Every trail project starts long before the first shovel hits the ground. Behind every mile of trail is years of collaboration with land managers, environmental review, design work, fundraising, and countless volunteer hours.
From the Cottonwood Valley / Three Mile Smile Trail Project to the Red Rock Campground Trails and future Southwest Ridge connections, these are the projects currently shaping the future of trail access in Southern Nevada. Explore what's underway, where we're headed next, and how SNMBA works with partners to turn trail concepts into lasting community assets.
The Cottonwood Valley / Three Mile Smile Trail Project is SNMBA's highest-priority trail initiative and one of the most significant trail investments currently underway in Southern Nevada.
Supported through Nevada's Recreational Trails Program (RTP), the project includes approximately 11.5 miles of planned trail improvements and new trail construction designed to enhance connectivity, sustainability, and the overall trail experience within the Cottonwood Valley trail network. The completed concept plan includes a new uphill connector trail to Three Mile Smile, reroutes to the existing Dead Horse Loop to improve sustainability and user experience, and a new connector linking the existing Dead Horse Trail to the top of Three Mile Smile.
Phase 1 construction funding has been awarded and will focus on building the uphill connector, completing the Dead Horse Loop reroute, and constructing the new Dead Horse-to-Three Mile Smile connector.
These improvements will help reduce user conflicts, improve trail sustainability, and create a safer, more enjoyable experience for riders, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts while protecting sensitive desert resources through sustainable trail design.
The Red Rock Campground Trails Project will create a new 12 mile stacked-loop trail system designed to provide accessible recreation opportunities for riders, hikers, families, and visitors to Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area.
The project was advanced through support from the International Mountain Bicycling Association's (IMBA) Trail Accelerator Grant Program. Funding from the grant enabled professional concept planning and design by Trail Solutions, resulting in a sustainable stacked-loop trail system focused on beginner and intermediate experiences while improving connectivity and creating new opportunities for outdoor recreation close to home.
The project is easily accessible from the Red Rock Legacy Trail and will serve as an important resource for youth mountain bike programs, community events, and visitors seeking an accessible introduction to Southern Nevada's trail system.
The Southwest Ridge Trail Project is a long-term vision to create a regional trail system connecting communities, public lands, and recreation opportunities throughout the southwest Las Vegas Valley.
In partnership with Clark County, SNMBA helped evaluate and prioritize trail opportunities within the larger Vegas Valley Rim corridor to identify a sustainable, purpose-built trail system that serves riders, hikers, runners, and families.
The proposed trail network will provide new beginner and intermediate recreation opportunities, support youth cycling programs, and improve access to public lands while helping meet the growing demand for outdoor recreation in Southern Nevada.
A trail doesn't begin with dirt work—it begins with a map, a partnership, and a lot of patience. Before construction can start, projects move through planning, design, environmental review, funding, and permitting. Here's how the process works.
Every project starts with an opportunity. Working with land managers, trail users, and community partners, SNMBA identifies trail needs, evaluates potential corridors, and develops a vision for the project. Funding is often secured first to support professional concept planning and trail design.
Once planning funds are in place, trail designers and project partners develop a concept plan that identifies sustainable alignments, user experiences, trail connections, and construction priorities. This phase creates the blueprint that guides the project forward.
Once a concept plan is complete, projects enter environmental review and permitting. Trail alignments are evaluated for cultural resources, wildlife habitat, drainage, and long-term sustainability. Because these reviews often require significant resources, SNMBA frequently helps secure funding for the planning and environmental work needed before construction can begin. At the same time, we pursue grants and partner support to fund the trail itself.
With approvals and funding in place, construction begins. Once trails open, stewardship continues through monitoring, maintenance, volunteer workdays, and ongoing collaboration with land managers to ensure trails remain sustainable for years to come.
Trails don't build themselves. Every project on this page moves forward because someone showed up to a workday, became a member, supported a fundraiser, or advocated for better access to public lands.
Whether you can give time, expertise, or financial support, there's a place for you in the process.
