The American state of Nevada is best known for the famous city of Las Vegas, but there is so much more to see! These are the most beautiful places in Nevada.
Nevada: the Silver State is full of surprises
Nevada is a state in the western United States of America and is known for its desert landscapes, rich mining history, and colorful casinos. It borders California to the west, Oregon and Idaho to the north, Utah to the east, and Arizona to the south. With an area of over 286,000 square kilometers, Nevada is the seventh-largest state in the US.
The image above is a royalty-free image from Wikipedia.
Nevada’s history is marked by the discovery of silver in 1859, which led to a silver mining boom and the rapid growth of cities such as Virginia City and Carson City. The state was officially admitted to the Union in 1864. During that same period, Nevada got its nickname: The Silver State.
Nevada is a special state to explore because of its diverse landscapes and attractions. From the glittering neon lights of Las Vegas to the rugged beauty of the Great Basin National Park, from the ghostly abandoned mining towns to the majestic mountain landscapes of the Sierra Nevada, Nevada has something to offer many travelers.
I have visited Nevada several times and discovered new beautiful and special places each time. In this article, I will virtually bring you along and together we’ll discover the most beautiful places in Nevada.
The most beautiful places in Nevada
Are you ready? These are the best things to do and the most beautiful places in Nevada.
Las Vegas
Although Las Vegas is not the capital of Nevada (that’s Carson City), it is by far the most famous. The city is world famous for its gambling palaces, colorful neon lights, spectacular shows, unusual themed hotels, and I could go on and on.
It is really impossible to get bored here, even if you do not plan to gamble. Besides checking out the special hotels, it’s also great fun to see a show. I remember seeing Cirque du Soleil during one of my trips to Vegas and it was really impressive. In addition, a visit to the Neon Museum is highly recommended, where you will learn more about the history of this interesting city.
- Hotel tip: Bellagio (5⭐) – One of the most iconic hotels in Las Vegas and it’s right in the middle of the strip. The rooms are nice and luxurious and beautifully decorated with lots of marble accents.
- Fun thing to do: One of the most amazing things I did in Las Vegas was a helicopter ride over the Las Vegas Strip in the evening. It was beautiful to see all those brightly colored lights!
Read more: What to do in Las Vegas besides gambling? 25 tips!
Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park is one of Nevada’s oldest state parks and introduces you to beautiful red rock formations and ancient petroglyphs. It is a perfect destination for a day trip from Las Vegas, as it is only a short hour’s drive from the city. And the contrast could hardly be greater!
Be sure to go for a ride on Mouse’s Tank Road, a very scenic drive that undulates through the unique landscape. It is also recommended to check out one or more hikes through the extraordinary rock formations to get a closer look. Highlights include the Fire Wave, Elephant Rock, and the White Domes Trail.
- Handy: Staying in Las Vegas and don’t have a (rental) car? You can also visit the Valley of Fire as a guided day trip from Las Vegas.
Virginia City
It feels like stepping back in time when you’re visiting Virginia City, a historic town known for its rich nineteenth-century mining history. Virginia City is located in western Nevada and can be combined well with visits to Lake Tahoe, Reno, and Carson City, for example.
After the silver mine strike, the town fell into disrepair and became a ghost town. Now people live there again and the buildings have been restored. As a result, Virginia City today provides a unique glimpse of the Wild West. Very nice to visit!
- Where to stay: Virginia City Inn (2⭐) – Typical American motel with good reviews in the historic town.
Great Basin National Park
Tucked away in eastern Nevada is Great Basin National Park, an oasis of peace and unspoiled nature. Established in 1986, this park protects a spectacular mountain landscape culminating in Wheeler Peak, Nevada’s highest mountain at 3,982 feet. Unlike many other national parks in America, Great Basin National Park is not at all crowded.
What makes Great Basin National Park so special is its incredible darkness. Away from the light pollution of cities, the park provides a perfect setting for stargazing. The clear sky reveals a spectacular starry sky, with millions of twinkling stars and even the Milky Way.
Another highlight of the park is the Lehman Caves, a complex cave system with beautiful stalagmites and stalagmites. You can visit it with a guided tour; you have to book it in advance.
- Best place to stay: The Whispering Elms Motel – Cozy motel in Baker, near the entrance to Great Basin National Park.
Cathedral Gorge State Park
There are several state parks in Nevada and Cathedral Gorge State Park in the eastern part of the state is one you definitely want to visit. This unique park consists of soft bentonite clay eroded into impressive spires and gorges, creating a surreal landscape resembling a cathedral.
The park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, photography, and rock climbing. At the park’s visitor center, you can get information about the geology, natural history, and cultural history of the park. A fun place to spend a few hours exploring!
- Where to stay: Pine Tree Inn – Nice small accommodation in Panaca, a town very close to Cathedral Gorge State Park.
Photo by Kiki Falconer via Unsplash.
Hoover Dam
Hoover Dam is an engineering masterpiece on the border of Nevada and Arizona, stretching across the Colorado River. This colossal dam, with a height of 221 meters and a length of 379 meters, was built between 1930 and 1936 and was the highest dam in the world at the time. The huge reservoir behind the dam, Lake Mead, is the largest man-made lake in the United States.
Hoover Dam is an important source of water and energy for the region. The dam generates energy for millions of people in Nevada, Arizona, California, and Colorado. Lake Mead’s water is used for irrigation, drinking water, and recreation.
In addition to its functional importance, Hoover Dam is also a popular tourist attraction. It is fun to admire the dam from various vantage points, you can take tours of the dam and powerhouse or take a boat ride on Lake Mead.
- Great place to stay: Hoover Dam Lodge (4⭐) is a nice hotel with a pool just 5 miles from Hoover Dam. From here you can even take a nice walk to the dam.
- Tip! You can also book a day tour from Las Vegas to visit the Hoover Dam with a guide.
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a sight that Nevada must share with California. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in North America. I personally have not been here yet, but it is high on my list for the next USA road trip.
Surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra Nevada, this azure lake is truly a picture to behold. You can take a beautiful hike around the lake (Tahoe Rim Trail, 266 kilometers), or just enjoy a picnic along the lake’s edge. You can also rent a boat to go out on the water. A great place to relax!
- Where to stay: The Incline Lodge (3⭐) – Beautiful hotel on scenic Crystal Bay on the northeast side of Lake Tahoe. Located in Incline Village (Nevada), it features an indoor pool.
- Fun thing to do: Explore the east side of the lake on a self-guided bicycle tour on an electric bike.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Just outside Las Vegas, you’ll find the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. The area is home to spectacular sandstone rock formations formed by erosion over millions of years. The red and orange colors of the rocks, contrasting with the clear blue sky, create a breathtaking desert landscape.
You can explore the park through its beautiful hiking trails (the hike to Turtlehead Peak is highly recommended!), do some rock climbing, check out the best views along the scenic drive, and visit various viewpoints.
- Fun thing to do: Explore the raw beauty of Red Rock Canyon on an off-road adventure in a Jeep Wrangler.
Nevada State Museum
Want to learn more about Nevada’s history and culture? You can do so at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City! Here you will find exhibits on mining, indigenous peoples and even a giant mammoth that was found in the state. Here you will discover what makes the Nevada so special and how it has evolved over the years.
Open Tuesday through Sunday. A ticket costs $10. Check the official website for more information and opening hours.
Great Reno Balloon Race
If you happen to be in Nevada in September, be sure to attend the Great Reno Balloon Race. This annual event attracts balloonists from around the world and offers a breathtaking spectacle of colorful balloons taking off against the backdrop of mountains. Very special to experience!
- Hotel tip: Element Reno Experience District – A great hotel in a central location downtown. The rooms are fully equipped with everything you need and there is an outdoor pool.
Highway 50
During a big road trip in Northwest USA, there was one road I really wanted to check out: Highway 50 which runs right through Nevada. Why? Because this part of Highway 50 has also been called “The loneliest road in America.” This is due to Nevada’s remote areas and long distances between cities and towns. I wanted to experience that!
In total, it took me two days to cover the distance from Reno to Great Basin National Park. At the start of the road trip, I did pass through some villages (with casinos) but as time went on it became emptier and emptier. Occasionally the tumbleweeds flew across the road and sometimes I didn’t see any other cars for hours. An extraordinary experience!
Rhyolite Ghost Town
The Rhyolite Ghost Town is a fascinating place to visit for lovers of history and photography. This abandonment is not far from the California border, near the impressive Death Valley National Park.
Rhyolite Ghost Town was once a thriving settlement during the gold rush of the early 1900s, but now only ruins remain. It is great fun to take a walk through this ghost town and try to imagine what life was once like here.
- Where to stay: Exchange Club Motel (3⭐) in Beatty – A very nice motel just 10 minutes drive to Rhyolite Ghosttown. You’ll also be in Death Valley in no time.
Photo by Tanya Nevidoma via Unsplash.
Seven Magic Mountains
The Seven Magic Mountains is an art installation in the desert south of Las Vegas. The installation consists of seven colorful, towering sculptures lined up in the desert. The sculptures are made of stacked boulders and are up to 30 meters high.
The artwork was created by Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone. The installation is inspired by the chakras, the energy centers in the body. The colors of the sculptures correspond to the colors of the chakras. A fun stop when driving to or from Las Vegas.
Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake is a large salt lake northeast of Reno. The lake is the largest remnant of prehistoric Lake Lahontan, which once covered much of Nevada. What makes Pyramid Lake special is its clear blue water and the tufa formations rising from it. It is also an important breeding ground for birds, including pelicans, herons, and flamingos.
The lake is surrounded by beautiful sand dunes and offers numerous opportunities for fishing, swimming, and camping. In the process, Pyramid Lake is home to the Cui onion, an endangered species of fish found nowhere else in the world.
Photo by Jeremy Stewart via Unsplash.
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
This unique state park combines two fascinating elements: the fossilized remains of ichthyosaurs (ancient marine reptiles) and the ghost town of Berlin, a former mining town from the mid-nineteenth century.
It is fairly central in Nevada and is a nice detour if you are driving on Highway 50. Here you can admire the huge skeletons of ichthyosaurs and learn more about their lives and habitats in an interactive exhibit.
So in addition to the fossils, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park is also home to the ghost town of Berlin. This former mining town, founded in the late nineteenth century, enjoyed a prosperous period thanks to silver mining. After the closure of the mines in the 1950s, the town became deserted and deteriorated into a ghostly setting. It is very nice to see the dilapidated buildings in the middle of the desert.
Black Rock Desert
The Black Rock Desert is best known as the location for the annual Burning Man festival, but outside of this event, it is also a beautiful place to explore. It is a surreal landscape with salt flats, playas (dry lakes), and rock formations. It is a popular destination for off-road riding, camping, and stargazing. The clear sky and remote location make it an ideal spot for stargazing.
On the edge of the Black Rock Desert lies the impressive Fly Ranch Geyser. This is a colorful man-made geyser. The Fly Ranch Geyser is not open to the public (it is on private property), but it is possible to see the geyser from afar from State Route 34.
These were all my Nevada tips! Although Las Vegas attracts the most attention, the state offers many more beautiful sights to explore. From spectacular natural parks to historic ghost towns and unique landscapes, Nevada has a lot to offer! If you plan to visit Nevada, don’t forget to include some of these special places on your itinerary.
Book a trip to Nevada
As you can see, you can have a great time on a road trip in Nevada, there is more than enough to see! Would you like to visit this special American state? Then book your trip now!
✈️ Plane tickets – Las Vegas is home to the largest international airport in the state, which is called McCarran International Airport. Check WayAway to find the best deals and cashback on plane tickets.
🚘 Rental car – As most of the beautiful places on this list are quite remote, it’s very convenient to have a rental car. Check Rental Cars to find the best deals.
💊Travel insurance – Having good travel insurance will give you peace of mind. Check Insubuy to find the best travel insurance that fits your needs.
🎡 Tours and Activities – There are tons of fun tours and activities to do in Nevada! Check Get Your Guide for all options.
Read more about Nevada and Southwest USA
Would you like to explore Nevada and other beautiful places in Southwest USA? Check out these amazing travel guides.
Fodor’s Essential Southwest: The Best of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah
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