Discover Nevada: Nature, Water and History

Nevada surprises visitors with red rocks, lakes, wide-open landscapes and impressive traces of the past. The state park system encompasses more than two dozen diverse sites with unusual rock formations, riverbanks and pioneer forts. In addition, there are more than 60 million acres of public land and several destinations officially recognized by DarkSky International for their exceptionally dark skies. When planning your trip, the question is therefore less about finding one typical Nevada experience and more about choosing the focus that suits your trip.

Experience Nature: Red Rocks, Scenic Drives and Distinctive Landscapes

At Valley of Fire State Park, 40,000 acres of brilliantly red Aztec sandstone outcrops shape the landscape. The rocks are embedded in gray and beige limestone. The park also contains ancient petrified trees and petroglyphs that are more than 2,000 years old. The visitor center focuses on the park's geology, ecology, prehistory and history. This allows you to combine your stay not only with scenic impressions but also with specific topics.

At Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor is located on the lake's eastern shore, which Nevada State Parks describes as the largest alpine lake in North America. Swimming in the clear water and scuba diving are possible there. Two ramps are available for launching boats and other watercraft; there are also picnic areas with grills and tables. If you want to combine water-based activities and relaxing days when choosing a vacation rental, you can take this focus into account.

Hiking and Views for Different Day Plans

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area was designated Nevada's first National Conservation Area. A 13-mile scenic drive reveals the character of the area. Hikes range from a few minutes to a full day. Four designated picnic areas offer views of Red Rock Canyon and access to easier hiking trails. This allows you to include short outings and longer hiking days in your plans without arranging all activities in the same way.

In Great Basin National Park, the landscape covers around 77,000 acres. Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is a paved, 12-mile round-trip route that reaches an elevation of more than 10,000 feet. Along the route, you may see mule deer, marmots, coyotes and rabbits. Viewpoints offer opportunities to see and photograph Mount Moriah, Lehman Creek, Wheeler Peak, Doso Doyabi Peak and the Snake Valley below. The road also provides access to hiking trails leading to the Alpine Lakes, the Bristlecone Pine Trail, Osceola Ditch and the Wheeler Peak Summit Trailhead.

History Among Forts, Ghost Towns and Museums

Nevada also offers many destinations for families who want to combine days in nature with history. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park features six beehive-shaped charcoal ovens that were used to process silver ore from 1876 to 1879. Fort Churchill State Historic Park preserves the ruins of Fort Churchill. Buckland Station was an important stop for pioneer travelers on the Overland Route in the 19th century; the ground floor of the historic residence can be explored on a self-guided tour.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park combines fossils and settlement history. It contains the most extensive known concentration and the largest known remains of ichthyosaurs. The Fossil House displays the protected fossils, while a self-guided tour is available at the Berlin Townsite. The ghost town was established in the 1890s, and many original buildings remain.

Further historical impressions can be found at Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, with the remains of an adobe fort built in 1855 and a visitor center featuring exhibits and photographs. At Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, you can explore the interior of the Ranch House on a self-guided tour; the park preserves some of Nevada's oldest buildings and hosts living-history programs with role-playing, demonstrations and reenactments. Mormon Station presents a reconstruction of a trading post built in 1851 as a museum with original pioneer artifacts. The 1856 Kinsey House is one of Nevada's oldest surviving residences. Elgin Schoolhouse, with its original objects, also tells the story of everyday school life: from 1922 to 1967, grades one through eight were taught there.

Choose the Right Location for Your Trip

Because Nevada combines nature, water, hiking and historic sites, your choice of vacation rental or vacation home should match the experiences you have planned. A trip focused on lakes and water activities follows a different rhythm from a route featuring a scenic drive, hiking trails or historic parks.

For further regional orientation, you can also select Clark, Carson City, Washoe, Lander County, Elko County, Douglas County, Churchill County, Humboldt County, Lyon County, Nye, White Pine County, Lincoln County and Storey County.

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