Nevada is one of the most sparsely populated states in the country, and if it weren’t for Las Vegas, Reno, and the vastness of Alaska, it might be the most sparsely populated state.
While Vegas gets the most attention, with Reno a distant second, there’s just so much more to the Silver State than sagebrush, casinos, and neon lights.
Doubtful? Keep reading!
Black Rock Desert
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Since 1990, the Black Rock Desert has been the site of the annual Burning Man festival, a week-long event focused on “community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance.” It’s also an area of geologic interest for, among other things, geothermal features such as geysers and hot springs.
Pyramid Lake
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Named for a large tufa formation just off its shores, Pyramid Lake is the largest remnant of an ancient inland sea. It’s fed by the Truckee River but has no outlet of its own. Evaporation is how water leaves this lake, and that contributes to the lake’s salinity.
Lake Tahoe
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People usually associate Lake Tahoe with California, but this beautiful Sierra Nevada lake near Reno also has shores in Nevada. Casinos bring a different vibe to the Nevada side, but lodging is often less expensive than it is on the California side.
Jarbidge Mountains
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One of the prettiest little mountain ranges you’ve probably never heard of, these peaks are in northeastern Nevada just south of the Idaho border. A federally designated wilderness protects much of the range, and hiking trails lead into it to mountain lakes and other destinations.
Lamoille Canyon
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Sometimes called the Yosemite of California for its steep granite walls, Lamoille Canyon is in the Ruby Mountains southeast of Elko. Its high elevations make it a great place to escape the summer heat, and trails lead through wildflower-filled meadows to alpine lakes and mountain passes.
Great Basin National Park
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East of Ely and almost at the very eastern edge of the state, Great Basin National Park is so remote that it’s among the least-visited national parks in the country. It’s a hidden gem, though, with alpine peaks and lakes, caves, and groves of gnarled bristlecones, which are the longest-living organisms on the planet.
The Loneliest Road in America
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This is the unofficial name for the stretch of U.S. Highway 50 between Fallon and Ely in central Nevada. It’s not as desolate as it sounds, though, because mountains are always near and there are roadside stops such as the Hickison Petroglyph and Sand Mountain, which is exactly what its name suggests.
Arc Dome Wilderness
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This federal wilderness between the Loneliest Road and Tonopah protects the heart of the beautiful Toiyabe Range. These peaks aren’t truly alpine even though they get plenty of snow in the winter, but the arid environment makes for open, meadow-like summits and ridges with sweeping views.
Cathedral Gorge State Park
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This small state park a couple hours south of Great Basin National Park has big scenery. Erosion has carved soft rock into wild formations that glow radiantly in the low light of sunrise and sunset.
Beatty
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This old mining town is mainly a gateway to Death Valley National Park or a stopping point for travelers heading up and down U.S. 95. A colorful mountain serves as a beautiful backdrop, and there are semi-wild ponies in the area. Beatty also has one of the biggest and best candy shops you’ll ever find.
Valley of Fire State Park
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Only an hour away from Las Vegas, this state park is like a different world. Brilliant red sandstone dominates it and gives it its name, and hiking trails get you to peaks, ancient rock art, slot canyons, sand dunes, and more.
Mt. Charleston
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The highest mountain in southern Nevada, Mt. Charleston is the centerpiece of a wilderness area named for it. In the winter, it’s popular for skiing. In the summer, it’s a cool escape from the Vegas heat; daytime highs are usually 20-30 degrees cooler than they are in the valley.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
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Just west of Las Vegas is another natural area that’s nothing like it. Huge sandstone peaks dominate the scenery, and a scenic drive lets you see the best of it and also access hiking trails into that spectacular scenery. Red Rock, as many call it, is also a world-renowned rock climbing destination.
Bowl of Fire
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The Bowl of Fire is a destination within Lake Mead National Recreation Area just outside Vegas. There’s a hike to it that’s neither too long nor too difficult. It starts out as an uninteresting walk up a dry desert wash but ends at some outcrops of intensely red sandstone.
Keyhole Canyon
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South of Vegas, Keyhole Canyon breaks the sandstone and limestone mods of most of the region since it’s granite. It’s a nice place to hike and an alternative for rock climbers when rains have left the sandstone dangerously brittle, but its biggest draw is ancient Native American rock art.
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