Alamo Road To Desert Dry Lake ~ Desert NWR

This is a continuation of two previous Alamo Road articles that featured White Rock Road and the Dead Horse Trail, which are two side roads that are well worth exploring in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Today's article shows Alamo Road from the Dead Horse Trail to the Desert Dry Lake, which is deep in this vast wildlife preserve.

From the Corn Creek Visitor Center it takes about 44 miles of dirt road driving to get to the Desert Dry Lake. If you choose to explore the side roads like I did, fuel management will be necessary and the dry lake will be about as far as you will be able to go and still have enough fuel for a safe return. For those who drive directly to the Desert Dry Lake, continuing on Alamo Road for another 34 miles to the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge and Alamo, Nevada will be an option if you have the right kind of vehicle. There are a few very lengthy silt pits on the way to the end point, so a high ground clearance 4x4 with wide tires and deep treads will be needed in order to avoid getting stuck.

Vantage points that overlook the big Desert Dry Lake can be found along the Dead Horse Trail. The Alamo Road access certainly presents majestic views of this protected dry lake natural area too. The views of this flat barren expanse extend to the bordering mountains and the lonely road to Pahranagat can be seen winding its way into the distant horizon. The geology at Sheep Pass on the way to the dry lake is amazing to see, while the warning signs on the northwest side of the road also attract a lot of attention. It pays to heed the warnings, because a U.S. Air Force bombing range is right next door. Trespassing on government property is a pricey proposition, so it pays to be aware of the boundaries when hiking in this area. The Desert Dry Lake certainly is an exciting place to spend an afternoon, so be sure to chalk this destination up when exploring the vast Desert National Wildlife Refuge!