Hubby just bought a new 4WD car and wanted to go off roading, and the drive through Christmas Tree Pass came recommended as an easy one for beginners. I'd agree with that assessment. I would say anyone with a 4WD vehicle could easily handle the well-manicured dirt roads. The drive took us about 45 minutes with LOTS of stops to take photos, walk around, and enjoy the desert landscapes. It was very peaceful and quiet, and we only passed one other vehicle the entire time we were driving! It's free, clean, and fun, and you can't ask for more than that! The landscape is (obviously) dry desert, with pretty rocks and flora and fauna. We saw plenty of lizards, birds, chipmunk looking things, and a couple of snakes, so be alert and respect the wildlife! Don't pick anything and don't harrass anything. We drove in early July, when the temperatures were over 110. We brought plenty of water "just in case," and there are several areas where you can wander off on foot (but again, watch for snakes)! I was impressed with how clean it was along the Pass, I did not see one piece of trash anywhere! The roads are graded but the sand gets a bit deep in a few places, where we slid a little while driving. It was fun because the road is very wide with plenty of room. At one end of the Pass, there's an area with well preserved petroglyphs. It does require a bit of a hike which isn't that far distance-wise, but it's in deep sand that's difficult to walk through (especially when the temps are high). I made it maybe a third of the way and turned back. I'll try again in the fall or winter. There's a hole-in-the-ground toilet facility by the petroglyphs if you need it. I am not outdoorsy in the least, but I had a really fun time riding along on this drive. If you're traveling between Las Vegas and Laughlin, it's a fun little "cut through" to get through the desert. Highly recommended. read more

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2/24/2025 If you think you're going to see a bunch of Christmas decorations on this bumpy off-road trip, forget about it! We should've stopped to see the petroglyphs, that would've been the highlight on this frustrating journey. There was one chubby bush with hardly any Christmas decorations probably about halfway into the drive. Not worth the long road trip. The weather was perfect, but I sure wouldn't do it again. read more

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Get your hiking shoes and 4WD ready, this place is pretty neat! The road in is best traveled in a truck or SUV, possibly even with 4 wheel drive capability. Don't take your Prius or Fiat 500 down this pass... LOL! People have randomly placed all sorts of Christmas decorations and other festive items all along the route. Bulbs, ornaments, tinsel, garland, signs. Some are pretty great, some are laughably stupid, but all of it is fun to look at either way. Plus I recommend that you decorate a tree while you are there. Gotta do this at least once! Not only are there fun to look at decorations, there is also a short hike that will take you to rocks and caves. This area has remnants of those who have come before us with petroglyphs. I believe this area is actually known as Grapevine Canyon. There have been several times, on our way into the Laughlin/Bullhead City area, where we've turned off on a moonless night or during a thunderstorm just to look up at the sky and see the wonders of it. Ya gotta visit Christmas Tree Pass at least once! There's really nothing like it. It's pretty cool. CHEERS!! read more

Love Christmas Tree pass, because this dirt road took us off the beaten path to explore a new adventure. What we found were native American pyroglyphics, caves and a road were the locals decorate trees for Christmas with bulbs, lights, ornaments and tinsel. The road stretched out 12 miles long. Beware, the road is unpaved narrow road. But the sight seeing is pretty sweet. We visited this spot during our trip to Laughlin and on our way to Vegas. This spot only put us off detour 30 mins, and worth the 30 mins to explore the desert. If you're wondering if you can park your car at the entrance, sure you can. But its definitely a hike to the pyroglyphics, and a dusty one at that. I recommend a lot of water. A car full of gas, maintenance and snacks for the kiddos. But, if you're not prepared to drive the narrow rocky road then and just walking, you probably won't be able to view it all just walking. read more

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This place is a fun drive, if u have not done it give it a try. I recommend only drive it in a SUV or truck I would NOT take my car thru this pass way to rough. If u have the time, well u should park and walk around alittle if u like to climb rocks this is s good place or just explore. Take lots of water a snacks maybe even a picnic would be nice out there. We will be back again to spend more time out there. read more

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Christmas Tree Pass is along the Colorado River (river not seen from main road) and is about 12 miles long going through the Newberry Mountains and is apart of Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Most people using this road are either coming out to decorate trees and bushes, want a change in scenery from the highway and decide to cut through this way for the heck of it or are heading to Grapevine Canyon to hike and see petroglyphs. The road is graded so the ride is for the most part smooth, but it does get rough in certain spots. Please don't be the person in a Geo Metro I saw trying to take this road. They for obvious reasons couldn't make it and had to turn around. The speed limit is 25. Some turns are tight and the dirt gets soft in some areas, so going the speed limit keeps things safe. Traffic isn't heavy on this road. If you are coming from the Laughlin side then you will find the turn for Christmas Tree Pass on highway 163 maybe 5 or so miles outside of Laughlin. If you are coming from Searchlight the turn is on highway 93. If you are just driving the dirt road and not stopping it will take you about 45 minutes. Christmas Tree Pass gets its name from the pygmy forest of junipers and pinyons growing here. Some wouldn't know that if they passed through and saw the random trees and bushes that are decorated with Christmas decorations. Many years ago a tradition was started where families would bring what Christmas decorations they had left after decorating their homes out here to put on the bushes. I was one of those kids who came with her family to do that, but we were never allowed to use any ornaments or stuff that was more harmful to the wildlife. We used instead different fruits, nuts and seeds and made garland with the food that could be beneficial to the animals. I remember the "bra tree" that was there forever until more than likely the national park service cleaned it up. I've seen an underwear and beer can tree as well which is comical. The national park service doesn't care for the trash and stuff and clean it up and some of the trees from time to time. People still go back out and decorate. I saw a tree this last visit that was decorated with trash from the area. I wish they would have just thrown it away since that just makes more sense. If you are coming out to decorate, please be cautious to what you are putting on the trees and bushes and clean up all your trash. It can still be fun and a family tradition for many for years to come if done respectfully. There are some really pretty wildflowers growing during certain times of the year provided there has been enough rain and they really add a nice backdrop to the scenery. Wildlife you might see will be birds, squirrels, lizards, antelope and maybe even desert tortoise. read more

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Love this place haven't been out there for awhile but it's so cute to go during the Christmas highly recommend to decorate a tree at least once to say you tried it & a great memory. read more

I love this place. So much to see. You can literally spend all day up there. Short walk to the rocks but it's so much more of it.

Went offroading out here. Sick landscapes! Highly recommend checking it out! Start on the laughlin side then once you hit the 168 take it to Nipton rd in Searchlight and make a left. Take it until you get to Nipton Cafe. One of the best and biggest burgers I've ever had. You can eat while looking at incredible scenery and historic buildings. read more

We decided to drive the 17 miles of Christmas Tree Pass, from Hwy 163 to Hwy 95, one afternoon. We entered on Hwy 163, a few miles from the bridge that connects Bullhead City, AZ and Laughlin, NV. We did not stop at the Petroglyphs, about three miles in. I would not drive this road in a car. There is a wash where the sand is quite thick. A few bumpy roads as you get into the drive further. The rock formations are awesome. About half way through, it gets better and the views are gorgeous. As you are driving forward, don't forget to look behind you, that is when you see the views. Yes, there are a few trees that have been decorated. read more