Junior Ranger programs are a fun and popular way for youth to learn about and uniquely explore park lands, while instilling a sense of stewardship.
Children of all ages are invited to earn Junior Ranger badges by completing a free activity book during a visit to any or all of Nevada’s beautiful state parks. Some activities include: creating a sound map, interviewing a park ranger, identifying scat and animal tracks, and much more!
The activity book is available at each state park or can be downloaded here. The Junior Ranger program is a great way to discover a new state park or re-discover an old favorite while becoming a steward of Nevada’s state parks!
The Nevada State Parks 5th Grade Adventure Pass provides 5th graders with a free annual entrance permit to all Nevada State parks, historic sites and recreation areas.
Passes may be picked up from school district offices throughout Nevada and are good for the 5th Grader and everyone in the vehicle.
Design next year's Adventure Pass!
Nevada State Parks invites all current 5th graders (2024-2025 school year) to design next year's Adventure Pass! Download this entry form, design your pass, and send it in using the address provided at the bottom of the form.
Entry Forms should be submitted no later than May 31, 2025 to be considered in this year's design competition. The winner will be chosen and contacted by June 30th. The winning art work will be used on next year's pass and the winner will recieve a copy of their designed pass to be used as a 6th grader!
Teachers: it may be easier to collect all works of art and mail them in together.
Parents: If you are unable to mail, or email, your child's artwork, you can contact us using the contact information found at the bottom of the entry form.
What is interpretation?
Interpretation is the process of connecting visitors to Nevada’s natural, cultural, and historical resources through activities, presentations, publications, audio-visual media, and exhibits that seek to deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, inspire engagement, and assist audiences in making both emotional and intellectual connections with resources.
What kinds of interpretive programs do we offer?
Nevada State Parks is proud to offer a variety of interpretive programs for visitors of all ages and interest levels. Most of our programs fall into four broad categories:
- Historical Programs: Programs or tours that focus on events of the past that have shaped our great state or the region. Examples of historical programs include chautauquas (first-person or living history programs) and reenactments.
- Cultural Programs: Programs or tours that help visitors learn about Nevada’s rich cultural heritage. Examples of cultural programs include basketry, sand painting, painting with a ranger, and rock art.
- Natural Resource Programs: Programs or tours that relate to natural history themes. Examples of natural resource programs include night sky programs, owl prowls, wildflower walks, birdwatching, scorpion hunts, and geology hikes.
- Demonstrations: Programs or tours that encourage and invite hands-on learning and interaction. Popular demonstrations include Dutch-oven cooking, gold panning, forging, and atlatl throwing.
What’s going on in Nevada’s State Parks?
- Check-out our state-wide schedule of events here.
- Find Nevada State Parks and many of the individual parks on social media outlets like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This is a good resource for up-to-date program information and general park alerts and information.
Contact the individual parks for the most up-to-date information.
Field Trips
Nevada's state parks offer unique opportunities for students to become immersed in local heritage, culture, and landscapes, and to learn through hands-on experiences and interaction with trained employees and volunteers.
School groups are encouraged to make reservations or arrangements for field trips in advance. Please contact the individual parks directly to learn more about visiting with your students.
Rangers-In-Classrooms
While the best way to experience and appreciate Nevada’s state parks is to visit them in person, this may not be an option for everyone. If you are unable to visit Nevada’s state parks with your students, consider making our state parks a part of your classroom. Many parks have rangers or other trained employees available to visit your classroom to talk about a variety of topics including geology, wildlife, and history. Please contact the individual parks directly to find out if a ranger is available to visit your classroom.
Educational and Group Use Facilities
Many of Nevada’s state parks have educational facilities or other group use areas that can be used or reserved to enhance learning opportunities in parks or to make visiting a park with a large group of students more convenient. View a list of the facilities and amenities in each park that may be of interest or benefit to school groups. Please contact the individual parks directly for more information.
Activity Pages
Find downloadable activity pages that invite youth and their families to have fun and learn more about Nevada’s state parks.
Arts & Crafts
Make Your Own Covered Wagon
Word Games
Nevada State Parks Wordsearch
Valley of Fire Word Search
Scavenger Hunts
Spring Mountain Ranch Autumn Photo Scavenger Hunt
Spring Mountain Ranch Spring Photo Scavenger Hunt
Nature Observation
Spring Mountain Ranch Birding Checklist
Fort Churchill/Lahontan Birding Checklist
Valley of Fire Birding Checklist
Valley of Fire Wildflower Guide
Valley of Fire Wildlife Guide
Washoe Lake Wildflower Guide
Echo Caynon
- Rocky N 37 54.509 W 114 16.509
- Juniper Berries N 37 55.250 W 114 16.089
- Echo Canyon N 37 54.706 W 114 15.276
- Next time N 37 53.950 W 114 15.271
Spring Valley
- Eagle Valley Point N 38 01.153 W 114 12.235
- Up the Canyon N 38 01.666 W 114 12.695
- Not So Tuff N 38 02.176 W 114 11.109
- E.V. Fourpoint Overview N 38 02.681 W 114 10.867
- Wildlife Viewing Area N 38 02.845 W 114 10.569
