10 Parks to Visit in Nevada

Spooner Lake is described as a “recreational and natural oasis”. The park features a lake (yes it’s in the name), forests and miles of hiking trails. It is also a popular park for mountain biking. In addition, the park can be accessed during winter when it snows in the area. This allows for more activities like cross country skiing and snowshoeing.

Van Sickle state park is a little bit unique as it is located at the stateline between California and Nevada. The park has the particularity of being on the side of a mountain. This means that most of the hike there features a little bit of elevation. But if you’re willing to make the effort, the park will reward you with beautiful views of Lake Tahoe, forests and waterfalls.

Sometimes called the “quietest” of Nevada’s state park, Beaver Dam is a great playground for those who like adventure. Theoretically, the park can be accessed by any kind of vehicle. Yet, we recommend visiting using a 4WD to travel across the gravel and dirt roads of the park. The park is great to hike, camp and simply enjoy the local fauna and flora. Some trails will guide you along streams of water while others will get you to waterfalls or curious rocky formations. If you like being alone, this one may be for you.

Well, the name is pretty self explanatory. Cathedral Gorge is located 3H north of Las Vegas and features great rock formations that seem – in some areas – like the structure of a cathedral. The park is popular for its hiking trails and camping. There is not much more to say about it.

Let’s get into the hottest place on earth. Most of Death Valley is located in the state of California, but some parts of it (~10%) are part of Silver State, so we decided to include it in this list. Death Valley gives many visitors a curious feeling. The area is relatively desertic, very hot and… that’s pretty much it. Well, saying that there is nothing in Death Valley would be wrong as it contains a wide variety of landscapes. For example, you may decide to go play in the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, admire the lowest point in North America (Badwater Basin) or hike in the blue, red and brown hills of Artists Palette. All these things give visitors a feeling that some would describe as outerwordly. A moment out of time.

This time in the western part of Nevada, let’s talk about Great Basin National Park. Although a National Park, Great Basin remains relatively unknown by most people. The landscape present within the park is certainly not as dramatic as in other parks, but do not underestimate Nevada’s main national park! From the bristlecone pines populating the park to the wheeler peak passing by the explorable caves and pools, Great Basin has more to offer than many would expect. Cherry on the top of the cake, the park is “only” 4H30 away from Las Vegas and 4H away from Salt Lake City, UT. Note that the park is located in the higher altitudes of Nevada and thus faces cold conditions in the winter. In addition, be aware that the area is relatively remote and housing options are limited.

Thinking that Nevada is only dust and sand is a big mistake. As mentioned earlier, the state has several different types of landscapes and Lake Tahoe is without doubt one of the most beautiful. Located at 6,225 ft above the sea lever, the alpine lake is simply the largest alpine lake in North America. Along its shores, you will find the state park of Sand Harbor. This little park is located near the town of Incline Village and is even connected to it by a path. As suggested by its name, sand harbor features sand beaches and places where people may swim, kayak and enjoy the crystal-clear water of Tahoe. Note that there are not many hiking trails. It is mostly a place to rest and enjoy the scenery.

There would probably be no Las Vegas if Lake Mead wasn’t there. The artificial reservoir was created with the construction of the Hoover Dam and has since been an important place in southern Nevada. The lake provides both water and recreation to the people living nearby — services welcomed by the local population. As the first recreational area of the United States (established in 1936), it is unique by its history, but also by the landscapes it creates. It is quite an experience to face this great body of water in such a dry, hot and desert environment. In terms of recreation, Lake Mead is popular for hiking, biking, camping and several water sports. It may be a great spot to see for anyone coming near Las Vegas.

If some park shines by their freshness and water, Red Rock Canyon's beauty lies in its colors and rock formations. The park features a diverse flora, hikes and water streams within an area seemingly enclosed by tall white and red walls of sandstone. One of the characteristics of the park is its proximity to Las Vegas. Visitors can easily go from the hot environment of Las Vegas to the higher altitude and fresher temperatures of the canyon in about 30min. There, you may either drive around the scenic drive, or stop to enjoy a hike or climbing session.

Valley of Fire is popular for the bright orange rocks that populate its area. When the sunset light shines on the rock, the reflection creates the bright fire-looking color that give the park’s name. Compared to Red Rock Canyon, the park is located farther from Las Vegas. Yet, it offers a completely different experience than most other parks in Nevada. When it comes to activities, Valley of Fire has a visitor center, campgrounds, some historic artifacts like hieroglyphs and a couple of great hiking trails. Similarly to the other park located in southern Nevada, the park gets pretty hot in the summer. With that in mind, visitors should plan accordingly.