Christmas Tree Pass Guided Off-Road Tour

Christmas Tree Pass is one of the most peaceful drives near Laughlin. A graded dirt road leaves the highway, climbs through rocky desert into the Newberry Mountains, crests the pass and drops down the other side. Along the way, the landscape changes from creosote flats to boulder fields and stands of juniper, with long views across the desert.

This guide covers the road itself, the decorated-tree tradition and why rangers now ask visitors to leave the trees alone, the seasons, and which vehicles suit the drive.

The road

Christmas Tree Pass Road runs roughly 16 miles between U.S. Highway 95, south of Searchlight, and Nevada State Route 163, west of Laughlin. Most visitors from Laughlin start from the Route 163 end.

The road is graded dirt. It's generally an easy drive in good conditions, but expect washboard sections, sandy stretches and narrow one-lane passages through the canyons. The pass itself sits at roughly 3,900 feet, a pleasant change from the heat of the river valley. Allow plenty of time: this is a road for driving slowly, stopping often and looking around.

Where the name comes from

For many years, visitors decorated the junipers and other evergreens along the road with ornaments, tinsel and garlands, especially around the holidays, and the trees gave the pass its name.

Take only memories and photographs; the junipers are lovely just as they are.

In recent years, rangers at Lake Mead National Recreation Area have asked visitors to stop. Decorations end up scattered as litter along the roadside, and edible decorations can draw wildlife onto the road, where animals are more likely to be hit by vehicles. Human food can also make wild animals sick. Rangers have organized cleanups to remove decorations and ask everyone to follow "leave no trace" principles. Please enjoy the trees without adding anything to them.

Whose land it is

The road crosses more than one public land unit. Its western part lies within Avi Kwa Ame National Monument, which is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service working with a coalition of tribes. Farther along, the road enters Lake Mead National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service.

The mountains here hold deep cultural significance. Spirit Mountain, known as Avi Kwa Ame, is regarded as sacred by Yuman tribes. Visitors are asked to treat the landscape, rock art and sacred places with respect: stay on established roads, don't disturb artifacts or rock art, and pack out everything you bring in.

What vehicle it suits

In normal conditions, the road is generally passable in a regular two-wheel-drive vehicle driven carefully. Even so, it's not a road to rush. Washboard can shake a car hard, sandy patches can catch low tires, and the narrow canyon sections require patience when meeting oncoming traffic. Some descriptions note the steeper grades are encountered when heading northwest, so some two-wheel-drive drivers choose to drive the road from the opposite direction.

After storms, conditions can change significantly. Washes that cross the road are prone to washouts, and a section that was smooth last month may be rough or blocked. Always check current conditions with National Park Service rangers before you go.

If you'd rather not take your own car on a dirt road, a guided trip uses a vehicle suited to the terrain and someone who knows the way.

Seasons and weather

The cooler months, from fall through spring, are the most comfortable time to drive the pass. Days are mild, the light is soft, and the higher elevation can feel noticeably cooler than Laughlin. Winter can bring chilly temperatures, especially early and late in the day, so bring a layer.

Light matters here too. Early morning and late afternoon bring long shadows across the boulders and a warm glow on the hills, while midday light can feel flat and harsh. If photography is part of the plan, time your drive for the edges of the day, and leave yourself enough daylight to finish the road before dark.

Summer is very hot at lower elevations, and the road has no services. If you go in summer, travel early, carry plenty of water and make sure your vehicle is in good shape. Summer storms can bring sudden heavy rain; never drive into a flooded wash.

Nearby: petroglyphs and Spirit Mountain

Near the southern end of the road, Grapevine Canyon is known for its petroglyphs, ancient designs pecked into the dark basalt near the mouth of the canyon. The rock art is reached by a short walk of about half a mile from a parking area with restrooms. Look but never touch: oils from skin damage the rock, and some designs have already worn away.

Above it all rises Spirit Mountain, at the heart of the Spirit Mountain Wilderness, about ten miles northwest of Laughlin. It's a powerful presence on the skyline and a place of deep meaning to the region's tribes.

Making a full day of it? Combine Christmas Tree Pass with Oatman on the Arizona side; see our Oatman, Arizona guide and the guide to the Oatman burros.

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