Nevada is absolutely jam packed with hundreds of tourist destinations, especially around Las Vegas. The desert oasis full of casino resorts is great for the gambling types out there, but Vegas and the surrounding area presents a tourist’s paradise in terms of scenery and historic locations. Driving the Bitter Springs Back Country Byway, tourists get to see a lot of what the area offers.

Anyone planning on venturing to Nevada to cruise this strip of land should know that it’s an unpaved road that can get a bit rough at times. It’s certainly not a drag strip and all motorists should take it easy and enjoy the scenery. It should take anyone about 2 hours to fully enjoy the scenic tour, although the byway isn’t that long.

Also, your run-of-the-mill rental car probably isn’t going to make the trek. This byway is something that needs to be planned out and not simply a route you can stumble across. You should have a high-clearance vehicle, a truck or an ATV, and you should make sure to bring some supplies just in case of a breakdown.

The Bitter Springs Back Country Byway is located a short 40 miles outside of the Las Vegas area. This is more of a family oriented destination and the 28-mile stretch of dirt road provides every traveler with direct access to some of the state’s other well noted landmarks, including the Valley of Fire State Park and even the Hoover Dam.

With so many “don’ts” on the list, some may wonder why it’s worth traveling in the first place. Well, for anyone who’s ever traveled the byway, they can attest to the million-dollar views offered up in succession.

You’re basically venturing through the heart of the desert, and you’ll immediately notice that the rocky red landscape and dry washes are a stark contrast to the city lights and even the green mountains in the distance. Most motorists use the opportunity to either snap photos of or hike around the various rocky formations of the area.

Anyone driving the stretch will also get to see old abandoned mines of the area, like the famous borax mines. There’s also an interesting anomaly in the desert. Amidst a slew of dry desert creek beds runs a vibrant stream that supports much of a shrubbery found and also the local wildlife.

At certain places along the byway, you can get a glimpse into the way the early American settlers lived life. Remnants of abandoned campgrounds can be found, as well as the Old Spanish Trail - a path formed by Spanish explorers way back in the 1700s that is still remarkably noticeable despite the nearly 300 years that have passed.

The byway is also a favorite spot for campers. Although there are many campgrounds along the way, most like to park their RVs or set up tents in random locations. The local authorities don’t mind and the area encourages tourists to stop in and to take the drive.