How To Travel The 8 Mile Road in Nevada
8 Mile Road is a very scenic sandy drive leading to Lake Mead, a big reservoir on the Colorado River, located in Clark County, in the U.S. state of Nevada.
Where is 8 Mile Road?
The road is located east of Las Vegas, in the southern part of Nevada, within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Is 8 Mile Road Unpaved?
The road is completely unpaved, but well maintained and leads to Lake Mead. The endpoint is a nice sandy beach area. It is a washboard gravel road from the turnoff all the way to the water.
How Long is 8 Mile Road?
Starting from State Route 41A, the road is 5.63 km (3.5 miles) long. A 4WD vehicle is required. Be careful: there are many coyotes in the area.
Is 8 Mile Road Open?
On August 1, 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) temporarily closed the Government Wash section of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area to motor vehicles and overnight camping due to extensive damage from illegal road use and long-term camping. The access roads, including Government Wash Road and 8.0 Mile Road, will be blocked, though hiking, biking, and shoreline access by boat will still be allowed. The closure aims to assess damage from years of increased visitor use, which has led to incidents, environmental damage, and inadequate infrastructure as the lake's water levels dropped. The park plans to hold community meetings in the fall and winter to gather input on future management. The NPS hopes to restore the area to meet high-quality standards while addressing issues like law enforcement incidents, fires, and damage to rare plants.