Overview

Garden Valley South Road is a 5-mile-long 2-track road that spans the south end of Garden Valley. The road runs from the Golden Gate Range on the east side of Garden Valley 2 miles westward to Mail Summit Road, then continues west 3 miles to the base of the Worthington Mountains and ends at Garden Valley West Road.

Normally suitable for 2WD vehicles, Garden Valley South Road is a 2-track road that normally can be driven at 25-35 mph. In one section, about 0.2 miles west of Mail Summit Road, the 2-track crosses a wash that can be a bit bumpy.

This is the preferred route to Leviathan Cave from the south.

Link to Area Map or Road Map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about driving in the desert, ... this road is pretty safe, but be sure your vehicle is in good working condition, carry plenty of water (radiator and drinking), and pack a lunch. Always drive carefully as there are occasional hazards such as potholes and washouts.

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 the 10 Essentials. Cell phones don't work.

Getting to the Road

Garden Valley South Road is located in the south-central portion of Basin and Range National Monument, about 3 hours (142 miles) north of Las Vegas driving directly, or about 1-1/4 hours (35 miles) northwest of the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 318.

From Las Vegas, drive north on Interstate-15 for 21 miles to Highway 93. Turn left onto Great Basin Highway (Hwy 93) and top off the gas tank if necessary. Drive north through the towns of Alamo (95 miles from Las Vegas) and Ash Springs (102 miles) to the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 318 (107 miles out). Gasoline is available in Alamo, Ash Springs, Rachel, and Lund.

Drive north on Highway 318 to Mail Summit Road. Turn left onto Mail Summit Road and drive west 25.5 miles to a 4-way intersection with Garden Valley South Road.

The Road

From Mail Summit Road (Table 1, Site 1552), Garden Valley South Road stretches east and west. Sagebrush growing on the center hump might brush the underside of the vehicle and present a pleasing aroma, but they shouldn't damage the undercarriage.

Turning left onto Garden Valley South Road, the road runs southwest and dips through a wash (0.2 miles out) with a steep climb out the far side. Fortunately, this can be bypassed using a loop to the left. Beyond there, the road runs fairly smooth and straight until cresting a low hill (3.2 miles out) where watering troughs become visible below. Staying left around the troughs, the road ends at a T-intersection (Site 1553) with Garden Valley West Road (3.4 miles out).