WE HERE AT MATADOR have published so many great stories on Nevada and have seen so many gawk-worthy pictures, it’s about time we put them all in one place (and throw in some fresh ones to boot). From the cities to the desert playa, the hot springs to the mountain peaks, the ghost towns to the…alien encounters?

If these images don’t make you drop what you’re doing and start planning a trip to the Silver State, we’re not sure what will.

1

Spring Mountain Motor Resort

Yes, you can fly, so long as you're near somewhere like Spring Mountain in Pahrump, NV. Jetpack America offers flight experiences up to 60 minutes, letting you take to the skies above the eight-acre lake. Bonus: It's a quick drive from Las Vegas, and there's a great local winery right up the road.
Photo: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada

2

America's Last Dark Skies

You'll find them all over the state—Tonopah sits at the center of an extensive network of mapped "star trails," and Great Basin National Park hosts an astronomy festival. The photo above was captured at Sand Mountain, near the town of Fallon.
Photo: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada

3

Sand Mountain Recreation Area

This isn't any ordinary sand dune—this is a singing sand dune. As wind blows over the sand (the effect can even be achieved by walking on it), it produces a sound, sort of like whistling. Beyond the soundtrack, this might be the most interesting sand dune there is, as it originates from the remains of the ancient Lake Lahontan, which once covered much of the state, and was also the one-time home of the Sand Springs Station of the Pony Express.
Photo: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada

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4

Guru Road

Two miles north of Gerlach lies Guru Road, arguably one of the most artistic-yet-quirky, out-of-the-box installations out there. There are scenes like the one pictured above, but most of this stretch of dirt road is dedicated to words of wisdom, etched into stones placed along its borders. DeWayne Williams, the artist responsible for Guru Road, was one of the first to enter Hiroshima post-bombing, and is passing along his lessons learned in the Nevada desert.
Photo: Kaitlin Godbey/TravelNevada

5

The Death Valley Superbloom

March of 2016 saw the "superbloom" in Death Valley National Park, a rare event when the driest, hottest place on the continent blossoms to life. This happens every 10 years or so and is worth the trip when it does—just make sure to bring along plenty of water on your visit in 2026.
Photo: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada

6

Ruby Valley Hot Springs

The most rugged mountain range in Nevada, the Ruby Mountains, hides some seriously relaxing, serene spots—like the Ruby Valley Hot Springs. To get here, you'll have to hike south through Harrison Pass, around the Wildlife Refuge, and down a dirt road that leads to the springs, but the dip will be worth it.
Photo: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada

7

Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe

Not all hotels take you away from Mother Nature. At Lone Eagle Grille, part of the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, you get a front-row—and fireside—seat to some of the best views the West has to offer.
Photo: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada