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Summary: Railroad tunnel trail is a small portion of the 30 mile long River Mtns trail system. A haven for mountain bikers is Bootleg Canyon, west of this tunnel trail -- a dream come true within a protected big horn sheep area, with views of the lake, valleys & peaks. This tunnel trail follows the elevated RR bed used to haul supplies used in construction of Hoover Dam 1931 - 1935. The tracks continued in use until 1961, dismantled in 1962, and added to Natl Register of Historic Places in 1984. Since converted to bicycle/hiking trail (no horses on this portion), it is a easy, level, wide gravel walk for tourists and beginners; hiking under 5 tunnels, which are each 300' long and 25' in diameter. The 5th tunnel was opened in 2001, and this trail will eventually go all the way to Hoover Dam. End of trail is located directly under the Lakeview Point scenic overlook (reached by Hwy 93, W of dam), just before the security checkpoint and maintenance yard. Dry & Hot ! Trailhead: Hike is located at Lake Mead, SE of the entry to Boulder Beach, between visitor's center & Hoover Dam. Reach the trailhead parking from the Las Vegas strip (Tropicana & LV Blvd.), I-15 S to 215 (southern beltway) heading E to Boulder City. Continue as the 215 joins the 93 & follow signs to Hoover Dam. Turn off for trailhead pkg is about 7 miles after you pass Railroad Pass Casino. Turn L towards the lake and park in paved parking on the R side BEFORE the park entry/fee gate. Driving from Henderson, take Lake Mead DRIVE to Lakeshore Road towards Boulder Beach. From North Las Vegas, take Lake Mead ROAD E (hwy 147), turn R at the stop sign just past the entry/fee gate. Continue S on Northshore Road until it turns L at Lakeshore Road to Boulder Beach. From Arizona, take 93 west and past Hoover Dam, turning R at Lake Mead entry. Closest motels/casinos are the Hacienda (2 mi) or Railroad Pass Casino (8 mi). If hiking in summer, be off the trail by 9 a.m. !! (Lat:36.01142 Lon:-114.7949) Trail Guides for Railroad Tunnel Trail: Lake Mead free map and Desert Lake View brochure by National Park Service (Lake Mead National Rec Area) River Mountains Loop Trail free map and brochure by River Mtns Trail Partnership (River Mountains Trail Partnership) Hiking Around Las Vegas by Jim Boone (Jim L. Boone) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: Lake Mead NRA (702) 293-8907, emerg (702) 293-8932 or (800) 680-5851 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Kat Green, who has posted 86 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Mark on 10/25/2009 We biked this trail and really enjoyed it. Weather was clear and around 80 degrees. Would avoid in summer, though. Very scenic. Trail is abandoned railroad bed, so don't expect it to be super smooth, but it is level until the end. About 4 miles in and out. Excellent for biking or walking.
Reviewed by Steph on 8/20/2009 I am hiking this trail this weekend, but wanted to add a note. The 4.4 mile length is no longer accurate for round trip. According to the park service, that was the round trip when the trail ended after tunnel 5. The roundtrip is closer to 8 miles now. 
Reviewed by RV on 7/12/2009 On this trail all the time. IT IS AWESOME..and may I say to SJ this in fact is only 4 miles. I have checked it with a gps...YOU WERE PUSHING A DOUBLE STROLLER ON A SOFT GRAVEL BASE...THERE IS NO WAY FOR YOU TO MOVE MUCH FASTER THAN 2.5 MILES PER HOUR. This trail is an awesome trail that drops you onto the top of the hoover dam parking garage..From there take the elevator down and go to the restaurant, use the restrooms, and relax at the tables outside. This is far from moderate, the only challenge is the 300 foot elevation change on the second half of the hike (which is not bad going but kind of rough on the way back.) there and back is a total of about 8 miles... With the stop at the Damn you should plan 3 hours...
Reviewed by SJ on 4/25/2009 Ok, I do not agree with this review. This is not an easy hike if you take it all the way to the Hoover Dam. There is no way it is only 4.4 miles, it is well over 5 miles. I did it pushing a double stroller with my husband and two kids and it took us more than 3 hours. I would at least say moderate hike and it is beautiful! We ran across an asundry of wild life, even a close encounter with a snake. All in all we were very exhausted and my husband and I are quite fit.
Reviewed by RAG on 1/1/2009 Trail is now open all the way to Hoover Dam. A nice level hike suitable for all ages. Hot in summer and nice in winter. Bring water. Fantastic views. I did the hike all the way from the dam to the visitor center in December 2008. The history behind this enormous earthmoving project is amazing.
Reviewed by Kristi on 2/7/2008 Recently, my husband and I hiked to the end of the fifth tunnel and back with our eight children. We were a bit nervous to have our fifteen month old loose at points because of the drops on both sides. Our older children enjoyed climbing on the rocks, racing to and through the tunnels, and acting silly. We are returning tomorrow with friends.
Reviewed by Geno on 11/26/2007 Glad to see its open for hicking. In 1969 thru 1974 I would dirt bike ride through the tunnels every time we stayed at Lake Mead. It brings back grat memories! Check out the old movie "The Gauntlet". Eastwood rides a Harley through here while being chased and shot at from a Helicopter.
Reviewed by Dennis on 10/21/2007 We've hiked this trail for several years, and read this week in the newspaper that the trail is now open all the way to the Hoover Dam parking lot. We did the hike today, and hiked the additional distance from the last railroad tunnel to the dam. It was about another mile and a half. At the end are clean rest rooms, the gift shop, restaurant, and the dam itself. We will do again, especially when out of town friends and relatives visit. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Nevada Hiking, Nevada Trails, Nevada Hikes, Clark County Hiking, Clark County Trails, Clark County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
