Get a Little Out There

Mt. Rose has the highest base elevation of any Lake Tahoe resort at 8,260 feet and sits roughly 30 minutes from Reno, making it the closest skiing and snowboarding option for the Biggest Little City.

With upwards of 40 runs across 655 skiable acres (and a vertical drop of 1,840 feet), the small-but-mighty Diamond Peak Ski Resort earns its title as “Tahoe’s hidden gem.” Expect to take in breathtaking panoramas of Big Blue from almost any trail you tackle.

Whether you’re hiking among wildflower-cloaked mountain meadows in the spring, peak bagging Mt. Rose Summit during the summer, or snowshoeing and backcountry skiing Mt. Rose Meadows during the winter, this backcountry escape awaits a quick 40 minutes up the road from Reno.

Go dashing through the snow—or trotting through the city—on horse-drawn sleigh and carriage rides in Lake Tahoe.

With the most skiable terrain in Lake Tahoe, Heavenly is the only ski resort in North America to span two states, allowing skiers to experience the best of both Nevada and California on one epic mountain.

Unbeatable skiing, snowboarding, and mountain biking await at Lee Canyon, the only ski resort in southern Nevada.

Part of the Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston—the fifth tallest peak in Nevada—is great to visit during any season. Play in the snow, savor the cooler temperatures, and look for bristlecone pines and plenty of wildlife.

Snow sculpting, an art sculpture bonfire, the only fireworks show we know of that launches explosives from a moving steam train, and plenty more activities make Ely’s Fire & Ice Winter Festival the hottest (and coolest) place to be.

Get into the Ruby Mountains—named one of Nevada’s best-kept secrets by “National Geographic”—on a sky-high adventure with Ruby Mountain Heli Skiing. Skiers and snowboarders will feast upon 200,000 acres of untouched wilderness with nary a lift line or track in sight.

Venture out to Gerlach for art you can use every day. Planet X Pottery is a working pottery studio with four galleries full of mugs, bowls, plates, vases, teapots, and a whole lot more.

Gear up for the long way around with destination-inspired apparel and accessories, plus books, calendars, maps, and more at Travel Nevada’s online store.

Choo-choose to stay in an authentic, 1950s train car that’s been converted into a suite for two in Virginia City. Ruby the Red Caboose features a comfy bed, a private bathroom (with a shower), kitchenette, and both indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Sink your pickaxe into turquoise-laden tailings (chunks of rock containing pure turquoise veins) at Otteson Brothers Turquoise. With gems spanning a color spectrum of every blue and teal imaginable, all you’ve gotta do is pick your favorite hues and work to load up your dig bucket.

Restock your road trip snacks with E.T. Fresh Jerky’s nuts, dried fruits, candy, and (of course) jerky. This pit stop also has the “cleanest restrooms in Area 51,” plus plenty of selfie opportunities with a cowboy alien mural and a crashed UFO.

Handcrafted in the heart of Henderson, Ethel M Chocolates has been making delicious, small-batch chocolates for decades. Between bites of delectable caramels, brittles, and liqueurs, stroll the three-acre botanical cactus garden (especially magical during Christmas).

Take in awe-inspiring Hoover Dam and Black Canyon views on a day trip down the Colorado River with Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures.

An accredited zoo with a focus on desert animal conservation, Camel Safari’s guided tours will introduce you to sand cats, singing dogs, alpacas, camels (of course), and more.

Pick up the perfect souvenir at the Ely Art Bank, a historic bank turned curated gallery offering jewelry, paintings, photography, and furniture created by Silver State artisans. Garnet Mercantile also has a great collection of goods made by Ely-area artists, including copper bowls, garnet and American Indian jewelry, and more.

With almost a century of saddle making under their custom leather-tooled belts, this historic, family-run business crafts handmade western goods that often become family heirlooms. If ranch ropes, snaffle bits, and spur straps aren’t for you, shop J.M. Capriola Co. for apparel, outdoor items, and books.

Enjoy the best of Nevada’s remote landscape while soaking away your cares in the hot springs of the Black Rock Desert. On public land overseen by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management, this hot spring promises an unforgettable experience, free primitive camping opportunities, and the chance to spot the desert dace, a rare species of fish endemic to the region.

Accessing Black Rock Hot Springs means navigating across the ruggedly remote Black Rock Desert, but the trip is well worth it when you discover this natural oasis.

Take a dirt-road detour south of Elko and discover the stunning natural beauty of Ruby Valley Hot Springs.

This place is so historic, Mark Twain himself is responsible for its moniker. Soak in the mineral-rich water or up the relaxation ante with a variety of spa and massage treatments.

If it’s history, convenience, and affordability you’re after, you’ll find your perfect soak at Carson Hot Springs. The multiple outdoor pools and private indoor suites are all filled with natural mineral water from 35,000 feet below Earth’s surface.

Next time you’re cruising the Loneliest Road in America, park for a pit stop at these cowboy tubs with sweeping Big Smoky Valley views.

People have been enjoying the warm waters at this site for eons, including Mark Twain, who remarked post-soak in 1887, “I now leave without crutch or cane, entirely well, not only relieved from pain but gained in spirit.”

This free, wild soak on the western edge of central Nevada promises views of the ruggedly beautiful White Mountains—including 13,147-foot Boundary Peak—along with unbeatable wildlife viewing, access to Nevada ghost towns, and some of the darkest skies in the country.

The 2.5-mile, 600-foot descent into scenic Gold Strike Canyon means navigating house-sized boulders with the help of a fixed-rope system, so be prepared to work up a sweat for your soak.