KLAS: Long-distance mountain biking in spotlight as Interior Department seeks nominations

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — In 2023, Congresswoman Susie Lee was among the sponsors as the BOLT (Biking on Long-Distance Trails) Act was reintroduced and became law. Now, the Interior Department is seeking nominations for no fewer than 10 trails, with each covering at least 80 miles.

At least one trail in Nevada — the Great Basin Loop Trail — could be nominated, and others that cross into Nevada are also on a list of possibilities.

“Nevada is not only the entertainment capital of the world, but it’s also home to some of the planet’s most incredible public lands. I was proud to pass my bipartisan BOLT Act to promote and support long-distance biking trails, allowing more Americans to access and enjoy these amazing resources — including right here in Nevada,” Lee said.

“As an avid biker myself, I know first-hand that the possibilities in our state are practically limitless,” Lee said. 8 News Now featured Lee among other bicycling enthusiasts when we spotlighted their favorite trails in a 2022 feature story: Love cycling? Best rides near Las Vegas as told by some of the valley’s top cyclists.

Eligibility requirement for these long-distance trails favor places with lots of public land. The Bureau of Land Management controls more than half of all land in Nevada. And while the majority of the state’s mountain bike trails are far shorter than the 80-mile requirement, some might make good components that could expand or link to other trails to meet the long-distance standard.

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), along with organizations Bikepacking Roots and PeopleForBikes, formed the BOLT Coalition to take stock of what’s already out there and identify the next logical steps in designating 10 or more 

The result: a list of 20 trails that already meet the criteria, and 13 potential trails that are well on their way toward the Interior Department’s goals.

The BOLT Coalition will nominate the 20 trails.

The monstrous 657-mile figure-eight Great Basin Loop Trail is on the list of potential trails, along with the 355-mile (but not yet complete) East Side Sierra Towns to Trails, which would run from Lake Tahoe south to Lone Pine, California. The two trails are within easy driving distance of Las Vegas. Maps of both trails are below, with the Great Basin Loop on the left.

Arizona and Utah trails are well-represented on BOLT’s nomination list, and they are fairly close to home for mountain bikers ready for a road trip.

See BOLT’s 116-page report: Long Live Trails

The criteria a trail must meet to be considered:

• At least 80 miles long and publicly accessible
• A majority of the trail is on federally managed public land (BLM, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation)
• Makes use of existing designated or otherwise officially available roads and trails.
• Primarily on dirt or natural surface (short connector routes on paved or improved roads may be acceptable).
• Trail is open to bicycle use (not in designated wilderness areas).
• Avoids conflicts with other trail uses, specifically other bicycling, hiking, horseback riding or pack and saddle stock uses; and purposes for which a trail was established under the National Trails System Act, if applicable.

Ideally, nominated trails would have partner organizations or volunteer groups identified to assist with trail development and maintenance.

Members of the public may nominate trails and areas for consideration using the Bureau of Land Management’s web-based National Biking on Long-Distance Trails Act Nomination Tool. Trail and recreation managers, partner organizations, and other parties with an interest in biking on public lands are especially encouraged to provide input. Nominations will be accepted through Aug. 3, 2026.

The online nomination tool allows individuals to draw proposed routes on a digital map and input information about the routes in the system.