Overview

Nevada Highway 168 isn't really a "backroad," but it provides access to some of the places and backroads we love. The highway connects Interstate 15 at Glendale (southeast end) with U.S. Highway 93 (northwest end), a distance of 23.8 miles. Gas, food, lodging, and limited supplies are available in Glendale at the east end of the road.

Departing Glendale, the highway runs northwest through the Upper Moapa Valley, passing the town of Moapa (Moapa River Indian Reservation) and running through the Warm Springs area, before winding up Muddy Wash to cross the northern edge of the Arrow Canyon Range. The road descends into Pahranagat Wash, crosses Starvation Flats (current location of Coyote Springs Gold Course), and climbs the bajada to intersect Highway 93 at a T-intersection.

Link to Road Map.

Highway 168 provides access to hikes in the Arrow Canyon Range, Moapa Valley National Wildlife Range, Warm Springs Natural Area, and the Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area, plus access to quiet and motorized recreation along the way. Excellent birding opportunities can be found in the Moapa Valley NWR and Warm Springs.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about being in the desert, ...this road is pretty safe, but be sure that your vehicle is in good working condition, carry plenty of water, and pack a few snacks. Always drive carefully; even though the road is maintained, there are occasional hazards such as errant rocks and holes in the roadway.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. This road goes into remote areas, so be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials. Cell phones don't work in some areas.

Getting to the Road

From Las Vegas, drive north on Interstate-15 for 48 miles to Exit 90. Watch for signs to Moapa and Glendale. Exit right into a very tight cloverleaf loop, then continue straight westward at the stop sign.

The Road

Highway 169 departs the interstate area (Table 1, Site 0879) passing several small businesses in Glendale, then passes the school and residential areas before heading out into the desert.

The road crosses over the old railroad tracks that once fed coal to the closed power plant. Shortly, the highway passes Reservation Road on the left. This road leads to the town where the Moapa people live, but the reservation is the much larger area to the southwest.

The highway continues westward, and at 7.1 miles out, passes an intersection with Warm Springs Road (Site 0898), to the left. Warm Springs Road leads to Moapa Valley National Wildlife Range and Warm Springs Natural Area, two great riparian areas for birding and seeing rare fish.

Continuing on Highway 168, the road passes through Warm Springs Natural Area (no public access along here) and at 10.2 miles out, passes the other end of Warm Spring Road (Site 1169). At 10.7 miles out, the highway passes a funny little loop spur of Warm Springs Road (Site 0878).

At 10.9 miles out, the highway bends right into Muddy Wash and passes Lower Arrow Canyon Road (Site 1170). This rough dirt road leads to hikes in the lower end of Arrow Canyon in the Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area.

From Lower Arrow Canyon Road, the highway climbs through Muddy Wash as it begins to climb over the mountains. By 15.8 miles out, the road is crossing the mountains and passes Dead Man Canyon Road (Site 1025), on the left. This rough dirt road leads to hikes in the upper end of Arrow Canyon and provides access to the two section of the Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area.

Continuing westward, the road descends into Pahranagat Wash at about 20.2 miles out. From there, the road begins climbing the bajada past Coyote Springs Golf Course (22.6 miles out) and intersects with Highway 93 (Site 0877) at 23.8 miles out.

From the intersection, travelers can turn right and head north towards the town of Alamo and points northward, or turn left and head south towards Las Vegas. There are no services at this intersection.