8 Easy Backpacking Trips To Take In Nevada When You’re Feeling Adventurous
When you’re new to backpacking, you want to try out some beautiful trails to get your feet wet. Here’s a selection of easy to moderate scenic treks from all across Nevada to satisfy your taste for adventure.
The natural hot springs are reached via a ladder. The springs can reach temperatures of 111 degrees. The National Park Service cautions you to not put your head under the water if you choose to take a dip as the water is home to an amoeba that can cause medical complications and even death if it gets into your nasal cavity.
Daniel S./Yelp
The springs are accessed via the White Rock Canyon Parking Lot in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Take US 93 over the Hoover Dam for about 4 miles to find the lot.
This hike is a good option for new backpackers with a total length of 11.4 miles.
The trail begins at Baker Creek Road. The park is in Eastern Nevada, just east of the town of Baker.
The hike is 3 miles out and back. The elevation gains makes this short hike more intense.
There are lots of trails in this area that you can use for hiking or camping for the night. The Cathedral Rock trail can be found by taking US95 north from Las Vegas 14 miles to SR157. Take SR157 (left) and turn right into the Cathedral Rock Picnic area parking lot and look for the trailhead sign. There is a parking fee, although you can park along SR157 about a half-mile down for free.
This trail is known for some lovely wildflower blooms in the spring.
Just be sure to be aware that mountain bikers are allowed on the trail on even-numbered days, and can be plentiful depending on the time of year and the weather. The Tahoe Meadows trailhead parking lot is 7 miles from Incline Village on NV431 (Mount Rose Highway).
The trail is known for its slot canyon and a narrows at the end.
Drive north on US95 from Las Vegas to NV157 and drive another 17 miles to the parking lot for the trailhead.
The scenery includes forests and views of the lakes. Like other trails in the area, there are a lot of mountain bikers so backpackers should be prepared to share the trail when necessary.
Parking is also available along the the road at the Route 28/Highway 50 junction.
The 60-mile mountain range is home to the gorgeous 34-mile Ruby Crest Trail for hikers and backpackers.
Backpacker magazine recommends splitting this trek into four parts: Start at Lamoille Canyon and camp on North Furlong Lake. Your next camping spots, in order, will be North Furlong Lake, Overland Lake and the junction of the trail and Smith Creek's south fork. To reach the Lamoille Canyon trailhead, driving from Elko, take Hwy227 going southeast (Spring Creek) and follow the signs for the Lamoille Canyon lot.
The range is the second largest wildlife refuge in the U.S.
If you enjoy star gazing, you'll find lying back and watching the stars from your camp in the range an unforgettable experience. To reach the Gass Peak trail, drive north on US95 from Las Vegas and turn right onto a dirt road going toward Corn Creek (near mile marker 101). Look for the marked Gass Peak road. Caution - a high clearance vehicle is necessary to drive down this road!
Have you backpacked any of these trails? Or have a recommendation for a newbie backpacker in Nevada? Share in the comments!
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