The 10 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In Nevada That Everyone Should Visit
Nevada is a state with immense natural beauty. From the dozens of mountain ranges to the myriad lakes and everything in between, the Silver State is rife with incredible natural attractions. Now that summer is here and vacations, or at least day trips, are seemingly on the agenda, here are 10 of the most incredible natural attractions in Nevada that everyone should visit at least once.
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Located in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest between Reno and Lake Tahoe, Mount Rose is Washoe County’s highest mountain within the Carson Range. The hike to the summit is gorgeous, decorated with wildflowers and a stunning waterfall. This is one area of Nevada that you simply must see.
Jarbidge Wilderness, and its nearby namesake remote and isolated town, covers 113,000 acres of picturesque mountains and valleys, more than 100 miles of hiking trails, fishing and camping opportunities, and wildflowers galore. This is truly a gorgeous area of Nevada you simply must visit.
Chock full of amazingly stunning natural rock formations, the Valley of Fire is, perhaps, one of the most scenic, beautiful, and most photographed locations in all of Nevada.
Cathedral Gorge began with explosive volcanic activity in a long, narrow valley that, coupled with the ebb and flow of erosion, resulted the creation of stunning and dramatic patterns in the soft bentonite clay. Hikers, naturalists, and photographers will love spending a day in this gorgeous natural area.
Red Rock Canyon, located just 30 minutes west of Las Vegas, is a conservation area full of stunning red sandstone peaks and walls called the Keystone Thrust. These majestic stone walls rise as high as 3,000 feet, making them a popular hiking and rock climbing destination. A scenic loop weaves throughout the canyon, and a visitor center provides information and history about the area.
Lake Tahoe straddles the Nevada-California border and is the highest alpine lake in the U.S. The gorgeous lake has a variety of activities: water sports, restaurants, concerts, and other entertainment.
Visiting Lehman Caves, inside Great Basin National Park, is like entering another world. This stunning marble cave is chock full of stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and more than 300 rare shield formations.
Even though Lake Mead is, in fact, a man-made reservoir, it merits inclusion on this list of natural beauty. Regardless of its creation, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in terms of water capacity in the US. Formed by the Hoover Dam, when full, Lake Mead is 112 miles long, 532 feet at its greatest depth, and has 759 miles of shoreline. However, due to drought conditions and increased water demand, Lake Mead has not reached its capacity since 1983. Nevertheless, it is still a beautiful natural wonder in southern Nevada.
Sloan Canyon has been called the Sistine Chapel of Native American rock art due to the myriad petroglyphs in the area. According to archaeologists, more than 300 rock art panels with over 1,700 individual designs created by native cultures throughout history decorate the rocks. There are numerous hiking trails throughout the canyon, many of which take hikers past visible rock art.
Lunar Crater is located approximately 75 miles from Tonopah and is thought to have been formed by volcanic activity. In addition to the 430-foot deep crater, other volcanic formations include cinder cones, lava flows, elongated fissures, and ash hills. Located in the southern portion of the Pancake Range, this volcanic zone covers more than 100 square miles.
If incredible natural attractions are your cup of tea, you can’t go wrong exploring in Nevada. The Silver State is chock full of beautiful mountains, lakes, rock formations, and primitive wilderness.
Have you visited any of these incredible natural attractions? Did I leave your favorite off the list? Please share your thoughts and experiences below.
