We’re all well aware of the handful of Nevada state parks that get the most traffic. Most outdoor enthusiasts can say they’ve been to places like Valley of Fire or Cathedral Gorge dozens of times. These places may get the most attention, but they are far from the only places that boast an abundance of natural beauty. The next time you’re in the mood for exploring a lesser-known side of this amazing state, plan a trip to one of these state parks. The best part? You’ll be far, far away from the crowds! Take a look – here are some of the best, most underrated state parks to visit in Nevada:

1. Beaver Dam State Park (Caliente)
Beaver Dam State Park, Beaver Dam Rd, Caliente, NV 89008, USA
Matt Bingaman/GoogleMaps
Beaver Dam represents one of the most tranquil and pristine environments in Nevada. Here you'll find a landscape chock full of ponderosa forests, waterfalls, streams, wildlife, and more. It truly resembles something out of a dream. This remote area is also notable for being one of the first state parks established in Nevada. Do yourself a favor and spend an afternoon on The Overlook Trail which provides panoramic views of this stunning park.
2. Van Sickle Bi-State Park (Stateline)
Van Sickle Bi-State Park, 30 Lake Pkwy, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, USA
bhapb/TripAdvisor
Straddling the border of Nevada and California, Van Sickle is one of the few state parks in the country that exists in two states at once. The most notable feature of this park is the abundance of easily accessible hiking trails that take you around the Tahoe Basin. The Rim Trail Connector is by far one of the most stunning trails in the state and boasts epic views of Lake Tahoe in the distance. Read more about this beautiful and underrated state park here.
3. South Fork State Recreation Area (Spring Creek)
South Fork State Recreation Area, 353 Lower South Fork Rd #8, Spring Creek, NV 89815, USA
jolynn wallace/GoogleMaps
This lovely recreation area covers nearly 4,000 acres. Here you'll find the 1,650-acre South Fork Reservoir, marsh, meadows, and hills. The Ruby Mountains makes for the perfect backdrop to activities like hunting, fishing, swimming, and boating. The recreation area also offers a 25-site campground containing both primitive and developed camping. Learn more on the official website.

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4. Cave Lake State Park (Ely)
Cave Lake State Park, US Highway 93-Success Summit, Ely, NV 89301, USA
Travel Nevada/Flickr
This park's most well-known feature is the 32-acre reservoir that provides all types of recreation. Fishing is a popular activity at the reservoir since it's primarily stocked with rainbow trout and German brown trout. The reservoir was famously the site of the iconic Bathtub Boat Races that used to occur annually. The activities don't stop during winter. Ice fishing, snowmobiling, and skating are all popular activities to take part in at Cave Lake. Read more in this article.
5. Dayton State Park (Dayton)
Dayton State Park, US-50, Dayton, NV 89403, USA
Travel Nevada/Flickr
Set along the banks of the Carson River, Dayton State Park is both rich in natural beauty and history. The park contains the remains of the old Rock Point Mill which was built back in 1861. The dilapidated remnants serve as a reminder to Dayton's mining days. You'll definitely want to take advantage of one of the park's ten pristine campsites. Learn more about Dayton, Nevada, in this article.
6. Echo Canyon State Park (Pioche)
Echo Canyon State Park, State Routes 322, Pioche, NV 89043, USA
Robert Haber/GoogleMaps
Echo Canyon provides an endless amount of recreational opportunities all year long. The park contains a 65-acre reservoir that is perfect for swimming, boating, or fishing. The Great Basin landscape makes for the perfect place to camp out and immerse yourself in the canyon's natural beauty. Learn more about Echo Canyon in this article!
7. Rye Patch State Recreation Area (Lovelock)
Rye Patch State Recreation Area, 2505 Rye Patch Resevoir Road, Lovelock, NV 89419, USA
Ajinkya Rao/GoogleMaps
Situated on a 22-mile long reservoir with an abundance of shoreline, Rye Patch State Recreation Area is a paradise during summertime. Enjoy a day of swimming or water-skiing, or explore one of the nearby hiking trails. The recreation area also makes for a great base camp when exploring nearby ghost towns. Check out this article for more information about Beaver Dam State Park.

How many of these underrated state parks have you been to? Can you think of any other parks that belong on this list? Be sure to check out our list of the Most Beautiful, Little Known Places In Nevada for more hidden gems.

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More to Explore

State Parks to Visit in Nevada

Tori Jane | January 18, 2022

What are some of the most popular state parks in Nevada? 

Nevada is a much more interesting state than most folks tend to give it credit for; oftentimes, they assume the the Las Vegas strip is the only thing worth seeing – and they’re quite mistaken! Nevada is home to 24 amazing state parks, two National Parks, and so much more beyond those. Nevada’s state parks are quite beloved, with the most popular ones being the Van Sickle Bi-State Park, which is situated at beautiful Lake Tahoe and shared with California. Within the same area, there’s the Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park, and this park is on the Nevada side of things (obviously). Cathedral Gorge State Park is another absolutely amazing one that you can’t miss! Then, there’s Washoe Lake State Park, Cave Lake State Park, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park... the list goes on! For a little more information on some of these parks and then some, check out this list of ten state parks in Nevada you ought to visit ASAP.  

What are some of the most beloved hiking trails in Nevada?  

As we mentioned above, Nevada is a wonderful place to get out and explore – and part of that definitely includes hiking! According to the website AllTrails.com, there are almost 1,000 trails in Nevada, and they range from easy to very difficult. There’s a little something for everyone! Some of the most popular, highest-rated hiking trails in Nevada include the famous Calico Tanks Trail, a 2.2-mile trek through Red Rocky Canyon National Conservation Area. Take that one to admire some truly amazing sandstone formations. Then, there’s the Mary Jane Falls Trail, which is nestled inside the Mount Charleston Wilderness. This 3.9-mile hike is seasonal, so make sure to check for closures when planning your adventure. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest also has plenty of amazing hikes, like Monkey Rock and Hunter Creek Trail.  

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