5 epic road trips that prove you’ve never seen Nevada
Photo: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada
There’s only one state that’s home to both cowboys and aliens. Ghost towns and red rock canyons. Alpine lakes and Mad Max-style roads. Saloons, mining towns, and the entertainment capital of the world. The classic Vegas road trip is a good start, but in the shadows of that neon glow lies an entire world you’ve probably never seen — or hiked, or photographed, or wandered, or simply knew existed.
That’s about to change. There’s no one way to see the Silver State — maybe you want to see the land at its wildest. Or its most serene. Or its most colorful. No matter your goal, Nevada is built for road trips, and these five itineraries are just to get you started. Ready to hit the open road and maybe stop by one of Nevada’s many hot springs?
This post is proudly produced in partnership with Travel Nevada.
Lake Tahoe Loop
At a short and sweet 142 miles, the Lake Tahoe Loop is still a route of diverse superlatives: You’ll paddleboard one of the clearest and coldest lakes in the country. You’ll sip whiskey in Nevada’s oldest saloon. You’ll put foot to ground in the state’s first official settlement. And the views? Definitely superlative. And superb. And sublime.
THE STOPS
Photos provided by: Shutterstock/Topseller, Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada, Shutterstock/Karin Hildebrand Lau, and Chris Moran/TravelNevada
Cowboy Corridor
The wide-open road, the rolling sagebrush landscape — it’ll be hard not to ride the gas pedal, but try to take ‘er at cowboy speed. You’ve got 396 miles to traverse the great American West, only you get to do it with the A/C on.
THE STOPS
Photos provided by: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada, Kaitlin Godbey/TravelNevada, TravelNevada, and Shutterstock/DesiDrewPhotography
The Death Drive
Nope — not windy roads, 100mph speed limits, and sheer cliffs with no shoulders. Instead, you’re driving through Death Valley, ghost towns, coffin shops (well, maybe driving to this one), and plenty of other experiences that fully qualify as “living life to the fullest.” You know, Death Drive style.
THE STOPS
Photos provided by: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada, Shutterstock/f11photo, Sydney Martinez/Travel Nevada, Shutterstock/Dan Sedran, Shutterstock/Doug Lemke, and Shutterstock/Frank Fichtmueller
Burner Byway
You’ve got 205 miles to explore your Burning Man spirit. You’ll make your way through the Black Rock Desert and along the famous Guru Road, catching post-playa art along the way…and maybe acquiring a trunk full of Burner flair.
THE STOPS
Photos provided by: Shutterstock/Kevin Sutton, Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada, Kaitlin Godbey/TravelNevada, and Shutterstock/Neil Lockhart
Neon to Nature
If you’ve got nights to spend in Las Vegas and time to kill, you’ve got to go from neon to nature. And back again. Twice. This is 500 miles across three Vegas day trips, and here’s a hint: It’s easier to choose if you just choose ’em all.
THE STOPS
Photos provided by: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada, Shutterstock/Ashley Hadzopoulos, TravelNevada, Shutterstock/Superjoseph, Ryan Jerz/TravelNevada, and Chris Moran/TravelNevada
This post is proudly produced in partnership with Travel Nevada.