10 State Parks In Nevada That Are Stunningly Beautiful
Nevada has some of the most beautiful state parks you’ll ever see. Beautiful lakes, lush mountain forests, and scenic canyons are just a few of the things you’ll encounter if you’re fortunate enough to visit our state parks. And if you enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, swimming, boating, and exploring nature – Nevada has you covered! If you’re looking for some road trip inspiration, we have10 state parks in Nevada that are stunningly beautiful, and absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
Cathedral Gorge State Park was one of Nevada's first four state parks; it was founded in 1935. This state park is nearly 2,000 acres in size and is situated in a long and narrow valley. Everyone loves exploring the slit canyons in this epic state park.
Established in 1957, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park protects and displays North America's largest known ichthyosaur fossils (try saying that three times fast!). This state park also preserves the mining town of Berlin.
For more information, on this state park in Nevada check out our previous article.
At this Nevada state park, which is open year-round, you'll enjoy warm weather recreational activities such as trout fishing, hiking and swimming, and winter recreational activities such as ice skating and cross-country skiing. In other words, Cave Lake State Park is always a good choice!
For more information, check out our previous article about Cave Lake State Park.
4. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park - Blue Diamond
Located only 15 miles outside of Las Vegas, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is both a working ranch and luxurious retreat that sits on 520 acres. You will have no idea you're so close to the Neon Capital of The World.
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park offers a number of different areas for visitors to enjoy, such as Sand Harbor, Memorial Point, Hidden Beach, Cave Rock, Spooner Lake and Marlette/Hobart Backcountry. These areas combined are more than 14,000 acres, and are stunningly beautiful.
Located in the Egan Mountain Range, this state park is known for its six, very distinctive, beehive-shaped historic charcoal ovens. These behemoths operated from 1876 to 1879, which happened to be the silver boom years of the Ward Mines. It's a fascinating place to visit.
For more information about this intriguing place in Nevada, be sure to check out our previous article.
Washoe Lake State Park was established in 1977, and its original inhabitants were Washoe Indians, hence the park's name. This state park in Nevada is a very popular area for camping, boating, and hiking.
Kershaw-Ryan State Park is located in a beautiful, scenic canyon in Eastern Nevada. This canyon was settled in 1873 by Samuel and Hannah Kershaw. In 1904, the couple sold the property to James Ryan, a local rancher. Mr. Ryan eventually donated the land to the Nevada State Parks in 1926; in 1935, it became known as Kershaw-Ryan State Park. It's one of Nevada's first four state parks.
For more information on this historic park, check out our previous article.
Valley of Fire State Park, dedicated in 1935, is Nevada's oldest and largest state park. The way this state park received its unique name is actually quite interesting. The red sandstone located throughout this state park were formed from shifting sand dunes more than 150 million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. As the sun's rays reflect off these red sandstone formations, they look as if they are on fire -- it's truly a sight to behold.
If you’ve been to any of these Nevada state parks, please feel free to share your experience(s) in the comments below. If you have a favorite Nevada state park that’s not a part of this list (and for that I apologize), please feel free to share that, too!
Address: Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Nevada 89043, USA
Address: Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park Road, Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park Rd, Nevada 89310, USA
Address: Cave Lake State Park, US Highway 93-Success Summit, Ely, NV 89301, USA
Address: Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Nevada 89161, USA
Address: Lake Tahoe - Nevada State Park, NV-28, Incline Village, NV 89451, USA
Address: Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, Ely, NV 89315, USA
Address: Spring Valley State Park, Pioche, NV 89043, USA
Address: Washoe Lake State Park, 4855 Eastlake Blvd, New Washoe City, NV 89704, USA
Address: Kershaw-Ryan State Park, 300 Kershaw Canyon Road, Caliente, NV 89008, USA
Address: Valley of Fire State Park, 29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, NV 89040, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks In Nevada
February 15, 2021
Jackie Ann
What are the best outdoor adventures in Nevada?
Nevada natives are blessed to live in a state that is home to a wealth of outdoor activities to satisfy our adventurous spirits. Cave lovers are captivated by the beautiful marble Lehman Caves located at Great Basin National Park. Explore over 300 rare shield formations and marvel at the park’s breathtaking landscape. Just west of the Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Canyon is Nevada’s first designated National Conservation Area. Spend a day traversing the canyon’s thrilling hiking trails on foot or bike. Wildlife lovers may not know that nearly half of the free-roaming wild horses in the U.S. call Nevada home. Pack a picnic and venture out to find one of the many great spots for horse and burro watching.
Which hikes in Nevada are short and sweet?
When you want to get back to nature for a quick bit of fresh air, visit one of The Silver State’s many short and sweet nature trails. Among the best parks in Nevada is The Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge located in Alamo offering hikers 3.7 miles of easily traversable and peaceful paths meandering the stunning natural beauty. A favorite hike within the Red Rock Canyon is The Potato Knoll. This 4.7-mile trail leads visitors through otherworldly rock formations where beautiful cacti dot the landscape. The Calico Basin is also home to unforgettably incredible rock formations. There, hike the 4 mile Kraft Mountain Loop Trail and surround yourself with rugged beauty.
Are there any good swimming holes in Nevada?
Nevada’s rocky terrain offers nature lovers an abundance of great spots to take a cool dip on a warm day. One of the best places to visit is Whitewater Park at Rock Park in Sparks, offering visitors five drop pools for water sports like kayaking and tubing. It’s also an excellent destination for families with plenty of kid-friendly water play areas. Go swimming or tubing at Panaca’s “The Spring”, a naturally-fed, Olympic-sized pool of clear, 85-degree water. It’s a great spot for family fun, the waters are only about three-feet deep. In the Railroad Valley, Big Water Spring boasts the largest geothermal hot spring in the state. Naturally heated with temperatures hovering around 91-93 degrees, this beloved spot is also a sacred site of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, a designated critical habitat of Railroad Valley Spring Fish.
Address: Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Nevada 89043, USA
Address: Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park Road, Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park Rd, Nevada 89310, USA
Address: Cave Lake State Park, US Highway 93-Success Summit, Ely, NV 89301, USA
Address: Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, Nevada 89161, USA
Address: Lake Tahoe - Nevada State Park, NV-28, Incline Village, NV 89451, USA
Address: Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, Ely, NV 89315, USA
Address: Spring Valley State Park, Pioche, NV 89043, USA
Address: Washoe Lake State Park, 4855 Eastlake Blvd, New Washoe City, NV 89704, USA
Address: Kershaw-Ryan State Park, 300 Kershaw Canyon Road, Caliente, NV 89008, USA
Address: Valley of Fire State Park, 29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, NV 89040, USA
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Jennifer is the Alabama staff writer for Only In Your State and has nearly 15 years of professional writing experience. She enjoys discovering new places and currently calls North Alabama home.
