Kingman Wash

Kingman Wash is an ideal route for scenic explorers and beginner offroaders seeking easy vehicle access to a secluded beach on the shores of Lake Mead. Running for approximately 3.6 miles through the rugged desert of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Arizona, this well-maintained backcountry route begins just off Highway 93 south of the Hoover Dam. The graded dirt and gravel road winds over rolling desert hills and down through sandy washes, dropping from a maximum elevation of 1,677 feet down to 1,092 feet at the water's edge. With a low technical difficulty rating of 1, the route is easily passable for high-clearance two-wheel-drive vehicles, though standard passenger cars can also make the trip with careful driving when conditions are dry. Along the way, travelers are treated to expansive views of colorful desert volcanic formations and the unique paint pots geological area. Beyond providing a direct path to the shoreline for swimming, kayaking, and primitive camping, Kingman Wash serves as the primary gateway to other remote backcountry roads in the area, such as Fortification Hill Road. Those looking to explore further can access the challenging foot trail to the summit of Fortification Hill, a prominent mesa offering panoramic views of the Colorado River and Hoover Dam. The descent involves about 659 feet of elevation loss and some steeper gradients reaching up to 10 degrees, which may feel loose but present no significant obstacles. Because the trail runs through dry desert washes, travelers should remain aware of weather conditions, as heavy rains can cause rapid flash flooding and wash out sections of the road. High-clearance vehicles, four-wheel-drive rigs, and SxSs will find this a straightforward and highly rewarding desert drive year-round, though summer temperatures in this region frequently exceed 100 degrees.