The Stunning Nevada Drive That Is One Of The Best Road Trips You Can Take In America
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Christina Arrascaeta
Author
Nevada is an impossibly scenic state covering a wide and astonishing variety of sights. We think this is one of the most scenic drives in Nevada, and for most of this trip, plan on hugging Route 89 in the southern region of Nevada. From green forests to red rock formations, this is one scenic road trip that will take you on a journey through rare art displays and fascinating historical locations. So, gather up some snacks and good tunes and get ready to hit the road! This is a journey through some of the most amazing attractions (man-made and natural) the Silver State has to offer.
Here is the suggested route for our Nevada scenic drive. Tap or click on the map to follow along or customize your scenic road trip in Nevada via Google Maps.
1. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Sparks, NV 89431, USA
You probably won’t have enough time to take in all 6.3 million acres of this breathtaking national forest, but it’s still worth making it the first stop on your Nevada road trip. Visit the largest National Forest in the Lower 48 states and experience nearly 400 species of wild animals, from bighorn sheep to mountain lions! New visitors to Nevada will revel at peaks reaching upwards of 10,000 feet and vast green forests of white fir and ponderosa pine. There are thousands of prehistoric and archaeological sites and an ample number of trails to get to them. If you haven't visited Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest before, you're in for quite a treat!
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2. Central Nevada Museum
Central Nevada Museum, 1900 Logan Field Rd, Tonopah, NV 89049, USA
Want to get a better understanding of the Silver State’s colorful history? Heading south on Route 89 in the direction of Tonopah, Nevada, you will find the Central Nevada Museum. Travel back in time to prehistoric times through engaging exhibits. The non-profit museum brings the past to life with a real Old West Town on its grounds, including miner’s cabins, saloon, blacksmith shop, and so much more! In addition to the incredible outdoor exhibits, inside you’ll find a wonderful research library, Native American artifacts, WWII heirlooms, and many other exhibits. Your time will be well spent as you stop in to experience Nevada’s rich history.
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3. Goldwell Open Air Museum
Goldwell Open Air Museum, 1 Golden St, Beatty, NV 89003, USA
Continuing your journey, the town of Beatty, Nevada is the setting for one of the most stunning permanent art pieces you will ever see. The Goldwell Open Air Museum sits on almost eight acres in Amargosa Valley and houses a showstopper of a piece. Created by artist Charles Albert Szukalski in 1984, The Last Supper is a striking sculpture. Its unique placement is meant to utilize the Nevada desert’s resemblance to the landscape in the Middle East. Travel to this amazing open-air art museum for a view of The Last Supper and other art installations at this epic spot.
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4. The International Car Forest
The International Car Forest, 1111 East, Crystal Ave, Goldfield, NV 89013, USA
About an hour south of the town of Beatty and jutting from the sands next to Highway 95 is the International Car Forest. Born from the minds of Chad Sorg and Mark Ripple was the idea to set the new world record for most upturned cars in an art installation. Find more than 40 vehicles seemingly frozen mid-flight or curiously balanced at this free and one-of-a-kind art gallery, which you can see more of via Remote Trooper:
5. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Mountain Springs, NV 89161, USA
Continuing on your epic Nevada journey, find yourself stretching your legs and viewing stunning vistas at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Clark County. You can opt to stop at the visitor center to get your bearings before heading off to explore one of 26 trails or stay comfy in the comfort of your car as you settle in for the 13-mile-long scenic drive. Either way, you will be sure to marvel at the towering red sandstone peaks and panoramic views of this area’s breathtaking mountains and canyons.
6. Hoover Dam Bypass
Hoover Dam Bypass, Boulder City, NV, USA
Less than an hour from Red Rock Canyon traveling east, the Hoover Dam in all its industrial world wonder magnificence welcomes you! Built in 1931, the impressive arch-gravity dam was designed to control and prevent flooding in the Black Canyon area and beyond. Today, one option visitors have is to travel the bypass. Please be aware that vehicles entering the site may be inspected for security purposes. There’s a 459-space parking garage making stopping and seeing the dam by foot very accessible. It’s a great idea to traverse the bridge portion of the bypass on foot as this offers the best views of the dam. Please visit their website for current travel information before you go. Seeing this architectural marvel is a must on your scenic road trip adventure!
7. Lost City Museum-Archaeology
Lost City Museum, 721 S Moapa Valley Blvd, Overton, NV 89040, USA
How about going even farther back in time? Get ready to indulge yourself in more Silver State history by swinging northeast towards the town of Overton, Nevada. At the Lost City Museum-Archaeology, see incredible historic artifacts and details of life of the ancient Puebloan people who once called the area home. Established in 1935, this museum is built on a prehistoric site and incorporates its excavated findings right into the museum! See the museum’s website for more information on hours of operation and more.
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8. Valley of Fire State Park
Valley of Fire State Park, Moapa Valley, NV 89040, USA
End your scenic road trip with a bang as you embark upon the Valley of Fire State Park. Less than ten miles from the Lost City Museum, this 46,000-acre state park will wow you with its mesmerizing red sandstone formations and 2,000-year-old petroglyphs. It is the perfect place to experience sunsets reflecting off the vibrant landscape. If you are able to stay awhile, this location offers some of the most dazzling night sky views and is a popular place for photographers to capture one of nature’s most wondrous displays. Hike trails, camp, observe and appreciate the natural beauty of Nevada at this state park, open seven days a week.
Curious about what to expect at this NV state park? Check out the following video c/o YouTuber Kevin Eassa:
Curious about what to expect at this NV state park? Check out the following video c/o YouTuber Kevin Eassa:
With so much to see and do in Nevada, it can feel overwhelming without a plan. Explore a mix of natural wonders and creative human endeavors Nevadans are proud to call their own. Experience so much of what the great state of Nevada has to offer, and you won’t be disappointed! Do you agree this is one of the most scenic drives in Nevada? Let us know in the comments!
Want more Nevada road trip options? There’s plenty more to see! Check out these eight Unforgettable Road Trips in Nevada.
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More to Explore
Scenic Places in Nevada
What are the most scenic places in Nevada?
Nevada is so much more than the bright lights of Las Vegas; natural wonders and immense scenic splendor abounds in the Silver State. In addition to the scenic destinations on the above road trip, here are some other super scenic places in Nevada:
- Valley of Fire State Park. In addition to being the most visually stunning Nevada State Park, it's also the state's oldest. The Civilian Conservation Corps began work on the land in 1933 and it was officially designated a state park in 1935. During your first visit, you'll instantly understand why the park received its name. Consisting of nearly 46,000 acres, vibrant, violently red rock formations stretch for as far as the eye can see. It's an astonishing spectacle to witness with your own eyes; a moving experience you won't soon forget.
- Fly Geyser. Located on a 3,800-acre parcel of land in the Black Rock Desert 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. The geyser's peculiar coloring is caused by calcium carbonate deposits that grow several inches every year; as they've been growing for several decades now, visitors can witness three large mounds that are nearly six feet tall. While technically a man-made wonder (the geyser was created in 1964 when a geothermal power company drilled a test well into the ground), Fly Geyser is no less magnificent than its Mother Nature-made brethren.
- Lake Tahoe. 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.
- Death Valley. Another natural wonder NV shares with CA, Death Valley National Park is an otherworldly wonder. 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 undeniably beautiful. Oh -- and the stargazing in Death Valley? Out-of-this-world!