Nevada Road Trips for Every Type of Traveler
Ghost towns? Check. Funky outdoor art? Check. Best stargazing in the Lower 48? Check x7,000 (the number of stars visible in Tonopah at night). In fact, there’s so much space to be here – more than 60 million acres of public lands, to be exact – that it’s hard to know where to start planning your summer trip.
In a place as wide-open and wild at heart as Nevada, there’s room for all kinds of wanderers, ponderers, and “what’s over yonder?”-ers. Good news: we’ve got a trip or three with your name on it.
Culture + History Buffs
What made Nevada’s mining boomtowns bust? Are the Seven Magic Mountains actually mountains? And just what is Burning Man all about, anyway? You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers (and a whole lot of larger-than-life landmarks that are perfect photo ops).
Cowboy Corridor
- Basque culture and buckaroo history await in wild Winnemucca
- Fill up on Western folk heritage and cowboy poetry in funky Elko
- Gawk at wild hawks then visit Wendover’s historic airfield
Burner Byway
- Visit the Black Rock Desert playa, home of Burning Man
- Explore colorful Reno: “The Biggest Little City in the World”
- Learn about the rare Lahontan cutthroat trout at Pyramid Lake
- Hunt down stars, Nevada gems, and views of pronghorn antelope
Free-Range Art Highway
- Brighten your day at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas
- Snap colorful selfies at Seven Magic Mountains and Goldwell Open Air Museum
- Wander through a car forest and the odd but charming Clown Motel
- Explore public art and refuel at lively taverns and eateries in Reno
Outdoor Adventurers
This dynamic road trip duo gets you up close and personal with Nevada’s most breathtaking natural landmarks, parks, and desertscapes.
Death Valley Rally
- Head to Spring Mountain Ranch and Red Rock Canyon for hiking, biking, and climbing
- Quench your thirst in Pahrump’s sprawling selection of wineries, breweries, and taverns
- Drink in the beauty of the formidable Death Valley National Park near Beatty
- Explore historic Rhyolite ghost town and keep your eyes peeled for burros
Rubies Route
- Roam the Ruby Mountains, hike to new heights, and fish to your heart’s content
- Paddle through Ruby Lake or get your 4WD fix on Harrison Pass’s dirt roads
- Chart your own course in the Jarbidge Wilderness, then fuel up in Sagebrush Saloons
Family Fun-Seekers
Accessible outdoor activities at Tahoe, proximity to shopping and attractions in Reno, and endless things to do across the state make these trips perfect for travelers with furry friends and tiny travelers.
Great Basin Highway
- Spot Big Horn Sheep, sandstone monuments, and indigenous inscriptions in Valley of Fire
- Conquer switchbacks or roll along at your own pace in Barnes Canyon
- Choose from one of six awesome Nevada state parks near Pioche (or visit them all)
- Explore public art, historic landmarks, and railroad remnants in Ely
Lake Tahoe Loop
- Eat, drink, and explore in Reno, where there’s always something happening
- Dip your toes in Lake Tahoe, the largest freshwater lake in the Lower 48
- Soak up Wild West history (literally) in Genoa’s saloons and hot springs
- Get acquainted with tribal culture at Stewart Indian School in Carson City
- Tour silver mines and possibly encounter ghosts in Virginia City
Neon To Nature
- Hike and bike Red Rock Canyon, then rest and recover in historic Goodsprings
- Check out geological formations and fossils at Valley of Fire
- Tour the Hoover Dam or even paddle the Colorado River near Boulder City
Offbeat Explorers
Aliens, ghosts, and dinosaurs–oh my! You never know who – or what – you’ll run into on these offbeat road trips.
Extraterrestrial Highway
- Check out otherworldly petroglyphs and rock formations at the Mt. Irish Wilderness Area
- Visit the Alien Research Center and pick up some spacey souvenirs
- Follow astronauts’ footsteps at the Lunar Crater
- Conquer your spectral fears and stay overnight (if you dare) at the Mizpah Hotel
Loneliest Road in America
- Meet Nevada’s larger-than-life state fossil at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
- Soak in Spencer Hot Springs – and keep an eye out for wild burros
- Hunt for rubies, funky public art, rails, and trails in Ely
- Go stargazing in Great Basin National Park
Pick an itinerary, grab your keys, and hit the road for uncommon experiences you’ll only find where Wild West history meets breathtaking natural beauty. Find more adventures on Nevada’s open roads and get a little out there at TravelNevada.com.
