View PDF
Northern Nevada Reservoirs
Northern Nevada is known for quite a few things: buckaroos, gold mining, and Basque culture, to name a few. However, this part of the Silver State is also home to some of the state’s wettest mountains. Fortunately, their winter runoff gets captured into massive reservoirs—many of which are now well-managed state recreation areas (SRAs). If your travels take you along Interstate 80, keep these excellent options in mind for your fishing, boating, and camping adventures.
View PDF
Uncommon Overnighters: Retro Motels
There’s something about retro, vintage, and chic that’s practically irresistible. Maybe it’s the way they stir up nostalgia—or maybe people just had better taste back then. And sure, while you could don a pant suit and aviators for your retro revelry, why not go all in with an immersive stay at some of Nevada’s coolest overnighters?
View PDF
Shop Local this Holiday Season
Need a little gift-giving inspiration? Consider shopping at these amazing small businesses. Not only will you be supporting local makers, but you’ll also be giving a little piece of the Silver State to the Nevada fan in your life.
View PDF
Uncommon Overnighters: Kingston Cabin
Many moons ago, I wrote about my best-ever stay in Nevada, at a little place in Kingston. Times change and businesses close, so my search began anew for my favorite spot. I’m thrilled to say I’ve got a new leader on the clubhouse wall, and I’m not surprised it happens to be in the same locale. Kingston Cabin—in the small hamlet of Kingston (population less than 150)—offers that exceptional combination of a perfectly furnished stay in a sublime location. The two are inextricably linked to me, so let’s tackle them one at a time.
View PDF
Biggest Little Museums
For a mid-size city, Reno enjoys an outsized amount of fame. Sure, there’s that song, but the city is also known for its lavish resorts, mild climate, and adjacency to one of the world’s most famous alpine lakes. Beyond gaming and the great outdoors, Reno has emerged as something of a cultural destination as well. Across MidTown and downtown, some of the state’s best galleries and museums await an afternoon of exploration.
View PDF
Walker River State Recreation Area
In 1862, a wagon bounced over a stretch of dusty road from the booming mining town of Aurora to Nine Mile Ranch, just outside soon-to-be Yerington. On board was Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) racing to the aid of his seriously ill friend, Captain John Nye who owned the ranch. Nye recovered, but the trip cost Clemens a sizeable fortune. He lost his claim due to his absence. Clemens’ trek to Nine Mile Ranch was a costly one, but today, the benefits of visiting the area far outweigh any cost. The ranch is just one small part of the Walker River State Recreation Area (Walker River SRA) which opened in 2018.
View PDF
Supernatural Sightseeing in the Silver State
Nevada offers endless inspiration for getting a little out there into a wonderland of outdoor recreation. But what if you want to get a little out there?
The Silver State brims with alien adventures, haunted hot spots, and offbeat destinations, too. Let the Paranormal Passport lead you on a quest to discover otherworldly oddities throughout the state and earn spirited swag along the way.
View PDF
California Trail Interpretive Center
Built and operated by the Bureau of Land Management, the California Trail Interpretive Center presents the history of the more than 200,000 pioneers who passed through Nevada on their way to California. Through immersive exhibits, visitors explore the triumphs and tragedies experienced by those who embarked on the 2,000-mile journey. The center also presents a unique perspective on the historic corridor by exploring how the great migration forever changed the West’s original inhabitants.
View PDF
Ice Age Fossils State Park
Depending how you frame it, the creation of Ice Age Fossils State Park was either decades or millennia in the making. One could say the park began in 2017, when former governor Brian Sandoval designated it a state park, or in 1958, when the land was acquired by the Nevada State Parks. Perhaps the park really began tens of thousands of years ago during the Pleistocene Ice Age, when ancient animals roamed the lush Tule Springs area of southern Nevada.
Today, the 315-acre park preserves thousands of fossilized remains, including Columbian mammoths, bison, saber-toothed cats, American lions, dire wolves, and giant sloths.
View PDF
A Wild Ride
Casino magnate Bill Harrah had a bit of an obsession. The man who launched the Harrah’s gaming empire in 1937 also had a penchant for collecting cars, which led to him eventually owning around 1,400 vehicles. During his lifetime, his collection—often referred to as the most significant assemblage of vintage and one-of-a-kind cars ever—was housed in Sparks and open to the public.
View PDF
Uncommon Overnighter: Magnolia Gallery & Inn
The "Loneliest Road in America" is anything but, and smack dab in the middle of this famed road trip across Nevada lies the welcoming community of Austin. The town sprang to life during a silver mining rush in the 1860s, and the Austin of today features stately 19th-century buildings, intriguing historic sites, and access to remarkable outdoor recreation. Take advantage of everything the area has to offer and let the charming Magnolia Gallery & Inn serve as your adventure basecamp.
View PDF
Uncommon Overnighter: Yellow Petal Flower Farm
Just an hour east of Reno on U.S. Route 50—you might know it by its nickname, the Loneliest Road in America—is the town of Fallon. It, too, has a nickname, thanks to its nearby naval air station: Top Gun. Pilots come to this small town to hone their aviation skills. Tucked just 10 minutes outside of town is the Yellow Petal Flower Farm, which has no other name but would still be as sweet if it did.
View PDF
Washoe Lake State Park
Nestled within one of Nevada’s most picturesque valleys, Washoe Lake State Park is a picture-perfect basecamp for exploring the Reno-Tahoe area. From the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada to piney foothills and lush meadows, the park and surrounding landscape provide limitless outdoor fun. In addition, its location 30 minutes from the state’s oldest settlements—Virginia City, Genoa, Reno, and Carson City—places it at the center of Silver State history.
View PDF
Rock Hounding Roundup
Millions of years of geological activity have made Nevada the perfect place for mining gold and other precious minerals. They have also formed countless rockhounding sites loaded with unimaginable diversity. Getting down—and maybe dirty—in the hills of Nevada is one of the easiest, least expensive, and most rewarding pastimes you’ll ever find.
View PDF
Shop Local: Holiday Gift Guide
Great gift inspiration awaits at Nevada’s small businesses. We’ve chosen a few favorites, and include a link for not only their contact information, but more great places to get that Silver State swag!
View PDF
Shopping in the Past
In a time when hand-held technology becomes outdated almost before it hits the shelf, it seems nothing is made to last. Wouldn’t it be nice to experience something so well made it has lasted for generations? Along with great quality, items such as a hand-crafted oak table or a vintage Lionel train set can stir nostalgic feelings and harken back to an earlier time. If an antique road trip speaks to you, treasures such as these can be found at antique and collectible stores in northern Nevada.