Press Story Ideas: Outdoor Recreation
More than 80% of Nevada is unfenced, totally wild, and—most importantly—public. With the highest percentage in the continental U.S. of pure, open, unspoiled canvas for all recreational desires, when it comes to adventure, Nevada is unbeatable.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Nevada is basically one giant playground.
Hiking & Backpacking
With more than 300 named mountain ranges, millions of acres of rugged, untamed wilderness, and thousands of miles of trails, it’s safe to say the Silver State offers hikers and backpackers a lifetime of exploration.
Dark Skies
A “true dark sky” is a natural resource that’s becoming increasingly rare. With its millions of acres of rugged, untamed wilderness, Nevada offers dark sky lovers some of the most stellar exploration on Earth. DarkSky has designated Great Basin National Park an International Dark Sky Park and Massacre Rim one of only 18 designated Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world.
Wildlife
The Silver State is home to some of the largest national wildlife refuges in America, providing dozens of specialized habitats to a collection of animals, birds, and reptiles found nowhere else on the planet.
- The largest National Wildlife Refuge in the Lower 48
- The World’s Rarest Fish at Ash Meadows NWR
- Pronghorn Antelope live on at Sheldon NWR
- Eagles & Agriculture Wildlife Photography Event
Camping
There may be more free camping in Nevada than just about anywhere else in the country, from 10,000-foot summits to hot spring havens. Basically, if you can get your vehicle to a spot you dig, home is where you park it.
- Cathedral Gorge State Park Campgrounds
- RV Camping at Valley of Fire State Park
- Stake your spot on Nevada’s Public Lands
Rockhounding
Millions of years of geologic activity made Nevada—much of which was once a sea floor—the perfect stomping grounds for mining gold and other precious minerals, while also forming distinctive fossils and countless crowdless Nevada rockhounding sites, loaded with unimaginable diversity. That combined with millions of acres of unfenced public land access makes for next to perfect conditions in this rockhounder’s paradise.
- Rockhound Virgin Valley Black Fire Opals—Nevada’s official state gemstone
- Dig for Garnets, Nevada Turquoise, Chalcedony and beyond
Off-Roading
Thousands of miles of dirt roads, trails, and tracks criss-cross open valleys, desert canyons, more than 300 mountain ranges, and plenty in between, beckoning OHV-ers to come ride.
- Ride the Super Bowl at Sand Mountain Recreation Area
- Ride the Playa or overland to High Rock Canyon in the Black Rock Desert
- Ride Amargosa Big Dune, and ATV thousands of miles of trails in the Las Vegas-area
Fishing
With more than 200 lakes and reservoirs and upwards of 600 rivers and streams, swimming with everything from trophy striped bass to gargantuan 40-pound Lahontan cutthroat trout, Nevada’s opportunities to toss a hook in run deep. The IGFA recognizes angling achievements through its slam and trophy clubs. All seven trout required to achieve the Trout Royal Slam can be found in Nevada waterways: Rainbow, Brown, Bull (catch and release only), Golden, Brook, Lahontan Cutthroat, and Mackinaw.
- Pyramid Lake
- Walker River State Recreation Area
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area
- Jarbidge River Trail
Mountain Biking
With thousands of miles of open road, wild trails, and untracked backcountry, on everything from freshly paved asphalt to desert washes and rocky alpine ridges, Nevada is home to some truly epic rides.
Rock Climbing
From thousands of classic, world-class climbs in places like Red Rock Canyon and Lake Tahoe to tons of untapped first-ascent territory throughout this wild state, Nevada rock climbing knows no bounds.
- Rainbow Canyon
- Whitney Peak—the world’s largest outdoor climbing wall
- Calico Basin at Red Rock Canyon NCA
Winter Sports
Whether you’re dropping into the perfect line in the Rubies, snowshoeing with the chickadees, or jumping aboard a two-horse open sleigh with the fam, the Silver State’s winter sports scene beckons the powder pursuer in all of us—now and always.
