Close-up of a Beautiful Large Cactus – Fire Wave Valley of Fire State Park Nevada
7 Places In Nevada You’ve Got to Visit for Amazing Views
Nevada is famed for its casinos and nightlife, but really, there’s a lot more to the Silver State than slot machines and parties. Truth be told, it’s actually the rest of the state that will take your breath away, especially if you’re into nature and dazzling views.
There are so many places to visit in Nevada that it can be a bit overwhelming to plan an itinerary. If you’re currently plotting a trip to the Silver State and want to check out as many stunning views as possible, here’s the ultimate list of the 7 destinations you absolutely have to see during your visit.
Be sure to check out other amazing areas to explore by reading our article on Things to do in Nevada.
Valley of Fire State Park
Located 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, this state park is filled mostly with red rock formations made from Aztec sandstone.
During the daytime, the effect the sunlight has on these rocks makes them look as though they’re on fire, making the park’s name pretty darn accurate!
Don’t miss out on checking out the Fire Wave, a white-and-red zebra print sandstone that’s extremely photogenic. Pink Canyon (or Pastel Canyon) is another site worth checking out. Both are easy to access by taking short, relatively easy hiking trails.
Speaking of hiking, Valley of Fire is the perfect place to get a taste of what hiking in the desert is all about, with relatively easy and short trails available for beginners. White Domes Hike, Beehives and Rainbow Vista are awesome hikes to get started with, all of which guarantee picture-perfect views!
Learn more about Valley of Fire State Park
Great Basin National Park
A bristlecone pine grows out of the rock on Wheeler Peak high above the Nevada desert, Great Basin National Park, Nevada, USA
Great Basin National Park is known for its abundant wildlife, ancient bristlecone pine trees, alluring lakes, and unique limestone caves spread all over the park.
Great Basin is all about extremes. Its rugged mountain peaks contrast sharply with the underground caverns below. Although the park seems a bit desolate at first glance, it supports a wide variety of plant and animal life, including the Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (fun fact: Did you know that Bristlecone Pines can survive for 4,000 years or more even under the harshest conditions?)
With a menu filled with varied trails, hiking is an absolute treat here. Choose from difficult trails that will take you up to mountain peaks or opt for an adventure down into a mysterious cave! Two hikes that you can’t miss out on are the Glacier Trail and the Summit Trail, both of which provide the clearest views of The Lehman Rock Glacier.
Great Basin is considered one of the darkest spots in the US thanks to low humidity and scarce light pollution, making it a fantastic spot for stargazing. If you visit during September, don’t miss out on attending the Annual Great Basin Astronomy Festival which takes place in the heart of the park! Click here to read our tips on Stargazing in the Southwest.
Learn more about Great Basin National Park
Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark
For out-of-this-world vistas, Lunar Crater National Natural Park is definitely a side trip that is worth making. While there are no actual meteor craters in the park, there are numerous holes in the ground that look exactly like those you’d expect to find on the moon!
Located 75 miles east of Tonopah, the Lunar Crater Volcanic area covers a vast 100 square miles full of cinder cones, lava flows, ash hills, and two spectacular deep “craters”.
Sand Mountain Recreation Area
If you don’t exactly mind an off-road adventure, Sand Mountain is definitely a must-visit for you!
Set just outside of Fallon on the Loneliest Road in America, this gigantic mountain made up entirely of sand sits in the middle of a Nevada desert landscape, creating a landscape you’d only expect to find on an entirely different planet.
If visual delight wasn’t enough, Sand Mountain will also delight your ears. This enormous mountain also happens to be one of the few singing sand dunes in the world!
While at Sound Mountain Recreational Area, keep your eyes open for Sand Mountain blue butterflies, an endangered species that can only be found here.
Lake Tahoe
Backdropped by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lake Tahoe is a stunning lake that sits right on the border of California and Nevada. The entire Lake is home to breathtaking views and beaches with sand so soft you could easily confuse them for an island somewhere in the Caribbean if it weren’t for the sights of snow-capped mountains towering over them.
During the summer months, the lake itself takes center stage with boating, swimming, and other water activities on offer. Come wintertime, the attention shifts to the mountain ranges, where skiing on one of the 14 ski resorts available is the main activity!
Click here to read out article on the best Beaches in Nevada.
Hoover Dam
Formerly known as Boulder Dam, Hoover Dam is a dam built in Black Canyon over the Colorado River right on the border between Arizona and Nevada. While a dam may not sound as much, something that makes this dam truly unique is the fact that it’s the highest concrete arch dam in the entire United States.
Hoover Dam was built during the Great Depression, and today, it continues to serve as a water reservoir and electricity generator. What’s best? It’s one of the best spots to catch a glimpse of the nearby Lake Mead and Colorado river!
Learn more about the Hoover Dam
Red Rock Canyon
Joshua tree in Red Rock Canyon park, Nevada.
Set just a mere 15 miles from Las Vegas, Red Rock Canyon is a must if striking desert views are your jam.
Despite its closeness to Sin City, Red Rock Canyon still remains a bit of a hidden gem in Nevada, making a visit here a must if you’re into solitude and quiet trails!
Red Rock Canyon is famed for the red rock faces dotting the entire area and the unique formations of red rock emerging from the desert terrain. A day spent here is a surreal experience that will have you feeling as though you’re walking on Mars!
Red Rock is a great place for hiking, with a lot of trails running through the entire area, all of which provide incredible vistas you won’t find anywhere else in the world. If hiking in the heat isn’t exactly your jam, you can also catch some great sights from the 13-mile Scenic Drive that goes around the rounded peaks and red rock formations. Among the most beautiful overlooks on the drive are High Point Overlook, Calico Hills, and Red Rock Overlook.
BONUS – Locals like to hike Lone Mountain in the northwest area of Las Vegas for amazing sunrise and sunset views over the valley. [Good to watch fireworks too.]
Learn more about Red Rock Canyon
Have you ever visited Nevada? What are some of your favorite destinations for amazing views? Let us know all about them in the comment section below!