Lamoille Canyon Road scenic byway is located in northeast Nevada approximately 20 miles southeast of Elko. The byway begins near Lamoille off NV 227. It travels south through the Humboldt National Forest to the Roads End Picnic Area. Travelers will need to retrace the route back to NV 227. Lamoille Canyon Road is 12 miles long and follows FSR 660, which is a two-lane paved road suitable for all types of vehicles. It is generally open May through October.
Lamoille Canyon Road travels through the canyon carved by Lamoille Creek, which flows alongside much of the byway. The canyon is a beautifully rugged canyon with three perennial streams, sheer rock cliffs, and scenic ribbon-like waterfalls. Two other canyons can be seen from the byway: Right Fork Lamoille Canyon and Thomas Canyon. These canyons and the rivers which carved them provide excellent fishing opportunities. A small stand of Bristlecone pine exists within Thomas Canyon.
Some of the wildlife seen along the byway includes mule deer, yellow-bellied marmots, red-tailed hawks, cottontail rabbits, and coyotes. Other wildlife inhabiting the region includes snow partridge, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep.
Byway travelers will find two national forest campgrounds in Lamoille Canyon. Thomas Canyon Campground offers 42 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Terraces Campground is more primitive and has only nine tent campsites. Two picnic areas provide the perfect spot for enjoying an afternoon lunch. Powerhouse Picnic Area is located near the byway’s beginning and Roads End Picnic Area is, where else, at the end of the byway.
The Ruby Mountain National Recreation Trail can be accessed from the Roads End Picnic Area. This trail extends south for 40 miles through some spectacular scenery. There are eight lakes, with excellent opportunities for fishing, that can be reached from the Ruby Mountain Trail. Other hiking trails can be found along the byway for those interested in hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, or horseback riding.