Feature

I’ll never forget the first time I spotted a roadrunner in southern Nevada during a trip to Laughlin. Born and raised in the northern part of the state, I’d never seen these awesome birds before, and it was a great reminder that the critters we see every day might be brand new to someone else. To that end, we’ve gathered some of the best places you might glimpse a view of some new-to-you or favorite creatures. We make no guarantees you’ll see anything—for some reason Nevada’s wildlife won't adhere to our wishes. Good luck!

These days, coffee shops aren’t just for mornings: Most offer iced or blended drinks, teas, smoothies, and everything from breakfast treats to lunchtime meals. In addition, many host events and provide opportunities to support artists and other community causes. Every town has a memorable spot to sip gourmet brew amid local color, but here are a few of my favorites to consider on your travels around the Silver State.

Nevada is known for many things: Las Vegas, mining, and wide-open spaces, for example. While some people may be aware, it’s perhaps less known that the state is home to more ghost towns than currently populated ones. Many states have ghost towns, but here, there are more than 600 spread across the desert landscape. That figure outnumbers populated towns almost five-to-one, based on the approximately 175 zip-coded locales in the state. So just how did Nevada end up with so many places no one wanted to call home any longer? And what is a ghost town, exactly? Are there really “living” ghost towns? Read on for the answers to these questions and more.

Nevadans take great pride in things that might seem a bit odd to non-dwellers. For example, we celebrate the anniversary of our statehood—Nevada Day—as an official public holiday, complete with an old-fashioned parade in Carson City. We will brag about the unsinkable battleship USS Nevada, the only vessel to get under way during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Mark Twain’s first byline was in a Nevada newspaper, and we have more named mountain ranges than any other state.

Are you a fan of small-town vacations? Are you interested in soaking in the sights and sounds of a quiet desert community? Perhaps you just want to outrun winter weather for a few more weeks. If so, Beatty might just be your perfect autumn destination. 

As summer loosens its clutch on the Las Vegas Valley, autumn emerges in muted colors at Clark County Wetlands Park (CCWP).   You may have to look a little closer to see it, but the changing season unfolds with the yellowing of heart-shaped cottonwood leaves. Pale pygmy blue butterflies—one of the smallest butterflies in the world—emerge to mate and lay eggs, and shorebirds in salt and sandy hues stop along the Las Vegas Wash as they migrate to wintering grounds in Central and South America. 

In the northern Nevada desert, just east of Reno, lie the azure waters of Pyramid Lake. With its stunning beauty and rich history, it beckons anglers from far and wide, offering an opportunity to reel in some of the most prized fish species in the region. A remnant of ancient Lake Lahontan, Pyramid Lake is not just any ordinary fishing destination. It serves as the habitat for five distinct species of fish, each with its own tale to tell. At the center of this aquatic menagerie is the legendary Lahontan cutthroat trout, a species that once teetered on the brink of extinction.

Silver, saloons, mining lore, the Comstock, and Mark Twain: It's likely some or all of these words come to mind at the mention of Virginia City. The history of this northern Nevada gem is as wild, deep, and important as they come, and it also makes for a seriously fun destination.