Trail Overview

The trail starts just outside of Las Vegas by one of the last housing communities before BLM land. At first glance, it doesn't look great, but about a mile into the trail, the populated world drops away and the scenery is gorgeous. The first few miles are a fun wash (note, this wash will flood in a flash flood), and then you will head uphill. Most hard passes have a bypass except the last hill just before Cottonwood Pass Trail;there, 4WD is required. The water tanks are a neat spot to stop and take photos, and you may come across horses or burros. This is not a terribly hard trail, but 4WD is required. Stop and enjoy the scenery;the trail only takes around 45 minutes without pausing.

Photos of Wilson Tank Trail

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Difficulty

4WD is required. The last hill looks scary, but it's easy to pass with 4-low.

Technical Rating

Uriel Samaniego

Aug 12, 2026

2025 Toyota TRD OFF-ROAD

Open

DustyRough/Deteriorated

Great semi easy trail, beautiful desert landscape. Some rough patches nothing to extreme. 2025 Tacoma TRD Off Road, 2 inch lift and 33 inch Nitto Ridge Grapplers. Some steep climbs, no issues stayed in 4 high the whole way. Go slow on the final climb.

Cameron meeks

Aug 10, 2026

1988 suzuki samurai

Open

Normal

Super chill trail, a bit bumpy with my samurai's limited stock suspension. I took the harder wash bypass instead of the normal route and wasn't too worried about being alone, the ruts do get pretty deep at a few points so if you're not confident surfing the high spots you should stick to the normal trail. The very last hill right after the tanks is pretty spicy, I'd call it a 5/10 for me personally but any confident skilled driver shouldn't have any serious issues in 4wd low with open diffs. I highly recommend doing this trail in the early morning if you have the lights to start out in the dark, the sunrise is very nice.

Gonen Wilf

Aug 01, 2026

Open

Normal

Hawaii Girl

Jun 07, 2026

2021 Toyota 4Runner

Open

DustyNormal

Took Cottonwood Pass off of NV-SR 160 then turned east onto Wilson Tank Trail. Completed at the corner of Gomer and South Haulapai. Not too hot but super windy! Entire run recorded and can be viewed here at: https://youtu.be/Y3rRc-IMXRQ

Ross Weido

Mar 07, 2026

2022 Polaris Pro R 4 Ultimate

Open

Rough/Deteriorated

Rocky trail, no issues with decent clearance. One steep hill, 4wd with lockers and we made it up with some wheelspin.

John A

Feb 28, 2026

2024 Toyota Tacoma

Open

Normal

Pure stock 25 Tacoma OR. Nothing crazy. Bumpy rocks. Chill trip to Goodsprings.

Paul Salyers

Dec 23, 2025

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD

Open

NormalDusty

I took this trail from the Hualapai road entry point. Up to Cottonwood Pass trail and out to 160. Pretty easy going (and monotonous) the first 1/3 or so with a lot of gravel and rocks. . Got to some good short steep and rocky pitches after that with more of a sense of wilderness. Fun stuff. Mellowed out for a bit with a few rock and wash crossings. The last pitch to the top tested my stock Tacoma pretty well, as well as my nerves since I was all by myself. I’d call that part a definite 4 rating. Not too steep but definitely some sizable objects, ruts, and at least one ledge to navigate. Great views from the top before heading out on Cottonwood Pass trail. Would do again.

Billy Huddy

Dec 05, 2025

2022 Ford Bronco

Open

Normal

Wife and I took this trail that leads to Cottonwood Pass, then into Goodsprings to the Pioneer Saloon. Relatively easy trail with small “forests” of Joshua Trees. There were a couple steep inclines/declines that made the wife a little nervous, but nothing terrifying. You definitely need a 4x4 vehicle with some clearance. Great time.

jason king

Oct 26, 2025

2026 Jeep Wrangler

Open

NormalDustyRough/Deteriorated

Reyn Jones

Aug 31, 2025

2018 Toyota Tacoma

Open

NormalRough/Deteriorated

Easy trail. Had a few steep climbs/descents but nothing too crazy. Last hill before connecting with Cottonwood looked a little daunting, but just go slow and it’s fine.

Nick Jeep

Jun 22, 2025

Open

Normal

Simple trail with limited obstacles - a few steep climbs throughout the trail with obstacles on the climb.

Derek Johnson

Apr 23, 2025

2019 Jeep Wrangler

Open

Dusty

De Bo

Dec 01, 2024

Open

DustyWashboard

Cool trail, if you want to make it more challenging take Blue Diamond Highway and turn onto Eagle Ranch Dr to start off. You’ll go up and down some pretty steep hills with rocks. Had to use 4x4 and lockers at one point for the beginning stretch. Rest of the trail after that is pretty chill.

Brian Cross

Nov 02, 2024

2021 Ford Bronco

Open

Normal

Started trail from Cottonwood Pass which provides great views of Las Vegas in the distance as you head down. Took the beginning slow as I moved down a rocky ledge into the valley where the tanks are. I used low gear and the Bronco’s descent control to avoid using the breaks. Once you’re down in the valley the going gets easier. About 3/4 the way through there were some very steep climbs, but there were also easier bypass routes you could take instead. The end goes through a wide gravel wash where the more traveled routes vary somewhat from the mapped route. Fun trail.

Deanne Phillips

Jul 17, 2024

Open

DustyNormal

beautiful 100 degree day. just decided to go off the grid for a few and found this fun trail near where I was driving. great scenery peaceful day.