Nevada is a state that’s filled with natural beauty. From mountains and canyons to rivers to lakes, and more, we have so many awe-inspiring places in the Silver State to explore. And here are 15 of the most beautiful places in Nevada that will blow you away, and in my opinion, they are worthy of your bucket list this year. So, are you ready to explore these scenic places in Nevada? Let’s go!:

1. Ruby Mountains - Elko County
Ruby Mountains, Nevada 89815, USA
flickr/Don Barrett
The Ruby Mountains provide excellent backpacking and hiking opportunities.
2. Lake Tahoe
most beautiful places in Nevada
Lake Tahoe, United States
flickr/Don Graham
Lake Tahoe is an American icon. Easily one of the prettiest and most popular lakes in the country, Lake Tahoe sits on the state line between California and Nevada, surrounded by the majestic, snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Located at 6,225 feet above sea level, Lake Tahoe is the highest alpine lake in the country, as well as the second deepest. But superlatives aside, it's absolutely ravishing. The cold, crystal-clear waters of this lake are mesmerizing, and really provoke a sense of awe and wonder. Lake Tahoe is often lauded as one of the most beautiful places in the country, and it really does deserve each and every word of praise.
3. Jarbidge Wilderness - Elko County
Jarbidge Wilderness, Jarbidge, NV, USA
flickr/Jeremy Michael
The Jarbidge Wilderness consists of 113,167 acres of high mountains and deep glaciated canyons.
4. Mount Charleston - Clark County
Mount Charleston, Mt Charleston, NV 89124, USA
flickr/elise ramsey
With an elevation of 11,916 ft, Mount Charleston is the highest mountain in both the Spring Mountains and Clark County.
5. Lamoille Canyon
Lamoille Canyon, Nevada 89828, USA
flickr/Nick Bonzey
Approximately 12 miles in length, Lamoille Canyon is the largest valley in the Ruby Mountains.
6. Floyd Lamb Park - Las Vegas
9200 Tule Springs Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89131, USA
flickr/Austin Nguyen
Floyd Lamb Park spans more than 2,000 acres and features beautiful lakes and wildlife.
7. Valley of Fire State Park - Overton
most beautiful places in Nevada
Valley of Fire, Nevada 89040, USA
Bob Dass/Flickr
With an area of nearly 42,000 acres, Valley of Fire is Nevada's largest state park. It's also the state's oldest state park, having been dedicated in 1935. During your first visit to the park, you'll instantly understand why the park received its name. Consisting of nearly 46,000 acres, vibrant red rock formations stretch for as far as the eye can see. It's an astonishing thing to witness with your own eyes!

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8. Truckee River
Truckee River, United States
flickr/shortCHINESEguy
The Truckee River flows for 121 miles and is the sole outlet of Lake Tahoe.
9. Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden - Henderson
Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden, 2 Cactus Garden Dr, Henderson, NV 89014, USA
Ethel M Chocolates/Facebook
Ethel M.’s Botanical Garden is a four-acre botanical cactus garden located at the eponymous Chocolate Factory in Henderson, just south of Las Vegas. It's home to 300 species of plants ranging from ornamental, cacti, and other succulents native to the American Southwest, as well as desert trees and shrubs from the Southwestern U.S., Australia, and South America. It's the largest botanical cactus garden of its kind in all of Nevada -- and among the largest in the world, in fact. Ethel M Botanical Cactus Garden is a completely unexpected treasure that will challenge everything you thought you knew about Nevada.
10. Cathedral Gorge State Park - Panaca
Cathedral Gorge State Park Road, Nevada 89043, USA
flickr/James Marvin Phelps
Covering 1,608 acres, Cathedral Gorge State Park features a gorge eroded through soft bentonite clay.
11. Lake Mead
Lake Mead, United States
James Gideon/Flickr
When full, Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the United States - in terms of maximum water capacity.
12. Tonopah, Nevada
Tonopah, NV 89049, USA
flickr/NurseNerdy
Tonopah's magical nighttime sky is what makes the town such a beautiful place. As a matter of fact, Tonopah has been rated "#1 Stargazing Destination in America" by USA Today.
13. Great Basin National Park
National Forest Development Road 448, NF-448, Nevada 89311, USA
flickr/Mike
Great Basin National Park is, surprisingly, one of the least-visited National Parks in the U.S. Not far from the Loneliest Road in America (Highway 50), this remote paradise offers solitude for those who want to camp, hike, or simply enjoy the beautiful backcountry in peace and quiet. At this 77,180-acre park, you will find geological oddities, mountain streams, alpine lakes, and many, many hidden gems!
14. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area - Las Vegas
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Mountain Springs, NV 89161, USA
flickr/Rennett Stowe
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is Nevada's first national conservation area and receives more than 1 million visitors yearly.
15. Lehman Caves
Lehman Caves Visitors Center Parking, Nevada 89311, USA
flickr/Frank Kovalchek
Located within Great Basin National Park, Lehman Caves features more than 300 rare shield formations.

Discover more about some of the best places to visit in Nevada from this YouTube video by touropia:

The Silver State is such a natural beauty, isn’t it? What do you consider to be the most scenic places in Nevada? Share them with us in the comments below!

Are you planning on exploring some of these scenic places in Nevada this year? Before you hit the highway, check out our ultimate road trip packing list guide for some great ideas. 

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More to Explore

Scenic places in Nevada

Sarah M. | July 18, 2022

What are some other beautiful places to visit in Nevada?

In terms of otherworldly beauty, Death Valley is one of the most sublime and intriguing places in the country. Situated on the border of California and Nevada, Death Valley is a land of extremes: it's the hottest, driest, and lowest-elevation national park in the country. Unique geographical features such as the salt flats, which stretch for 200 square miles, seemingly endless sand dunes, and sedimentary badlands form the landscape of Death Valley, creating a landscape that's wholly unique and uncanny. Its skies, too, are superlative; with little in the way of light pollution, Death Valley is an amazing place for stargazing -- and, in fact, this national park is the third designated International Dark Sky Park in the country!

An underrated gem, Nevada's Black Rock Desert is a truly bizarre place that's worth going out of your way to see. As one of the state's most wonderful surprises, Fly Geyser is a must-see destination. Located on a 3,800-acre parcel of land that is owned by the Burning Man Project, Fly Geyser is a sight unlike anything you've seen before. The geyser itself flaunts flamboyant shades of red, yellow, and green while shooting hot water up to five feet in the air!

Are there waterfalls in Nevada?

When you think about Nevada, waterfalls are not the first thing that comes to mind. But surprisingly, we have many waterfalls in Nevada, and here are some that we recommend:

  • Kings Canyon Falls, Carson City
  • Hunter Creek Falls, Reno
  • Mary Jane Falls, Mount Charleston
  • First Creek Waterfall, Las Vegas
  • Galena Creek Falls, Reno
  • Big Falls, Mount Charleston
  • Ice Box Canyon Waterfall, Las Vegas
  • Genoa Canyon, Genoa
  • Thomas Canyon Falls, Lamoille Canyon
  • Lost Creek Falls, Las Vegas


Discover more about these cascades from our previous article about some hidden waterfalls in Nevada. 

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