What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Nevada? Everybody loves Las Vegas, but there is much more to Nevada if you are an adventurous and outdoorsy traveler. Naturally blessed with mountains, deserts, rivers, and lakes, Nevada offers a lot of options for adrenaline junkies. While it’s hard to cover all of them in one post, here are top five outdoor experiences from our list.
Hike and Learn the Prehistory
Image by Eli Ditmore via Trover.com
There are many places all over the country to go for a good hike. But what if you could add a bit more to the experience? The Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area preserves some of the oldest known artworks created by early inhabitants of this continent. These 10,000-year-old rock paintings offer a glimpse of our ancestors’ lives along a short but delightful hike through desolated, rocky terrain.
Feel Like an Astronaut
The Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark is named for its striking resemblance to the surface of the moon. This is the best example of all the surreal landscapes that Nevada has in store for you. The result of some ancient volcanic eruptions, this area can surely make you feel like Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin as you walk around these lava fields.
Test Your Endurance with Camping, Biking, and Kayaking
With its numerous mountains, lakes, and streams, Nevada has enough options for some serious trekking and adventure sports. Both Lake Tahoe and Lake Mead offer opportunities for kayaking, parasailing, Jet Skiing, and much more. The mountains around Valley of Fire State Park also have some great hiking and biking trails where you can test your endurance levels and find inspiration to work harder on your body.
You can complete the outdoor experience by camping in one of these epic locations. The Sand Mountain Recreation Area is also highly recommended for camping because of its unique sand dunes.
Catch a Big Fish
How often do you get to catch a fish that is as big as you? In Nevada, you can fulfill some your wildest dreams. The Lahontan cutthroat trout can be longer than 1 meter and can weigh more than 18 kilograms. You can find it in most of the major rivers across Nevada, such as the Truckee, Humboldt, and Quinn rivers. While the adventure junkies tend to their boats, the fishing enthusiasts can always try to find a record-breaking trout.
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
If you’re looking for something unique, you can also opt for a cave tour. The Lehman Caves offer excellent guided tours into the interiors of the earth. The geology of the area is enough to overwhelm you, so note that you are not allowed to enter without a guide.
So, what else do you need to have a great time in Nevada? Once you are done with the adventures, you can always return to the lap of luxury. Check out this guide to Las Vegas landmarks for the top three things you can cover in one eventful evening.