Whether you’re an avid outdoor enthusiast or simply enjoy stunning landscape views, Nevada offers its residents some of the best recreational opportunities and gorgeous scenery in every season. The climate is ideal for nature lovers to enjoy nearby parks and green spaces year-round without unbearable heat or bitter cold. From hiking to cross-country skiing, Nevada offers fun activities for every member of the family to enjoy.
As you’re planning for your next move to The Silver State, it’s a good idea to search for a home near your favorite parks and recreation. After all, there’s nothing more special than stepping outside the front door of your dream home to be greeted by a beautiful autumn scene or sparkling winterscape.
To help you get started finding the perfect place to put down roots, here are the top 10 state parks in Nevada:
1. Valley of Fire State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Located 54 miles from Henderson, Valley of Fire State Park is a true natural gem wrapped in historic knowledge and beauty. Its over 40,000 acres of brilliant red Aztec Sandstone outcrops transition seamlessly into gray and tan limestone mountains. It contains historical artifacts, including petrified trees and 2,000-year-old petroglyphs. Visitors come to the park to enjoy tent and RV camping, hiking, and picnicking. You can also gain an educational insight into the ancient land and its ecology, geology, prehistory, and history by visiting the onsite Visitor Center.
2. Cave Rock State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Nestled along the southeastern shore of Lake Tahoe and only 52 miles from Reno, Cave Rock State Park sits atop the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountain range. It provides access to the sparkling waters of the largest alpine lake in North America. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling, as well as kayaking and canoeing from the small beach at the south end. The boat launch with a double ramp is an excellent bonus for anglers and those looking to enjoy a peaceful day floating into the sunset.
3. Cathedral Gorge State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Just 165 miles from Las Vegas, Cathedral Gorge State Park is a sightseer and photographer’s dream. The park is nestled inside a long, narrow valley featuring fascinating patterns carved by years of erosion in the soft bentonite clay. The park’s unique origins began with an explosive volcanic activity that added layers of ash that are hundreds of feet wide. Visitors enjoy exploring the walking trails that wind through the cave-like formations and cathedral-like spires formed tens of millions of years ago. The scenic canyon is also perfect for day hiking, picnicking, and camping.
4. Van Sickle Bi-State State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Located 60 miles from Reno and only a brief walk from the Stateline NV casinos, Van Sickle Bi-State State Park is known for its grand views and stunning scenery. It’s also one of the most accessible parks in the Tahoe Basin with easy to moderate trails that have earned high acclaim from the nation’s top adventure magazines. The park forests are primarily made up of various species of pine and fir trees, which create a significant amount of shade for picnicking and day activities. Mountain biking and hiking are very popular through the park’s trails, which allow access to the Tahoe backcountry.
5. Kershaw-Ryan State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Located in a colorful canyon about 153 miles from Las Vegas, Kershaw-Ryan State Park is a bright spot in the desert. Natural springs feed the thriving garden oasis and allow fruit trees, willows, wild grapevines, and even a spring-fed pond to sprout up among the dry, arid surrounding landscape. Wildlife flock to this lush pad to create a dynamic ecosystem that nature lovers come from all over the world to experience. Winding trails and picnicking areas dot the park’s unique terrain, making it the perfect place for hiking and camping with the whole family.
6. Spring Valley State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Approximately 197 miles from Las Vegas in Pioche, Spring Valley State Park is very popular for boating, swimming, and camping. Visitors may also tour ranches established in the 1800s to embrace a historical view. Anglers enjoy the opportunity to catch rainbow, tiger, and German brown trout in the 59-acre Eagle Valley Reservoir. Beautiful shorebirds live along the water’s edge and make for excellent wildlife watching. Make a short-day trip full of hiking complete with lunch in one of the eight picnic sites or extend the trip for an overnight campout under the stars.
7. Floyd Lamb State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
The Floyd Lamb State Park is 680 acres of lush green spaces and abundant wildlife located in Las Vegas. Visitors enjoy panoramic views of the Sheep and Spring Mountain Ranges. The park is widely visited by locals and travelers simply stopping for a bit of outdoor respite. Mountain biking is popular along the trails, as is horseback riding. Reservable picnic areas are perfect for a lunch stop or outdoor gathering. Fishing ponds offer more opportunities for family fun on a weekend or day trip as well. There’s a little something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
8. Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Located 41 miles from Reno, Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park is known for its wide variety of recreational opportunities and outdoor activities. The park is composed of multiple areas for visitors to enjoy. The most popular is Sand Harbor, which offers sandy beaches and a boat launch. Memorial Point Overlook and Hidden Beach offer more secluded access to the lake’s beautiful shores. Spooner Lake, on the other hand, offers abundant hiking and biking opportunities, as well as cross-country skiing and catch-and-release fishing. The park also offers access to the backcountry between Lake Tahoe and Carson City, including miles upon miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian use.
9. Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Just 24 miles from Las Vegas and adjacent to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park is both historical and enjoyable for all ages. The area has been used as a working ranch and luxury retreat owned by many famous and lavishly wealthy owners throughout history. Today, it holds some of the state’s oldest buildings as well as an 1860s blacksmith shop, the Sandstone Cabin, and a ranch house.
Visitors can explore these sites and many popular hiking trails. Charming tree-covered picnicking areas are located throughout the park, making it a pleasant place for a day trip. The Super Summer Theatre provides a fantastic lineup in the summer of outdoor showings for the entire family to share a wonderful evening under the stars.
10. Cave Lake State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Located 257 miles from Las Vegas in Ely, NV, Cave Lake State Park offers incredible year-round recreation. In the warmer months, visitors can fish for rainbow trout and German brown trout in the 32-acre reservoir. Swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and mountain biking are popular summer activities. In frosty winter conditions (December through February), these favorite activities are replaced by ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and skating.
Great Basin National Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Visitors per year: 120,247
Approximately 141 miles from Cedar City, Great Basin National Park offers a unique variety of outdoor opportunities for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Views of the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak are majestic year-round, while the abundant biodiversity offers a glimpse into nature’s true wonder. Visitors enjoy hiking along colorful autumn trails lined with ancient bristlecone pines, soaking in the dark starry skies, and exploring the incredible Lehman Caves. Each season brings its own special comfort to walkers, campers, and wildlife watchers. Stop by the visitor center or explore online to discover the best way to enjoy the park based on the current season.
Lake Mead National Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Visitors per year: 8,016,509
Located in Boulder City, NV is America’s first and largest national recreation area, Lake Mead National Park. Visitors enjoy swimming, boating, hiking, camping, cycling, and fishing year-round across 1.5 million acres. The breathtaking terrain includes canyons, mountains, valleys, and two expansive lakes. More than 750 miles of shoreline are perfect for a weekend beach getaway or hours spent hidden away in a quiet cove. Aside from visiting the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave, visitors can connect with nature in one of the park’s nine wilderness areas.
The Silver State
Interested in moving to Nevada? Learn more about life in The Silver State by checking out some of our other articles, including the most affordable places to live, the safest cities, and how to build a house in Nevada. And when you’re ready to choose your new dream home, you can find new listings every day at NewHomeSource.
All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from the closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, google ratings, and the number of google reviews.
Melanie Theriault is a writer, counselor, and lifelong learner. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Southwestern University, where she discovered her passion for fostering human connection through storytelling.
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