Trail Overview
The Indiana Bones Trail is an exciting, moderately challenging double-track route designed for four-wheel-drive vehicles, SxSs, and offroad enthusiasts seeking scenic panoramic vistas high above Carson Valley. Located within the popular Prison Hill Recreation Area, this 1.6-mile trail climbs from the main OHV staging area near the edge of Carson City up toward Golden Eagle Rock before descending toward Golden Eagle Lane. Drivers will navigate a mix of dirt, sand, and loose rock while climbing from a starting elevation of approximately 4,750 feet up to a peak of 5,373 feet, gaining about 612 feet of elevation along the way. The route rewards visitors with stunning, unobstructed views of Carson City, Minden, the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the west, and the Pine Nut Mountains to the east.
With a technical difficulty rating of 4, the trail features steep slopes reaching up to 22 degrees, along with rutted sections, small ledges, and rocky obstacles that demand a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle or capable SxS. The unmaintained dirt and sand track can become significantly more washed out or muddy after heavy rain or snow, making dry seasons the best time to visit. As a designated one-way route, drivers should stay on the designated trail to prevent erosion and respect the park's day-use-only regulations, which limit access from dawn to dusk with no camping or fires allowed. Since cellular service is intermittent throughout the hills, downloading offline maps is highly recommended before heading out, though full amenities, including gas, food, and lodging, are easily accessible just two miles away in Carson City along Highway 395.
Difficulty
Dirt, sand, and rocky trail, steep in several places with steep 22-degree slopes. The trail is unmaintained after rain or snow. The trail is a double-track with one way traffic. This trail is rutted and elevation changes are steep with small ledges.
