What to do and see in Nevada, United States: The Best Scenic Drives

April 21, 2022 Yuk Petri

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. U.S. Route 50

http://roadtripusa.com/the-loneliest-road
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
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5.0 based on 18 reviews

U.S. Route 50

U.S. highway that crosses through Nevada and is called "The Loneliest Highway."

Reviewed By DesertedDave - New Mexico, United States

I've been on US50 from where it splits off from 6 at Ely, NV to Pueblo, CO, east & west...best part's between Montrose and Salida, CO...winding through the Rockies, along the Gunnison River...God Amighty, what a road.

2. Lamoille Canyon

Lamoille, NV +1 775-331-6444 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/htnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=75383&actid=42
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 82 reviews

Lamoille Canyon

Sometimes referred to as Nevada's Yosimite, the canyon is filled with beautiful rock formations.

Reviewed By 68kevanj - Norman, United States

Wow! What a surprisingly beautiful and peaceful place! I've driven across Nevada dozens of times...this time, I wanted to see something different. So I found this on the internet and took the scenic drive on our way to California. Most people drive straight down from Elko on nice roads...this is the short way. We wanted an adventure, so we took the grand tour going south from Wells on 93, through Clover Valley on 232, and then across the northern part of Ruby Valley on 229. Just west of the pass, we turned south on a dirt road towards Lamoille. The road was descent, and we had quite the adventure. We just had a normal SUV, and this route was no problem. After arriving in Lamoille, we drove up the road into the canyon, stopping periodically to enjoy the beauty and peace. Also, lots of waterfalls from the melting snow. Reminded us of Glacier National Park. In my opinion, the most awesome drive in Nevada! Super peaceful, super clear,super beautiful.

3. Hwy-158

Las Vegas, NV
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
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0%
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Hwy-158

4. Extraterrestrial Highway

Nevada 375, Rachel, NV http://www.amusingplanet.com/2015/03/the-extraterrestrial-highway-nevada.html
Excellent
54%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
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4.5 based on 275 reviews

Extraterrestrial Highway

Aliens are given their own highway in Rachel, Nevada, one of the most "visited" UFO sites in the country.

Reviewed By Z6788GAmikeg - Anaheim, United States

A great day trip from Las Vegas, and lots to explore. Now that Rachel has an open gas station and general store made the trip much more enjoyable to explore around the Area 51 Base and nearby petrographs.

5. Northshore Drive

Las Vegas, NV
Excellent
40%
Good
60%
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4.5 based on 5 reviews

Northshore Drive

Reviewed By Bobby31225 - Fort Mohave, United States

I drove along the west side of Lake Mead for 5 days while camping at two different campgrounds. Really a pretty drive. Lots to see and look at. Worth doing!!

6. Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway

Lee Canyon Road State Routes 156,158, 157, Mount Charleston, NV
Excellent
68%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
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1%
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4.5 based on 145 reviews

Mt. Charleston Scenic Byway

Reviewed By G9758TKdonnac - Coral Springs, United States

A worthwhile day trip if you're visiting Las Vegas. Stunning views of the beautiful mountains along the winding roads that effortlessly take up up to an elevation of about 8400 feet. There are plenty of places along the scenic byway to pull over for a photo op. You may see some wildlife too! We saw a couple of wild horses while we were there. There are many hiking trails. Be sure to stop by the visitor center because signage is really lacking and we had to stop to chat with a kind police officer who gave us directions. So serene and quiet and the scenery is breathtaking! Definitely recommend!

7. U.S. Route 50 in Nevada

Linclon Highway, NV http://www.route50.com/nevada.htm
Excellent
50%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
25%
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

U.S. Route 50 in Nevada

8. Loneliest Highway in America (Hwy. 50)

NV +1 888-359-9449 [email protected] http://ponyexpressnevada.com/loneliest-road/
Excellent
61%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
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4.5 based on 99 reviews

Loneliest Highway in America (Hwy. 50)

Travelers of the Loneliest Road are well rewarded by the almost surrealistic intensity of the wild western landscape. Deep blue skies and jagged stone tower above the bone white desert floor. The hypnotic rhythm of telephone poles march single file, a solemn procession beside the road.The Loneliest Road in America, Highway 50 is really one of the most beautiful and interesting drives you’ll ever take.

Reviewed By robertc14 - Gulf Shores, United States

I have done several cross country trips and this trip would be about high desert and volcanoes. I started in Seattle and made my way to Reno. I bought a book about Nevada geology and have been reading it. I saw Crater Lake and passed through the Lava Beds Monument the day before, taking the Volcanic Legacy Route. I spent the night in Fernely, Nevada and started US 50 the next morning with no expectations. I knew it would be desolate and just leave me alone to my stereo and thoughts. The high desert, while barren is beautiful at the same time, especially at certain times of the day when the light plays off of the features of the desert. I passed through small towns like Baker and Ely, where I had lunch. I stopped at Great Basin NP and spent a few hours. I got gas once in Nevada and again in Utah. I took 50 all the way to Colorado except for a short stint on I70 near Grand Junction. My route through Colorado on US50 took me past Great Sand Dunes NP and The Black Canyon Of The Gunnison NP and onto Capulin Volcano NM in New Mexico. The geology is very interesting particularly in Nevada and Utah and makes you realize how small we are and just how grand our natural environment is. This route is more about solitude and reflection than it is knockout attractions though there are many. If you like natural attractions and don't need to be entertained I did see a surprising amount of wildlife as well, pronghorn, antelope, deer, rabbits, one snake, and a desert fox. I highly recommend this drive alongside routes like the Beartooth Highway or Wildlife Loop or the White Mountains Route.

9. Mather Overlook

Great Basin National Park, NV +1 775-234-7331 http://www.nps.gov/grba/index.htm
Excellent
60%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
20%
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4.5 based on 10 reviews

Mather Overlook

10. Success Loop

Ely, NV 89301
Excellent
25%
Good
75%
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Success Loop

Reviewed By richardlewis115 - Corona, United States

We drove a few miles on the Success Loop with our Subaru Crosstrek AWD vehicle. We really needed a map on this so I would encourage you to get the BLM map before you go try this run. There was some fine white dust on the road that I'm still trying to clean from my car. Be sure to turn off to the right to check out Cave Lake just before the paving ends.

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