Legendary Drives

Nevada #2
Moapa Valley Drive

The Moapa Valley Drive offers excellent views of Lake Mead. The 110-mile long Lake Mead and the 1.5 million-acre recreation area were created with the building of Hoover Dam. It took almost two years of digging and tunneling to divert the river, two years to block the canyon with about 7 million tons of concrete, and some 5000 workers laboring around the clock to complete the project. Driving and checking out the views in the Mead area will remind you of the enormity of projects humans can accomplish. The trip will take you about 2-1/2 hours.

Begin at the Lost City Museum in Overton on the north side of Lake Mead. Drive south on Rte. 169 to the Valley of Fire turn-off. Head east for a close-up of Lake Mead at Overton Beach. Return to Rte. 169 and drive toward the Valley of Fire State Park. Here you can see Elephant Rock and Seven Sisters rock formations. There is also a Visitor Center that provides information about the park. Drive north in the park to the Petroglyph Canyon Trail, a half-mile trail through the canyon that showcases petroglyphs. Views of the canyons, domes, towers, ridges and valleys can be found a few miles down the road at Rainbow Vista. The park road ends at the large blocks of sandstone known as White Domes. Head west from the Visitor Center to Atlatl Rock, a wall of petroglyphs. Camping is also available here. Leave the park and drive south on Northshore Scenic drive to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

Starting Point:
Lost City, NV

Distance of Drive:
40 miles

Must Eat:
Sugar's Home Plate
309 S Moapa Valley, Overton, NV 89040
Phone: 702-397-8084
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.
Good Stop For: Home style cooking

Best Time of Year for Drive:
Spring and fall

Points of Interest on Drive:
Lost City Museum
Valley of Fire State Park
National Recreation Area