Leave Las Vegas to See the Most Beautiful Places in Nevada
Beyond the Strip, the Silver State is full of gorgeous scenery in unexpected places.
Sure, the Las Vegas Strip is beautiful in all its neon glory, but there are countless scenic sights to explore throughout Nevada. It's a big state: 110,567 square miles, to be exact. Most of it is dull and desolate, yet there's a lot of beauty out there, too. From skyscraping mountain ranges to desert landscapes and mysterious ghost towns, the Silver State has a little something for everybody. So fill up on gas and hit the pedal for a weekend road trip to explore Nevada's most beautiful places.
Lander County
Life Magazine famously called the stretch of U.S. Route 50 between Fallon and Ely the "loneliest road in America" more than 30 years ago. Little has changed since then, which is good news if you're craving an off-the-grid road trip adventure. The highway slows down when it hits Austin, turning into Main Street for this old Pony Express hub with less than 200 people and four churches–a notable ratio for sure. St. George's Episcopal Church, built in 1878, is an especially striking example of Gothic-Revival-style architecture. Overall, the tiny Old West town has 11 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, including the three-story ruins of Stokes Castle and an old hotel now known as the International Cafe & Bar. For added weirdness, spend the night at Paradise Ranch Castle, a bizarre bed and breakfast built to look like an Old Word fortress with suits of armor and a "dungeon" that doubles as a game room and lounge. It overlooks the picturesque Reese River Valley for an extra dose of peace and serenity.
Bonsai Rock
New Washoe City
The eastern edge of Lake Tahoe is a quick drive from the dull government dealings of Carson City, and one of its best kept secrets is the quiet beauty of Bonsai Rock, just south of Sand Harbor. A photographer's dream, it creeps out of the water, topped by just four petite trees that will never grow taller due to their barren location. The best vantage point is about a five-minute walk from the main road. Take your time, relax, and enjoy the journey. Don’t forget your camera.
Panaca
Just off State Route 93, a visit to Cathedral Gorge State Park is the perfect way to break up a road trip between Las Vegas and Ely. It's named after the towering spires and jagged rock formations created by volcanic activity over millions of years. The park is also one of the few places you'll see slot canyons in Nevada. Cathedral Gorge hosted plays and other entertainment against its majestic backdrop in the 1920s when road trips suddenly spiked in popularity due to America's growing highway systems. An abandoned stone water tower is a popular photo spot, providing a dramatic contrast to the surrounding natural beauty. If you're short on time, drive around to the north entrance, which provides immediate access to the highest elevation and best views.
Washoe County
Fly Geyser was a drilling site in the 1960s, but some kind of mishap caused minerals to dissolve and accumulate into a spectacle of a structure you could say is both natural and man-made. A form of algae in the hot springs gives the landmark a colorful red and green appearance, making it an enticing stop for hikers and photographers. However, not only is the northwest location remote, it's on Fly Ranch, which is private property. Avoid trespassing and sign up for one of the official ticketed Saturday nature walks, which resume for a new season on April 6.
Laughlin
Laughlin is about an hour-and-a-half drive from Las Vegas, tucked away in its own corner of southeast Nevada. If the stress of the slot machines becomes too much, look for Christmas Tree Pass, an old gravel road a few miles outside of town. It leads to Grapevine Canyon, which has a concentrated amount of petroglyphs by its entrance. Some like to take a few photos and drive away. Others continue on hiking trails, where you can spot an active spring if you listen for the flow of water. On a good day, you may even spot a bighorn sheep. A dry river bed with steep edges lies between the parking area and the canyon. Whether you walk along the side or across the bottom itself, you'll have no choice but to imagine what the rushing waters were like hundreds of years ago.
White Pine County
As far as national parks go, this is one of the least visited, making it a dream come true for those eager to experience nature without the nuisance of other tourists. Hikers swear by the Alpine Lakes Loop Trail, which passes two different alpine lakes and offers killer views of Wheeler Peak, the second-tallest mountain in Nevada. Yet the park is perhaps best enjoyed after dark. The stargazing is next level, especially with a new astronomy amphitheater now in place. It's equipped with red lights that actually enhance the viewing experience. If that's not enough darkness, venture deep inside the Lehman Caves, where stalactites and other sinister rock formations await. A choice of four tours are available with a reservation.
Lake Tahoe
Visit the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and spend a few nights in the north end at Incline Village, which is more upscale and less tourist-driven than Stateline in the hotel-dominated south end. It's a serene environment to soak in the bright blue alpine waters and miles of pine trees. Book a night at the Hyatt Regency and have access to a private beach. You can also overlook the lake while munching on steaks at the Lone Eagle Grille. Bicycling is the preferred mode of transportation here (with rentals easily available), whether you want to trek the paved Tahoe East Shore Trail to Sand Harbor State Park or zip down a stretch of Lakeshore Boulevard known as Billionaire's Row, due to the high-priced real estate. It's a quick way to see why the locals call the town "Income Village." The views are even better from ski resorts like Diamond Peak and Mt. Rose.
Clark County
The water levels may be dwindling due to drought, but Lake Mead remains a beautiful spot for boating, kayaking, and taking a swim in the middle of the desert. The 250-square-mile reservoir was created by the Hoover Dam back in 1935 and tours of the modern marvel are a must when visiting Boulder City. You can also take a cruise for an up-close look at the dam. Remnants of the old Hoover Dam Railroad system have been repurposed as the Historic Railroad Trail, with walking paths stretching through five mountain-carved tunnels where tracks once stood. Park at either the Lake Mead Visitors Center or Hoover Dam Lodge to access the trail and get in some exercise while soaking in the sweeping views of Lake Mead. A bike tour through the tunnels is highly recommended.
Washoe County
Much like a Spinal Tap album cover, Massacre Rim is an experience best described as “none more black.” More than an hour north of Reno, it's one of the darkest and most remote locations on Earth—and one of just a few dark sky sanctuaries certified by the International Dark Sky Association. That means it's virtually free of light pollution. On a clear night without moonlight, not only is the Milky Way visible to the naked eye, but also the neighboring Andromeda galaxy. The stars are so bright, they can even cast shadows on Earth. Massacre Rim is about 80,000 acres in size and 100 miles north of Gerlach (dubbed the darkest town in America). This isn't a place you just plug into the GPS and go check out on a whim. It requires lots of planning—and an off-road vehicle if you dare to leave the security of desolate Route 8A.
Clark County
It's national news when it snows in Las Vegas but really, it's not that big of a deal. Mt. Charleston is just a quick drive northwest of Sin City and the mountain peak is covered with snow during much of the year. Lee Canyon has skiing, snowboarding, and tubing in the winter months, and hiking, archery, and disc golf during the summer months with a downhill biking trail. No matter when you visit, the high elevation and miles of pine trees are a welcome change of pace from the brittle desert air in the Las Vegas Valley below. The area lost the beloved Mt. Charleston Lodge in a 2021 fire, but newly released renderings of its replacement look promising.
Clark County
Red Rock Canyon is usually the place Las Vegans go first when they want to escape city life. Located just west of Summerlin, the protected National Conservation Area is known for its colorful sandstone peaks and canyons, drawing hikers, rock climbers, and those who just want to enjoy the 13-mile scenic loop from the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle. More ambitious visitors will prefer to book a reservation for the official campground, which stays busy between fall and spring. The sprawling Cottonwood Valley Trail System is popular with bikers who can have the mountains of Red Rock Canyon as their backdrop while enjoying the fresh air and exercise.
Nye County
Back in the early 20th century, Rhyolite was a booming mining destination. The economy was so good, the town even had its own stock exchange, not to mention a thriving red light district. But everything changed when the market tanked in 1907. Within five years, the population dwindled and the electricity was shut off. More than a century later, you can still find remnants of the old town near the edge of Death Valley, including ruins of a bank, jail, and train depot. It's also near the Goldwell Open Air Museum, an eclectic outdoor collection of art pieces.
Ruby Mountains
Elko County
The Ruby Mountains are among the best reasons to visit Northeast Nevada—and where the state suddenly gets a lot more green. Hikers can't get enough of the "Rubies," especially Lamoille Canyon, where streams, lakes, and wooden bridges add charm and character to the trees and lush vegetation. Known as the "Alps of Nevada," the mountains provide a wide variety of slopes and snow-covered terrain throughout winter. And why worry about a chair lift when you can have a helicopter drop you off at the top? A big part of the appeal is the solitude, although you're not far from the civilization of Elko (and its Basque dining scene). Drivers can get a taste of what the area is all about with a detour through the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway.
Mojave Desert
Dedicated in 1935, Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. The name comes from the bright-red sand dunes that appear to be on fire when hit by the sun at just the right angle, but the real beauty is in the Aztec sandstone formations that twist and bend into loops, arches, and cubby hole-like caves. Pull over at Rainbow Vista for the most Mars-like terrain. About 3,000 years ago, Native Americans left behind petroglyphs that can still be seen today. The park is just an hour outside of Vegas and makes for a great scenic road trip.
Storey County
There's rugged charm—and yes, beauty—in the Old West spirit that helped shape Nevada. The best example is Virginia City, an old mining hub in the mountains southeast of Reno that's done an impressive job preserving its Victorian architecture from the late 1800s. Walk the boardwalks that frame C Street and explore saloons, shops, and museums that feel like a trip back in time. Despite the touristy appeal, Virginia City is all authentic and original. No Disney-esque recreations here. The Virginia & Truckee Railroad travels from the heart of Virginia City to Gold Hill for an instant history lesson on how mining turned Nevada into a hot destination more than a hundred years ago.