Trail Overview
Six Mile Cove Road offers a straightforward and scenic desert drive down to the shores of Lake Mohave, making it a perfect escape for paddleboarders, campers, and offroaders looking for easy access to the water. Spanning approximately 6.6 miles, this route gently descends from an elevation of 2,117 feet down to the lakeside at 658 feet, winding through a wide desert wash within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. While the trail is generally rated easy, the terrain transitions into deep, loose sand that can challenge two-wheel-drive vehicles, making high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, OHVs, and SxSs highly recommended to avoid getting stuck.
The final destination at Six Mile Cove is a popular, bustling shoreline area equipped with basic vault toilets and trash cans where visitors can enjoy dispersed lakeside camping with a 15-day limit. Because the route traverses a natural wash, it is highly susceptible to flash flooding during rainy periods, meaning drivers must check local weather forecasts and avoid the trail when storms threaten. Visitors must adhere to strict National Park Service regulations, staying only on designated open routes to protect the surrounding desert habitat, and packing out all trash to keep the cove pristine.
Difficulty
Sandy in sections, the possibility for water crossing and mud. Advised not to do this road in bad weather, as you can find yourself in a flash flood.
Access Description
An entrance fee or National Parks Pass is required to enter the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Dispersed shoreline camping is allowed at Six Mile Cove with a 15-day limit, but visitors must camp only in approved areas. Driving off-trail is strictly prohibited to protect the delicate desert ecosystem. All trash must be packed out.
