When most people think of Nevada, they picture Las Vegas casinos, Reno nightlife, or the Laughlin Riverwalk. But there’s a whole other side to the Silver State that often gets overlooked, its wide-open landscapes, historic sites, and outdoor adventures tucked into remote corners of the state.

Nevada is home to 17 state parks, 6 state recreation areas, and 5 historic sites, plus millions of acres of rugged public lands. If you’re craving hidden gems far away from the crowds, this Northeastern Nevada loop road trip will take you to some of the best off-the-beaten-path state parks, national forests, and even a national park. If you plan to visit a few parks in a year, an annual State Park Pass may be worth it in the long run.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Leg 1: Elko Area

Wildhorse State Recreation Area – Elko (about an hour north)

Remote and peaceful, Wildhorse State Recreation Area is a high-desert oasis perfect for year-round adventures. In summer, visitors flock here for fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. In winter, the lake freezes over since it is 6,200 feet in the mountains, making it a hotspot for ice fishing, skating, and snowmobiling.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5 NV residents, $10 non-residents

South Fork State Recreation Area – Spring Creek (15 minutes from Elko)

A trip to Elko and the Ruby Mountains wouldn’t be the same without a stop-off at South Fork Recreation Area. Located at the base of the Ruby Mountains the scenery can’t be beat and there is more wildlife than you would ever imagine. Outdoor adventure abounds here with hunting, camping, hiking, swimming in summer. If you love the cold and snowy winter scenes, you’ll love to ski or ice fish here.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5 NV residents, $10 non-residents

Lamoille Canyon & The Ruby Mountains – Lamoille (30 minutes from Elko)

Nicknamed the “Yosemite of Nevada,” Lamoille Canyon offers jaw-dropping views on a 12-mile scenic byway. Open seasonally, usually May through October, this drive leads to fishing holes, picnic spots, and trailheads into the Ruby Mountains.

Hours: Always open

Fees: Free

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest -Elko

The largest national forest in the lower 48 states stretches across Nevada and eastern California. Near Elko, you’ll find miles of trails for hiking, camping, and photography.

Hours: Always open

Fees: Free

Leg 2: Ely Area (2 hours 45 minutes from Elko)

Cave Lake State Park – Ely (15 minutes from town)

At 7,300 feet, Cave Lake State Park is a favorite for fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking in summer. Winter transforms it into a snowy playground with ice skating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5 NV residents, $10 non-residents

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park – Ely (30 minutes from town)

Home to six beehive-shaped stone ovens built in the 1870s, Ward Charcoal Ovens combines history with outdoor adventure. The ovens were once used to process silver ore and now stand as striking remnants of Nevada’s mining era. Visitors also enjoy hiking, camping, and fishing.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5 NV residents, $10 non-residents

Great Basin National Park – Baker (1 hour from Ely)

One of the most underrated national parks in the U.S., Great Basin is home to Lehman Caves, bristlecone pines (some of the oldest trees in the world), and Wheeler Peak. Summer brings incredible hiking and stargazing, while winter means snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Hours: Always open (some areas seasonal)

Fees: Free to enter; cave tours $8–$40

Leg 3: Gabbs Area (3.5 hours from Ely)

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park – Gabbs (20 minutes from town)

A rare mix of history and paleontology, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park preserves both an early 20th-century mining ghost town, with many of the original buildings still standing and the world’s largest concentration of ichthyosaur fossils, prehistoric marine reptiles that swam here 225 million years ago.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5 NV residents, $10 non-residents

Sand Mountain Recreation Area – Gabbs (30 minutes from town)

For a totally different Nevada landscape, Sand Mountain is a two-mile-long, 600-foot-tall sand dune popular with OHV riders, campers, and photographers. Don’t miss the nearby Pony Express Station ruins for a taste of history.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $40 per vehicle for a 1–7-day pass (free on Tuesdays & Wednesdays)

Final Thoughts

Northern Nevada is a road tripper’s dream; quiet highways, small towns, and state parks that feel like hidden treasures. Whether you’re camping under starry skies, exploring ghost towns, or discovering fossil beds, this loop shows off a side of Nevada few travelers ever see.

Pick up a Nevada State Parks Passport Booklet. If you get it stamped at 15 different parks, you’ll earn a free annual park pass, the perfect excuse to come back for even more adventures. If you need help planning a road trip, whether in Nevada, or another destination you want to travel, check out roadtrippers.com. They’ll not only give you the best routes, but places to stay and dine. If you use code BTR5QTP, you’ll save $5.

We love to share information and tips we learn to help you make more informed decisions when planning your vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have fun and make lots of memories!

The post Nevada State Parks Road Trip: Exploring the Northeastern Side appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

Nevada is packed with outdoor adventures, history, and jaw-dropping scenery. The state boasts 17 state parks, 6 state recreation areas, and 5 historic sites, plus miles of rugged desert beauty and alpine escapes. The best part? With a Nevada State Parks Pass, you can explore them all with ease.

If you’re visiting Reno, Lake Tahoe, or Carson City, you’ll find eleven parks within about an hour’s drive. Whether you’re into hiking, history, boating, or just soaking in the views, these parks deserve a spot on your Nevada bucket list.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Washoe Lake State Park – Carson City

4855 Eastlake Blvd. Carson City, NV – about 45 minutes to Reno

Nestled in a scenic valley where bald eagles soar, Washoe Lake State Park offers breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada, Carson and Virginia mountain ranges. A popular area for hiking, camping, picnicking, water sports and equestrian activities along with fishing and bird watching.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5.00 ( $10 for Non-NV Vehicles )

Walker River State Recreation Area – Yerington

211 East Walker Road Yerington, NV – About an hour and 15 minutes to Reno

One of Nevada’s newest parks, the Walker River State Recreation Area, was created through a land donation from the Walker Basin Conservancy. Spread across five distinct park units, it blends historic ranches with wildlife habitats. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, OHV exploring, and fishing. The Visitor Center also shares the area’s rich history.

Hours: Vary by location

Fees: $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Morman Station State Historic Park- Genoa

2295 Main Street Genoa, NV – about an hour to Reno

The site of Nevada’s first permanent, non-native settlement, Mormon Station was built in 1851 as a trading post along the Carson Route of the California Trail. Located in Genoa- Nevada’s oldest town- this replica of the original fort provides insight into history and the museum adds more with pioneer artifacts from original settlers. All of this with the eastern Sierra Nevada as your backdrop.

 Hours: Park is always open, Museum is seasonal (see website)

Fees: Park is Free, Museum is $1.00

Fort Churchill State Historic Park & Buckland Station – Silver Springs

10000 Hwy 95A Silver Springs, NV – about 45 minutes from Reno

Fort Churchill was built in 1860 to provide protection for early settlers and westbound emigrants and guard the Pony Express and telegraph lines. Today the ruins are preserved in a state of decay within Fort Churchill State Historic Park, and visitors can walk trails to observe the ruins. The park also includes the renovated Buckland Station, an important way station in the 1800s for pioneer travelers on the Overland Route. Situated along the Carson River, the park is an idyllic place for camping, hiking, bird watching and canoeing.

Hours: Always Open, Buckland Station Museum: Sat. & Sun.: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Fees: $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles), Buckland Station Museum: $1.00

Dayton State Park – Dayton

825 US Hwy 50 East Dayton, NV – about 45 minutes from Reno

At the foot of the Virginia Range, on the banks of the Carson River, Dayton State Park is rich in picturesque beauty as well as gold and silver mining history. The park features the remains of the Rock Point Mill built in 1861, a remnant of Dayton’s mining glory days. Besides visiting the mill, the park offers hiking, camping and fishing.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Van Sickle Bi-State Park – South Lake Tahoe

30 Lake Pkwy South Lake Tahoe, NV – about an hour from Reno

 Van Sickle is one the most accessible parks in the Tahoe Basin. A short climb from the trailhead quickly transports visitors to the serenity of the forest. The park’s easy to moderate trails are studded with rock outcroppings that present grand views of the largest alpine lake in North America and the surrounding peaks.

Hours: Open to pedestrians year-round, sunrise to sunset. Open to vehicles May 1 – October 31, sunrise to sunset.

Fees: Free

Cave Rock State Park – Lake Tahoe

Hwy 50 Lake Tahoe, NV – about 35 miles from Reno

Cave Rock is a great place to put in a boat and explore the beautiful blue waters of the largest alpine lake in North America. The boat launch offers a double ramp and the park has more than 40 spaces for trailer parking. A small beach at the south end of the park provides a perfect place for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling, as well as a good spot to launch a canoe or kayak. A steep shoreline and rocky shoals make this a great location for fishing and enjoying the majestic beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Hours: Park: Sunrise to Sunset. Boat launch: Seasonal

Fees: $10.00 ($15.00 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Sand Harbor State Park – Incline Village

2005 Highway 28 Incline Village, NV – about 50 minutes from Reno

On its eastern shores of Lake Tahoe this park has gently sloping beaches, crystal-clear water and interesting rock formations allow for wonderfully sublime swimming, kayaking and scuba diving. Boaters, water-skiers and fisherman can easily launch from one of the park’s two ramps. If you don’t want to get water, there is plenty of hiking and opportunities for great pictures.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 1 hour after sunset. Boat Ramp: 6 AM – 4 PM

Fees: $10.00 ($15.00 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Spooner Lake & Backcountry State Park – Incline Village

P.O. Box 6116 Incline Village, NV – about 50 minutes from Reno

Nestled in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Spooner Backcountry is a widespread recreational and natural oasis, with a lake surrounded by aspens and more than 12,000 acres of forested, open space. The park features 50 miles of hiking, equestrian and mountain biking trails and primitive roads.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Fees: $10.00 ($15.00 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Lahontan State Recreation Area – Fallon

16799 Lahontan Dam Road Fallon, NV – about an hour from Reno

Lahontan Reservoir offers 69 miles of shoreline and is one of most popular places in Nevada to boat, fish, water-ski, horseback ride, camp and enjoy the outdoors year-round. Canoeing from Fort Churchill to the lake makes for a great day trip when weather allows. You’ll see wild horses, bald eagles and lots of wildlife here.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Rye Patch State Recreation Area -Lovelock

2505 Rye Patch Reservoir Rd. Lovelock, NV – about an hour and 20 minutes

Rye Patch State Recreation Area is situated on a 22-mile-long reservoir that has 72 miles of shoreline. Visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, swimming and water-skiing, and fishing.

Hours: Always open

Fees: $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Final Thoughts

If you’re exploring Northern Nevada, these state parks and historic sites near Reno and Lake Tahoe are a must. With a Nevada State Parks Annual Pass, you can save money while experiencing the full range of outdoor fun, from alpine lakes to historic forts and desert canyons.

*Pro Tip: Pick up the Nevada State Parks Passport Booklet at any park. Get stamps at 15 different parks, and you’ll earn a free annual pass for the following year.

Whether you’re camping under the stars, paddling crystal-clear Tahoe waters, or stepping back into frontier history, Nevada’s parks are the perfect way to experience the Silver State’s wild beauty. We love to share information and tips that we learn along the way to help you plan your next vacation. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, have fun and make lots of memories. Don’t forget your camera!

The post Top State Parks Near Reno You Need to Visit appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

While most know about Lake Mead and Lake Tahoe, those are just the beginning. Let’s dive into the top places in Nevada where you can cool off, cast a line, or launch a kayak, all surrounded by stunning scenery.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

 The Two Most Popular Parks with Water

 Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Spanning 1.5 million acres across Nevada and Arizona, this is the largest reservoir in the U.S., formed by the mighty Hoover Dam. Visitors can explore Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, both offering spectacular boating, fishing, swimming, and lakeside camping. These lakes are often highlighted as top freshwater lakes for scuba diving. The lakes offer a range of depths and submerged sites for both novice and technical divers.  It’s a desert playground with over 750 miles of shoreline. Entrance: $15–$25 or valid with the America the Beautiful pass.

Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park

The largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe is a cobalt blue lake (locally known as “Big Blue”) atop the Sierra Nevada Mountain range On the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, Sand Harbor is the jewel of the Sierra. Known for its crystal-clear water, smooth granite boulders, and panoramic views, it’s perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Because Lake Tahoe is the deepest lake in both California and Nevada, its deepest point is 1,645 feet, you can also go scuba diving at Sand Harbor and explore Tahoe’s cobalt depths. Boaters, water-skiers and fisherman can easily launch from one of the park’s two ramps. When the crowds pack Sand Harbor, especially in July and August, you can find respite at nearby Memorial Point Scenic Overlook, where an easy half-mile trail takes you to a beach so secluded that its actually called Hidden Beach. While there are no parking lots here, it’s free to enter and worth the short walk. Hours to the park: 8 AM to 1 hour after sunset. Boat Ramp: 6AM- 8PM Entrance Fees $10.00 ($15.00 for Non-NV Vehicles) Cash Only.

 More Parks Where Water Takes Center Stage

Big Bend of the Colorado Recreation Area

Situated on the shores of the Colorado River at Nevada’s southern tip, Big Bend of the Colorado River includes about two miles of sandy shoreline. Because the park is downstream from Davis Dam, the river is clear and cool year-round. Popular activities are camping, picnicking, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and bird watching. The nearby town of Laughlin offers the amenities of a Nevada gaming town and lots of other water activities such as jet skiing and river boat tours. Hours for Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area vary by season. November through February, the park is open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. March through May, as well as September and October, hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. June through August, hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Day-use admission to Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area is $10 for Nevada residents and $15 for out-of-state vehicles. Boat launching is $20 for Nevadans and $25 for non-residents.

Cave Lake State Park

Cave Lake offers outstanding recreational opportunities year-round. Situated just off the Great Basin Highway, about 15 minutes south of Ely, this high-elevation hideout feels like a mini–Great Basin National Park with spectacular mountain views and jagged rock formations. Stocked with rainbow trout and home to German brown trout, the 32-acre reservoir provides outstanding fishing and boating. Other summer activities include swimming, hiking, camping and mountain biking. Once winter arrives, you can enjoy ice fishing, skating, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The park is always open, and the entrance fee is $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles).

Cave Rock State Park

Atop the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, tucked along the southeastern shore of Lake Tahoe, Cave Rock is a great place to put in a boat and explore the crystalline waters of the largest alpine lake in North America. The boat launch offers a double ramp, and the park has more than 40 spaces for trailer parking. A small beach at the south end of the park provides a perfect place for swimming, sunbathing and snorkeling, as well as a good spot to launch a canoe or kayak. A steep shoreline and rocky shoals make this a great location for fishing and enjoying the majestic beauty of Lake Tahoe. Cave Rock and the surrounding areas remain sacred to the Washoe Tribe, and as such, activities like hiking and rock climbing here are restricted. Cave Rock State Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Entrance fee is $10 for Nevada residents and $15 for out-of-state vehicles. Boat launching (includes entry) is $20 for Nevadans and $25 for non-residents.

Kershaw-Ryan State Park

Situated in a colorful canyon, with towering walls up to 700 feet high and a long, verdant valley in between, Kershaw-Ryan State Park is an oasis in the desert, a sharp contrast to the rugged landscape that surrounds it. Natural springs grow a garden of wild grapevines, white oaks, fruit trees and willows, and a spring-fed pond provides a seasonal children’s wading pool. It is not unusual to see wild horses, deer and other wildlife come to the water. With plenty of places to picnic and a series of trails that wind throughout, the park is a great choice for hiking, camping and nature study. The campground is open 24 hrs., and the day use area is from 8 AM to sunset.

Lahontan State Recreational Area

Named after an ancient lake, Lahontan Reservoir was originally built as part of an irrigation project to water nearby farmlands. With willows and cottonwoods scattered along 69 miles of shoreline, the park is one of most popular places in Nevada to boat, fish, water-ski, swim, horseback ride, camp and enjoy the outdoors year-round. Canoeing from Fort Churchill to the lake makes for a great day trip. Lahontan is a nesting site for bald eagles. The park is always open. Entrance fee is $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles).

Rye Patch State Recreation Area

 Rye Patch is situated on a 22-mile-long reservoir that has 72 miles of shoreline and 11,000 acres of water surface when full. Visitors enjoy camping, picnicking, swimming and water-skiing, and fisherman delight in the available white bass, catfish, black bass and walleye. The park also serves as a popular base camp for off-road vehicles, ghost town exploration and gold prospecting. Open year round, 24/7. Entrance fee is $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles).

South Fork State Recreation Area

A driving trip to the Elko area wouldn’t be the same without a stop-off at South Fork Recreation Area, a scenic wonderland with a stunning backdrop of the Ruby Mountains and more wildlife than you ever imagined the state of Nevada could hold. The expansive reservoir holds an abundant cache of catfish, bass and trophy size trout. Outdoor activities abound here with hunting, camping, boating and swimming in summer. Winter brings ice fishing, and cross-country skiing. At the base of the snow-capped Ruby Mountains, this expansive, 1,650-acre state recreation area is surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of wildlife-filled meadowlands, rolling hills and of course the beautiful reservoir. The park is always open, and the entrance fee is $5 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles).

Spring Valley State Park

Volcanic tuff and sediment give Spring Valley State Park a beautiful light-gray, pink and white backdrop. It is a popular area for boating, swimming, water skiing and camping on the 65-acre Eagle Valley Reservoir. The 59-acre Eagle Valley Reservoir offers fisherman an opportunity to catch rainbow, tiger and German brown trout. When the lake freezes over in the winter, ice fishing is exceptional here. The park also allows visitors the opportunity to tour historic ranches built in the late 1800s. Always open, entrance fee is $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles).

Washoe Lake State Park

Nestled in a scenic valley where bald eagles soar, Washoe Lake State Park offers breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada, Carson and Virginia mountain ranges. The park offers plenty of opportunities for fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. Watersports like kayaking are obviously a big draw, and the zephyr-fed waters make it a popular destination to windsurf. Anglers can aim for bullhead catfish, wipers, white bass and Sacramento Perch. For those who prefer to adventure with a camera and binoculars, wildlife is abundant throughout the valley. Nevada’s iconic wild horses roam freely in the eastern hills that lead to Virginia City. Situated between Reno and Carson City, the park is a true treasure for locals and visitors to enjoy year-round. The Park is open all year round, 24/7. The entrance fee is $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles)

Wild Horse State Recreation Area

Remote and remarkable, situated at a stunning 6,200 feet, the same elevation as Lake Tahoe, Wild Horse State Recreation Area is not only a great spot for summer activities, but winter brings lots of fun too. If you plan on visiting during the summer months, Wild Horse is a popular favorite for some of the best boating, swimming, camping, and hiking in the area. There is a boat ramp located right next to the day-use beach. The reservoir near the park is a popular fishing site, with rainbow and German brown trout, small mouth bass, yellow perch and catfish. Cold winters make the lake an ideal location for ice fishing and skating. You may want to explore on your snowmobiles or skis if fishing isn’t your thing. The park is always open. Entrance fee is $5.00 ($10 for Non-NV Vehicles).

Final Thoughts: More Than Just Desert

Nevada might be known for its dry heat and dusty trails, but if you know where to look, it’s a water-lover’s paradise. From alpine lakes to desert reservoirs, you’ll find dozens of opportunities to swim, fish, paddle, or just relax by the water. Whether you’re planning a summer road trip, an off-season escape, or just looking to beat the heat, these parks prove that Nevada’s wild side includes plenty of waves, ripples, and splashes.

We want to give you the information and tips we learn during our trips to help you when you’re planning your adventures. We love traveling and road trips and finding new places to explore. If you ever want help planning a road trip, check out roadtrippers.com and use code BTR5QTP to save $5. They give you suggestions for stops along the way and places to eat. We hope to inspire you to find your adventures, go out, have fun and make lots of memories. So, pack your swimsuit, fishing pole, or kayak—and don’t forget the sunscreen. Nevada’s got water waiting for you.

The post Cool Off in the Desert: Nevada’s Best National & State Parks with Water appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

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