5 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Nevada This Year
Nevada is a large playground full of natural wonders to explore throughout the year. The Valley of Fire State Park is the state's oldest park, with red sandstone formed roughly 150 million years ago. Lake Tahoe sits on the western edge of the state and draws visitors in every season. The Fly Geyser in the north is a mesmerizing stop preserved by the Burning Man Project. These wonders include one that is man-made, and all are worth the trip for a nature break that makes everlasting memories.
The Valley of Fire State Park
Deep in Moapa Valley lies the Valley of Fire State Park, the state's oldest park, with over 40,000 acres of red Aztec sandstone dating back more than 150 million years. Visitors can find petrified trees and petroglyphs dating back more than 2,000 years, along with hiking trails and designated picnic areas. One of the trails to explore is the Fire Wave, White Domes, and Seven Wonders Loop, a 3.2-mile loop showcasing striking desert scenery for every hiker. The best time to visit the Valley of Fire is between October and April, when temperatures are at their best.
Sand Mountain
Just east of Fallon is Sand Mountain, a two-mile-long and 600-foot dune that originated from Lake Lahontan, a prehistoric lake that dried up over 9,000 years ago. The 4,795-acre dunes are perfect for off-roading, riding on numerous trails, and going camping in designated areas. Visitors can also view the Sand Mountain Blue Butterflies, which call the region home. The butterflies are at high risk of extinction, and they depend on the Kearney buckwheat found in the area to survive. The best time to visit Sand Mountain is September and October, as the temperatures are warm but not burning hot.
Lake Tahoe
Although Lake Tahoe is mostly in California, the eastern part of the lake resides in Nevada and can be visited when traveling through Crystal Bay, Incline Village, and Zephyr Cove, to name a few lakeside towns with access to the lake. The lake is 25 minutes away from Carson City, and provides the most striking alpine scenery found in the state, with evergreen pine trees and crystal blue water for residents and tourists to enjoy. During the warmer months, people can play water sports, go swimming, and enjoy the lakeside beaches, like the Zephyr Cove Resort, which has a marina, while in the winter months, people can enjoy the ski resorts and view the lake from the mountains.
The best times to visit Lake Tahoe in the state are between September and November for comfortable weather, fewer crowds, and gorgeous fall colors, even though Lake Tahoe is an exciting place to visit year-round. June to August is also a great time to visit the lake for summer activities, and February to late March is ideal for winter activities like skiing and snowboarding.
Fly Geyser
About 127 miles north of Reno is Fly Geyser, a hidden treasure in the northern region of the state. The geyser is a man-made accident, as the main geyser was created accidentally by a geothermal power company in 1964. The site is renowned for its red and green colors caused by thermophilic algae and sits on Fly Ranch. The ranch was purchased by the Burning Man Project in 2016 and allows limited public access to the geyser via tours, as the land is being preserved as a nature sanctuary. Guided tours are offered on select Saturdays during the spring, summer, and fall. The best times to visit the geyser are between April and May and between September and October, as tours are available in the spring and fall, and these months offer warm, mild temperatures in the early mornings and late afternoons.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Just west of Las Vegas is the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, one of the state's first nature conservation areas, serving as a striking and unique break from the shining lights and casinos found in the city. There are nearly 200,000 acres of desert, pine forests, sandstone cliffs, and canyons to explore, attracting over 2,000,000 visitors each year. People can go hiking on trails, like the moderately challenging 2.2-mile-long Calico Tanks Trail or the intense 4.6-mile-long Turtlehead Peak Trail, as both trails showcase the rugged landscape.
Visitors can also go wildlife watching, birdwatching, view desert plants, and go camping in designated sites in the conservation area. The best months to visit Red Rock Canyon are April and May, when temperatures are in the high 60s and low 70s, or September and October, when temperatures are in the 70s and 80s.
Nevada's Symphony of Contrasts
Nevada's natural wonders can be described as a "symphony of contrasts" with towering mountains, sizzling dunes, and alluring lakes. Lake Tahoe is a remarkable place to visit year-round, thanks to its dramatically clear water and surrounding mountains. Red Rock Canyon and the Valley of Fire have numerous trails for hiking adventures, and expansive views of mountains and desert landscape to enjoy. Nevada is always full of natural adventures to partake in, and it serves as a magnificent break from exploring the cities.
