Nevada Outdoor Adventures

Nevada Outdoor Adventures

With its expansive deserts, jagged mountain ranges, alpine lakes, and remote backcountry, Nevada is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. From technical climbs and backcountry camping to ATV trails and dark-sky stargazing, the state offers rugged adventure and scenic solitude in equal measure.

Hiking & Backpacking

Nevada’s trails range from quick scenic overlooks to multi-day wilderness treks.

• Mount Charleston (Spring Mountains): Just 35 miles from Las Vegas, this alpine area offers miles of trails through high-elevation forests. The hike to Charleston Peak (11,916 ft) is a strenuous full-day trek with incredible views.

• Ruby Mountains (northeastern Nevada): Known as the “Swiss Alps of Nevada,” this remote range offers stunning alpine scenery and multi-day backpacking routes like the Ruby Crest Trail.

• Cathedral Gorge State Park: A unique slot canyon network with short hiking loops, ideal for exploration and photography.

Rock Climbing & Bouldering

Nevada is home to some of the best climbing routes in the American Southwest.

• Red Rock Canyon (near Las Vegas): Internationally known for its sandstone climbing routes, from beginner-friendly sport climbs to multi-pitch trad challenges.

• Lamoille Canyon (Ruby Mountains): Offers alpine granite climbs with fewer crowds and stunning backdrops.

• Bouldering in Bishop, CA: Just over the state line from western Nevada, this area is popular with Nevada-based climbers looking for world-class problems in winter months.

Off-Roading & ATV Trails

With more than 48 million acres of public land, Nevada is a top destination for motorized recreation.

• Sand Mountain Recreation Area: Near Fallon, this giant dune system is a favorite for dune buggies, dirt bikes, and UTVs.

• Elko and Ely regions: These areas offer hundreds of miles of dirt roads and ATV trails through old mining routes, sagebrush plains, and pine-covered slopes.

• Logandale Trails (near Valley of Fire): Scenic desert trails open to OHVs, with rock formations and wide-open views.

Boating, Paddling & Fishing

Nevada may be known for its deserts, but it has lakes, rivers, and reservoirs that offer great water-based adventures.

• Lake Mead: Popular for boating, jet skiing, and kayaking in coves and canyons along the Colorado River.

• Pyramid Lake: A sacred lake of the Paiute Tribe, known for fly fishing and dramatic tufa formations.

• Walker River, Ruby Lake & Wildhorse Reservoir: Offer cold-water fishing and peaceful paddling in more remote corners of the state.

Stargazing & Dark Sky Adventures

Nevada has some of the darkest skies in the continental U.S., perfect for stargazing and astrophotography.

• Great Basin National Park: Hosts ranger-led astronomy programs, including telescope viewing and star parties.

• Massacre Rim (Dark Sky Sanctuary): One of only a few official Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world, located in far northwestern Nevada.

• Tonopah Stargazing Park: Recognized as one of the best stargazing spots in the country, with high elevation and low light pollution.

Winter Adventures

While many associate Nevada with heat, parts of the state get significant snowfall.

• Lee Canyon (near Las Vegas): Offers skiing and snowboarding just an hour from the Strip.

• Diamond Peak & Mt. Rose (Lake Tahoe): Offer ski terrain with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe and lower prices than California resorts.

• Backcountry Skiing in the Rubies: Remote, ungroomed slopes for expert skiers looking for solitude and powder.

See Also

• Nevada State & National Parks
• Nevada Hot Springs & Wellness