Valley of Fire.