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Leviathan Recreation Area

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Other Names

Leviathan Mine Road, Barney Riley Trail, Leviathan Creek, Loop Canyon Road, Monitor Pass, Smiths Creek, Carson River, Toiyabe National Forest, High Peak, Dome Two, Leviathan Peak, Haypress Flat, Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District

Last Known StatusOpen

This remote and scenic area on the California-Nevada border consists mainly of jeep trails and fire roads surrounding a large dormant sulfur mine (off-limits). The area offers some primitive campsites, but no clearly designated staging areas or services.

You will find about fifteen miles of scenic views of the high-desert forests and mountain ranges along the main road with just a handful of decent side trails. A long rocky jeep trail with many stream crossings (caution - some over 1 foot deep.) is located in the northwest area. You will not find much exciting terrain here overall, but at least you'll have the whole place to yourself.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesCA OHMVR stickers required
Dates OpenYear-RoundCA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted year round
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedYesResidents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY)
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthNo Restriction
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermittedCA OHMVR stickers required
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Permitted
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Some AreasCA OHMVR stickers required
2 Stroke EnginesNo RestrictionCA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet RequiredYeshelmets required by state law
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areas(camp in developed sites only)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingYesNot Recommended
Trail BlazingProhibitedno trailblazing
AlcoholNo Restriction
Rule EnforcementFew/Periodic
CommentLeviathan Mine is off limits, also they have surveillance cameras.
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TERRAIN

Approx Size1,000 acres (2 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail50
Climate TypeForest
Elevation6000 to 8700 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Lightly Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has little loose dirt.Little
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has no sandy areas.None
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has some dust on typical days.Some
RocksThis trail has some rocks.Some
TreesThe trail has many trees.Many
Steep HillsThis trail has few steep hills.Few
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Few
Small JumpsThis trail has no small jumps.None
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has no berms.None
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has no single track trails.None
RoadsThis national forest has almost all roads.All
IntersectionsThis trail has few intersections.Few
Rider TrafficThe national forest has no rider traffic on typical days.None
ShadeThis national forest has many shaded areas.Many
Ranges/GunfireThis national forest has few shooting ranges or gunfire.Few
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards are marked)
Laviathan Mine
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has mostly beginner terrain.Mostly
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has some intermediate level terrain.Some
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has little expert terrain.Little
CommentBarney Riley Trail is very rocky and challenging jeep trail

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (N)Woodfords Station
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (N)Woodfords Station
Potable Water Water1-5 Miles (W)Mount Bullion
RV Hookups RV Hookup5-20 Miles (E)Topaz Lodge (800) 962-0732
RV Dump Station RV Disposal5-20 Miles (E)Topaz Lodge
Primitive Camping Campground5-20 Miles (W)Grover Hot Springs (530) 644-2248
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (N)Smiths - Gardnerville (775) 782-0155

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
Entry(None)
Riding(None)
Camping(None)

RATINGS

Prosno traffic, remote, primitive, free, large area
Consno actual trails, all roads, no services, no clear or designated staging areas
Our RatingRatingFair
Recommended Stay1-2 Days
Spring, Summer
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityMarkleville, CA
Go Back To California List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
From: Markleville, CA
1) Take 89 South for about 9 miles
2) Turn left (north) on Leviathan Mine Road (N38.40.144 W 119.39.998)
3) Go .6 miles, veer right
4) Go another .6 miles until it breaks out in a field
5) Stage here, you will see multiple OHV trails (if road turns into pavement you've gone too far).

From: Carson City, NV
1) Go approx 30 miles south on 395
2) Turn right (west) on Leviathan Mine Road
3) Follow Leviathan Mine Road for approx 5 miles
4) Staging should be done before crossing the cattleguard. A good staging opportunity is when you see a brown sign that says "Entering California" at GPS coords N38.45.710 W119.39.428

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact InfoHumboldt - Toiyabe National Forest
1200 Franklin Way
Sparks, NV 89431
(775) 331-6444
mailroom_r4_humboldt_toiyabe@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike crossing the water at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorcycle crossing the water at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Section of the Barney Riley jeep trail.

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike in the water at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Motorbike at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Scenery at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan sulfur mine.

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Scenic view at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Scenic view at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Drastic change in weather.

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Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Example of terrain at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Terrain example at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirt Bike at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Scenic view at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

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Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Dirtbike at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

Leviathan Recreation Area Trail Photo

Honda CRF Trail Bike at Leviathan Recreation Area Trail

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