Camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, nature study, star gazing — not your thing? How about mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, water skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating? Choose your favorite outdoor activity and Nevada State Parks will provide a place for it. Nevada’s 23 state parks, recreation areas, and historic sites are stretched across terrains as diverse as alpine forests and bone-dry deserts. Among them are natural lakes and man-made reservoirs, such as world-famous, 22-mile-long Lake Tahoe or the much smaller Echo Canyon and its 35-acre reservoir.
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Other parks provide glimpses into the past. Valley of Fire is one of the state’s oldest, with 3,000-year-old petroglyphs carved in sandstone and breathtaking views of maroon-colored rock formations created during the age of the dinosaurs. Mormon Station in Genoa and the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort feature replicas of 19th-century fortifications and visitor centers explaining regional history.
Many campgrounds and RV facilities are open all year, depending on the weather — you even can stay in a yurt at Cave Lake State Park near Ely. All single campsites are first come, first served. Reservations are required for areas designated for group camping or day use. Trailheads are well marked, and facilities at many parks include RV dump stations, showers, and day-use facilities for groups. For information on Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) registration, go to Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) website.
Several parks offer seasonal programs: You can see Civil War re-enactors fire their rifles or go on a moonlight hike. Live performances in summer include the Shakespeare Festival at Lake Tahoe’s Sand Harbor and Super Summer Theater at Spring Mountain State Park near Las Vegas.
Although you can get into most parks year-round, it’s best to check ahead in winter, as access roads can be blocked by snow. Sledding, ice skating, and ice fishing are popular cold-weather activities. Cave Lake State Park near Ely hosts the White Pine Fire and Ice Show, which features a snow sculpture contest and fireworks.
Nevada State Parks offer you plenty to do all year long. Please enjoy your visit to our website — and to our many state parks.
- Eric Johnson | Administrator
Division Headquarters
901 S. Stewart St., Ste. 5005
Carson City, NV 89701-5248
(775) 684-2770 | Email
Hours: Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
OTHER IMPORTANT ISSUES/EVENTS:
Note: As of July 17, 2014 Beaver Dam State Park campgrounds are reopened. However, there is no traveling beyond Oak Knoll due to damage from the Middle Ridge fire.
Effective May 15, 2014, there are fire restrictions at Big Bend of the Colorado, Spring Mountain Ranch and Valley of Fire state parks. Click here for restriction details.
Effective May 30, 2014, there are fire restrictions at Lake Tahoe Nevada State Parks and Rye Patch State Recreation Area for restriction details Click here.
Effective June 30,2014 there are fire and travel restrictions for Western Nevada State Parks. Click here for restriction details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Firearms in State Parks
Public awareness about how to interact with coyotes. Go to http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/coyote.html.
LAKE TAHOE NEVADA STATE PARK-SAND HARBOR: “No Walk-Ins or Drop-Offs Are Being Allowed At Sand Harbor Due To Highway Safety Concerns.” A new transit system to access Sand Harbor from Incline Village is available for your convenience June 15 through Labor Day. Any changes to this schedule will be updated here.
