Note: Nov. 2023. Hikers report that the second half of Arrow Canyon Road is badly washed out and requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles.

Overview

Arrow Canyon Road runs 2.0 miles from Highway 168 to the edge of the Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area in Lower Arrow Canyon and provides hiking access to the spectacularly deep-and-narrow Arrow Canyon. This road is graded and maintained past a residence to a municipal water facility, but after that, the road is an unmaintained two-track. Hikers in sedans can drive out 0.5 miles and park past the water facility, and under good conditions, the entire road is suitable for 2WD high-clearance vehicles, but the road washes out and can require 4WD.

There has been a history of access issues with a landowner along the road. The road provides legal access across private property (evidenced by the BLM signs), but try not to annoy the landowner.

Link to map.

Watch Out

Other than the standard warnings about hiking and driving in the desert, ...this is an easy drive if the first crossing is okay, but the first wash crossing usually is the worst for sand and steep slopes. Beyond there, only the last wash crossing might cause 2WD problems. Other than the first wash crossing, there are no sandy spots on this road.

While out, please respect the land and the other people out there, and try to Leave No Trace of your passage. Also, even though this road is short, be sure to bring what you need of the 10 Essentials. Be aware of the weather report and stay out of this area if rain is expected; you don’t want to get caught in a flash flood. It is my understanding that the homeowner does not like company, so wave politely and drive on by at a speed that does not cause a dust cloud.

Getting to the Roadhead

This road is located on Highway 168 northwest of Moapa and Glendale, about 1 hour from Las Vegas. From town, out to the Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area. For the quickest route, drive north on Interstate-15 to Glendale (Table 1, Site 0879). Exit the interstate and drive northwest on Highway 168. Drive about 11 miles to a dirt road on the left with a traditional western ranch entrance (Site 1170). This is the Arrow Canyon Access Road.

For a more scenic drive, exit Interstate-15 onto Highway 93 (Site 0674). Drive north to Highway 168 (Site 0877). Turn right onto Highway 168 and drive southeast 13 miles to the Arrow Canyon Access Road (Site 1170).

The Road

From the pavement (Site 1170), the road runs southwest under an old-style ranch entrance, but without a gate. A small sign on the fence announces "The Bradys." BLM signs at the entrance state "Access to Arrow Canyon" and "All Vehicle Use Limited to Designated Roads and Trails." Just beyond the entrance, a BLM carsonite sign reads "Designated Route, Route Ends 1.8 miles ahead."

At about 0.28 miles out, the road forks (Site 1171). The Access Road stays to the right, while the left is the driveway to the big house. This left and others are coated with red gravel: STAY OFF THE RED GRAVEL ROADS!

Staying to the right, the road runs out around the private property and over a hill. At the top the hill, a Municipal Water Facility comes into view. Continue down the hill towards the facility. At 0.5 miles out, turn right onto a two-track road marked with a carsonite "Designated Route" sign, which is just before the gates and "No Parking" signs (Site 1172). In a sedan, park along the road just before the "no parking" signs.

The two-track leads out around the west (right) side of the facility fencing and continues south towards the wash. Just beyond the facility, there is another designated route carsonite sign.

At 0.74 miles out, the road crosses Arrow Canyon Wash. Except for near the end of the road, this is the only questionable spot for drivers in 2WD vehicles. The road dips steeply into the wash, turns upstream a few yards, and then climbs steeply out. Because of the sharp turns, drivers can't get up any momentum in the wash bottom. I've seen this with soft sand in the bottom of the wash creating a 2WD trap, and I've seen it with hard-packed gravel, making it a breeze in 2WD. Drivers in a 2WD vehicles should check the road before driving into the wash to make sure you can make it back out (both ways).

Beyond the first wash crossing, the road is fairly good. There are a few bumps, but generally the road is fine with a firm base. At about 0.80 miles out, the road passes a campsite on the left.

The road crosses the wash a couple of times. At 1.63 miles out, the road is on the south side of the wash and passes a short spur road to the left that leads to a large parking area and campsite. Beyond this point, the road gets rougher, so some drivers might want to stop at the campsite and hike the rest of the way.

Continuing, the road runs into the rocky wash and eventually climbs out in a rough spot to the south side. After that, a good road runs out another 2 minutes and ends at a cable fence with a carsonite sign announcing the end of the road and the beginning of the Arrow Canyon Wilderness Area (Site 0632). There is one nice campsite here, and space for another.

For hikers, this is the Arrow Canyon Trailhead, and the best of the narrows starts about 1 mile up the canyon.

For a different perspective on the road, see the Arrow Canyon Road - Outbound Photos webpage.