Find Your Flow
Spring/Summer 2025
Travel Nevada staff picks its favorite waterfalls, swimming holes, and hot springs.
It’s no secret Nevada is a desert. The state’s annual rainfall is, well, minimal, and our wide-open spaces are adorned in hues of brown and—occasionally—green. But lest this description leaves you dry, we also have ample places to get your feet wet. A quick poll of the Travel Nevada staff reveals some great options, so grab a towel and get out there.
“I grew up going to Wet ‘n’ Wild when it was still on the Las Vegas Strip,” Content Development Manager Rachel Wright reveals. “As such, I have a deep, deep love for wave pools and lazy rivers. Imagine my utter delight when I stayed at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino for a wedding and discovered they had BOTH these things! I literally jumped for joy in the wave pool because I was that giddy.”
“For me, one of the top water experiences is Comins Lake, located just outside Ely. It’s so fun to kayak there,” says Destination Development Manager Cortney Bloomer. “The water is clear, and you can see huge fish (or catch them, if that’s what you’re into). There are lots of bird species to look at as well and excellent views of the Egan Mountains. It feels magical to paddle through the reeds.”
Creative Manager Kippy Spilker had two favorites.
“My favorite water experience is kayaking Lake Tahoe’s east and north shore in the winter, but I realize it’s not for everyone—I prefer to go when there are fewer people. I think the best local place to take portrait photos with water in them is the Kings Canyon waterfall in Carson City. My engagement photos were taken there, and it’s still a favorite.”
“My favorite Nevada water experience would be the Carson Hot Springs,” says Research Analyst Gabriel Mortensen. “My wife Brenda loves Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint—which is right next door—and we always were curious about checking the springs out. I was pleasantly surprised that the price was very low considering it was for two hours. We felt like royalty in our own private room, and the water did wonders for my back.”
“One of my most fun water experiences was at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson,” Global Market Manager Elsa Gomez reveals. “While staying at the Westin, I had the opportunity to kayak and paddleboard (though I failed!). The lake is calm, and the scenery is spectacular—from the golf course to beautiful homes and resorts. You really feel like you are away from it all.”
For Marketing Manager Keelie Cox, her choice was simple.
“I like tubing the Truckee River in Reno,” she says. “It’s the perfect way to hang with friends while cooling off during the summer. The flow rate of the river is dependent on snow melt: I like it on the faster side, but not so fast it’s dangerous. The float ends in downtown Reno, which is pretty perfect in my opinion. Hopefully, you left some business-appropriate clothes and shoes in the pick-up car and can grab lunch or a drink to celebrate a successful float. It’s also free, which is hard to beat.”
“A few years ago, my family and I made it our mission to get in the car and search for some of our region’s best alpine lakes. It was such a fun activity for us, and the reward was always worth it,” Chief Communications Officer Tracie Barnthouse explains. “After extensive miles logged and lakes explored, I’ve settled on my favorite Nevada alpine lake as Angel Lake near the Ruby Mountains. It’s up against some tough competition, though.”
“When I was about 13, I did a 50-mile hike on the Ruby Crest Trail with my Boy Scouts troop,” Content Development Specialist Cory Munson says. “It was a physically demanding and intense experience unlike anything I’d done before. On day five of six, we finally reached Favre Lake, which is the first of a string of alpine lakes. I remember it was a very happy evening: Our journey was almost over, and we were riding high on a sense of accomplishment. There we were, camping and swimming at this perfect little lake below tall peaks with literally the whole place to ourselves.”