Nevada Vacation Ideas
There is much more to Nevada than Las Vegas casinos.
Like many of the western states Nevada has varied terrain and diverse weather conditions that provide a place for many different sports and recreation activities like rock climbing and caving.
With over 110,000 square miles of desert, mountains, valleys, lakes and rivers, Nevada offers you just about any backcountry activity you could want.
Gifted with a combination of snowfall in the north and the dry desert in the Las Vegas area of southern Nevada and you have a state where you can get some of the best adventure the United States has to offer.
Reno/Lake Tahoe
Northern Nevada gets heavy snowfall in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area in the winter and has a pleasant temperature in the summer. Reno/Tahoe might truly be the Crown Jewel of Nevada.
It is a fantastic spot for snowboarding and skiing in the winter as well as waterskiing and hiking in the summer months.
You will find the largest concentration of ski resorts in North America here. East of Reno/Lake Tahoe, in Elko, you'll find backcountry trails for snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
It is also a great place for star gazing, and if you look close enough you might be able to see planets and metor showers.
Backcountry Adventure
There are plenty of places for your ATV like the Sand Mountain Recreation Area in Fallon. These dunes provide over 5 square miles of sandboarding fun.
If you want a slower backcountry experience go horseback riding in the Spring Mountains of the Mount Charleston Wilderness or on the Jarbidge River Trail. You can also watch wild horses and burros at the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area in southern Nevada.
Climbing
Nevada has outdoor and indoor climbing throughout the state. With more than 300 mountain ranges, Nevada has a plethora of rock formations that will push your sense of adventure over the edge.
The sandstone ridges of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area have more than 1,200 routes including Dog Wall, Magic Bus and Olive Oil for you to climb.
In northern Nevada River Rock, a granite formation just west of Reno along the Truckee River provides great half day climbs.
Dinosaur Rock, just south of Carson City, challenges climbers to a 140 foot high crag and the East Shore Crags of Lake Tahoe furnish climbers with plenty of multi-faced rocks to ascend.
If your in the Las Vegas area and need to recoup from a night at the tables, head out to climb the limestone cliffs of the Spring Mountains at Mount Charleston.
Nevada also has several rock climbing resources, associations and clubs including indoor climbing centers that provide rock walls as well as instruction.
Hiking
Nevada trails offer thousands of miles of hikes. Everything from desert to flourishing meadows, mountains and valleys to rivers and lakes, Nevada has a trail that will make you want to come back.
In northern Nevada hikers will find acres of pine trees, mountain lakes, creeks and canyons to explore. The Tahoe Rim Trail provides 165 miles of awe inspiring views.
Just a quick drive from the Reno/Tahoe area, The Mount Rose Wilderness Area offers trails like the Mount Rose Summit Trail, the Jones-Whites Creek Loop Trail, the Whites & Thomas Creek Canyons and Hunter Creek.
In Great Basin National Park you can hike over 60 miles of trails such as the Bristlecone-Glacier Trail and Baker Lake Trail.
Other great hikes include the Mount Moriah Wilderness, Table Mountain Wilderness just north of Tonopah and the Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness north of Winnemucca.
Hot Springs
Nevada has more than 300 naturally occurring hot springs to soak in and while some are not intended for use, there are several hot springs that cater to this unique relaxation experience.
For a more rustic experience try Double Hot Springs in the Black Rock Desert, Bog Hot Springs outside of Denio, or Kyle Hot Springs east of Unionville.
In central Nevada Spencer Hot Springs in Austin has a cluster of natural springs on unimproved public land.
The Alkali Hot Springs has two springs that are big enough for three to four people.
State Parks
There are 25 parks, recreation areas, and historic sites in the Nevada park system.
Stretched across terrains as diverse as alpine forests and bone dry deserts activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, star gazing. mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, water skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating are easily found.
Nevada's parks range from the magnificence of Great Basin National Park in the east, stunning Lake Tahoe State Park in the west, Red Rock Canyon in the south and Wild Horse in the north.
Parks like Valley of Fire is one of the state's oldest, with 3,000-year-old petroglyphs carved in sandstone and maroon-colored rock formations created during the age of the dinosaurs.
Many campgrounds and RV facilities are open all year, depending on the weather. Trailheads are well marked, and facilities at many parks include RV dump stations, showers, and day use facilities for groups.
Although you can get into most parks year round, it's best to check ahead in winter, as access roads can be blocked by snow.
Water Sports
With a plethora of lakes and rivers like Lake Tahoe, Truckee River, Lake Mead and the Colorado River Nevada is perfect for water sport activities.
Kayak or canoe the pristine blue waters of Lake Tahoe, Washoe Lake north of Carson City, and Pyramid Lake north of Reno.
In rural Nevada, head to Lahontan State Recreation Area in Silver Springs, Walker Lake State Recreation Area in Hawthorne and Cave Lake State Park outside of Ely.
If you whitewater rafting you will experience all levels and classes in northern Nevada on the East Fork Carson River and the Truckee River.
For the adventure seeker that loves exploring below the surface, try scuba diving. Lake Tahoe offers crystal clear waters where visibility can exceed 150 feet. You will also find sunken trees and an artificial reef at Cave Rock.
Wildlife
With the varied of terrain that Nevada has it is home to hundreds of species of birds, bears, fish, lions, deer, elk and everything in between.
The Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge just north of Las Vegas is home to more than 200 types of birds as well as foxes, coyotes, mule deer and mountain lions.
At the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge in the Amargosa Valley, there are more than 20 plants and animals that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
More than 200 species of birds, rabbits, squirrels, Bighorn Sheep, coyotes and several types of reptiles including toads, lizards and snakes are also commonly found.
Also the Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge is known for its fish population including the endangered Moapa Dace.
Bird Watching
At the Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge wetlands you will see hundreds of thousands of species of birds.
Located near the eastern shore of Pyramid Lake The Anaho Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to colonial nesting birds, including the American White Pelican.
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a haven to waterfowl including Canvasback ducks and other native wildlife.
Nevada is a great expanse full of natural wonders to be explored. Take your time and see as much as you can in one trip or come back over several vacations. Nevada will not disappoint you. Enjoy your vacation!