Nevada State Parks
Nevada is home to a vast and striking state park system that showcases the state’s dramatic desert landscapes and rugged natural beauty. With more than 25 state parks, recreation areas, and historic sites spread across deserts, canyons, alpine mountains, and shimmering lakes, Nevada’s parks are often praised for their wide-open spaces, dark skies, and sense of solitude. Visitors frequently highlight iconic destinations like Valley of Fire for its fiery red sandstone formations and petroglyphs, Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park for crystal-clear waters and mountain scenery, and Cathedral Gorge for its narrow slot canyons and sculpted clay formations. Travelers appreciate the contrast between desert heat and cool mountain retreats, as well as the uncrowded trails and well-maintained campgrounds. Campers often mention quiet nights, incredible stargazing, and spacious sites, while families enjoy scenic drives, picnic areas, and accessible trails. From hiking, rock climbing, and photography to boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing, Nevada state parks are widely valued for offering unforgettable outdoor experiences shaped by some of the most unique landscapes in the American West.
Explore state parks across Nevada
Beaver Dam State Park
A remote park featuring canyons, streams, and primitive camping in eastern Nevada.
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park
Historic mining town and world-famous ichthyosaur fossil site in central Nevada.
Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area
A riverside park with beaches, boating, and desert scenery near Laughlin.
Cathedral Gorge State Park
Cathedral Gorge features stunning slot canyons and unique clay formations in eastern Nevada.
Cave Lake State Park
A serene mountain park featuring a 32-acre lake, hiking, fishing, and year-round outdoor activities.
Cave Rock State Park
Cave Rock State Park offers stunning lake views, a sandy beach, and easy access to Lake Tahoe’s crystal-clear waters.
Dayton State Park
A riverside park featuring historic ruins, shaded trails, and family-friendly amenities.
Echo Canyon State Park
A picturesque park with a reservoir, dramatic cliffs, and abundant wildlife.
Elgin Schoolhouse State Historic Site
A preserved 1922 one-room schoolhouse showcasing rural Nevada’s educational heritage.
Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Historic fort ruins and scenic river corridor in western Nevada.
Ice Age Fossils State Park
A fossil-rich park showcasing Ice Age creatures and desert landscapes near Las Vegas.
Kershaw-Ryan State Park
A scenic canyon park with gardens, trails, and picnic areas near Caliente, Nevada.
Lahontan State Recreation Area
A reservoir-based park ideal for boating, fishing, and camping near Silver Springs.
Lake Tahoe State Park
A scenic state park on Lake Tahoe’s east shore offering beaches, trails, and water recreation.
Mormon Station State Historic Park
Historic site featuring a reconstructed trading post, museum, and picnic areas.
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park
Historic adobe fort marking Las Vegas’s first non-native settlement, with exhibits and artifacts.
Rye Patch State Recreation Area
Reservoir-based recreation area with fishing, boating, and camping near Lovelock, Nevada.
Sand Harbor
A stunning beach park on Lake Tahoe’s east shore with clear waters and unique rock formations.
South Fork State Recreation Area
A scenic reservoir park known for fishing, boating, and mountain views.
Spooner Lake
A peaceful alpine lake park with fishing, hiking, and picnicking near Lake Tahoe.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
A historic ranch park with lush meadows and mountain views near Red Rock Canyon.
Spring Valley State Park
A serene park with a reservoir, rolling hills, and abundant outdoor recreation.
Valley of Fire State Park
Nevada’s oldest state park, famous for red sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs.
Van Sickle Bi-State Park
A scenic park on the Nevada-California border with trails and lake views.
Walker River State Recreation Area
A scenic state park along the East Walker River offering fishing, camping, and outdoor recreation.
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park
Historic stone ovens and scenic landscapes highlight this unique Nevada park.
Washoe Lake State Park
A scenic state park known for its lake, wildlife, and outdoor recreation near Carson City.
Wild Horse State Recreation Area
A year-round recreation area featuring a reservoir, fishing, boating, and camping.