There are many incredible places to explore in Nevada. Some of these places include, (but are certainly not limited to), beautiful canyons, fabulous parks and historic landmarks. Listed below are 12 of these incredible places that are perfect for exploring.
- Lamoille Canyon
flickr/Antti Lamoille Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon” of Nevada, is the largest valley in the Ruby Mountains. Its gorgeous scenery keeps explorers coming back. Lamoille Canyon is a definite must-see!
- Rhyolite
flickr/James Marvin Phelps Rhyolite, established in 1905, is a popular ghost town in Nye County. It began as a mining camp, and tourists from all over the world visit year after year to explore the town’s ruins.
- Great Basin National Park
flickr/Frank Kovalchek Great Basin National Park was established in 1986 and is located in White Pine County. There are many different areas to explore in this beautiful park, including the Lehman Caves, Mt. Wheeler and numerous trails.
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
flickr/James Marvin Phelps Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. If you choose to explore this beautiful area, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy several recreational activities, some of which include boating, fishing, swimming and hiking.
- Hoover Dam
flickr/Airwolfhound Hoover Dam is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, and it was built during the Great Depression. It’s one of the world’s greatest engineering wonders and nearly one million visitors explore it each year.
- Valley of Fire State Park
flickr/Mike Boening Photography Valley of Fire State Park is located approximately 55 miles from Las Vegas. It’s Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, and its endless hiking opportunities make it a great place to explore.
- Carson City
flickr/Patrick Nouhailler Established in 1858, Carson City is the capital of Nevada and is filled with great history. While exploring Carson City, you’ll come across many historic buildings, including the Nevada State Capitol, Nevada Governor’s Mansion and the historic St. Charles Hotel. If you love Nevada history, don’t pass up a chance to explore this wonderful city.
- Las Vegas Strip
flickr/Jason Mrachina If you’ve ever wanted to travel the world, you can do it in a single day on the Las Vegas Strip. Well, kinda. The Las Vegas Strip is packed with several themed hotels. Many are designed around particular countries, including Paris, France and Venice, Italy. This 4.2 mile strip is such a fun area to explore.
- Cathedral Gorge State Park
flickr/James Marvin Phelps Cathedral Gorge State Park, founded in 1935, is located near Panaca and was established as one of Nevada’s four original parks. Slot canyon exploring, hiking, star gazing and camping are popular recreational activities enjoyed by visitors.
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
flickr/Bureau of Land Management Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is Nevada’s first National Conservation Area, and it’s located nearly 20 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. By choosing to explore this conservation area, you’ll have the chance to enjoy 30 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding and mountain biking.
- Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
flickr/Pacific Southwest Region USFWS Established in 1984, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Amargosa Valley of southern Nye County. It protects nearly 30 species of endemic plants and animals, and it’s the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert.
- Lake Tahoe
flickr/Steve Dunleavy Lake Tahoe was founded nearly 2 million years ago and is North America’s largest alpine lake. There are many beautiful areas of Lake Tahoe that are worthy of exploring, including Secret Harbor (pictured above).
These are just a few of the many exploring opportunities in Nevada. Do you have a favorite place in Nevada where you enjoy exploring? If so, please share it with us in the comments below!
flickr/Antti
Lamoille Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon” of Nevada, is the largest valley in the Ruby Mountains. Its gorgeous scenery keeps explorers coming back. Lamoille Canyon is a definite must-see!
flickr/James Marvin Phelps
Rhyolite, established in 1905, is a popular ghost town in Nye County. It began as a mining camp, and tourists from all over the world visit year after year to explore the town’s ruins.
flickr/Frank Kovalchek
Great Basin National Park was established in 1986 and is located in White Pine County. There are many different areas to explore in this beautiful park, including the Lehman Caves, Mt. Wheeler and numerous trails.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is located in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona. If you choose to explore this beautiful area, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy several recreational activities, some of which include boating, fishing, swimming and hiking.
flickr/Airwolfhound
Hoover Dam is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, and it was built during the Great Depression. It’s one of the world’s greatest engineering wonders and nearly one million visitors explore it each year.
flickr/Mike Boening Photography
Valley of Fire State Park is located approximately 55 miles from Las Vegas. It’s Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, and its endless hiking opportunities make it a great place to explore.
flickr/Patrick Nouhailler
Established in 1858, Carson City is the capital of Nevada and is filled with great history. While exploring Carson City, you’ll come across many historic buildings, including the Nevada State Capitol, Nevada Governor’s Mansion and the historic St. Charles Hotel. If you love Nevada history, don’t pass up a chance to explore this wonderful city.
flickr/Jason Mrachina
If you’ve ever wanted to travel the world, you can do it in a single day on the Las Vegas Strip. Well, kinda. The Las Vegas Strip is packed with several themed hotels. Many are designed around particular countries, including Paris, France and Venice, Italy. This 4.2 mile strip is such a fun area to explore.
Cathedral Gorge State Park, founded in 1935, is located near Panaca and was established as one of Nevada’s four original parks. Slot canyon exploring, hiking, star gazing and camping are popular recreational activities enjoyed by visitors.
flickr/Bureau of Land Management
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is Nevada’s first National Conservation Area, and it’s located nearly 20 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. By choosing to explore this conservation area, you’ll have the chance to enjoy 30 miles of hiking trails, rock climbing, horseback riding and mountain biking.
flickr/Pacific Southwest Region USFWS
Established in 1984, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Amargosa Valley of southern Nye County. It protects nearly 30 species of endemic plants and animals, and it’s the largest remaining oasis in the Mojave Desert.
flickr/Steve Dunleavy
Lake Tahoe was founded nearly 2 million years ago and is North America’s largest alpine lake. There are many beautiful areas of Lake Tahoe that are worthy of exploring, including Secret Harbor (pictured above).
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