Between Las Vegas, Reno, and Elko, there’s enough light, noise, and, well, people, to make your head hurt. But throughout Nevada, there are also places so naturally lovely, you wonder why anyone would step into a casino to begin with.
Here are five of our favourite natural landscapes in Nevada, ranging from spectacular sandstone canyons to jaw-dropping limestone caves, to breathtaking – and sacred – natural lakes.
Sand Mountain
You can count on one hand the number of ‘singing dunes’ in the world, where if you create enough friction of the surface layer at the top, a striking, humming boom will echo around you. And maybe none of these dunes is as impressive as Nevada’s Sand Mountain, right off the Loneliest Road in America, U.S. Route 50 (with Fallon being the closest sign of civilisation).
At nearly 5,000 acres in total and 600 feet of vertical elevation, Sand Mountain is striking against the rest of the desert terrain and the Stillwater Mountains surrounding it. What’s also eye-catching, during the day, are the ATV, motorcycle, and dune buggies rolling along the dunes.
Hiking trails – with a range of difficulties – camping spots, a Pony Express historical site Sand Springs Station (U.S. National Park Service) … there’s no shortage of things to see and do here. There’s also no water available at these natural landscapes in Nevada so plan accordingly.
Lehman Caves
Nevada is the seventh-largest state by total area, but very few people know about its natural wonders including national monuments, wild refuges, and parks (it’s home to two parks if you count the little triangle of Death Valley National Park that juts out at the California border).
If you have just one day to visit, it’s the Lehman Caves that deserve your attention. Although used by Native Americans for centuries before, the caves were first discovered by European settlers in the 1880s. The limestone caves are beautiful, eerie, and not for the claustrophobic (you’ll have to crouch and shimmy your way through parts during the guided tour).
Early visitors tore chunks off the walls to keep as souvenirs of these stunning natural landscapes in Nevada, and there are signatures here and there from early explorers (that’ll get you arrested nowadays).
Today, tour groups are highly regulated and intimate, kept at 20 people maximum, and involve walking on narrow, wet paths offering an intimate, up-close look at the cave’s unique geological features. For the truly brave, apply for a wild caving permit to explore off the beaten path.
Pyramid Lake
Naturally occurring lakes in a desert environment are hard to come by, and Pyramid Lake gets top honours for Nevada. The lake is a sacred remnant of prehistoric Lake Lahontan; the Northern Paiute name is Kooyooe Panunadu or Kooyooe Pa’a Panunadu.
The English name of this most beguiling of natural landscapes in Nevada came from explorer John C. Fremont, who noted the namesake pyramid-shaped limestone formations called tufas along the eastern shoreline.
What’s not apparent at first glance is just how peaceful Pyramid Lake is to the eyes and ears. Come with respect, keep the volume down, and enjoy a day of peaceful nature and no-bait fishing. A tribal permit is required to fish, swim, boat, jet ski, or camp and can be purchased online.
Cathedral Gorge State Park
Whichever direction you’re headed, the intersection of the U.S. Route 93 and little-traveled State Route 319 is home to one of the state’s top hidden treasures and most striking of natural landscapes in Nevada. First-time visitors to Cathedral Gorge State Park always wonder the same things: How did it get like this? How did I not know about this place? And where is everyone?
Millions of years of steady erosion have turned the clay hills into dramatic, jaw-dropping, cathedral-like structures. Between the spires are natural hiking trails that are wonderful to get lost in. In 1924, Governor James Scrugham set aside the area for preservation; be sure to follow Practice Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly principles.
With plenty of water available, and only the sparsely populated town of Panaca nearby, Cathedral Gorge is a prime camping and stargazing spot. That seemingly few people know of the place makes it that much more desirable.
Red Rock Canyon
If you’re already in Vegas and need a break from the cacophony, you need not go far: Red Rock Canyon is but 20 minutes west. Imperious, fire-colored Aztec sandstone peaks and limestone cliffs tower over 26 hiking routes ranging from flat walks to strenuous peak ascents, including the spectacular Calico Hills.
Nevada’s first National Conservation Area, there are nearly 200,000 acres of Mojave Desert beauty here, with picnic spots, horseback riding, rock climbing, camping, and nature photography. The 13-mile scenic drive through Red Rock has become so popular that you need a timed entry permit during peak visitor months.
How much time do you have? Try tackling the A-Z challenge for the Canyon: see how many plants and animals you can spot – don’t feel bad when you get hung up on ‘tortoise’ as they’re exceedingly rare in the wild. Red Rock Canyon is gorgeous. It’s safe. It’s easy to traverse. And there’s not a slot machine for miles.
Escape the neon and embrace the wild: Natural landscapes in Nevada
While the bright lights of Nevada’s cities are world-famous, the state’s true character is often found in its silent, sweeping landscapes. From the subterranean mysteries of Lehman Caves to the prehistoric shores of Pyramid Lake, these sites offer a profound sense of scale and history that no casino floor can match.
Whether you are seeking the adrenaline of a dune buggy at Sand Mountain or the quiet solitude of a Cathedral Gorge sunset, Nevada’s natural wonders provide a necessary breath of fresh air.
So, the next time you find yourself in the Silver State, remember to look beyond the skyline; some of the most memorable experiences and the most beautiful natural landscapes in Nevada are waiting just a few miles down the loneliest roads.
