Viewing Wildlife in Nevada

Rugged mountain ranges, lush wetland valleys, and the hottest desert in the continent. Nevada is home to diverse landscapes—and a wildlife population that’s just as intriguing.

In northern Nevada, you’ll encounter the Great Basin’s sweeping valleys and massive ranges, as well as towering, aspen-studded peaks poking into the alpine zone. At the other end of the scale, southern Nevada’s Mojave Desert boasts some of the lowest, hottest, and driest conditions in North America. These regions feature thousands of creatures—some found nowhere else on Earth—while others pass through annually. Best of all, it doesn’t take much to find them.

Whether you’re looking for a quick beyond-the-Strip day trip or a true off-the-grid, back-to-nature experience, outdoor recreation opportunities abound just north of Las Vegas in the largest wildlife management area in the Lower 48. Even closer to your resort, you’ll find a birders paradise at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve. Cruising around southern Nevada, be on the lookout for desert tortoises, reptiles, jackrabbits, rare pupfish species, and bighorn sheep roaming freely in their natural habitats.

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Whether it’s the newest item on your bucket list or the best wrong turn you ever took, whichever corner of this state you venture to, you’re bound to uncover the kind of unexpected encounters, memorable characters, and only-in-Nevada experiences that make this place so damn special. Get your hands on stunning images, surprising stories, colorful characters, do-before-you-die events, and beyond. And just to sweeten the deal, in addition to sending you our official Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide, we’ll throw in our swanky state map, too.

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Meet the Locals: Animals Native to Nevada

Further north, keep an eye out for the wild mustangs and burros that roam Nevada’s basin and range topography (the wild donkeys give plenty of friendly nods to the Silver State’s history and heritage). Creatures like Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, minks, foxes, and more are drawn to Great Basin National Park—one of the darkest and quietest places in the Continental U.S.—where they can thrive in a true nocturnal environment.

Meanwhile, habitat management in northwestern Nevada has restored ideal habitats for the finicky sage grouse to prosper–and even saved the pronghorn antelope from extinction altogether.

No matter where Nevada’s creature scene carries you, there’s likely to be a national wildlife area providing globally important refuge to millions of Nevada animals and creatures at the end of the road (or along the way). Let’s get a little wild, shall we?

Types of Wild Animals in Nevada

So, what types of Nevada animals can you expect to see when visiting? Lots, actually. Wild animals in Nevada come in all shapes and sizes. Take the desert tortoise, for example, which serves as a symbol of resilience and endurance as it roams the lower desert regions. Beyond the desert, other animals live in Nevada’s highest reaches: the magnificent desert bighorn sheep, who showcase their impressive climbing and navigation skills as they zig and zag through the mountains.

Wildlife, Nevada Wildlife, Nevada Bighorns, Bighorn Sheep, Desert Bighorns — Desert Bighorn Sheep

Nevada Mountain Lion, Mountain Lion, Nevada Wildlife, Wildlife Nevada

Did we mention that Nevada accounts for a majority of the population of wild horses in the United States? Descendants of Spanish mustangs, these horses roam freely across vast stretches of land, adding a touch of untamed beauty to the landscape. Mule deer gracefully navigate the state’s forests and open plains, while elusive mountain lions silently stalk their prey. In remote desert areas, you might encounter the fascinating gila monster, a venomous lizard renowned for its beautifully unique patterns. When it comes to North American wildlife, Nevada has a little bit of everything to offer.

#NVWildlife

The only thing cuter than a burro? A baby burro—and we know you’re gonna want a pic. Whether you give resident Ely “wildcat” Dirt Jr. a good head scratch or cross paths with Mojave Max—Nevada’s official “spokestortoise”—we want to follow along. Tag #NVWildlife and #TravelNevada to be featured here.