Nevada has natural wonders full of incredible beauty and fun-filled cities like Las Vegas, Reno and more. It does have its dangers, though, and tourists and residents alike should be aware of them. Here are seven of the most dangerous places in Nevada, natural and man-made. Check them out, and be safe out there!

1. Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
sushiesque/Flickr
Lake Mead is a terrific place with lots to see and do. Did you know though that it ranks second for number of fatalities in national parks though? Drowning is the number one reason for deaths at National Parks, and with such a large body of water, it follows that Lake Mead sees quite a few. Add swimming or boating into a mix with partying and alcohol, and this makes Lake Mead a potentially dangerous area if you're not taking common-sense safety precautions. Lake Mead is, however, home to some absolutely amazing overlooks and views.
2. Clark County
Clark County
Alex Proimos/Flickr
According to the Nevada Department of Public Safety, Clark County has the highest incidence of crime in the state. Clark County is the home of Las Vegas - so it makes sense. It's also, however, the home of cities like Henderson, which often gets picked for "top ten safest cities" lists! The murder rate in Las Vegas has doubled or more since 2015, so while it's a place one can have a lot of fun, it's also a place where one should always be cautious...but again, common sense should prevail (though it doesn't always).
3. Alluvial Fans in the Desert
Alluvial Flats in the Desert
Michael Voelker/Flickr
Ok, so, these are not a specific place in Nevada, per se, but a type of a place you definitely should be cautious about. An alluvial fan is a flattened area in the desert formed from flash floods and other water flows. Plants, particularly creosote bushes, tend to grow in the fans and wildlife gathers in these areas. This means you are at greater risk of running into less-than-pleasant wildlife like rattlesnakes - or drowning in a flash flood. Nevada has several types of rattlesnakes which range from mildly poisonous to potentially lethal. If you intend to visit our deserts, make sure you learn to look out for snakes.

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4. Abandoned Mines
Abandoned Mines
Allen/Flickr
There are many abandoned mines in the state that are often explored by adventurous types. This is a very bad idea! The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology cautions on the dangers of abandoned mines; they may contain "bad air" thanks to poisonous gas, or not enough oxygen to breathe for long. They are unstable and can cave in at any time. Ladders may break and shafts can fall apart, and any structures made of decayed wood, in general, are not safe. Old, unused mines may also still have explosives inside left unknowingly by miners. Abandoned mines also can become homes for animals you may not want to run into, such as rattlesnakes or larger predators.
5. The I-15 freeway south of Las Vegas
The I-15 freeway
George Lin/Flickr
The Nevada branch of the Automobile Association of America reports that the stretch of the I-15 from Las Vegas going to Los Angeles, California, has the most fatalities on any road on the state. There are a number of reasons for the high number of driving fatalities. Drinking and driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and distracted driving are definitely some of them; it's a long drive with not a lot of points of interest along the way, which can lead to sleepy drivers as well.
6. I-15 through Las Vegas
I-15 through Las Vegas
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
Driving on the 1-15 in the area right through Las Vegas (i.e. "The Strip" area) is also a high-risk area. Tired and/or distracted drivers are an issue, as well as drivers who've come to party and are driving while drunk. Always drive two ways: carefully and defensively.
7. US Highway 50
US Highway 50
Jasperdo/Flickr
The "Loneliest Road in America" is another dangerous stretch of highway in Nevada. There are very few services available along the way, so if you intend to travel on the 50, make sure you have a full tank and some supplies on hand if you break down (water, non-perishable food, a blanket, etc). It's an incredible drive - just take the extra precautions to be prepared!

Are there other spots in Nevada that you would advise visitors to be cautious of? Share in the comments! What are your favorite “dangerous” places in the state? Share those as well!

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Most Dangerous Places in Nevada

Tori Jane | February 10, 2022

What are some of the most dangerous towns in Nevada?  

Well, we have some good news, and some bad news; the good news is that Nevada is not the most dangerous state to live in or visit. The bad news, however, is that it’s the 11th-worst state to live in or visit, thanks to higher-than-average property and violent crime rates. Oof! A lot of this can likely be attributed to the Vegas Strip, but not all of it; in fact, there are some small towns all over the state that aren’t exactly the safest. Some of the most dangerous towns (and cities, while we’re at it – other than Las Vegas) in Nevada, according to our friends at RoadSnacks.net, are Elko, which has a population of over 20,000 and the third-highest rate of property crime in the state. Then there’s Sparks – a larger town than Elko – which has a violent crime and burglary rate that puts it in the top ten most dangerous towns in the nation. Others include Carlin, North Las Vegas, and Winnemuca. But, this doesn’t mean these places can’t or won’t get their acts together at some point; the town of Pioche was once the single most dangerous place in the state. Read more about it in this article!  

Where are the safest places in Nevada?  

Don’t let the above paragraph freak you out, though; Nevada is home to plenty of safe places, too, just like anywhere else. Our friends at RoadSnacks don’t only focus on the negative – they also compile lists of the safest cities and towns in each state, including Nevada. At the time of this writing, some of the safest places in Nevada include Henderson, Reno, and plenty of others. Henderson’s violent crime rate was an impressive 1.7 incidents for every 100,000 residents. Other notably safe cities and towns include Boulder City, Mesquite, and West Wendover.  

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