Where Cross-Country Travel Is Still Allowed
A Nevada map can make a desert look wide open, but a visible track is not automatically a legal route—and public land does not always mean you can ride anywhere across it. This guide explains where cross-country ATV and UTV travel may be allowed, how to check the rules for a particular area, and what to do when maps or trail signs leave you uncertain.
What cross-country travel means in Nevada
Cross-country travel is different from riding a designated route
Cross-country travel means riding off established or designated roads and trails, rather than following a route shown as open for motorized use. It can sound straightforward in a broad desert landscape, but the legal distinction matters: an area may be public land while motorized travel is still restricted to designated routes.
Land managers can set different rules for different parcels and areas. A map may show some roads open to motorized vehicles while leaving nearby land closed to off-route travel. In another area, there may be a designated OHV riding zone with broader access. The only reliable approach is to check the travel rules for the exact place you plan to ride, not assume that a dirt track or tire marks mean cross-country riding is permitted.
This also means that “I’m on BLM land” is not enough to answer the question. The Bureau of Land Management manages extensive areas in Nevada, but access rules vary by location and may be shaped by travel management plans, resource protections, closures, and the type of route. The same caution applies to other public land agencies and to land that borders private property.
An existing track is not proof of legal access
Riders often encounter a faint track that looks inviting, especially when it branches away from a main road toward a hill, wash, or open patch of sand. It may be an old route, a route created by other riders, or a path that is closed to motorized use. Its appearance alone does not tell you whether it is legal.
Following unauthorized tracks can damage fragile soil and vegetation, disturb wildlife, or create new routes that other riders then mistake for approved access. In dry country, even a narrow path can leave impacts that last well beyond the ride. A route can also lead into a closed area, across private property, or toward a hazard such as an abandoned mine.
Before leaving a recognized route, check the relevant travel map, signs, and current land-manager guidance. If you cannot confirm that cross-country travel is allowed in that particular area, stay on a route clearly shown as open. For a broader overview of how maps and managed routes fit together, see Reading a BLM Travel Management Map and Riding Open BLM Land Versus Marked Trail.
Where Nevada riders may find cross-country access
Look for areas where the land manager expressly allows it
Cross-country travel may be permitted in specific areas where the responsible land manager has designated access for off-route motorized use. The important word is specific. Do not treat a whole county, desert, or federal land district as one open riding area. Rules may change at a boundary, and an open riding area can sit beside land where vehicles must stay on designated routes.
When you research a destination, look for the agency’s travel management information, official route maps, posted closures, and instructions for the riding area. Verify that the map covers the exact parcel and type of use you have in mind. A map that shows an open road does not necessarily authorize riding across the surrounding terrain.
Designated OHV areas can be a more straightforward choice for riders who want room to explore. Places such as Sand Mountain, Logandale Trails, and Nellis Dunes have defined riding areas and their own site considerations. Even there, riders should follow boundary markers, closures, signs, and site-specific rules rather than assuming every slope or adjacent parcel is open. See Riding BLM Land in Nevada for more about the difference between riding on public land and riding in accordance with its access rules.
Start with the managing agency, not a general trail app
A navigation app can help you locate tracks, understand terrain, and plan a route. It cannot, by itself, establish that a route is legally open. Use mapping tools as a planning aid, then confirm access against official travel management information and signs. The onX Offroad app, for example, can help riders orient themselves and compare route information while planning, but it should not replace agency maps or local land-manager guidance.
For a practical check, identify the land unit and managing office for your intended ride. The BLM’s Nevada offices manage different districts, and rules can vary between them. If the boundary or route status is unclear, contact the relevant field office before you unload your machines. A short question about a specific trailhead, route, or parcel is more useful than asking whether “the area” is open generally.
| What you are checking | Why it matters | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Land manager and boundary | Nearby parcels may have different rules | Identify the agency and land unit |
| Official travel map | It shows which routes or areas are open to motorized use | Check the map for the exact riding location |
| Cross-country permission | An open road does not automatically permit off-route travel | Confirm that off-route use is expressly allowed |
| Temporary closures | Fire danger, resource protection, or other conditions may affect access | Check notices and signs before riding |
| Route condition and terrain | A legal route may still be unsafe or unsuitable for your machine | Review the route and plan a conservative alternative |
The onX Offroad app may be useful alongside agency information when you want to save a planned route or understand where you are in relation to mapped features. Still, treat it as one tool in a larger check. If its map and an official closure notice appear to conflict, follow the posted or agency-issued restriction and confirm the status with the land manager.
How to check a route before you ride
Use a repeatable planning check
A few minutes of preparation can prevent the frustrating situation of reaching a trailhead with a trailer, discovering a closure, and having to improvise. Start by pinning your intended parking or staging location. Then identify the agency responsible for that land and locate the official motorized travel map or route guidance for the area.
Next, trace the route you expect to ride. Check whether it is a designated open route, whether you would need to leave it, and whether your planned detour enters another management area or parcel. Pay particular attention to forks and informal tracks. A route that appears continuous on a general map may cross a boundary where motorized access rules change.
Before departure, look for current notices, seasonal restrictions, fire closures, and signs at the access point. Save or download the information you need for offline use if you expect limited cell coverage. The onX Offroad app can support navigation and route planning where available, but bring an official map or a reliable offline copy as a backup. Do not count on a phone connection in remote areas.
Treat boundaries, signs, and closures as part of the route
A planned route is not just a line between two points. It includes the land you cross, the access roads you use, and the places where you might stop or explore. A trailhead may be open while a nearby side route is closed. A road may pass close to wilderness, private property, a wildlife protection area, or another boundary where travel rules differ.
Keep an eye out for signs at road junctions and area entrances. If a sign closes a route, do not ride around it to reach a familiar destination. A closure may not appear on an older downloaded map, and the absence of a sign at one point does not necessarily mean every branch is open. When uncertain, turn back to the last confirmed open route and contact the responsible office.
It helps to build a legal alternative into your plan. If cross-country access is not clearly allowed, choose an open designated route or a recognized riding area instead of trying to interpret ambiguous tracks on the ground. Planning a Ride With Trail Finder can help with the broader process of organizing a trip, while Calling a BLM Field Office Before a Ride is a sensible step when access status is unclear.
Restrictions, riding etiquette, and safer choices
Know where cross-country riding is off limits
Some landscapes have protections that sharply limit or prohibit motorized travel. Designated wilderness areas are a key example: motorized vehicles are not permitted within wilderness, and a route that reaches a boundary does not authorize crossing it. Other closures can protect habitat, cultural resources, or sensitive terrain. Private land and land managed under separate rules also require special attention.
Dry washes, lake beds, and open-looking flats can be tempting places to leave the route, but they are not automatically open for cross-country riding. A wash may be part of a restricted area, and a dry lake bed can become soft, muddy, or hazardous after weather changes. Avoid riding across vegetation or around barriers, and do not use a GPS line as permission to cross a boundary. For related guidance, see Wilderness Boundaries You Cannot Cross and [Nevada Rules for Riding a Closed Route].
Ride in a way that keeps access open
Even where cross-country travel is allowed, responsible riding helps protect the area and other riders’ access. Stay within the boundaries of the designated open area, avoid widening existing tracks, and do not create shortcuts around switchbacks or obstacles. Keep away from wildlife and livestock, and give other trail users room. If you find a gate, barrier, or closure notice, do not assume it is optional just because other riders have gone around it.
Remote Nevada riding also calls for practical preparation. Carry more water than you expect to need, bring navigation that works offline, and make sure someone knows your route and expected return. Heat, dust, soft sand, and long distances between services can turn a small delay into a serious problem. A legal route can still be a poor choice for your machine, your group, or the day’s conditions, so be willing to turn around.
If you are unsure whether a particular stretch allows cross-country ATV or UTV travel, the safest decision is to stay on a route that the managing agency identifies as open until you can verify otherwise. That small pause protects the land, avoids preventable citations, and helps keep riding opportunities available for everyone.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Laws, prices and regulations vary by location and change over time. Consult a qualified professional for guidance on your specific situation.
