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You are here: Home / Biking / A Destination Trail

12/28/2010 by Editor

A Destination Trail

Wildflowers and Lake Mead

Spring wildflowers line the River Mountain Loop Trail with Lake Mead in the background.

After posing the question on Facebook about whether the users thought the River Mountains Loop Trail was a “Destination Trail,” I have to concur that it is. My brief research doesn’t really define what a destination trail is so I’m setting out to determine what makes this a destination trail. So I went to Wikipedia and started with:

A Destination Hotel is a hotel whose location and amenities make the hotel itself a destination for tourists, rather than merely a convenient place to stay while traveling through or visiting the area for other reasons.”

So if I do a little word-smithing we get:

A Destination Trail is a trail whose location and amenities make the trail itself a destination for tourists.”

So in other words the trail itself is the primary reason for the visit or trip, and the amenities (the hotel, the restaurants, etc.) add to the reason to visit the trail. I have also heard the phase “World Class Trail.” Let’s explore some of the reasons why this trail would be considered a Destination Trail.

  • It’s a 34-mile paved loop trail, non-motorized, and 12-foot wide.  Suitable for street bikes, mountain bikes, jogging, running, hiking, walking, roller-blades, 5-k’s, 10-k’s, marathons and triathlon and even horse-back riding.
  • It’s both a rural and urban trail connecting the communities of Henderson, NV. and  Boulder City, NV. to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Hoover Dam via connecting Historic Railroad Trail.
  • It circles/loops around the River Mountains which is full of wildlife year round and wildflowers in the spring, offers unobstructed views of Lake Mead, numerous mountain ranges, and of course the one and only Las Vegas.
  • Speaking of wildlife the River Mountains is home to one of the largest and most productive Desert Big Horn Sheep populations in the Western USA.
  • The trail is also a trip into and through history of Southern Nevada. Kiosks and waysides along the trail system tell the story.
  • Speaking of amenities one will find five (5) different hotels and resorts connecting to the trail system, something for everyone’s taste.
  • The trail also connects you to other destinations along the way such as Historic Downtown Boulder City; Lake Las Vegas Resorts; Hoover Dam; Wetlands Park Trail system; and multiple trail connections into the Henderson Community and  Las Vegas.

Wow. I just sold myself on a trip to visit the River Mountains Loop Trail and I only touched on some of the big reasons. I like the scenery, the views, the peace and quiet, the huge wide open spaces and the solitude one experiences along the trail. There is something for everyone’s trail needs.

Where else in the world can you jump on a bike and ride on a trail system and see two of the world’s engineering marvels at the same time? I’m referring to Hoover Dam and the Tillman – O’Callaghan Bridge.

Hoover Dam & Tillman – O’Callaghan Bridge construction 2009

Filed Under: Biking, Blog, hiking, History Tagged With: Desert Big Horn Sheep, Destination Trail, Historic Railroad Trail, Hoover Dam, Hoover Dam Bridge

« Bobcats – Roam the River Mountains
River Mountain Trail…circa 1935-1937 »

Comments

  1. trailsnet says

    01/15/2011 at 8:10 AM

    From what I’ve seen on your blog & various websites, I would agree that the RMLT is a destination trail. This post motivated me to include some criteria for a destination trail on the trails network blog

    • rmltman says

      01/18/2011 at 10:07 AM

      Once again thanks for the review and comments on your BLOG. Starting this year we’ll be putting finishing o touches on the trail with more signs, waysides, and safety related improvements.

  2. Kirk Dubois says

    01/30/2011 at 4:28 PM

    Yes, River Mountain Loop trail is a destination trail. I am coming from Nashua, NH specifically to ride that trail. I made the trip last year to hike that trail from Pacifica way to the dam. Great trail. I have ridden many trails in my area and enjoy the scenery.

  3. dianaluna says

    02/22/2011 at 6:07 AM

    I like the pictures and took some of them for my PPT. Thanks a lot.

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River Mountains Loop Trail
2 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail

Update: Closure at RR Pass due to storm damage impacting concrete at railroad tracks.

Henderson is working with UPRR and the Boulder City Railroad Museum to make this repair as soon as possible.
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0 CommentsComment on Facebook

River Mountains Loop Trail
2 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail
Hello All,

The City of Henderson is  temporarily re-routing trail traffic around the railroad tracks near Railroad Pass Casino. We dont have a timetable for this closure yet. 

Updates coming soon on the re-opening of this trail section.

Hello All,

The City of Henderson is temporarily re-routing trail traffic around the railroad tracks near Railroad Pass Casino. We don't have a timetable for this closure yet.

Updates coming soon on the re-opening of this trail section.
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15 CommentsComment on Facebook

It’ll be like this till next year or so .

Had a employee from Railroad museum, train is running but is being stop half down, it is not going pass Railroad Hotel and Casino he sad the track was damaged from Hilary and monsoon rain we had

Where does the trail reroute for this section?

I biked this today and there was no closure?!?!

Lisa Lohmann we will have remember this when we plan our long ride

For your safety = the government is all knowing and you must comply because you know no better!

Great, I’m usually hauling ass there, only to find a barricade 3 seconds till I hit them if I’m watching closely

Part of the F1 race construction?

Steve Burchell

There’s no easy “re-routing” once you’re at this point….

anything fun in henderson, the city wants to tax you to use.

Someone I know biked this section today from the ped bridge over the 11 to BC and said the trail was clear of all the dirt that was on the trail a week ago.

Rode by the Railroad Pass today, no problem. Is it still closed elsewhere?

Mattchew Fisherino

The resurfacing that was slated to begin back in April HAS BEGUN! Someone I know rode the RMLT early morning Monday the 18th and said there were roadwork crews busy repairing cracks and applying blacktop, so please abide by the trail closure signs on the northern section of the trail unless you enjoy riding through fresh tar. BTW, the gates at the RR Casino crossing have been moved out of the way and there appears to be nothing going on there in the way of repairs. Also, the entire trail has been cleared of all gravel and debris from the recent rains so thanks to the City of Henderson for dealing with that. The attached trail closure map that was put online last March now actually applies.

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River Mountains Loop Trail
3 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail
Thank you John Day for cleaning storm debris off of the RMLT!

Thank you John Day for cleaning storm debris off of the RMLT! ... See MoreSee Less

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34 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thanks John and all that keep our trail clean! Your hard work is greatly appreciated!!

There are some great people in this world!!!

Awesome. We encountered some rough patches on Saturday morning.

Your a legend!! Thank you sir

Wow! What a mess, thanks for clearing all that. I loved riding that trail when I lived in Vegas🚴‍♀️

Thank you...so much!!

You can do the Beltway Trail when you are finished. LOL. All your hard work is greatly appreciated by the cycling community. Thank you.

We have an amazing group of “trail gnomes” in our mountain bike community who put in significant hours to maintain trails throughout the year that are my inspiration to contribute to the biking culture in Henderson, Las Vegas, and Boulder City.

Awesome my friend 🤙🏽

🙌🙌🙌

Clap clap for him .. thank you so much

Thank you

Huge thanks!

I’ve been there 3x on that trail it’s amazing. we start at the railroad casino, thanks for your outstanding support 👏🏻👏🏻

Thanks much. Does anyone know if it needs cleaning anywhere else?? I have free time tomorrow.

Thank you!!!

Thank you John Day!

Thank you!

Thank you!!

Thank you 😊

thanks!

thank you so much, i saw you Saturday but i had to find my husband who turned around, thanks again, appreciate you!!!

Thank you John!

Thank you sir! Greatly appreciated! Kerry Jo Mitchell

Robert Jr Samano

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