Nelson Ghost Town ATV Combo Adventure from Las Vegas

5.0(43 reviews)
Provided by:Awesome Adventures Inc
⭐ 5/5 (43 reviews) | 💰 $220 | ⏱️ Duration: 4.5 hours | 👥 Up to 24 people
💡Do you need ATV experience for the Nelson Ghost Town ATV tour?
No ATV experience is required for this 4.5-hour combo tour from Las Vegas, which costs $220 per person and includes safety gear and orientation. You drive 45 minutes to Nelson, take a 90-minute guided walking tour of the 1861 mining town, then ride an ATV or RZR through Eldorado Canyon trails with photos captured along the way. It suits first-timers and experienced riders alike, but riders must be 16+ with a license, wear closed-toe shoes, and sign a damage waiver.

🎯 Why People Book This

People choose this for two things at once: a 90-minute walk through the 1861 mining town at Nelson with its old buildings and vintage equipment, then a guided ride through Eldorado Canyon on an ATV or RZR. At USD 220 per person, you're paying to pair the ghost town with off-road time in one 4.5-hour trip instead of choosing between them. No riding experience is required, and the choice between a single-seat ATV and a 2- or 4-seat RZR lets a solo rider or a small group ride the way that suits them. The real decision is whether bundling history and driving beats spending those hours on one or the other.

🗺️ The Experience

The Nelson Ghost Town ATV Combo is a 4.5-hour guided trip from Las Vegas that pairs a walking tour of an 1861 mining town in Eldorado Canyon with an off-road ride through the surrounding desert, starting at USD 220 per person.
What you are buying is access to Eldorado Canyon in Nelson, private land about 45 minutes outside the city that you cannot simply drive onto and ride yourself. The day splits cleanly: roughly 45 minutes out from a select hotel or the Eldorado Gold Mine Tour Office, then 90 minutes on foot through the old mining town, with its preserved buildings, vintage equipment, antique cars and the film-set look that has put it in movies and music videos. After that comes about 75 minutes on the trails, where a guide leads you through the canyon on the vehicle you chose.
That vehicle is the real decision, and it sits inside the price rather than on top of it. The same base buys a single-rider ATV, a two-seat RZR or a four-seat RZR, and a separate choice between hotel pickup or driving yourself to the start. Safety gear, the orientation, water and a photo-and-video package are all included; food, gratuities and any damage fees are not, and a credit card on file covers incidentals. No riding experience is required.
You are paying to be guided onto ground that is otherwise closed to you, and to ride it without owning the machine or knowing the terrain.

🤔 Is It Worth It?

Our verdict: This makes sense when you want two things out of one trip and don't want to choose between them: ATV time in the desert and somewhere to actually look at. Nelson Ghost Town gives the riding a destination instead of just open dirt, which is what separates this from a straight dune ride. The 5/5 across 42 reviews backs up a day that's trying to do more than spin you around in the sand.
Worth it if:
  • you want the ride to lead somewhere, not just loop the desert, and the rust and old buildings of Nelson are the reason you'd pick this over a pure trail day
  • you'd rather spend 4.5 hours on one outing that combines two activities than book a ghost town visit and an ATV ride separately
  • you like the idea of riding plus photographs you'll actually keep, not just the riding itself
Skip it if:
  • the ATV is the whole point and the ghost town is noise to you - the 2-Hour Nellis Dunes ATV Desert Ride at $95 gets you riding for less and doesn't ask you to care about anything else
  • you want maximum seat time per dollar; a combo trip splits its hours between riding and walking around, so the actual time on the machine is shorter than a dedicated ATV tour of the same length
Choose this over the Half-Day Mojave Desert ATV Adventure if:
  • you want a place at the end of the trail rather than more trail - the Mojave ride is the better pick if open desert is all you're after, but this one trades some of that for somewhere to stop and look around

Tour at a Glance

Duration4.5 hours
Price (from)$220 per person
DepartureHotel pickup or meet at start
AgesAges 0+
Group sizeUp to 15 per booking
Physical levelEasy (all fitness levels)
LanguagesEnglish
Options6 options
OperatorAwesome Adventures Inc
CancellationFree up to 24 hours before
Rating5/5 (42 reviews)
DurationPrice (from)
4.5 hours$220 per person
DurationDeparture
4.5 hoursHotel pickup or meet at start
DurationAges
4.5 hoursAges 0+
DurationGroup size
4.5 hoursUp to 15 per booking
DurationPhysical level
4.5 hoursEasy (all fitness levels)
DurationLanguages
4.5 hoursEnglish
DurationOptions
4.5 hours6 options
DurationOperator
4.5 hoursAwesome Adventures Inc
DurationCancellation
4.5 hoursFree up to 24 hours before
DurationRating
4.5 hours5/5 (42 reviews)

✅ What's Included

  • Round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off from select Las Vegas hotels
  • Nelson Ghost Town guided walking tour
  • Safety gear (helmet, goggles, gloves, helmet sock)
  • ATV or RZR vehicle (2-seat or 4-seat based on option selected)
  • Professional ATV guide and safety instruction
  • Bottled water
  • Free photo and video media package
  • All fees and taxes

❌ Not Included

  • Gratuities for guides
  • Meals or snacks
  • Personal items or souvenirs

🛡️ Practical Info

  • Departure / Pickup: Hotel pickup and drop-off available from select Las Vegas hotels. Self-drive guests meet at the Eldorado Gold Mine Tour Office; hotel pickup is not included for the Drive-To-Location option.
  • Best Time to Visit: Morning departures help avoid peak desert heat; wear layers as canyon temperatures can shift through the day.
  • What to Bring: Closed-toe shoes are required (sneakers or boots only — no sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, or open-toed shoes); long pants recommended over shorts due to desert terrain, cacti, and wildlife; a valid driver's license is required for riders aged 16–17.
  • Free Cancellation: Full refund if cancelled at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
  • Booking Tip: Minimum passenger numbers apply; if the threshold is not met, the tour may be cancelled after confirmation and you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund — book early and confirm group size.
  • Drive Time: Approximately 45 minutes each way to Eldorado Canyon.
  • Physical Level: Suitable for all fitness levels; not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or those who are pregnant.
  • Minimum Age: 16 years to operate an ATV or RZR (valid driver's license required); riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian present.
  • Good to Know: All participants must sign a damage waiver, and a credit card must be provided before the tour begins to cover any incidental damage charges.

💡 Insider Tip

The single-rider ATV puts you in control but exposes you to that USD $300 roll-or-tip damage minimum on your own card, while a RZR is shared and steadier; if you'd rather not be liable for solo handling, pick a RZR option and split the seat with someone.
📝

LasVegasTour Editorial Review

4.5
LasVegasTour Rating

What you're really buying here is a movie set with engines: the 1861 Nelson Ghost Town used in films sets the scene, then the desert ride pays off the adrenaline. The trade-off is real damage liability, with a 2-seat RZR rollover charged at a $3,500 minimum, so closed-toe shoes and a called-in credit card aren't optional. Worth it for first-timers who want both history and throttle; the price only makes sense if the photo and video package matters to you. Skip it if you want a long ride, since 90 of the 4.5 hours go to walking the town.

By LasVegasTour Editorial TeamJun 16, 2026

⭐ Guest Reviews

5.0(43 reviews)

Verified reviews from travelers who booked this tour through Viator

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need ATV experience to join this tour?

No. The tour states no experience is required, and a safety orientation and instruction are provided before you ride. Note that to operate the ATV you must be at least 16 with a valid driver's license and a parent present, and riders under 18 must have a parent or guardian present.

What should I wear for the ghost town and ATV portions?

You must wear completely closed-toe shoes such as sneakers or boots. Crocs, Yeezy's, high heels, slip-on shoes, flip flops, sandals, and open-toed shoes are not allowed, and you will not be able to ride without proper footwear. The operator also recommends against shorts because of desert terrain and cacti. Safety gear including a helmet, goggles, gloves, and a helmet sock is provided.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

It depends on the option you select. Hotel pickup and drop-off from select Las Vegas hotels is included on the Hotel Pickup options. The Drive-To-Location options do not include hotel pickup; for those you meet at the Eldorado Gold Mine Tour Office, where guides pick you up to start the tour.

What type of vehicle will I ride?

An ATV or RZR, depending on the option you book. The choices are a single-passenger ATV, a 2-seat RZR, or a 4-seat RZR.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. A free photo and video media package is included. Your guide takes photos and videos during the tour.

How physically demanding is this tour?

It is listed as suitable for all physical fitness levels. However, it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, those with poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant travelers. The tour runs in desert terrain where rattlesnakes, cacti, and other wildlife may be present.

🏷️ This tour appears in

Nelson Ghost Town ATV Combo Adventure from Las Vegas
Instant Confirmation
Free Cancelation Option