Official home of the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism (LCAT)
Official home of the Lincoln County Authority of Tourism (LCAT)
Welcome to Caliente โ the hottest (pun intended) new biking destination in the West. With everything from technical descents to dirt jumps to fast flow, our trail systems have something for every rider โ and we’re still building! We currently have over 50 miles of fully linked, purpose-built singletrack to thrill you, no matter your riding style or ability. And don’t even get us started on the hundreds of miles of gravel grinding! The area’s beautiful terrain, sunny climate, great trails and classic desert solitude create an unrivaled mountain biking experience. Read on to find out more and plan your visit!
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram @caliente_area_mtb for the latest on trail updates, conditions and local events. For more information, please contact us via email at calientemtb@gmail.com.
Kershaw-Ryan is home to the seven-mile Kershaw Redemption loop, which was designed and built for maximum flow and includes a few optional features for those who enjoy getting some air or railing a banked turn. We recommend riding it counterclockwise for maximum flow. Add some miles and a fun, fast descent by hopping on Eric’s Anthill or maximize the views by rolling out to Rainbow Rim. If you’re in the mood for steep and loose, drop Skidsteer down into the canyon. Don’t forget to check out the oasis down in Kershaw Canyon!
Kershaw-Ryan State Park is host to the Nevada South Interscholastic Cycling League’s Caliente Crusher youth race, held annually in the spring. We encourage youth riders to look into their local NICA league and come race with us!
Click here for directions to Kershaw-Ryan State Park.
Cathedral Gorge offers a mostly flat 3-mile beginner trail โ the Juniper Draw Loop โ that circles around the lower park and takes riders right up to the base of towering rock cliffs. Above the park floor, on Hawks Ridge, riders will find a trail designed specifically for mountain biking.
Beaver Dam offers dirt roads great for mountain biking and home to the annual Gravel Grinder race/ride.
Barnes Canyon Trails โ Everyone can enjoy the wide variety of beginner to expert trails at Barnes Canyon. Mongoose and Back 40 will bring you to the top of the mesa, where you can choose from green, blue, black, or double black descent trails. The views from the trails are stunning. Donโt miss the beautiful TeePee Rocks that can be seen from Primer and Parallel. Click here for directions to Barnes Canyon Trailhead.
Connector Trail โ This 9-mile adventure trail connects Barnes Canyon to Kershaw-Ryan. It’s a serious ride with a backcountry feel: don’t underestimate these 9 miles!ย You’ll love the big climbs, engaging descents, and wild scenery.
Ella Mountain Trail โ Enduro style!ย This 21-mile trail has two distinct characters.ย Upper Ellaย will keep you on your toes as you descend through ponderosa pines, slickrock segments (yeah, you read right), and wicked cool rock formations.ย Middle and Lower Ella are faster and flowy – a great pedal for any skill level.ย With trailhead access at each of the transition points, you can customize your ride to the length and difficulty you’re looking for.ย High clearance is required to shuttle Upper Ella and recommended for access to Middle and Lower.ย Or go big and pedal up to earn your descent!
Alamo Trail Network [Proposed]ย – Theย Friends of Pahranagat Valleyย was recently awarded Recreational Trail Planning (RTP) funding to plan a multi-use trail network near Alamo. More details to come!
Prospector Trails – The newest addition to our trail systems opened in April 2025! These XC trails, constructed by IMBA’s Trail Solutions crew, pack a ton of fun and flow into 16 miles. This new trail network caters to every level of rider, from beginner to advanced. Want to know what it’s all about? Check out Nate Hills’ video of some of the gnarlier sections of trail, but don’t let it scare you off – there’s plenty of mellower terrain as well. After your ride, hop over the hill to Pioche, known as Nevada’s liveliest ghost town, for a snack. Don’t forget to check out the haunted hotel while you’re there!
Additional Trails โ The Bureau of Land Management has been awarded another grant from SNPLMA (Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act) for more trails and possibly another trailhead. Details are pending.
Kids and adults alike have a blast playing at the Caliente Skills Park. Thereโs a pump track and dirt jumps for beginner to advanced riders. Connected to the skills park is a three-mile stacked loop network of flow trails. You can go for an easy spin and enjoy big banked turns on the blue trails or test your jumping abilities on the black descent trails. Click here for directions to Caliente Skills Park.
Check back for updated information on the mountain bike trails.
All of the local riding is within a short drive of Caliente, so you can easily start and end your day in our charming little town, nestled into a quiet desert valley.ย There are plenty of options for camping and lodging, ranging from free camping on public land to comfortable accommodations at our local hotels.ย A popular option is camping at Kershaw-Ryan State Park, a developed campground within riding distance of Kershaw Redemption access.ย Our local restaurants offer great pre-and post-ride meals, and be sure to check out the train depot, one of the only remaining mission-style train depots in the west.
We respect our neighbors and friends in Caliente, and that includes their cattle. During some seasons, cattle roam Barnes Canyon โ if you come across them, please do not spook, harass, chase, run or otherwise disturb them. Wait for the cattle to move off the trail on their own or choose a different route. Remember, this is their home, not ours.
Caliente averages six inches of precipitation per year, most of which falls during the winter months and the summer monsoons in August and September. At most other times of the year, you can expect dry trails. The best riding conditions are typically spring, early summer, and fall through early winter. Be aware that it can get very hot mid-summer โ If you choose to ride then, please plan ahead with plenty of water and basic bike repair supplies.
Please do not ride on our trails when they are wet, as they do sustain significant damage. When thereโs snow on the ground, itโs usually possible to ride early in the day before the trails thaw enough to be muddy. When our trails are wet, our neighbors to the north in Ely, NV often have great snow biking conditions!
For recent Caliente weather info and current trail conditions, please join and post on our Facebook page or email calientemtb@gmail.com. We’re happy to provide updates!
The riding in Caliente is often quite remote. Many areas have limited or no cell service, so if you have an emergency on the trails, it may be some time before you can get help. Before every ride you MUST plan ahead to make sure you have enough water, a basic first aid kit, and the supplies and skills to make basic repairs to your bike.
Water is not available at the Barnes Canyon trailhead. Potable water is available in Caliente at the Depot and the Sinclair gas station. Caliente does not have a bike shop yet, so come with enough tubes and basic supplies to self-support for the duration of your trip. Throughout the pandemic, please plan on wearing a mask and practicing social distancing while you visit our towns.
The Caliente Mountain Biking Association (CAMBA) is a dedicated group of locals who collaborate to support the development of mountain biking in Lincoln County.ย The group focuses on maintaining existing trails, supporting construction of new trails, developing partnerships, marketing, planning events, and getting locals (including youth) involved.ย
Mission: CAMBA promotes and advocates for the development of mountain biking in Lincoln County to benefit the local community and the international mountain bike community.
To learn more or get involved, connect with us on Facebook and Instagram @caliente_area_mtb. Or contact us via email at calientemtb@gmail.com.