Nevada road trip! (Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks: school, university, things to do)

[michael11747]

Hello, I will be driving around Nevada this summer, and looking for tips on cool things to see. I'm thinking along the lines of things most tourists don't get to see, hikes, natural features, historical things to see and do, etc.

We will be head into Nevada from Vegas, and then continue north west until we hit Mono Lake area, then head west, and head up the coast, and then back through northern Nevada on our way home.

[DoberPup]

Last spring we went out and hiked around 3 miles east of the Fallon Naval Station (Highway 50), there's an awesome area with ancient petroglyphs and caves. There weren't any people there when we went and we spent hours exploring. It WILL be hot in the summer but most of Nevada is. It's a little off your itinerary, but it is many of things you're looking for!

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by michael11747

Hello, I will be driving around Nevada this summer, and looking for tips on cool things to see. I'm thinking along the lines of things most tourists don't get to see, hikes, natural features, historical things to see and do, etc.

We will be head into Nevada from Vegas, and then continue north west until we hit Mono Lake area, then head west, and head up the coast, and then back through northern Nevada on our way home.

I am a bit confused. Mono Lake is actually in Eastern California.

My top ten sights in the state of Nevada that are off the "beaten track." Most are pretty remote.

1) Elko area - Lemoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains - great hiking to alpine lakes at 10,000 feet.

2) Elko area - Ruby Meadows National Wildlife Reserve - one of the most remote forest service areas in the continental US.

3) Ely area - Great Basin National Park and Lehman Caves.

4) Elko area - the ghost town of Tuscarora - an artist colony when they are around.

5) Nixon/Gerlach area - Pyramid Lake and the Black Rock Desert is one of the more interesting drives. Planet X pottery is worth a visit.

6) Along I-80 there are any number of thermal features along the freeway.

7) Nevada Test Site - there are tours on Tuesdays that require reservations months in advance and require US citizenship.

8) Sparks Historical Museum - not the greatest exhibits BUT usually staffed by retired railroad people who really can tell some great stories about the railroad.

9) Nevada History Museum - the old Carson City mint. Not an unknown place but well worth a vosot.

10) W.W. Keck Museum at the McKay School of Mines at the University of Nevada - http://www.mines.unr.edu/museum/guidel.pdf


In nearby California:

1) Bodie, CA - ghost town from the 1900s in "arrested decay"

Bodie, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bodie SHP


2) Tecopa Hot Springs, CA - good hikes from the China Date Ranch

China Ranch Date Farm


That should give you a start.

[las vegas drunk]

I would make sure to go to Lake tahoe.

[michael11747]

Hey that sounds right up our alley. Do you have directions to the place? I checked the map, and it seems there is some forest land a little further out. Is it in there?

[michael11747]

Originally Posted by jlawrence01

I am a bit confused. Mono Lake is actually in Eastern California.

My top ten sights in the state of Nevada that are off the "beaten track." Most are pretty remote.

1) Elko area - Lemoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains - great hiking to alpine lakes at 10,000 feet.

2) Elko area - Ruby Meadows National Wildlife Reserve - one of the most remote forest service areas in the continental US.

3) Ely area - Great Basin National Park and Lehman Caves.

4) Elko area - the ghost town of Tuscarora - an artist colony when they are around.

5) Nixon/Gerlach area - Pyramid Lake and the Black Rock Desert is one of the more interesting drives. Planet X pottery is worth a visit.

6) Along I-80 there are any number of thermal features along the freeway.

7) Nevada Test Site - there are tours on Tuesdays that require reservations months in advance and require US citizenship.

8) Sparks Historical Museum - not the greatest exhibits BUT usually staffed by retired railroad people who really can tell some great stories about the railroad.

9) Nevada History Museum - the old Carson City mint. Not an unknown place but well worth a vosot.

10) W.W. Keck Museum at the McKay School of Mines at the University of Nevada - http://www.mines.unr.edu/museum/guidel.pdf


In nearby California:

1) Bodie, CA - ghost town from the 1900s in "arrested decay"

Bodie, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bodie SHP


2) Tecopa Hot Springs, CA - good hikes from the China Date Ranch

China Ranch Date Farm


That should give you a start.

Thank you very much! I mentioned Mono Lake to emphasize where we would be exiting Nevada. Bodie is on our list of things to do already, and I will start researching the rest of your list!

[jlawrence01]

If you are really serious about touring Nevada especially the "off beat locations", I would STRONGLY recommend Deke Castleman's Nevada Moon Guide (NOT THE MOST RECENT EDITION). It is an amazing book that I have been using for the past 10-15 years. About 80% of the book covers areas other than Las Vegas.

The most recent edition has received disappointing reviews as it is more focused on the Las Vegas scene which is covered in 50 other travel guides.

I would also strongly recommend the Nevada Magazine that is published out of Carson City,

[las vegas drunk]

Originally Posted by michael11747

Hey that sounds right up our alley. Do you have directions to the place? I checked the map, and it seems there is some forest land a little further out. Is it in there?

Lake Tahoe is hands down the most beautiful area to see in the whole state. It is located on the northwest border near Reno.

[jlawrence01]

The NE portion of Nevada, especually the Ruby Mountains are no slouches either in the beauty department.

[NCN]

We enjoyed the London Bridge area. I know you want natural, but we like natural too and enjoyed walking under the bridge and exploring the area. I like to stay with parks and history, so I will go to my bookmarks and find one of my favorite websites.

http://www.stateparks.com/usa.html