Las Vegas is probably the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of Nevada. After all, Las Vegas is the one place in Nevada that is often featured on TV, in the movies, and even in books and comics. Las Vegas is a city of lights in the middle of the desert, drawing millions of tourists every year for the attractions it holds.
Of course, no matter how popular a destination Las Vegas is, there is more to Nevada than this city. You can say that Nevada is a land of contrasts. We have, on one hand, the densely populated Las Vegas metropolis against the largely unoccupied desert that makes up the state. And though Nevada is largely a desert, with most of its territory located in the Great Basin and its southern portion considered to be part of the Mojave Desert, to the west you will find Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the North American continent. Additionally, the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains from which the state got its name towers from the west.
Nevada is more than the city of leisure that is Las Vegas. The land is wild and untamed outside the city's boundaries, and exploring that wilderness is definitely worth your while.
Top Nevada Attractions
Throughout Nevada
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest - Covering 6.3 million acres, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest is the largest national forest in the US excluding Alaska. It is a popular spot for hiking and fishing, as well as for winter sports.
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Campgrounds.
Reno, Tahoe Region
- Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center - Presents programs about the night sky, stars and our solar system with free telescope viewing weather permitting once a month. Exhibits focus on astronomy and earth sciences. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Reno campgrounds and RV Parks.
- Genoa - Founded as a trading post and wagon-supply station in 1851 it two main historic buildings are Genoa Courthouse Museum which contains Native American artifacts and exhibits on the Pony Express and the old courthouse, jail cells and a blacksmiths shop and the Mormon State Historic State Monument, a reconstructed log-cabin trading post which exhibits on it's and local history.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Genoa.
- Lake Tahoe - One of the largest lakes in the world, Lake Tahoe is known for majestic panoramas created by the lake's clear waters and the mountains surrounding it. The lake draws in people who want to escape the desert heat of Nevada.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Lake Tahoe.
- National Automobile Museum - Displays more than 200 antique, vintage, classic and special interest cars. Many cars on display were in movies or owned by celebrities. Allow 1.5 hours minimum.
Reno campgrounds and RV Parks.
- Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex - A birdwatchers paradise, it is made up of three wildlife refuges; Stillwater, Fallon and Anaho Island. It attracts more than a quarter million waterfowl, as well as over 20,000 other water birds, including American White Pelicans, Double-Crested Cormorants, White-Faced Ibis, and several species of Egrets, Herons, Gulls, and Terns.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Central Nevada
- Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park - This has two main attractions; 1) Berlin, a turn-of-the-century mining town, is preserved in a state of arrested decay. A trail through the town site tells the story of Berlin and its mine. 2) Remains of Ichthyosaurs, ancient giant marine reptiles are on display at the park's Fossil House. They swam in a warm ocean covering central Nevada 225 million years ago. Allow 1.5 hours minimum.
Stay at the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park or at nearby Toiyabe National Forest Columbine Campground.
- Eureka - This is one's the best preserved mining towns in Nevada. It's buildings include an old newspaper office (now a museum), an 1880's opera house, and all fully restored courthouse that is in use today.
Eureka Campgrounds and RV Parks.
Eastern Nevada
Las Vegas Region
- Hoover Dam - Hoover Dam is an engineering marvel of the 20th century. It stands 726 ft high and took four years to build and required 5,000 workers on the job around the clock. Hoover Dam supplies power to portions of California, Nevada and Arizona. Take a guided tour to truly appreciate this modern wonder. Allow 1 hour minimum.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Hoover Dam.
- Fremont Street Experience - The Fremont Street Experience is a canopy covering five blocks of Fremont Street in Las Vegas. This canopy serves as an "urban theater" that displays live concerts and light-and-sound shows. There is also a pedestrian mall underneath the canopy.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Fremont Street.
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area - Lake Mead NRA contains Lake Mead and Lake Mojave, a sought-out spot for boaters and anglers. Portions of the Great Basin Desert, the Mojave Desert, and the Sonora Desert also meet at Lake Mead NRA, offering visitors a chance to observe desert wildlife not seen anywhere else. Look out for bighorn sheep, mule deer, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, lizards and snakes.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
- Springs Preserve - The Preserve is built around Las Vegas Springs, the original water source for Las Vegas. It features botanical gardens, nature trails, photography exhibits, galleries, and an indoor theater.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Springs Preserve.
- Las Vegas Strip - The Strip is where you will find the biggest hotels and casinos in the whole world. Even if you're not a gambler, you can enjoy the entertainment and the shopping experience you will get here. You can also admire the buildings for their marvelous architecture.
Campgrounds and RV Parks near Las Vegas Strip
- Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Known for the red sandstone formations scattered about the area, Red Rock Canyon NCA attracts about a million visitors every year. The NCA is popular among bikers and hikers, as well as people who wish to observe wildlife in the Mojave Desert.
Stay at BLM Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area Campground or at a campground nearby.
- Valley of Fire State Park - Shaped by wind and rain it seems otherworldly. Full of stone formations, pikes, spires, pillars and ridges this red sandstone desert gets its name from the slanting angle of the sun in the morning and evening when it touches the sandstone setting it ablaze. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography.
You can stay at the Valley of Fire State Park Campground or at a campground nearby.
Nevada Must See Events
January
March
April
May
June
- Reno Rodeo, Reno - Considered to be the "wildest, richest rodeo in the West," Reno Rodeo is a ten-day event attracting thousands of rodeo enthusiasts and is televised across the country.
Reno campgrounds and RV Parks.
July
August
August / September
- Burning Man, Black Rock Desert - The Burning Man is an unusual festival where the audience is also the performer. If you attend the Burning Man, be prepared to participate and express yourself, not just to sit and watch. You stay at the event in your RV or tent.
September
- Reno Air Races, Reno - The National Championship Air Races is the last pylon racing event in the world. 5 days of races with six classes of aircraft from old biplanes to WWII fighters to jets racing around the unique course, anywhere from 50 to 500 feet above the ground flying wing-tip to wing-tip at speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour, it is truly an event not to be missed.
Reno campgrounds and RV Parks.
- The Great Reno Balloon Race, Reno - The largest free hot air balloon event in the US, the Great Reno Balloon Race attracts thousands of people who want to witness this colorful spectacle.
Reno campgrounds and RV Parks.
Nevada Campgrounds and RV Parks
Nevada National Park Campgrounds
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