Success Loop Scenic Drive

A Must-See Scenic Loop Road Near Ely, NV

Of all the scenic drives, this Great Basin byway is one that should float to the top of any Nevada adventurer’s list.

This alpine loop—located near the eastern Nevada town of Ely—winds through the verdant Schell Creek Range and offers visitors plentiful scenic vistas and opportunities for hiking and camping. Starting and ending in Ely, the total drive is around 58 miles.

There are two ways you can jump on this well-maintained backroad (also known as Success Drive or Success Road). One entrance is located south of Ely near Cave Lake State Park, while the other is a few miles north of McGill on Highway 93. Whichever direction you take, you’re in for stunning views, bubbling creeks, and some of the most lush high desert around.

Success Loop at a Glance

• Location: Starts near Cave Lake State Park 10 minutes south of Ely or north of McGill off Highway 93
• Distance: Approximately 58 miles if starting and ending in Ely
• Time to Drive: 1.5 to 3 hours (depending on stops)
• Road Type: Paved near the start, then transitions to a well-maintained dirt road and gravel over Success Summit
• Best For: Scenic driving, primitive camping, fall colors, and wildlife viewing

Things to See & Do 

Whether you love photography, leaf peeping, or animal watching (or all three), Success Loop is the perfect mountain escape. 

This range is particularly known for Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep, but also keep your eyes open for mountain lions, kit foxes, and a wide variety of raptors. This is a prime location for stargazing, too, which shouldn’t be a surprise as one of the nation’s darkest places—Great Basin National Park—is only about 25 miles away as the bird flies. 

If you’re looking for outdoor recreation, Success Loop offers plentiful snowmobiling and cross-country skiing routes in the winter. In the warmer months, dispersed campsites maintained by the U.S. Forest Service are available throughout the range, and developed camping is also available at Cave Lake State Park. 

Best Time for Fall Colors & Wildflowers

Among the area’s many natural wonders are the aspen groves high atop the Schell Creek Range. These distinctive trees, which line the road near the summit, have become sought out for their explosive fall foliage. 

Many trees also sport their own arborglyphs—markings carved into bark—that preserve messages from decades ago.

The best time to see the colors is typically from late September through October, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck in the summer. Visits in late June often yield stunning high desert landscapes carpeted in wildflowers.

Getting There

There are two ways to access the loop:

• From Ely, head south towards Cave Lake State Park and follow the road over Success Summit. The road will take you into the backside of McGill, which is located just 12 miles north of Ely on Highway 93.
• Take the county road turnoff 5 miles north of McGill towards Success Summit. Note that accessing the scenic drive this way means a steeper descent as you approach Cave Lake State Park.

For more information about accessing the route and other ways to enjoy your time in White Pine County, contact Ely’s visitor center at (775) 289-3720.