Railroads played a huge part in the history of the growth of the west. There was at one time around 70 different railroads operating in the state, particularly around the mining boom times. Now there are only two companies running freight in the state and one carrying passengers. Taking a ride on the Southern Nevada Railway takes you back into the past to see how miners and Hoover Dam construction workers experienced travel and supply deliveries.
The Southern Nevada Railway, and the accompanying Nevada Southern Railroad Museum is located in Boulder City. It is run through the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.
The railroad line is part of the original Union Pacific line created in 1931. The railroad was built to ferry supplies for the construction of the Hoover Dam.
The track is a total of 7 miles and the ride takes about 40 minutes. Several types of restored trains take passengers on a ride back into the past through Boulder City.
The museum and railway is located at 601 Yucca Street in Boulder City. A calendar of all their special event and story time rides are available on their website. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and free for children 3 or younger.
Have you ridden on the Nevada Southern Railway? Share you trip experiences in the comments!
People don't necessarily tend to think of lakes when they think of Nevada. Of course, we have two big ones that everyone knows - Lake Tahoe and Lake Mead - but most of our great state is much drier and more desert-y. You might be surprised to learn that Nevada actually has a bunch of other beautiful lakes too, and it just so happens that a number of them are not far from Reno. Reno itself, though, has no lakes, so if you're from or are visiting Reno, you'll have to hop in the car and take on this Nevada lakes road trip to see them. This road trip is a fun way to celebrate the "great lakes" of Nevada. It'll take you all day - about 8 hours total - to complete, or you can break it up into a 2-day trip. Have a great drive!
This trip departs from Reno. Be sure to bring some snacks along because there are big stretches of this adventure without many dining options. Still, you'll see so much of this part of the state on it and the journey will absolutely be worth it. These lakes are stunning!
The first lake that you'll visit on your adventure is Pyramid Lake. It's about 45 minutes northeast of Reno and it's huge! It's the remaining portion of ancient Lake Lahontan which was an inland sea that once covered most of western Nevada. It's almost 30 miles long and it has a surface area of 188 square miles. It was named for the pyramid-shaped island near its southeastern shore.
Next, you'll travel about 90 minutes south to Nevada's most famous lake - Lake Tahoe. This lake is shared with California and it's the largest alpine lake in North America. It's the sixth largest lake by volume in the United States after the five Great Lakes, and it's our nation's deepest lake - at 1,645 feet deep - after Oregon's Crater Lake. This lake is incredibly beautiful and is considered to be one of the most spectacular lakes not only in our country but in the world.
Unlike Lake Tahoe, Washoe Lake near Carson City is very shallow. Its depth can vary greatly from year to year - but at its deepest, its only 12 feet deep. At times, it even dries up completely; it most recently did so in 2004. You might stop and have a picnic lunch at Washoe Lake State Park on the lake's southeastern shore.
From Washoe Lake, it's a long two hours to your next stop: Walker Lake. This lake is 11 miles long, five miles wide, and is 68 feet deep at its deepest point. This lake is the traditional home of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, but today, it's in danger. It was once a popular recreational lake, but upstream irrigation diversions have threatened this lake immensely. Salt content in the lake is high due to rapid evaporation, and fish no longer can live here as a result. Conservation efforts have helped some, but this lake has a long way to go before it can recover.
Carson Lake, near Fallon, is about an hour north of Walker Lake. This lake and the area surrounding it is a protected area collectively known as the Carson Lake Wildlife Management Area. It's home to salt flats, upland shrub communities, irrigated pastures, wetland meadows, mammals, birds, and fish. This is a lovely place to visit to enjoy the best of what Nevada nature has to offer.
Just 45 minutes to the north of Carson Lake, you'll visit the last lake on our road trip. Soda Lake is actually two lakes; both of these lakes occupy volcano craters left behind when these two adjacent volcanoes erupted around 1500 years ago. For now, these lakes are lakes - but it's possible that these volcanoes may someday erupt again!
After you visit these six lakes, you'll have an hour's drive back to Reno. You'll be able to return in time to enjoy the nightlife in "the biggest little city in the world," which will surely be a lot of fun, but your mind and spirit will probably be back at the lakes, taking in those wonderful views.
This Nevada Lakes road trip is sure to be a really good time, especially if you love nature! Again, people don't really think too much about lakes when Nevada is mentioned, but if the subject ever comes up in conversation, you can now tell your companions all about the beautiful lakes you visited near Reno!
Oh - yeah - and we told you to bring some snacks. If you're wondering what to bring along, check out this list we made for you of the best on-the-go road trip snacks. Driving can take a lot out of you, and we don't want you to go hungry!
Nevada is an impossibly scenic state covering a wide and astonishing variety of sights. We think this is one of the most scenic drives in Nevada, and for most of this trip, plan on hugging Route 89 in the southern region of Nevada. From green forests to red rock formations, this is one scenic road trip that will take you on a journey through rare art displays and fascinating historical locations. So, gather up some snacks and good tunes and get ready to hit the road! This is a journey through some of the most amazing attractions (man-made and natural) the Silver State has to offer.
You probably won’t have enough time to take in all 6.3 million acres of this breathtaking national forest, but it’s still worth making it the first stop on your Nevada road trip. Visit the largest National Forest in the Lower 48 states and experience nearly 400 species of wild animals, from bighorn sheep to mountain lions! New visitors to Nevada will revel at peaks reaching upwards of 10,000 feet and vast green forests of white fir and ponderosa pine. There are thousands of prehistoric and archaeological sites and an ample number of trails to get to them. If you haven't visited Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest before, you're in for quite a treat!
Want to get a better understanding of the Silver State’s colorful history? Heading south on Route 89 in the direction of Tonopah, Nevada, you will find the Central Nevada Museum. Travel back in time to prehistoric times through engaging exhibits. The non-profit museum brings the past to life with a real Old West Town on its grounds, including miner’s cabins, saloon, blacksmith shop, and so much more! In addition to the incredible outdoor exhibits, inside you’ll find a wonderful research library, Native American artifacts, WWII heirlooms, and many other exhibits. Your time will be well spent as you stop in to experience Nevada’s rich history.
Continuing your journey, the town of Beatty, Nevada is the setting for one of the most stunning permanent art pieces you will ever see. The Goldwell Open Air Museum sits on almost eight acres in Amargosa Valley and houses a showstopper of a piece. Created by artist Charles Albert Szukalski in 1984, The Last Supper is a striking sculpture. Its unique placement is meant to utilize the Nevada desert’s resemblance to the landscape in the Middle East. Travel to this amazing open-air art museum for a view of The Last Supper and other art installations at this epic spot.
About an hour south of the town of Beatty and jutting from the sands next to Highway 95 is the International Car Forest. Born from the minds of Chad Sorg and Mark Ripple was the idea to set the new world record for most upturned cars in an art installation. Find more than 40 vehicles seemingly frozen mid-flight or curiously balanced at this free and one-of-a-kind art gallery, which you can see more of via Remote Trooper:
Continuing on your epic Nevada journey, find yourself stretching your legs and viewing stunning vistas at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Clark County. You can opt to stop at the visitor center to get your bearings before heading off to explore one of 26 trails or stay comfy in the comfort of your car as you settle in for the 13-mile-long scenic drive. Either way, you will be sure to marvel at the towering red sandstone peaks and panoramic views of this area’s breathtaking mountains and canyons.
Less than an hour from Red Rock Canyon traveling east, the Hoover Dam in all its industrial world wonder magnificence welcomes you! Built in 1931, the impressive arch-gravity dam was designed to control and prevent flooding in the Black Canyon area and beyond. Today, one option visitors have is to travel the bypass. Please be aware that vehicles entering the site may be inspected for security purposes. There’s a 459-space parking garage making stopping and seeing the dam by foot very accessible. It’s a great idea to traverse the bridge portion of the bypass on foot as this offers the best views of the dam. Please visit their website for current travel information before you go. Seeing this architectural marvel is a must on your scenic road trip adventure!
How about going even farther back in time? Get ready to indulge yourself in more Silver State history by swinging northeast towards the town of Overton, Nevada. At the Lost City Museum-Archaeology, see incredible historic artifacts and details of life of the ancient Puebloan people who once called the area home. Established in 1935, this museum is built on a prehistoric site and incorporates its excavated findings right into the museum! See the museum’s website for more information on hours of operation and more.
End your scenic road trip with a bang as you embark upon the Valley of Fire State Park. Less than ten miles from the Lost City Museum, this 46,000-acre state park will wow you with its mesmerizing red sandstone formations and 2,000-year-old petroglyphs. It is the perfect place to experience sunsets reflecting off the vibrant landscape. If you are able to stay awhile, this location offers some of the most dazzling night sky views and is a popular place for photographers to capture one of nature’s most wondrous displays. Hike trails, camp, observe and appreciate the natural beauty of Nevada at this state park, open seven days a week. Curious about what to expect at this NV state park? Check out the following video c/o YouTuber Kevin Eassa:
With so much to see and do in Nevada, it can feel overwhelming without a plan. Explore a mix of natural wonders and creative human endeavors Nevadans are proud to call their own. Experience so much of what the great state of Nevada has to offer, and you won’t be disappointed! Do you agree this is one of the most scenic drives in Nevada? Let us know in the comments!
