Person swims with headlamp illuminating reeds; starry night sky and Milky Way visible above.

16 Ways To Give Ordinary Adventure The Heave-Ho

Almost like you’re getting away with something you shouldn’t in a state that’s sometimes overlooked, or dismissed and stereotyped as flat, barren and empty, when it comes to getting outside in the Silver State, there is no ceiling. Whether you’re basking in one of the dozens of off-grid soaks beneath the milky way, summiting one of Nevada’s 63 summits over 11,000 feet, working a line in the world’s best outdoor climbing gym, reeling in tigers in Lamoille Canyon, or two-wheelin’ in the heart of the Mojave, there’s nowhere like Nevada when it comes to outdoor recreation. Ready to get out there? Read on for 16 ways to get out of the house and into some of the best outdoor rec in the West.

1/1

1. Chasing the buzz that comes with ripping Nevada’s newest trail systems.

2. Giving migrating raptors once over, then putting them back on their flight plan in the Goshutes.

3. Grabbing a belay bud to hit the best outdoor rock climbing gym on Planet Earth

Photo by: Matt Kuehl

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Matt Keuhl

4. Earning your spot on the IGFA Royal Trout Slam in Jarbidge Wilderness

5. Diggin up your very own turquoise, black fire opal, or garnet in them thar hills

6. Catching a charge off those storied Washoe Zephyrs, and seeing that even Twain’s quip couldn’t articulate their exhilarating fury

7. Realizing there’s no better way to let the Mojave show herself to you than getting a little sand in those chompers

8. Heading deep into the heart of the golden west at Nevada’s hundreds of ghost towns

9. Kayaking from the base of a Modern Marvel of the World, to the glimmering Emerald Cave

10. Embracing crowdless euphoria on an untouched drop in the Rubies

11. Two wheelin’ through the Road Trip Capital of the USA

12. Catching summit fever from Mt. Charleston all the way to the Matterhorn

13. Taking views of Big Blue to new heights

Skydive Lake Tahoe

14. Kicking your idea of a “Sunset Picnic” into high gear

15. Living your best Snow White moment for real at the Mount Rose Meadows

Photo by: Zach Youngberg

Mount Rose Wilderness Area

Zach Youngberg

16. Unlocking off-grid magic only a place like Nevada can produce

1/1

Get the lowdown on even more ways to get outside in the Silver State here.

Related Stories

Bird displaying large chest plumage in mating dance; second bird observes in open grassland environment.

Wildlife

Find Your Flock: 6 Premier Perches for Birding in Nevada

Whether you’re a bona fide bird nerd or a fledgling fan of our fine feathered friends, discover six of Nevada’s best birdwatching locales.

Read Full Article

Wildlife

Finding Wild Friends: Catching Glimpses of Nevada’s Animal Kingdom

By Megg Mueller

If you want to go wildlife spotting in the Silver State, we’ve gathered some of the best places you might glimpse a view of some new-to-you or favorite creatures.

Read Full Article

fall colors in copper basin jarbidge nevada

Outdoor Recreation

Finding Fall Colors in Northern Nevada

By Kippy Spilker

Wondering where to find fall colors in northern Nevada? The Silver State has a plethora of autumnal hues to offer leaf-peepers.

Read Full Article

kids at a stream in lamoille canyon in nevada's ruby mountains

Outdoor Recreation

Get Outside Guide: Summer in Nevada's Ruby Mountains

The Ruby Mountains are a summertime paradise for outdoor action-seekers of every stripe. With peaks that reach beyond 11,000 feet and the glacier-carved Lamoille Canyon within, the Rubies call to hikers, bikers, anglers, and anyone looking for a picture-perfect picnic spot.

Read Full Article

Two off-road vehicles parked on a dirt path, a person photographing, surrounded by rugged hills and greenery.

Outdoor Recreation

Where the Crowds Aren't: 10 Secluded Silver State Escapes

More than fifty million annual visitors head for Nevada annually. Big-name places like Lake Tahoe, Valley of Fire, and Red Rock Canyon reel in multitudes from around the world. However, the Silver State also beckons seekers of serious solace and solitude. If you're looking to get off the beaten path, then bolster your bucket list with this handful of lower-key, more crowd-free—but no less trip-worthy—Nevada destinations.

Read Full Article

Itineraries

Episode 2 Itinerary: "Wild Wild Granites”

Inspired by Episode 2 of “Get a Little Out There with Alex Honnold,” this field guide lets you follow Alex’s lead to the destinations featured in the show, plus a few nearby stops worth a detour.

Read Full Article

Astro Alexandra takes a selfie at Great Basin National Park in baker nevada

Stargazing

A Love Letter to the Land, Skies, and People of Nevada

Astro Alexandra’s entire career has been dedicated to explaining space and astronomy to others, but even she found it difficult to describe her astonishment over the stargazing at Great Basin National Park.

Read Full Article

woman on a deck at mt rose ski tahoe in north lake tahoe

Winter Sports

Après Everything: How to Win Winter in the Silver State

From world-class ski resorts in Lake Tahoe to Red Rock Canyon hiking and Colorado River kayaking, Nevada is easily the most diverse state for wintertime fun in the U.S. Choose your wintertime passion and we’ll throw in the après-action satisfaction.

Read Full Article

Outdoor Recreation

Live By The Dirt Road Code

Whether you're new to dusty Nevada roads or a dirt road pro, we've got the dirt on off-grid Nevada bliss. From safety tips for driving on dirt roads to a packing list for your dirt road campground, we’ve got everything you need to become an expert on the Dirt Road Code.

Read Full Article