McCullough Range Trail Guide: Jean Dry Lake to Sloan by Bronco

TOR Adventures

6 days ago

4 min read

The McCullough Range backroads are about 15 miles of desert two-track along the west side of the range, from Jean Dry Lake north toward Sloan, and the middle of the route is under 30 minutes from the Strip. It's an easy drive for a high-clearance 4x4, and a good first trail if you want real dirt without a long haul out of Las Vegas.

We drove it in the TOR Bronco in April 2026 and logged the whole route on GPS. Here's what you'll see, how it drives, what the rules are and which rig to take.

At a glance

Trail fact	McCullough Range backroads
From the Strip	Under 30 minutes to the middle of the route (Google Maps, October 2026). Jean Dry Lake is about 26 miles south of Las Vegas (BLM).
Distance and climb	About 15.4 miles on our GPS track (April 2026), between roughly 2,750 and 3,450 feet
How hard	Easy for a high-clearance 4x4. The main stretch, Color Rock Road, is rated 3 of 10 on onX Offroad for its whoops and washes; the Railroad Canyon wash is rated 5 (October 2026).
Best season	Fall through spring; summer days regularly top 100°F
Which TOR rig	The TOR Bronco
Land manager	Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Las Vegas Field Office. No permit or fee listed. Dispersed camping at Jean and Roach Dry Lakes, 14-day limit.

Jump to: What you'll see · Driving it · Conditions · Rules · Which rig · FAQ

The TOR Bronco on rocky desert ground below the dark hills of the McCullough Range, south of Las Vegas.

What Will You See on the McCullough Range Backroads?

Open desert flats, a dry lakebed and the dark ridgeline of the McCullough Range beside you the whole way.

Jean Dry Lake: a wide, flat lakebed at the south end, with hundreds of miles of trails around it, per BLM. It can hold water long after a rain, so skip the lakebed when it's wet.
The range: rocky, dark hills to the east, with the route running along their base.
Seven Magic Mountains: Color Rock Road passes in front of the painted boulder towers near the middle of the route. Our Seven Magic Mountains trail guide covers the towers and the backway from town.

The TOR Bronco on a tire-tracked dirt flat with desert mountains on the horizon, on the McCullough Range backroads.

Here's how the drive itself goes.

How Do You Drive the McCullough Range Backroads?

Start at Jean Dry Lake and work north. Take I-15 south to the Sloan Road exit (Exit 25), head to Las Vegas Boulevard, turn right and go about 10 miles to Knight Ranch Road, then turn left. The dry lake is in view from there (BLM directions).

What it's like:

Surface: hard-packed dirt and two-track, with whoops (repeating dips) and wash crossings. Slow down for the whoops; that's where people break things.
Air down: lower tire pressure smooths out the whoops and helps in sandy washes. The Bronco carries an air compressor and tire deflators, so air back up before the highway. Our first-timer guide shows how.
Color Rock Road: straight and fast, and it runs right past the art site, so watch for people walking.
Railroad Canyon: the wash is rated 5 on onX, rougher than the rest. Skip it unless you have experience and a spotter.
Navigation: download the area in onX Offroad before you go. Signal fades once you're away from I-15.

Low head-on view of the TOR Bronco's grille and round headlights in the McCullough Range desert.

Before you go, check what the area is like this month.

What Are Conditions Like Right Now?

As of early November 2026, onX Offroad still has no recent trip reports for the main stretch, and we found no BLM race closures posted near Jean for November. The lakebed and washes can flood after storms, and BLM says to stay off the lakebed after rain.

The area around Jean also hosts desert races, and BLM has closed roads near Jean for race weekends before. Check BLM's temporary closures page before you go.

Conditions change, and so do the rules, so here's what applies out here.

What Are the Rules on the McCullough Range Backroads?

This is BLM land managed by the Las Vegas Field Office. Outside the dry lakebed, motorized vehicles have to stay on existing roads and trails (BLM Jean/Roach Dry Lakes page).

Stay on existing roads. Don't make new tracks around a washout or into the hills.
Camping: dispersed camping is allowed at Jean and Roach Dry Lakes, for up to 14 days. Pack out everything.
The towers: don't climb them, and there's no camping at the art site.
Wildlife: desert tortoises cross these roads. Drive slowly and give them room.

That leaves the fun part: what to drive.

Which TOR Rig Fits the McCullough Range?

The TOR Bronco, a 2026 Ford Bronco Outer Banks on 35-inch tires. Whoops and washes are what it's built for, and it carries everything for a night out at Jean Dry Lake: an SUV tent, a custom-fit air mattress with bedding, a fridge, a camp grill, an 8-gallon water tank, a Jackery 1000 with solar panels, and recovery gear including MaxTrax and an ARB kit.

Camp setup with the SUV tent on the back of the TOR Bronco on BLM land south of Las Vegas.

How to book: the TOR Bronco books on Outdoorsy, and fees are shown on the listing. See everything included on the Bronco page. It picks up less than 15 minutes from Harry Reid International Airport.

New to Outdoorsy? Use our Outdoorsy link (paid link) for $50 off your first trip of $200 or more (click Start Exploring on that page before you book). Full disclosure: we get a travel credit when you use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the McCullough Range off-road trail?

About 15 miles from Jean Dry Lake north toward Sloan on our own GPS track, and the middle of the route is under 30 minutes from the Strip.

Is the McCullough Range trail good for beginners?

Yes, in a high-clearance 4x4. The main stretch, Color Rock Road, is rated 3 of 10 on onX Offroad. Take the whoops slowly and skip the Railroad Canyon wash unless you have a spotter.

Can you camp near the McCullough Range?

Yes. BLM allows dispersed camping at Jean and Roach Dry Lakes, with a 14-day stay limit. Stay off the lakebed when it's wet, and pack out everything you bring.