The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Nevada, United States

June 12, 2021 Velvet Mowry

Las Vegas is the place to go for the best nightlife, gambling, live shows and dining in the U.S.  But there's plenty to do in Nevada for all types of travelers. The state boasts more than 100 beautiful golf courses, and water lovers can relax on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Set your sights on the mountainous landscape, perfect for hiking, or tour the famous Hoover Dam. World class resorts with top of the line spas are located throughout the state's major cities and tourist locales.
Restaurants in Nevada

1. Valley of Fire State Park

29450 Valley of Fire Hwy, Overton, NV 89040 +1 702-397-2088 http://parks.nv.gov
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,507 reviews

Valley of Fire State Park

Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. 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. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays. The park is open all year.

Reviewed By Dubai-Mafia - London, United Kingdom

We went for a day trip and we are so glad we did, the drive up is amazing, so beautiful and the road is something i can only describe as "in a movie" You cannot appriciate mother nature until you visit the valley of fire. A truly amazing place!

2. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

Incline Village, NV 89452 +1 775-831-0494 http://parks.nv.gov/parks/marlette-hobart-backcountry
Excellent
83%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 228 reviews

Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

A number of areas for visitors along Lake Tahoe, with the most popular being Sand Harbor.

Reviewed By G2055DWpatriciah - Denver, United States

We planned the tour at the beginning of our trip so we would have an idea of where we might want to return. The tour was more fun and informative than we ever imagined. It was literally one of the best parts of our trip! Jim was an amazing guide.

3. Little Finland

New Gold Butte Road, Mesquite, NV http://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/nevada/gold-butte
Excellent
84%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

Little Finland

Reviewed By StevenP3559 - Pueblo, United States

This is a neat spot that experiences little in the way of visitors. There are access spots on both the east and west sides with the west my preference if you only have time for one. Little Finland is located 115 miles from Las Vegas and the round trip driving time is just over 5 hours.

4. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161 +1 702-515-5350 http://www.redrockcanyonlv.org/
Excellent
77%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 26,046 reviews

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Visitors can admire colorful rock formations on several hiking trails or on a 13-mile scenic drive.

Reviewed By JerriAL1 - Johnston, United States

Spent half a day in this park in January when we wanted to get out of Vegas and do some hiking and exploring. The park fee for a vehicle day pass is $15 and well worth the time spent here. It was just over 60 degrees so plenty comfortable for us northerners and we wore shorts with a long sleeve top, had on sunscreen and carried water on our hikes. There is a 13 mile one way scenic loop which you can drive through and see plenty just stopping at the overlooks. There are also many hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate to difficult with a variety of elevation rises and lengths that you can choose from to see petroglyphs, hidden falls, scenic views and nature’s beauty more close up. The guide which you can access online or pick up in paper form has a map and very good descriptions of all scenic views, overlooks and hiking trails. Be aware that if you plan to rely on your phone, service is not reliable throughout the park. I recommend arriving early to beat the crowds especially on weekends or when the weather is more inviting. There is a visitor and information building with bathrooms and some information on the park and animals and land but stop on your way in because with a one-way route you won’t have another opportunity. We spent about 4 hours in the park and hit a few of the highlights, stopped at the scenic overlooks and hiked 4 different trails. Check park hours as well because they vary with the seasons. We will be back to explore the area more but the time we spent gave us time to explore the park and hit the highlights.

5. Grapevine Canyon

Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Laughlin, NV +1 702-293-8906 http://www.nps.gov/lake/planyourvisit/hike.htm
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 207 reviews

Grapevine Canyon

Visitors come to this canyon in the Nevada desert to view its Indian petroglyphs, some of the first known to man. Truly an amazing site, many of the etchings go 40 to 50 feet below the sand level and are hundreds of years old. A few of the more common ones have been translated but the rest remain a mystery.

Reviewed By F6659JNlarrys - Fulton, United States

On our way back to Vegas after spending the night in Laughlin we decided to make a stop at Christmas Tree Pass and check out Grapevine Canyon, we're so glad we did, just incredible! Words and pictures can't truly do justice to the beauty of this area. 1st of all it's about 2 miles back off the main road following a dirt road so it's a bit slow going but not an issue if you have an SUV or a pickup. Once you get back to the parking area it's a short hike back into the canyon and it's well worth it to see the Petroglyphs and all. We had never seen anything like this before and glad we stopped by to see, just amazing! It's not a far drive from the strip so if you're in Vegas and want to try something new check this out, just incredible!

6. Colorado River

Excellent
66%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 198 reviews

Colorado River

The Colorado River supplies water to seven U.S. States including Mexico, and offers recreational activities such as whitewater rafting, fishing and biking along its banks.

Reviewed By J4874APcraigb - Gardena, United States

Great scenery!!! Cost is $12. They take you from the Riverside Casino to the dam back down the river past Harrahs back to the Riverside. Ride lasts almost an hour.

7. Lake Mohave

Laughlin, NV 89046 +1 702-293-8990 http://www.nps.gov/lake/naturescience/overview-of-lake-mohave.htm
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 165 reviews

Lake Mohave

Located between the Hoover and Davis Dams, the lake's 237 miles of shoreline, plus the area's usually sunny weather, provide ample opportunity for boating, swimming, scuba diving, fishing or just relaxing on the beach.

Reviewed By treehead2 - Laughlin, United States

Where else can you kayak under the full moon and be serenaded by wild burros and coyotes. Only in the Mohave Desert within the Lake Mead National Rec area of Lake Mohave. I kayak regularly from Davis Dam, Katherines Landing, Telephone Cove, Princess Cove, Cabinsite Cove, Carp Cove, Pot Cove, Cottonwood Cove, Willow Beach and the list goes on. Always a beautiful paddle. I often swim under the newly re-established beach at Katherines where they have Dive-in movies in the summer. Check out their schedule. Lake Mohave even has accommodations for boaters with disabilities. Yes, there are restroom on the lake that have ADA accessibility. Always be cautious of the wind. I check NOAA before going out and pay attention to the flag warnings at Katherines. Sometimes the flags are not quickly handled at other coves. When kayaking be cautious of the boaters and wave runners that do not abide by no wake zones and staying there distance. Please pack it in, pack it out. I seem to have a never ending job of trying to clean up others trash each time we are out.

8. Pyramid Lake

+1 775-476-1155 http://pyramidlake.us/
Excellent
54%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 67 reviews

Pyramid Lake

Lake with changeable weather and beautiful foliage.

Reviewed By 613martinef - Anacortes, United States

First you go and get your tribal pass for day use. For seniors it was 10 dollars. Then we drove around the lake and looked at all the great tuffus, the fishermen on their ladders which was a kick to see. Went until the pavement stopped turned around and went the other way. In Nixon is the Visitors Center. A must see. Explains the area you are looking out. The history and very nicely layed out. Then went out to Marble Bluff Dam. Had our picnic lunch there. Nice picnic tables and a small area to look out at the Truckee river. Then talked to the Fish and Game about the operation there. Was great.

9. Sand Harbor

Highway 28 Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park, Incline Village, NV 89452 +1 775-831-0494 http://parks.nv.gov/parks/sand-harbor/
Excellent
81%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 757 reviews

Sand Harbor

Rocky coves and boulders to jump off of are the primary features of this beach.

Reviewed By RevfromCA - Sacramento, United States

This is a beautiful state park well worth the $10 entrance fee along the east shoreline of Lake Tahoe. You can use the entrance fee the same day to visit Cave Rock state park as well which is closer to South Lake Tahoe. The walking paths along the shore of Sand Harbor are very nice and the scenery is excellent. Check out the visitors center as well.

10. Nevada Beach

Elks Point Road 1/2 mile West of Highway 50, NV 89449
Excellent
71%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 72 reviews

Nevada Beach

Wide sandy beach, which offers escape from the bustle of other beaches.

Reviewed By VacationsRWanderful

This is a family and dog friendly beach. It’s near the campground and at the end of an easy 1 mile walk through Rabe Meadows. Parking is $10 per car, with limited space. If you choose to park in the lot, get there early.

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