A Bronco Adventure to Beatty and Rhyolite

Do your summer plans include a trip to Las Vegas, or do you live nearby?

Many off-road adventurers have heard about the incredible routes available inside Death Valley National Park, but there is a town, just at its edge in Nevada that shouldn’t be missed. In fact, this trip makes for a great journey on its own that can keep a Bronco owner busy exploring over a weekend or as a start to a longer trip.

For off-road enthusiasts and history buffs alike, the journey from Las Vegas to Beatty, Nevada, and the nearby ghost town of Rhyolite offers a unique blend of adventure, history, and rugged landscapes. I’m going to outline the trip and even provide some trail information that you can download and use in your favorite app, so you don’t miss some of these great areas. These routes can be driven by a stock Bronco or even an adventurous Sport owner.

Warning: Temperatures can be extremely hot in the summer and some of the trails described can be remote or subject to damage from storms. Pack lots of water and bring along another Bronco owner and let someone know exactly where you’ll be.

From Las Vegas to Beatty: The Route

Starting in Las Vegas with a full tank of gas, head north on U.S. Route 95 for approximately 120 miles, a pavement drive of about two hours. You’ll quickly leave the city behind and find yourself in an environment better suited for your Bronco.

As you get closer to the small town of Beatty, you’ll spy an impressive sand dune complex. This area is called Big Dune and is open to off-roading. If you decide to detour for some Sand mode time, make sure you pack your dune flag, air down sufficiently, and have your recovery gear handy. We’ve competed in the Rebelle Rally at Big Dune and at times, the sand can be very soft but even if you want to just check out the edges, you’ll have the opportunity to get some great photos of your Bronco with impressive Big Dune in the background

Beatty: The Gateway to the Past

Beatty was named for a rancher known as “Old Man” Beatty who settled in the area in 1896 and became the first postmaster in 1905. Mining grew this town with a gold rush in the Bullfrog Hills in 1904 and Beatty was formed around a hotel built to cater to the influx surrounding this mining boom. By 1907, there were three railroads that converged in Beatty but before that, everything was hauled by wagon from Las Vegas. By 1940, the railroads had closed and although mining still occurs in the area, the population of Beatty is around 900 humans and just as many “wild” donkeys, descendants of the ones who helped mine the ore.

You’ll want to find some accommodations here. If the weather is tolerable enough for camping, there is free camping on a small Bureau of Land Management area called Bombo Pond (you can even fish here if that’s your thing). We’ve found it a great spot and accessible for everything from tents to large RVs and close enough to town to take advantage of the restaurants. We’ve never seen more than 2 or 3 other campers in the area, even over the busy President’s Day holiday in February.

If a hotel is more your thing, we typically stay at the Stagecoach, which is just a standard clean room, nothing fancy but there is a pool, a small casino and onsite restaurant and right next door is the Death Valley Candy company, aka Eddie World. This is a great spot to fuel up, get ice for your cooler, and even has a Subway for a box lunch to grab before hitting the trail.

Rhyolite: A Glimpse into the Gold Rush Era

There are endless trails to explore that head right out of Beatty but one ghost town that has to be explored is just a short drive on trail or pavement called Rhyolite. Founded in 1905 during the gold rush, Rhyolite quickly grew to a population of nearly 5,000, boasting amenities like an opera house, electric lights, and even a stock exchange. However, by 1916, the town was abandoned as the gold veins began drying out.

Today, you can explore by foot and Bronco, the remnants of this once-thriving town, including the famous Bottle House, constructed from over 50,000 glass bottles, and the ruins of the old bank and train station. When we were there in May, the train station was fenced, and you could not access it but the rest of the town and the strange Goldwell museum across the street was fully open.  

Trail Rides in the Area

One of my very favorites but currently closed for flood damage, is Titus Canyon. I have driven this trail in my Bronco Sport and the combination of views with an old ghost town and narrow canyon drive at the end ranks this as one of my overall favorite trails. It is a one-way trail and takes you into Death Valley. According to the park website, it is not slated to be reopened before 2026. (Once it does reopen, we’ll post an updated report)

Another place to explore is Fluorspar Canyon. This area was very busy with modern mining but you should check out the remnants of the town of Fluorine including the post office building. You can continue along this route, exploring remnants of mining history on a route called the Bullfrog Historical Mining District Loop. (you can download files here)

Just Starting Your Adventure

Once you finish exploring this great area, you might want to continue your road trip by heading to amazing areas like Goldfield, Goldpoint, Tonopah and more. Embarking on a journey from Las Vegas to Beatty and Rhyolite offers more than just a road trip; it's an immersive experience into Nevada's rich history and rugged landscapes. With your Bronco or Bronco Sport, you're equipped to handle the adventure with confidence and style.

Have you visited these areas? What are your favorite spots?