Black Canyon Wilderness is a wilderness area located south and west of Hoover Dam within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada. This 17,220-acre landscape is predominantly volcanic in origin, characterized by extremely rugged terrain, a labyrinth of peaks, and side canyons sculpted by the Colorado River. Towering sheer cliff walls drop dramatically to the river, offering a dramatic backdrop for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and more.
49
Routes
4.7
(73)
Average rating
1197
People visited

5.0
(4)
27
hikers
10.3km
02:53
240m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths.

5.0
(2)
16
hikers
5.59km
01:45
290m
70m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

3
hikers
2.99km
00:53
30m
190m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.

2
hikers
1.43km
00:26
60m
40m
Easy hike. Easily walkable paths.
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5.58km
00:17
40m
100m
Easy mountain bike ride.

4
riders
14.2km
01:26
310m
310m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3
riders
4.70km
00:26
80m
80m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Advanced riding skills necessary.

2
riders
6.28km
00:36
110m
110m
Easy mountain bike ride.
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4.8
(6)
56
riders
21.1km
01:31
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

9
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

10
riders
20.8km
01:26
380m
380m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

12
riders
42.6km
02:54
640m
640m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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11
riders
17.9km
01:15
380m
380m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

113km
06:20
1,310m
1,310m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

18
riders
30.2km
01:47
490m
490m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

13
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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16
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

15
runners
5.59km
00:37
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

8
runners
25.8km
03:14
560m
560m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.

5
runners
8.88km
01:11
240m
240m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces.
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The Black Canyon Wilderness is a 17,220-acre wilderness area located south and west of Hoover Dam within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Nevada. It features a volcanic landscape with rugged terrain, peaks, and canyons sculpted by the Colorado River.
Black Canyon Wilderness offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, touring cycling, and jogging. The area's rugged terrain provides diverse experiences for outdoor enthusiasts.
Yes, Black Canyon Wilderness is suitable for hiking, though the terrain can be rugged. Hikers can explore slot canyons and geological formations. More information is available in the Hiking in Black Canyon Wilderness guide.
Yes, there are options for easier hikes within the Black Canyon Wilderness. These trails provide access to the area's natural beauty without extreme difficulty. Consult the Easy hikes in Black Canyon Wilderness guide for specific routes.
The broader Black Canyon area, particularly within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, offers excellent cycling. This includes mountain biking, road cycling, and touring cycling on various routes. Guides like MTB Trails in Black Canyon Wilderness and Road Cycling Routes in Black Canyon Wilderness provide details.
The wilderness is characterized by volcanic terrain, sheer cliff walls dropping to the Colorado River, and numerous side canyons. Notable features include hot springs, which create unique microclimates, and views of Hoover Dam and Lake Mead.
Black Canyon Wilderness is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2,000 visitors sharing their experiences. Routes in the area have an average rating of 4.61 out of 5 stars.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Hiking in Black Canyon Wilderness, MTB Trails in Black Canyon Wilderness, and Road Cycling Routes in Black Canyon Wilderness. There are also guides for easy hikes, touring cycling, and running.
Black Canyon Wilderness is situated in Nevada, specifically south and west of Hoover Dam. It is an integral part of the larger Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The sparse volcanic rock vegetation in Black Canyon Wilderness supports diverse wildlife. Animals such as desert bighorn sheep, mountain lions, coyotes, jackrabbits, rattlesnakes, side-blotched lizards, and chuckwallas inhabit the area.
The Black Canyon Wilderness is managed by the National Park Service as part of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Information can be found on the National Park Service website, or by calling the Alan Bible Visitor Center at (702) 293-8990.

