SXS Tour W/ A Stop at Pioneer Saloon Goodsprings in Las Vegas

The best part of this tour is the sudden change of scene. In about 30 minutes, you leave Las Vegas behind and trade casino towers for open Mojave Desert, old mines, dusty tracks, and the weathered Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings. You ride in a side-by-side vehicle, or SXS, rather than sit in a sightseeing van, so the desert is part of the experience instead of a view through glass.

I like the small group limit of 12, which should make it easier for your guide to keep an eye on the group and adjust the pace. I also like the mix of off-road riding and local history: you get real desert time, then a stop at a 113-year-old saloon, General Store, and protected historic grounds.

The main consideration is food. No meal is included, even though the saloon stop can include snacks, water, and possibly live music, depending on the day. The listed ride lasts about 3.5 hours, or roughly four hours with transfers and check-in, so plan your meals around it.

Key points to know before you book

• The Pioneer Saloon is the tour’s character-filled stop: Explore Nevada’s oldest saloon bar, browse the General Store, and see the nearby historic grounds.
• You ride through the Mojave Desert: Expect off-road routes, desert scenery, possible wildlife sightings, and possible views of old mines.
• The tour suits beginners and experienced riders: A safety briefing, vehicle instruction, full-faced radio-equipped helmet, and headsock are provided.
• The group stays fairly small: The maximum is 12 people, a useful detail for a guided outdoor activity.
• Pickup is available from select Strip hotels: You can also meet at the South Las Vegas Boulevard area or drive to base camp, depending on your booking.
• The price is $199.99 per person: That is a serious half-day expense, but it covers the guided ride, safety equipment, and a distinctive outing beyond the Strip.

Leaving the Strip for the Mojave Desert

Las Vegas makes it easy to spend an entire vacation indoors. This tour gives you a quick way out. The desert riding area is about 30 minutes south of the Strip, so you do not lose a full day to transport.

The experience begins at 10:30 a.m. Pickup is offered from select Strip hotels, or you can make your own way to the base camp and meet the crew at your scheduled time. Confirm the exact pickup details when you book, since the available hotels are limited.

That short transfer matters. You get a proper change of setting without committing to a long road trip. The trip is close enough to fit into a busy Las Vegas schedule, yet far enough away for the city to fade from view.

If you are joining a group that is driving its own off-road vehicle, transportation options can differ. The base camp also handles guests taking part in the ride with the guide. Ask about your exact arrangement before the day, especially if your party is not using the standard pickup service.

Base camp: briefing, helmets, and SXS basics

At base camp, you check in, receive a safety briefing, fit your helmet, and learn how to operate the vehicle. The instruction is designed for both beginners and people who already have off-road experience.

That matters because an SXS feels more active than a normal sightseeing vehicle. You are dealing with desert tracks, turns, bumps, dust, and changing ground conditions. A short but clear lesson helps you understand what the guide expects before the ride gets moving.

Your equipment includes a full-faced, radio-equipped helmet and a headsock. The radio is especially useful in a group. It lets the guide communicate instructions and keep the ride organized while vehicles are spread out on the trail.

The supplied information does not specify every clothing rule or vehicle arrangement, so check with Vegas Off Road Tours before departure if you have questions about footwear, passengers, or who drives. The key point is that safety instruction and helmet fitting are part of the experience, not extras you need to arrange yourself.

Two hours of Mojave off-road riding

The main ride takes about two hours. You travel through the Mojave Desert toward Goodsprings, with the chance to see old mines along the way. The route is built around scenery and the feeling of being out in open country, not around a long list of formal stops.

I like that balance. You get enough time in the vehicle to feel you have actually gone off-road, rather than taking a short photo run and returning to base. You may also spot wildlife in its natural setting, although sightings are never guaranteed.

The desert can look empty at first glance, but the open space is the attraction. Dry washes, rocky ground, distant hills, mine remnants, and changing light give the ride its sense of place. Your guide can also provide the context that makes the route more than a fast drive over dirt.

The pace is not fixed in the same way as a large bus tour. Brandon, one of the guides associated with the experience, is described as accommodating the group’s pace. The day may also allow scenic breaks and driver changes, depending on the arrangement and conditions.

That flexibility is valuable for mixed groups. A first-time rider may want a calmer start, while an experienced participant may be eager for more time behind the wheel. Still, do not assume every booking includes unlimited driver changes. Confirm the vehicle and driving setup if that is important to you.

Goodsprings and the 113-year-old Pioneer Saloon

The Pioneer Saloon gives the ride a strong finish. Goodsprings is a small historic town, and the saloon is described as Nevada’s oldest saloon bar, with 113 years of stories built into its walls.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough time to explore the saloon, visit the General Store, take photos, and look around the adjacent protected monument. You are not getting a long museum visit or a formal historical tour, but you do get a physical connection to old Nevada that the Strip cannot provide.

The saloon is also where the tour feels most local. The building, the town, the old mining area, and the shop all help explain why Goodsprings exists. The stop has more personality than a standard roadside photo break.

Possible live music is offered depending on the day. That detail makes the stop unpredictable in a good way, but you should not book the tour expecting a performance. The schedule may also allow water and a snack.

Food needs a clear warning. The experience description says no meal is included. Some outings connected with the Pioneer Saloon have included lunch or dinner, but you should treat that as a separate arrangement rather than part of the $199.99 package. If you need a full meal, ask before booking or eat before the tour.

What the $199.99 price really buys

At $199.99 per person, this is not a cheap way to fill a morning. You are paying for more than a ride to a viewpoint, though. The price includes a guided off-road experience, use of an industry-leading SXS, safety instruction, a full-faced radio-equipped helmet, headsock, and the Pioneer Saloon stop.

You also get the convenience of optional pickup from select Strip hotels. That saves you from arranging a separate vehicle for a desert outing, which can add cost and hassle in Las Vegas.

The value is strongest if you want an active experience and would otherwise spend money on a rental vehicle, desert transport, and a separate visit to Goodsprings. It is weaker if you mainly want desert scenery from a comfortable seat or if you expect lunch, drinks, and a full historical tour to be included.

Group size helps the price feel more reasonable. With a maximum of 12 people, this is not a giant convoy where the guide has little time for individual questions. The smaller format may also make scenic pauses and pace adjustments easier.

Gratuity is optional and not included. Bring extra money if the guide gives you a good day, but do not mistake it for a required part of the advertised cost.

The guides and the feel of the day

The staff details give this tour a more personal feel. Natalie helps with booking advice and group coordination, while Brandon is identified as a guide who works with the group’s pace and makes room for scenic breaks and possible driver changes.

That kind of human attention matters in an off-road activity. You want a guide who notices when a beginner needs help, keeps the group together, and knows when to stop for water or a view. The available feedback also points to a clean, organized base camp and a smooth check-in process.

Those are small details, but they affect the day. A disorganized start can make a four-hour tour feel rushed. Clear instructions, fitted helmets, and a guide who communicates well let you settle into the ride sooner.

The tour has also been used for larger private groups, including a nighttime outing for 20 people. The standard activity, however, lists a maximum of 12 participants. If you are arranging a group, ask how the company handles larger parties and whether the format changes.

Who will enjoy this SXS tour most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want to break up a Las Vegas trip with real outdoor time. It suits people who like machines, desert scenery, small historic towns, and a little dust on their shoes.

Beginners should not feel shut out. The safety briefing and vehicle instruction are built into the schedule, and the tour is specifically presented as suitable for first-time and experienced riders.

It also works well for friends, couples, and small groups who want something more active than a standard sightseeing excursion. The Pioneer Saloon adds enough history and atmosphere to keep the day from becoming only a vehicle ride.

You may want a different outing if you dislike bumpy roads, outdoor heat, dust, or a limited food schedule. The saloon visit is short, so history fans who want a long museum tour may find it too brief. This is best understood as an off-road adventure with a memorable historic stop, not a full Goodsprings history program.

Practical timing, pickup, and cancellation

The advertised ride takes about 3.5 hours, while the full activity is described as approximately four hours. That difference likely reflects the drive to base camp, check-in, and return time, so leave a little room around the stated schedule.

The start time is 10:30 a.m. The meeting information lists South Las Vegas Boulevard, and pickup is available from select Strip hotels. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, and the group limit is 12. The supplied information does not list a special accessibility policy, so contact the provider before booking if you have mobility or medical concerns.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted or refunded. That policy is fairly workable, but set a reminder if your Las Vegas plans may shift.

Should you book the Pioneer Saloon SXS tour?

Book it if you want a compact escape from the Strip that combines hands-on off-road riding with a real Nevada stop. The Mojave scenery, small group size, safety setup, and Goodsprings visit give the tour more substance than a quick desert photo trip.

I would be especially inclined to book it for a first-time off-road rider, a small group, or anyone who wants a half-day activity without a long drive from Las Vegas. Brandon’s flexible guiding style and Natalie’s booking help are useful signs for people who prefer a supported experience.

Think twice if the $199.99 price strains your budget or if you expect a meal to be part of the deal. The strongest value comes from the combination of vehicle time, equipment, guide support, and the unusual Pioneer Saloon stop. If that mix sounds better than another morning around the casino pools, this is a worthwhile way to see a less polished and more memorable side of southern Nevada.

FAQ

How long does the SXS tour take?

The guided off-road portion is about 3.5 hours, while the full activity is listed as approximately four hours. The schedule includes transport, base camp check-in, and the return to the meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 10:30 a.m.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting information lists South Las Vegas Boulevard in Las Vegas. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is pickup available from Las Vegas hotels?

Pickup is available from select hotels on the Las Vegas Strip. Confirm whether your hotel is included when you book.

What safety equipment is provided?

The tour includes a safety briefing, operating instruction, a full-faced radio-equipped helmet, and a headsock.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for both beginners and experienced riders.

Is lunch included at the Pioneer Saloon?

No. A meal is not included in the tour price. The stop may include water and a snack, and live music may be available depending on the day.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum group size of 12 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.