Two mountain bikers navigate a rocky trail on a mountainous landscape, with a vast desert valley visible in the background. The scene captures the rugged terrain and natural beauty, suggesting an adventurous outdoor experience. Bootleg Canyon mountain bike trail.
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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 35 mi (56.3 km)
Surface: Singletrack
Configuration: Network
Elevation: +4,583/ -4,097 ft
Total: 257 riders
 

Mountain Biking Bootleg Canyon

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#1 of 119 mountain bike trails in Nevada
#115 in the world

There is almost 35 miles of awesome singletrack to be ridden. There is a trail for everyone, wheter you want a relaxing after work ride or a technical monster, it's all here. Some of the trails are quite rocky at some points, but it is all rideable. Bootleg Canyon has been dubbed an Epic ride by the I.M.B.A. Visit BootlegCanyon.org or one of the bike shops in town for a map. There is also some killer downhill trails for those gravity extremists.

First added by TeamYellowBike on Apr 26, 2006. Last updated Oct 28, 2024. → add an update
Before you go
  • Drinking water: yes
  • Lift service: unknown
  • Night riding: yes
  • Pump track: yes
  • Restrooms: yes
  • Fat bike grooming: yes
  • E-bikes allowed: yes
  • Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Getting there
From Las Vegas, head south on the 93/95 about 15 miles until you come into Boulder City. Make a left on Yucca Street (just after the Taco Bell) and take Yucca to the detour to the trail head, once on Yucca you pretty much just follow the signs for Bootleg Canyon.
System trails (4)
 difficultyG-String0.8 mi
 difficultyLower Lake View2 mi
 difficultyReaper0.7 mi
 difficultySnake Back1.4 mi
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Bootleg Canyon Trail map

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Local Info

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Trail conditions

Icy (Aug 5, 2019)
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Camping & Lodging

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Bootleg Canyon videos

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MTB - Bootleg Canyon Pump Track
 
MTB - Bootleg Canyon - Girl…
 
MTB - Bootleg Canyon (Par None/POW…
 
MTB - Bootleg Canyon - West…
 
 
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Reviews

  • hollyanne99
    ****

    I thought these trails were more difficult than they were marked! A lot of rocks had me fretting on some of the blues! I was lucky enough to run into a guy my pace who knew the trails, so I followed him and was able to handle more than by myself. I think it was West Leg that left me feeling accomplished that day. This is definitely a place to go if you are an advanced rider and have no issues with big chunky rocks. The lake view trails are easier and have more flow and less rock. POW and Par None are fun for all descents. I would not send a beginner here.

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  • JeredH
    *****

    100% wear knee protectors here. If you crash the ground is sandy/rocky desert floor, add the cactus plant foliage into an impact does not yield good results.

    I parked at Circle Lot which is accessible to a lot of trails. Middle Lake view has some really fast, flowing sections, and the downhills that intersect Lakeview are a great reward to moderate climbs. Circle Lot also feeds to the fun IMBA > POW > Par None section.

    Coming from sea level to ride here is a thrilling and challenging experience. I cannot wait to come back.

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  • jtilley   ✓ supporter
    ****

    Just did a since I had not been there in a number of years. A lot more trails than I recall.

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  • JT0114
    *****

    Great trails with nice technical features, huge range of difficulties from beginner to advanced.

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  • RiverSasquatch
    ****

    I've never ridden desert... dang, what a difference from North Georgia. Was told to armor up, I just wish I had waited to gear up with all that black until after the girl scout climb. It was a different sorta hot from what I was used to. Climbed to the very top where Boy Scout/skyline start. Took the eastern ccw loop of caldera. Lots of rocks and narrow trail. Biggest problem I had was how soft the shoulders of trail was. Followed caldera until the eastern inner caldera trail. I thought this trail was frickin super tough. It was hot with a bunch of really gruelling short climbs. Climbed this bastard back to the road. Was told by the AMC guy to take East Leg back down to the slalom track. I wasn't impressed with East leg but probably because I'm not used to riding this type of terrain and I had it in my head that there would be flow on a downhill... there wasn't. The slalom course was pretty cool.. the berms were tight and loose, but the rhythm section was the best part. After the slalom section I could not find where East leg started back up and ended up on some impossible ridge with some treacherous off camber sections high above the road.
    Took a break after finding my way back to the pavilion at the parking lot. Wanted to take IMBA over to par none and POW... the signage was pretty bad because I should have taken the trail labeled "mother" that would have brought me out closer to POW. POW ended up being the best trailnof the day. It was so much fun. Flow, views, speed! Rode it all the way to the veterans parkway.
    I would love to come back later in the year when it isn't quite as hot and I had someone to ride with or even shuttle like the locals were doing.

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  • gregval   ✓ supporter
    ***

    Road both the Lower/Mid Lake View loops and Caldera.
    Lower/Mid Lake View has lots of big dips, which were great. Have to keep your speed going in to get up the other side. (Wife was a bit too scared on some.) Good intermediate loop, quite flowy.
    Outer Caldera was a bit rocky on the east 1/2 mile, but smoothed out. We cut back short on the east side of the Inner Loop. There are some very steep sections; you will grunt your way up those. One section was solid steep rock with no rubber marks; seems that no one can ride that. Clearly not built per IMBA specs. We walked around it.
    The trails go up/down quite a bit; you will get a good workout. The black trails are quite technical, with lots of rock. The blue trails have a bit more flow.

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  • Scott Cotter
    ****

    I wish I could give 4.5. This is simply a stellar trail system with long but doable climbs, chunky rock sections and some off-camber, ledgy stuff that will test your cardio, bike-handling skills and nerves. This is one of my all time faves and a must do if you're anywhere in the area. I love Ernies/Mother, Caldera and Inner Caldera, Boy Scout ... and if you're into the downhill stuff, they've got a pretty solid run that will test your mettle.

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  • cjsutterer
    *****

    Rented a Stumpjumber 6fattie from All Mountain Cyclery. Killer bike and trail recommendations. The trails are technical, flowy and super fun. I can't wait to go back!

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  • Ricky Houghton
    *****

    Like many before us, we were out of towners, given our tight schedule we used All Mountain Cyclery as a tour guide and super happy we did. Our ride leader, Matt, was great and picked the trails that matched our fitness level and ability. I know some hate leaders, but I tell you they can turn a great day into a fantastic day.

    The best part of the park not necessarily mentioned below adequately enough, the park is laid out to loop back to a central point that has bathrooms, open air showers and a covered picnic area. This means you can ride a couple hours, drop by the parking/picnic area, take a break and do it again. It makes for a different experience than many of the other rides I've done. (Additionally on weekends the shuttle to the top of the hill is a god send when your legs are wearing out... it allows you to stretch out the day on the trails.)

    This has to be the new Moab - the place you have to ride as the park is really well laid out and there is something for everyone.

    Based on my limited experience with trails ratings of easy, medium, expert etc. these trails appear to be a bit more complicated for their rating than other trails. This is great in my opinion as it pushes your skills - but don't be surprised if the medium trail has you thinking 'holy crap' every once in a while - especially at higher speeds.

    The one negative is that as the father of a very strong girl, the idea that the trail labeled girl scout is easier than the trail labeled boy scout is sort of old fashioned. (I know this is a bit PC, but it would be great to welcome more women into the sport and treat them with respect.)

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  • Wryfox
    *****

    On vaca from Florida, rented a bike (BMC Carbon 29er...awesome) and hit this trail. Florida has mud and sand and tight vegetation to manage, so entering this park of wide open gravel and rocks...well I might as well have been on Mars! So first time on a real mountain (highest point in Florida is 360feet) I have never sucked air so deep and hard in my life, but it still took two days to wipe the smile off my face. If you're a flatlander like me, take the green trails. I stepped onto an upper level and turned back after 100yds. Cliff riding may be fun to those experienced but it scared the heck out of me. I stayed on the lower trails and had a frickin blast!! POW was an insane rollercoaster that me and the 29er wanted to go faster and faster. Amazing I didn't crash but the layout is such you just roll it to the bottom. Plenty of visibility and no major hiccups. Dying to go back for a second day but I could barely walk the next morning. Gotta hand it to the guys who have the legs for those climbs. Awesome trail, definitely going back next time in Vegas.

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  • everybkr
    *****

    Made a special quick trip out while in Vegas and only had two hours to ride. Totally worth it. Trails flowed nicely and were super fun. The only downside was no shuttle on weekdays and our rental car could not carry the bikes. Though the trail was only a 1mile from the bike shop it was uphill and these Floridians were huffing at the end.

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  • dstols
    *****

    Fun riding! There are some pretty technical rocky spots where less experienced riders will need to get off and walk their bike. Lots of rocky singletrack makes for challenging rides. There's also plenty of trails for less experienced riders.

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  • Aaron Chamberlain   ✓ supporter
    ****

    Not really my preferred kind of riding but the trails here are well designed and pretty fun. They are dry, dusty, and LOOSE! Seriously, don't wander too far towards the edge of the singletrack. It's easy to crash here and there's nothing but sharp rocks to cushion your fall.

    Highlights for me include West Leg, Mother, and POW.

    There's not a tree in sight so be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and water.

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  • Ronnie Collins
    *****

    This was one of my bucket list trails. I drove in from Texas and hit the trail at daybreak to get a jump on the 115 degree days. I was a little intimated by some of the reviews. The "Get Directions" on this site takes you right to the trail parking. From there I rode up the gravel road about a 100 yards or so and turned left onto the trails and rode up on West Cliff. Very technical going uphill. I had to dismount a number of times but I'm also somewhat of a novice. I then jumped onto Girlscout and it was much easier. From there I connected to several trails. The heat finally ran me off. A must trail system before the summer months. If you can get someone to drop you at the top it would be ok. But like my wife said "ride up and get the whole experience"...

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  • Piotr Gajos
    *****

    First time, loved it to boot!!!

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  • MTB KIWI
    *****

    Absolutely incredible MTB riding! There is a trail for everyone, as long as you are not a beginner. The rocks and cactus are a little bit intimidating, but stay in control and you won't have to worry!

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  • John Fisch
    ****

    There is something for everyone here except the timid novice. The cross country trails have a good variety of buff and rocky and the downhill trails are legit--not for anyone afraid of steeps, drops or exposure. On the down side, there's a lot of loose powder dirt, especially in sketchy turns, and the entire mountain is uniformly dark brown and dead. Overall, this is a great trail network, but requires a sense of adventure, especially as some trail intersections are not marked and can get confusing.

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  • chazy68
    *****

    Great cross country trails. Rented bike from all mountain Cyclery and it was a rock solid stumpjumper 29'r with through axles front and rear. Well worth the rental cost.

    Also...buy a day pass on the shuttle to the top of the mountain. Flatlanders will die trying to ride to the top....once in oxygen debt it's tough to recover. Best $20 I spent all weekend!

    Enjoy the ride and stay clean!

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  • Jeff Barber

    Looks like these guys rent bikes in Boulder City right next to the trails: http://allmountaincyclery.com/rentals.html

    Cheapest option would be to take a bus from LV to Boulder City but that will take a LONG time. Cab will be much faster but expensive--it's about 30 miles (40 mins.) one way from the strip.

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  • loganeure
    ****

    Nothing like some awesome downhill right next to vegas. Can get a little too loose in some areas so don't go too big until you see whats below

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Rider questions

Q: Are there any shuttles from Vegas to Bootleg Canyon? I have rented a car in the past, but no time for that and looking for a shuttle out for the day.
A: Bike Blast has rentals and shuttle

Q: Is this trail good for a strong willed and determined beginner try out?
A: Yes, on front side, back side is for advanced.