Discover Nevada’s Most Beautiful Hidden Road Trips
When most people think of Nevada, they picture the bright lights of Las Vegas. But beyond the casinos lies one of the most scenic states in the American West.
Nevada is home to towering mountain ranges, crystal-clear alpine lakes, colorful deserts, ghost towns, ancient forests, and some of the darkest night skies in the country. While many travelers stick to Interstate 80 or Highway 50, some of the state’s most spectacular scenery is found along quiet backroads and scenic byways that few visitors ever explore.
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Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, a Nevada road trip, or simply looking for a beautiful drive with unforgettable viewpoints, these underrated scenic drives deserve a spot on your travel bucket list.
Great Basin Highway
Distance: Approximately 510 miles
U.S. Highway 93, also known as the Great Basin Highway, is one of Nevada’s most scenic north-south road trips. Stretching through wide-open valleys, rugged mountain ranges, historic mining towns, and high-desert landscapes, it offers a side of Nevada many travelers never experience.
The highlight of the drive is undoubtedly Great Basin National Park, home to Wheeler Peak, ancient bristlecone pine forests, alpine lakes, and some of the darkest skies in North America. Lehman Caves are a big attraction, so be sure to check them out. Wildlife sightings are common, and stargazing here is among the best in the country thanks to the park’s International Dark Sky designation.
Best time to visit: May through September
Read More: Amazing Stargazing in Nevada: Where to Find the Darkest Skies
Lake Tahoe East Shore Drive
Distance: 30 miles
Often called one of America’s most beautiful drives, the Lake Tahoe East Shore Drive follows State Route 28 between South Lake Tahoe and Incline Village, hugging Nevada’s shoreline of the country’s largest alpine lake.
Crystal-clear turquoise water, towering granite peaks, sandy coves, and panoramic overlooks make every mile feel postcard worthy. Several pullouts allow you to stop for photos, while nearby beaches and short walking trails provide opportunities to stretch your legs.
Unlike the full Lake Tahoe Loop, this drive focuses entirely on Nevada’s spectacular eastern shoreline. Highlights include Memorial Point Overlook, Secret Cove and Bonsai Rock.
Best time to visit: Beautiful year-round
Pro Tip: Take digital binoculars to get great views of scenery from overlooks. We use this pair of binoculars because they have 8X zoom and take great pictures.
Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway
Distance: 12 miles
Hidden within the Ruby Mountains, Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is often called the “Yosemite of Nevada.”
The road climbs into a glacier-carved canyon surrounded by jagged granite peaks, waterfalls, alpine lakes, colorful wildflowers, and towering aspens. Scenic pullouts make it easy to enjoy the incredible views without long hikes.
A self-guided driving tour highlights the area’s fascinating geology and wildlife while picnic areas invite visitors to slow down and enjoy the peaceful mountain scenery.
Best time to visit: May through October
Big Smoky Valley Scenic Drive
Distance: 100 miles
If you’ve ever wanted to experience Nevada’s endless Basin and Range landscape, this is the drive.
State Route 376 stretches between the Toiyabe and Toquima mountain ranges, offering sweeping desert valleys framed by rugged peaks in every direction. Traffic is light, making this an ideal drive for travelers seeking solitude and wide-open scenery.
The byway then passes the foothills of the San Antonio Mountains before descending into desert and the town of Tonopah. Side roads lead into Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest for additional exploration.
Best time to visit: Spring and early summer
Pro Tip: A dash cam will record your entire trip which helps capture many things you miss while driving.
Pyramid Lake National Scenic Byway
Distance: 40 miles
Located on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation north of Reno, this scenic byway circles one of the largest natural desert lakes in North America.
Depending on the light, Pyramid Lake shifts between brilliant turquoise, emerald green, and deep sapphire blue. Wildlife, dramatic desert mountains, Anaho island, and the iconic Pyramid Rock create unforgettable scenery along the drive.
Visitors should purchase the required tribal permit before stopping along the shoreline. This is sacred land to the Paiute. Please obey all their rules and follow Leave No Trace Principles.
Best time to visit: Late Spring through early fall
Learn More: Preserve the Wild: A Simple Guide to Leave No Trace for Every Outdoor Adventure
Hamilton Ghost Town Scenic Drive
Distance: 10 miles (one way)
Looking for a scenic drive with a dose of Wild West history?
The drive to Hamilton Ghost Town climbs through the White Pine Range, passing mountain meadows, creeks, forests, and panoramic views before reaching one of Nevada’s forgotten mining towns.
Once home to thousands during Nevada’s silver boom, Hamilton is now a fascinating collection of historic ruins and antique mining equipment.
Best time to visit: Late May through September
Read More: Surviving and Thriving on Nevada’s Loneliest Road: A Complete Guide to U.S. Highway 50
Christmas Tree Pass Scenic Drive
Distance: 12 miles
Just outside Laughlin, Christmas Tree Pass climbs through the Newberry Mountains, offering a surprising mix of desert scenery and high-elevation juniper forests.
One of the highlights is nearby Grapevine Canyon, home to hundreds of ancient Native American petroglyphs that are only a short walk from the parking area. The road itself is gravel and is generally in good condition.Â
Best time to visit: Fall through spring
Mount Rose Scenic Byway
Distance: 25 miles
Connecting Reno with Lake Tahoe, the Mount Rose Scenic Byway climbs nearly 4,000 feet through the Sierra Nevada.
Numerous scenic overlooks provide incredible views of Washoe Valley, Washoe Lake, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding mountain peaks. During autumn, brilliant fall colors transform the drive into one of northern Nevada’s most beautiful routes.
Best time to visit: Year-round (check winter road conditions)
Clover Valley Scenic Drive
Distance: 30 miles round trip
Unlike much of Nevada’s rugged desert, Clover Valley offers lush green fields surrounded by snow-capped mountain ranges.
The peaceful drive winds through ranch country beneath the towering Humboldt Mountains, creating one of the state’s most unexpected landscapes. Spring wildflowers and snow-covered peaks make this drive especially photogenic.
Best time to visit: May and June
Daggett Pass (Kingsbury Grade)
Distance: 11 miles
Kingsbury Grade climbs from Carson Valley into Lake Tahoe, delivering breathtaking views around nearly every switchback. The hairpin turns will keep you on your toes!
Pullouts overlook the Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe Basin, Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. It’s a short drive but one packed with unforgettable scenery that can turn into hours of exploration.
Best time to visit: Spring and fall
Mount Charleston Scenic Byway
Located less than an hour from Las Vegas, Mount Charleston feels like entering another world. The road climbs from the Mojave Desert into cool alpine forests filled with ponderosa pines, white firs, and ancient bristlecone pines.
Along the way, visitors enjoy mountain overlooks, picnic areas, hiking trails, and opportunities to spot wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Reconnect to nature as you gently cruise up to a peak elevation of 9,370ft. on a scenic chair lift ride.
During summer, it’s the perfect escape from the Las Vegas heat. Winter brings skiing, yes, we do have skiing near Las Vegas.
Best time to visit: Spring, summer, and winter for snow activities
Success Loop Scenic Drive
Distance: 58 miles round trip from Ely
One of eastern Nevada’s best-kept secrets, Success Loop travels through beautiful valleys, mountain forests, and colorful meadows before climbing over Success Summit.
The drive also passes Cave Lake State Park and offers plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife, photograph fall foliage or simply enjoy Nevada’s peaceful backcountry. Part of this drive is gravel so be sure to check the weather before you leave.
Best time to visit: June for wildflowers and September through October for fall colors.
Tips for Driving Nevada’s Scenic Byways
Nevada’s scenic roads often travel through remote country, so a little planning goes a long way.
-Fill your gas tank before leaving larger towns.
-Download offline maps since cell service can be limited. Paper maps are great backups.
-Carry plenty of drinking water and snacks.
-Check weather and road conditions before traveling, especially in the mountains.
-Allow extra time, you’ll want to stop often for photos.
Final Thoughts
Nevada’s scenic drives prove there’s much more to the Silver State than casinos and neon lights. From the crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe and the towering peaks of the Ruby Mountains to remote ghost towns, alpine forests, desert valleys, and breathtaking mountain passes, these scenic roads reveal some of the state’s most unforgettable landscapes.
Whether you’re planning a cross-state road trip or simply looking for a peaceful afternoon drive, these lesser-known Nevada scenic byways offer incredible views, fascinating history, and plenty of hidden gems along the way. Slow down, pull over often, and discover why some of Nevada’s most beautiful places are found far beyond the interstate.
We love sharing tips and information we learn along the way to help you plan your next vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have lots of fun and make many memories.
Read Next: How to Preserve Travel Memories: Creative Ways to Capture Your Adventures