Nevada
Experiences

These Epic Water Parks In Nevada Will Take Your Summer To A Whole New Level

Discover three epic water parks in Nevada perfect for escaping the summer heat.

Updated May 28, 2023

Written by 

Natalie Faulk

While Nevada has certainly made a name for itself with its unique desert attractions, there's no denying that the state also sees some scorching temperatures come summertime. When the mercury starts to rise, a visit to one of the most beautiful lakes in Nevada is one way to escape the heat. Or, for those looking for a warm weather activity that has an extra adrenaline factor, a visit to one of the best water parks in Nevada might just be the perfect escape! Here are three epic Nevada water parks guaranteed to add considerable sun and fun to your summer.

1. Cowabunga Canyon - Las Vegas

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Cowabunga Canyon Waterpark Sutherlin/GoogleMaps
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Cowabunga Canyon Waterpark - Summerlin/GoogleMaps

Las Vegas' Cowabunga Canyon is a 20-acre water park extravaganza featuring over two dozen water slides and attractions. Among the most popular are the Tornado, a premier slide where riders can experience zero gravity; the Rattler, a four-person slide with unique rattles that shake riders back and forth; and the extreme water slide Constrictor that features some of the tightest turns you'll find in any water park. The park is perfect for both thrill-seekers and families, offering oodles of fun things to do. The kids' area is chock-full of water fun that's guaranteed to please even the most picky of customers!

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2. Wild Island Family Adventure Park - Sparks

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Millissa Kephart/GoogleMaps
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Drew Lynes/GoogleMaps

One of The Travel Channel's Best Water Parks in the U.S. - and definite contender for best water park in Nevada - Wild Island has attractions for kids and adults, as well as some of the most thrilling water slides in the country. There is also bowling at the Coconut Bowl, go karts, an arcade, and miniature golf on-site to end a wonderful day. The kids' cove is a ton of fun for little ones, while the wave pool is a popular attraction for kids and adults of all ages.

3. Cowabunga Bay - Henderson

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Lori Guerrero/GoogleMaps
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Doug Timoney/GoogleMaps

Cowabunga Bay has a surf-retro, surfin' safari vibe that is fun for the entire family. With more than 25 water slides and attractions, a wave pool, lazy river, kids' area, and even VIP cabana rentals, Cowabunga Bay has consistently been voted one of the best water parks in the Las Vegas area.

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Nevada may not boast dozens of water features, but these three parks are chock full of splashing summer fun for the entire family. Have you visited any of these water parks in Nevada? Let us know!

Speaking of water fun, dig into some of Nevada's best waterfront dining at this sweet little bistro. Or, just check out our latest Nevada road trip planner to find your next great adventure in the Silver State.

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Experiences

The V&T Railroad Steam Train Rides Offer Some Of The Most Breathtaking Views In Nevada

Experience a historic steam train ride through the scenic hills of Northern Nevada with the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

Updated Aug 2, 2024

Written by 

Emerson

All aboard the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in NV! It's no secret that the railroad industry was quite impactful in the early days of the Silver State. Although most of the world has moved on from the days when trains were the ultimate form of transportation, you can still experience a good old-fashioned scenic train ride in Nevada with the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. Operating century-old steam engines, the railway offers steam train rides through the majestic Nevada landscape. Riding through the hills of Northern Nevada in a historic train is certainly something you won't forget. Check it out!

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At the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in NV, you can hop aboard an authentic steam train and take a journey back in time as you ride through the mesmerizing landscape. It's a bucket list scenic train ride in Nevada that you'll for sure want to do for yourself!

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Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company/Facebook

Virginia & Truckee is arguably one of the most famous short lines in the country. During its heyday, the railway operated as many as 45 trains per day, transporting everyone from regular folks to U.S. presidents and dignitaries.

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Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company/Facebook

The last train left the Comstock 80 years ago, but you can still experience what it was like to ride along this historic railroad. Today, V&T Railroad proudly operates century-old steam engines from the original 1870 train depot in Virginia City. It's one of the most unique Nevada train rides you can find in this area.

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Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company/Facebook

This historic steam train ride in Nevada will take you on a beautiful journey from Virginia City to Gold Hill and back.

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Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company/Facebook

The scenic train ride in NV lasts approximately 35 minutes. During the ride, the conductor will narrate the history of the Comstock and V&T. Along the way, you'll enjoy views of historic sites, including several Comstock mine sites, in addition to the delightful Nevada scenery.

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Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company/Facebook

Once at Gold Hill, passengers aboard the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in NV can step out and explore the train depot, the Liberty Engine Fire Company monument, the 1859 Gold Hill Hotel, and so much more. You can return on any of the later trips during the same day.

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Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company/Facebook

We can't think of a more pleasant way to spend the afternoon than by riding through the hills in a historic steam train in NV!

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Virginia & Truckee Railroad Company/Facebook

Visit the website for the Virginia & Truckee Railroad to help plan out your train ride adventure and to see all Nevada train trips offered. Don't miss the holiday rides for Halloween and Christmas! Grab a pair of great binoculars to use on the ride in case there's something you'd like to get a better view of.

What do you think? Are you ready to take a ride on a historic steam train in NV? This looks like so much fun! Tell us your thoughts or any experiences you may have had in the comments below.

Worked up an appetite on the train? Grab a bite to eat at one of these awesome Nevada restaurants.

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Experiences

The Mystery Of The Nevada Triangle Will Baffle And Terrify You

The Nevada Triangle is a region where over 2,000 aircraft have vanished, including the famous disappearance of aviator Steve Fossett.

Updated Jul 30, 2024

Written by 

Jennifer Young

Most of us are familiar with the Nevada Triangle. For those who aren’t, it’s an area of Nevada and California where many aircraft have vanished over the decades. It’s very similar to the Bermuda Triangle. Because Nevada’s remote wasteland of desert and mountains stretches across more than 25,000 square miles of underpopulated areas, crash sites usually go undiscovered for very long periods of time. For the past 50 years or so, nobody is exactly sure how many flights have vanished within the Nevada Triangle. However, many people believe the total is more than 2,000. Read on to learn more about this Nevada Triangle mystery. It’s truly baffling.

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One of the most popular stories regarding the Nevada Triangle is the disappearance of Steve Fossett, which took place on September 3, 2007.

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NASA/KSCWikimedia Commons

Here is Fossett at NASA Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility seated in the GlobalFlyer cockpit.

In addition to being an American businessman, Fossett was a record-setting aviator, sailor, and adventurer. He was also the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in a balloon.

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NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Sadly, when Fossett flew his single-engine Bellanca Super Decathlon over Nevada's Great Basin Desert, it never returned, and neither did he.

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Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

After a month of not being able to locate Fossett's plane, the search was called off. On February 15, 2008, Fossett was declared legally dead. The moment Fossett went missing, many people assumed he either faked his own death - or was shot down over Area 51.

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Arpingstone, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

So, what is it exactly that's causing aircraft to go missing within the Nevada Triangle? Many experts claim the area's climate creates a special type of atmospheric condition that can actually rip aircraft from the skies. In Steve Fossett's situation, many experts believe climatic conditions created a 400 mph downdraft. At the most, his aircraft could climb 300 mph. This speed difference meant he was doomed from the moment he entered the region.

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Jeff Sullivan/Flickr

Fossett's identification cards were discovered in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California on September 29, 2008, by a hiker. On October 1, 2008, the crash site was discovered just 65 miles from where Fossett initially took off.

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Kim Shiflett, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Two bones were recovered about one-half mile from the crash site on November 3, 2008. After a series of tests, it was concluded that the bones did in fact belong to Steve Fossett.

Here is a quick video regarding the disappearance of Steve Fossett:

After reading this article and watching the video(s), do you believe the Nevada Triangle mystery will ever be solved? If you found this mystery terrifying, here’s another sinister story about Nevada that will send shivers down your spine.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nevada/sinister-story-popular-nevada-lake-chills/

Want more? Check out this Haunted Boulder City Ghost and UFO Tour by our friends at Viator for a truly thrilling experience.

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