Beyond the glittering lights of the Las Vegas strip are natural wonders just waiting to be discovered—from America’s hottest, lowest point in the vast Mesquite-Mojave Desert to elusive underground cave systems and desert skies packed with stars, these national park system sites in Nevada have it all.
When you think about traveling to Nevada, you might first conjure images of glitz and glamour, casinos and gambling, not to mention booze, but the Silver State glitters with more than just gold. Nevada is home to several national parks, monuments, and federally preserved areas—including places like Great Basin National Park, Death Valley National Park, Lake Mead, Tule Springs, and segments of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail.
Here to guide you through them is Jerry
, the car insurance comparison super app. Whether you’re looking to stargaze in some of the darkest areas in the country or hike among the red rocks of canyons and ancient stands of bristlecone pines, Nevada’s natural places have something to offer every visitor. 
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Great Basin National Park
Location: 5 miles outside of Baker
, NV Hours of operation: Daily, year-round, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (with extended hours in summer)
Admission price: No entrance fee
What makes Great Basin National Park special
From the impressive 13,000-foot summit of Wheeler Peak
to the steep walls of Lexington Canyon
, Great Basin National Park is home to more than 77,000 acres of sprawling desert and timeless forests of bristlecone pines—and endless opportunities to experience Nevadan natural wonders. Wheeler Peak: Hike this massive mountainside following a trail that climbs up 3,000 feet, or drive into the clouds
along Wheeler Peak’s scenic driving route to experience the wild and ruggedly breathtaking biodiversity of the Great Basin region. Lexington Arch: This natural limestone arch—speculated to be a former passage in a cave system—towers above the floor of the Lexington Canyon and makes for a stunning day-hike destination.
Stella and Teresa Lake: There are six subalpine lakes in Great Basin National Park, the most impressive of which lie close to Wheeler Peak and can be appreciated on an easy, two-mile hiking loop.
What to do in Great Basin National Park
You may picture desert scenes and barren terrain when picturing the eastern Nevada landscape, but Great Basin National Park is a lot more than it seems upon the surface:
Hiking: Extensive hiking trails
wind through the Great Basin region. From beginner loops to longer hikes for the more experienced outdoorsman, you’re bound to find a hike that’s your speed. Note that pets are not allowed on trails except for the Lexington Arch trail. Rock climbing: Avid rock-climbers will find several rock climbing routes
amidst the rugged mountains and rocky bluffs. Stargazing: With its dark desert skies, Great Basin is a perfect place to admire astronomical wonders—try scoping out a spot at Mather’s Overlook
or the nearby Baker Archeological Site
. Better yet, plan your visit to coincide with the Great Basin Astronomy Festival
. Explore the Lehman Caves: Tucked beneath the dry hills and valleys is a sprawling cave system filled with glittering stalagmites—and you can book a tour
for as little as $8. Camping: Set up camp at one of the five campgrounds
around the park or on nearby public land
!
When to visit Great Basin National Park
The best time to visit Great Basin National Park depends on what you’re looking to experience when you’re there:
Summer sees the park’s longest hours, with daily operation from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm. It’s also the time that sees the most visitors—but if you’re looking to experience warm, dry, and clear conditions for stargazing, you’ll want to plan a visit for June, July, or August.
Winters in Great Basin are packed with skiing and snowshoeing, although temperatures can drop to a surprising -3 degrees Fahrenheit in the park’s coldest months. For comfortable outdoor camping conditions and moderate temperatures, you can’t beat visiting in fall or spring.
Be mindful that the park is closed on major holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Death Valley National Park
Location: Along Route 374, outside of Beatty, Nevada
Hours of operation: Daily, 24-hours year-round
Admission price: $15 per individual, $30 per vehicle
What makes Death Valley National Park special
Hot, dry, and low—these are the adjectives used to describe Death Valley National Park, the lowest point of elevation in the U.S. with the national record for hottest recorded temperature (134 degrees Fahrenheit, to be exact). Believe it or not, this deadly valley is teeming with life and natural beauty—from stunning stargazing views to colorful canyons and the ever-scenic Sierra Nevadas.
Badwater Basin: Amidst the salt flats at the base of the Sierra Nevada mountain range lies Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the continental U.S., over 200 feet below sea level.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Traverse the sand dunes of the Mesquite-Mojave Desert, as beautiful as they are big. Thrill-seekers should bring their sand sled with them!
What to do in Death Valley National Park
No matter what activities you partake in during your visit, be sure you come prepared with lots of water—at least 2 liters to a gallon per day—and maybe a snack or two!
Hiking: With more than 20 trails
of varying difficulties, you can hike through canyons, valleys, and salt flats to experience the stunning and unique desert landscape on foot. Camping: You can camp year-round in Death Valley, but be sure to make a reservation
before you get there! Stargazing: As the third certified Dark Sky Park in the U.S., you can bet Death Valley’s stargazing views are unbelievable. Find a spot in the park or set up camp at a private stargazing site
. There’s even a Dark Sky Festival!
Mountain biking: With over 785 miles of roads suitable for biking or mountain biking
, cyclists of all speeds can find a path through the expansive desert wilderness. Junior Ranger Program: If you’re visiting with kids in tow, the Junior Ranger
program is a fun way to help them explore the park! Be sure to pick up your activities book at the Furnace Creek Visitor’s Center.
When to visit Death Valley National Park
Extreme summer temperatures make the months of June, July, and August difficult to endure for locals and tourists alike. If you’re looking to stay active on the park’s many trails, the best times to visit are between November and March. Temperatures during these months range from the high 40s at night to the mid-70s and low-80s during the day.
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Location: 20 minutes outside of Las Vegas, NV
Hours of operation: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm (April-September); 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (October-March)
Admission price: $6 per vehicle
What makes Tule Springs Fossil Beds special
Not far from the long-time tourist trap of Las Vegas is a newer, lesser-known site that outdoor enthusiasts won’t want to miss: the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument. The park is unique for its prehistoric landscape and the fossils uncovered within, including mammoths and lions.
Aliante Loop temporary trail: While Tule Springs is relatively new, its established Aliante Loop offers picturesque views of the Mojave Desert and Las Vegas Range.
The “Superquarry”: This archaeological site has yielded over 500 vertebrate fossils, from prehistoric behemoths like mammoths and American lions to bison, horses, and other big vertebrates.
What to do in Tule Springs Fossil Beds
Tule Springs was designated as a national monument less than a decade ago and is still new to recreational development—but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things to do! Be sure to pack food and water, as Tule Springs lacks a visitor’s center.
Hiking and exploring: Aside from the temporary Aliante Loop, no official hiking trails have been established at Tule Springs–but visitors are more than welcome to hike and wander amidst its established 22,000 acres with few limitations.
Photography: With stunning hills and bluffs, desert landscapes, and natural, historic charm, Tule Springs is a beautiful backdrop for photoshoots or artists looking to bolster their landscape photography portfolio.
When to visit Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
One of the best times to explore Tule Springs are in early spring and summer—during this time of the season, the Mojave Desert’s wildflowers are in bloom. You can experience them for yourself when walking the Aliante Loop.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Location: Boulder City, NV
Hours of operation: Daily, 24-hours year-round
Admission price: $15 per individual; $25 per vehicle
What makes Lake Mead special
Along the Colorado River, you’ll find the wide, crystal-blue waters of Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the nation. This nationally-protected recreation area is also home to Lake Mohave—between the two, there’s no shortage of water-based recreational fun to be had.
Black Canyon: From Lake Mead, visitors can kayak or canoe their way through the stunning Black Canyon, with walls of dark rock to one side and expansive desert views to the other.
Overton Arm: Visitors can relax, sightsee, and birdwatch along this coastal beach area, where you can also find a ranger’s station, fish-cleaning station, and public boat launch access.
What to do in Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Hiking: There are plenty of trails
winding around Lake Mead and Lake Mohave shores for hikers to explore—you can even venture off the beaten path on foot or by vehicle in the backcountry
! Camping: With numerous picnicking sites and lakeside grills, Lake Mead is the perfect family camping destination! You can reserve a spot at one of the area’s six campsites for $20 or less.
Swimming, fishing, and boating: From peaceful fishing trips in Lake Mead to watersports in Lake Mohave, visitors can enjoy virtually any type of water-based recreation, from kayaking and paddle-boarding to rafting, fishing, and swimming.
Scenic drives: Three scenic routes meander along the recreational area—and driving along them is the perfect way to experience the desert landscape of southern Nevada.
When to visit Lake Mead
As one of Nevada’s most popular destinations, Lake Mead sees visitors year-round—but if you’re looking for less humidity and reasonable temperatures, you should plan your visit for the fall. The months of October and November typically see dryer, cooler weather, with daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the high 80s.
Pro Tip True crime lovers will find an unexpected thrill at Lake Mead—rumored to be an infamous dumping site for Las Vegas mobs.
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Location: Red Rock Canyon Recreation Area, NV
Hours of operation: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
What makes the Old Spanish National Historic Trail special
One of the oldest migration trails in the United States, Old Spanish National Historic Trail
spans six states and 2,700 miles—and parts of it run right through southern Nevada. The trail—predominantly traversed by pack mules in the mid-1800s—was used by emigrants, explorers, traders, and settlers to transport valuables and expand the West. What to do on Old Spanish National Historic Trail
While the trailhead starts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and runs all the way up to Los Angeles, parts of the Old Spanish skirt Las Vegas.
Hiking and trail running: Enjoy a leisure stroll or test your endurance on a six-mile stretch of trail in the Red Rock Canyon Recreation Area.
Mountain biking: Cyclists and mountain bikers are welcome to explore Old Spanish on wheels!
When to visit Old Spanish National Historic Trail
The best times to enjoy the trails are in the fall and winter months, particularly September to May.
MORE: Nevada road closures
How to prepare to visit Nevada’s national parks
Before you head out to explore Nevada’s breathtaking national parks, monuments, and recreational areas, start your journey off on the right foot by following these simple tips:
Consider obtaining an America the Beautiful nationwide pass
if you intend on visiting more than one park—or if you want to visit the same park multiple times! If you’re taking your car along for the journey or planning to do any scenic drives, double-check that you’re up-to-date on your car’s maintenance and that your vehicle meets the clearance requirements of the park, monument, or recreation area.
Update your car insurance before any major road trip or journey.
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