Valley of Fire State Park

Know Before You Go

Simply put, Nevada’s a big place. As the seventh-largest state, the Silver State calls travelers to traverse thousands of miles of open highways and chase some dirt-road horizons. 

Naturally, with that much adventure waiting for you, there’s a bit to know before you go off exploring what Nevada’s known for. Get the ins, outs, overs, and in-betweens of exploring the Weirdest, Wildest West.

What to Know Before Visiting Nevada

So, what is Nevada known for? For starters, it’s one of the most iconic metropolitan areas on Earth. Then, of course, beyond that neon glow, there are all the can’t-believe-it’s-really a desert and mountainscapes, dotted with surreal parks and bubbling hot springs, lit up by the brightest stars in the darkest skies, and other unforgettable things that make this place so damn special.

black rock hot springs
Black Rock Hot Springs

Discover Nevada’s biggest pocket of parks and initiate some serious resting relaxation face at some of Nevada’s state and national parks, remembering to always leave these sensitive pristine places better than you found them—and to help keep ‘em that way by never geo-tagging them on social media.

Much like fuel stations, restrooms and drinking water, access to cell service can be a bit scattered in some rural parts of the state. Map out your #NVRoadTrip with gas stations, night stops, and be extra safe by letting someone know where you’re venturing, plus when you plan to come back. Basically, call your mom. Oh, and speaking of your parents… forget what they told you. Out here, one of the first things to know about Nevada is that talking to strangers won’t simply shape the way you experience the places you visit, it may just make your whole damn trip.

night sky at sand mountain recreation area
Sand Mountain Recreation Area

Fancy an off-grid dip? Before you head out to Nevada’s natural hot springs, be sure to brush up on what to know before you go soaking. What about checking out hundreds of Nevada ghost towns, or trying your hand at rockhounding as you sink your pick axe into natural gemstones like turquoise, garnets or black fire opal? When you ditch that pavement, abide by Nevada’s Dirt Road Code so you can get after that unfenced, backcountry action safely, legally, and while moving the Nevada story forward.

visitor at rhyolite ghost town
Rhyolite Ghost Town

What is Nevada Known For?

Mountains of Snow and Valleys of Fire

When you hear the word “Nevada,” what do you picture? The glitz and glam of the Las Vegas Strip’s five crazy, glowing miles? You bet. Maybe a few flying saucers whirring around Area 51. Sure thing. And the sublime, crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe? Of course. But dip beneath the surface and you’ll find some other intriguing sides of Nevada, like the side where Wild West history and 1870s opulence collide with rip-roaring races and rowdy saloons in Virginia City. Or a side that captivates boulderers and multi-pitch leaders with the kind of routes and scenery rock climbing dreams are made of. Maybe it’s the side marked by jagged, sky-high peaks tempting heli skiing with untouched lines through virgin powder. Whatever it is, And once you’ve gotten here, you’ll be on our side for good.

angel lake
Angel Lake
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#TravelNevada

Wanna help us show off your side of Nevada? Use #TravelNevada and share your favorite discoveries. If we love your photo, look for it here.

Beam me up…I’m out 👽🛸
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#extraterrestrialhighway #alien #aliens #nevada #ruralnevada #travelnevada #weirdnavada #highway #roadtrip #fun #tattoos #girlswithtattoos #emokid #gothgirl
Pioche’s historic Gem Theater was almost lost to time and bad weather but a passionate group of people are bringing her back to life! 

This beautiful art deco building was constructed in 1937 with a single screen and 250 seats. Movies played here up until 2002 when a windstorm severely damaged the roof. The building shuttered and fell into disrepair.

Fast forward to 2020, when two Nevada history lovers bought the building and formed a Friends group to renovate and reopen the old theater. 

Since then, the building has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Museum professionals worked to catalog all the objects inside the theater from old reels to popcorn machines. And, perhaps most exciting, the marquee is illuminated once more! 

Congrats to all the people committed to preserving this piece of Nevada history! I can’t wait to see inside it someday. 🎥

#RideNevada #NevadaDiscoveryRide #Nevada #HistoricPreservation gempioche visitpioche lincolnnv
One of the most incredible afternoons spent in one of my favorite underrated National Parks!
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#nationalparkgeek #usinterior #nationalpark #nationalparkservice #nationalparks #nps #nationalparksusa #nationalparklife #natgeoyourshot #roadtripusa #wildernessculture #liveyouradventure #nikonnofilter #nikonoutdoors #nikoncreators #withmytamron #nikonz7 #nikonz #nikonz7ii #yourshotphotographer #nevada #nevadaphotographer #nevadadesert #travelnevada #explorenevada #nv #nevadadesert #greatbasinnationalpark #greatbasin #utahphotographer
Twilight at the International Car Forest. Goldfield, Nevada. Additional fill lighting courtesy of j.marie_nightphotography #goldfieldghosttown #nightscapephotography #deathvalley #instagramnv #beattynv #nevadahighways #VisitNevada #nevada #igersnv #weownthenight #weownthenight_nv  #heatercentral #night_photography #landscapes #landscapes #nikond850 #underthestars #neverstopexploring #carforest #shotz_fired #nevadahiking #longexposure #longexpohunter #capturenevada #nightshooters #nightscaper #nevadadesert
Midnight explorer at Ward Charcoal Ovens in Nevada 

#nightscapes #nightscapers #milkywaychasers #milkywaymike #wardcharcoalovens #wardcharcoalovensstatepark #nevada #lasvegas #travel #milkyway_nightscapes #milkwaygalaxy #longexposure_shots #landscape #historical
Pure excitement! Z reeled in her first fish of the season. Gorgeous little rainbow trout; the marshes never disappoint. 
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#nevada #fishnevada #travelnevada #explorenevada #nevadawildlife #trout #dfmi
Taking our daily “get out of the truck” walk. Without our mission to get out of the truck everyday (especially when we don’t want to) our physical and mental health would suffer doing this job. 

🤎🥾🥾🪨🐾🍾🪨🪨🍾🍾🪨🪨🍾🐾🪨🥾🥾🤎

Today Dakota and I took a walk in the desert outside a small town in Nevada. There is so much to find in the rubble along the mountains. A tale of a different time. 
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Not much is left, but the few intact pieces of history I come across I set aside so they won’t be trampled, or stash in my pockets to take home to my own collection. 
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Old bottles have become a collectible item lately on my trips, and oh of course I have to grab a rock as well along the way. There is just something I can’t explain when the rock just draws me in and I fall in love. 
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These few items are just some of many in my mounting collection at home I’ve never shared. I’m considering sharing it in future videos as well as sharing a more in depth look at my side quests. 
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I hope this post inspires you to just take a walk today.

🤎🥾🥾🪨🐾🍾🪨🪨🍾🍾🪨🪨🍾🐾🪨🥾🥾🤎

#nevadahiking #nevadaghosttowns #truckinglife #travelnevada #bottlehunting
A beautiful church in the heart of a ghost town, surrounded by the vast expanse of the Nevada desert, serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the human spirit. This scene embodies the power of perseverance and the possibility of renewal, encouraging me to look beyond the present moment and envision a brighter future.
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#nelsonghosttown #nevada #beautyinthedesert #church #starrynight #astrophotography #milkywaychaser #longexposure #startrek #visitnevada #nightscaper #sony #sonyalpha ##sonya6600 #gitzotripod #funwithfriends
The Universe out here making magic 
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#aurora #solarstorm #color #auroraborealis #milkway #road #roadtrip #nikon #nikonoutdoors #hike #hikingadventures #hiking #hikingbangers #valleyoffire #vegas #photography #astrophotography #leavenotrace #stars #darkskies #travelnevada #onlyinnv #landscapephotography
Never an ordinary day⚡️
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