Best Nevada Cycling Tours 2022/23

Discover Nevada's dreamy desert scenery on two wheels.

Most people know Nevada for its fine dining, electric nightlife and show-stopping concerts in Las Vegas, but there's so much more to this sunbaked state. After enjoying a bit of glitz and glamour, change into your cycling shorts and get ready to explore epic national and state parks brimming with colorful canyons, otherworldly salt flats, windswept sand dunes and spooky ghost towns where time stands still. From cruising through huge tunnels on the Historic Hoover Dam Railroad to climbing up the rust-colored roads of Valley of Fire and Death Valley, a Nevada cycling tour will show you a whole new side of this extraordinary state.

Our Nevada cycling tours

Highlights of cycling in Nevada

A traveller drinking a cocktail in Las Vegas

Live it up in Las Vegas

Nestled in the heart of the Nevada Desert with more bright neon lights, restaurants, bars and casinos than you could ever imagine, Las Vegas is a city you simply don't want to miss. Whether you fancy checking out a performance at one of the big hotels like The Venetian or Caesars Palace, watching the impressive Bellagio water fountain show, heading to a rooftop bar for a cocktail (or two), or wandering down the lively Fremont Street to watch a free concert, the energy of this city is addictive.

An old building in Goldfield Ghost Town in Nevada

Visit Goldfield Ghost Town

Thanks to a huge gold discovery in the early 1900s, Goldfield Ghost Town was once the largest and wealthiest city in Nevada, housing around 20,000 people. It's like stepping back in time as you walk around the streets and explore old buildings like Santa Fe Saloon (the original courthouse) and the haunted Goldfield Hotel. Soak up even more history on a tour of the historic Mammoth Gold Mine where you can pan for gold, or jump on Arizona’s only narrow gauge train to circle around the dusty outskirts of the town.

Explore the tranquil waters of Lake Tahoe

With bright blue waters surrounded by rugged peaks and dense green forests, it's no wonder Lake Tahoe is known as one of the most spectacular lakes in the USA. From exploring the mountains entwined with biking trails, winding through neverending pine trees on the hiking trails or getting out on the lake in a totally transparent kayak to see Cave Rock, grand lakefront estates and coves that shimmer with pyrite, Lake Tahoe is one big playground for lovers of the great outdoors.

A winding road in Valley of Fire, Nevada

Adventure through Valley of Fire

Cycle through dramatic desert scenery in Nevada’s oldest and biggest state park, the ominously named Valley of Fire. Feel the breeze on your skin as you wind your way beneath bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops, cycle past iconic rock formations like Winstone Arch and Elephant Rock, and climb to epic viewpoints where you'll be rewarded with sweeping views over Fire Canyon and Pastel Canyon. There's ancient history everywhere to be found from the 2000-year-old Native American petroglyphs carved into the rocks to the colourful petrified tree stumps displayed in Atlatl Rock.

Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes in Death Valley, Nevada

Explore Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

After hiking around the colourful Ubehebe Crater, hop back on your bike for a cruisy downhill ride to Mesquite Flat Dunes in the heart of Death Valley. You might even recognise them from the original Star Wars movie as these 100 ft (30 m) tall mounds were used as a filming location for C3PO and R2D2’s expedition through Tatooine. After climbing to the top of the wind-whipped dunes, plonk yourself down on the sand and enjoy the silence and serenity of being in the middle of the desert, swoosh down the dunes on a sandboard or search for local wildlife residents like the kangaroo rat.

Rocky desert landscapes in Death Valley, Nevada

Discover Death Valley

As one of the hottest, driest and most extreme places on earth, you might imagine Death Valley to be filled with a whole bunch of nothing. Truth is, it's a desert playground waiting to be explored. From the Mars-like landscapes of Golden Canyon with its towering walls and colourful side canyons to the carpets of spring wildflowers around the vast salt flats of Badwater Basin to the pastel-coloured hills of Artists Palette, Death Valley is full of contrasts. Make sure you don't miss the sunset at Zabriskie Point to see the mountains come alive with shifting shades of red, purple, pink and orange.

Nevada cycling tours reviews

Nevada FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a trip in Nevada?

Everyone traveling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travelers are required to produce:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

How to get to Nevada

Getting to Nevada is relatively easy with a number of different transportation options available. These include flying into Reno or Las Vegas, embarking on a road trip from one of the neighboring states, or catching public transport in the form of a bus or a train with several routes taking you to various destinations within the state.

Getting around Nevada

Getting around Nevada is relatively easy due to the number of different transportation options available. If you're arriving by car then it is easy to drive around the state with major highways that are easy to navigate and well maintained. You can also fly between popular destinations within the state. It is possible to travel by bus between most towns in Nevada but the train network is limited.

What is the weather like in Nevada?

Nevada's climate is very similar to that of neighboring states such as Utah in that it has a very dry, semi-arid, and desert climate. This means that summers can get very hot although there is little chance of humidity as Nevada is considered one of the driest states in America. Despite the dry, desert-like climate, Nevada still experiences four very distinct seasons with temperatures in winter averaging between 32°F and 59°F.

What to pack for Nevada

What to pack for Nevada depends on what time of the year you're travelling in but regardless of the season, there are some items you should always pack. Some of these items include sensible and comfortable walking shoes (most likely you'll be doing a lot of hiking during your time in Nevada), a sun hat or cap, and some sunscreen (especially in summer). If you're travelling in winter, be sure to pack trousers, sweaters, waterproof jackets, and thick coats to keep yourself warm.

When is the best time to visit Nevada?

The best time to visit Nevada largely depends on what you want to get out of your vacation and what kind of activities you want to participate in while you're there. When it comes to the weather, the best time to visit Nevada is between April and mid-June (before temperatures get too high) or from August to mid-October as the state is filled with the beautiful fall colors of orange, red, and brown. If you're planning on trekking through some of the state's national parks, then traveling during summer is advised against (unless you undertake extra planning) as temperatures can exceed 100°F.

Can I use my mobile/cell phone in Nevada?

If you stick to the popular cities in Nevada such as Las Vegas, then your mobile coverage shouldn't be affected. However, if you're planning on spending time in one of the state's many national parks then you could experience some disruptions. Most national parks have reception areas or tourist hubs where mobile phone access is available but if you're hiking through the park or you've stopped at a high-altitude viewpoint then your service is likely to be weak and unreliable.

What is the internet access like in Nevada?

If you stick to the popular cities in Nevada such as Las Vegas, then your internet coverage shouldn't be affected. However, if you're planning on spending time in one of the state's many national parks then you could experience some disruptions. Most national parks have reception areas or tourist hubs where Wi-Fi access is available but if you're hiking through the park or you've stopped at a high-altitude viewpoint then your service is likely to be weak and unreliable.

Is Nevada accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. Major cities such as Las Vegas offer excellent access for travelers with disabilities but some of Nevada's natural wonders can make walking difficult for travelers who are less mobile on foot. However, we’re always happy to talk to travelers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid