Special Section

The Great Nevada Picture Hunt is our annual contest dedicated to finding photos that best represent the Silver State’s people, places, and landscapes. This year, we received hundreds of photographs across six categories. Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide staff faced the daunting task of selecting a winner for each category—trust us when we say it wasn’t easy. But the results are finally in, and we are proud to announce this year’s winners!

As the seventh largest state, Nevada offers plenty of backroads and byways to choose. Not only that, it's also one of the most geologically diverse states. Where else could you drive through mountains filled with forests of evergreens, valleys covered in a sea of sagebrush, and a strip of neon castles seen from space? Get behind the wheel and discover why Nevada is known as a land of contrasts.

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!

The Great Nevada Picture Hunt is our annual contest dedicated to finding the photos that best represent the Silver State’s people, places, and landscapes. This year, thousands of phenomenal shots were sent in across eight categories. Suffice it to say, judgment was not easy! But the results are finally in, so without further ado, check out this year’s esteemed winners.

Get ready to discover the work of talented photographers who have captured the soul of this state. This year was one of the toughest for Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide to select a winner and runner-up of eight categories: the submissions were phenomenal. 

Everyone loves giving presents, but some souvenirs are just too good to give away. These gifts and goodies are perfect for friends and family, but it’s OK to be a little stingy and grab your own cache of Nevada-made memories. Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide staff have made a few recommendations to get the ball rolling, so happy shopping!

Here’s our conversation with John Wright, western heritage artisan and the owner of J.M. Capriola Co. in Elko.

The 2022 Silver State Scavenger Hunt has ended, and what a great adventure was had! This year’s participants visited some of the state’s most amazing historical buildings. Traveling far and wide during their hunts, these folks made memories with friends, loved ones, and even some furry friends while discovering the beauty of Nevada’s past. 

Every year, we think, "It can't get any better," and every year you prove us wrong. Our judges had another difficult time trying to decide—among thousands of submissions—which photos were the best of the best of Nevada. With a particular focus (get it?) on images that evoked an emotional response, we present this year's cream of the photographical crop.

Each issue, we showcase what we love about Nevada. Well, now it’s your turn. We’re dedicating these pages to our readers this year.

We wanted to see what kind of recreational activities you enjoy around the state, and you sent us a variety of them from many corners of Nevada. Seems there’s no lack of things to do in the Silver State for all interests, fitness, and activity levels. We could never represent everything in these two pages, but these photos have us itchin’ to get out and explore.

The 2021 Silver State Scavenger Hunt returned with a throwback to our first hunt, where dedicated adventurers traversed the state to discover some incredible history through the Nevada State Historical Markers. Participants searched near and far to complete the hunt, collecting memories and crossing off places they’ve never visited before.

Each issue we showcase what we love about Nevada. Well, now it’s your turn. We’re dedicating these pages to our readers this year, and we’re asking you to share images of your Nevada favorites. We’ll pick a theme (see below) and let our readers lead the way!

We all have at least one–that special place you can’t wait to show someone visiting. The spot where you wait to see their eyes light up as soon as they see it. For this issue we wanted to see those magical Nevada places you hold in the highest esteem, that are nearest and dearest to your hearts. 

Each issue we showcase what we love about Nevada. Well, now it’s your turn. We’re dedicating these pages to our readers this year, and we’re asking you to share images of your Nevada favorites. We’ll pick a theme (see below) and let our readers lead the way!

We asked to see your favorite pet exploring nature and, judging by all the ‘ooh’- and ‘aah’-ing from the production area, you did great in showcasing the pet-friendly side of Nevada. So great, in fact, our Art Director couldn’t narrow it down to just two pages. So this issue there are four pages of Your Favorite Nevada to enjoy.

The Great Nevada Picture Hunt is now underway! Please read the NEW RULES before you submit, and good luck!

Submit your images at the bottom of this page. DO NOT EMAIL THEM AS IN YEARS PAST - THOSE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The deadline to enter is Friday, June 30, 5 p.m. Pacific time.

As we mention each year, choosing the winners for the Great Nevada Picture Hunt is a daunting task. While we struggled with choosing our winners, we found ourselves wondering what images you, our readers, would choose, so we decided to give you a chance to let us know!

In late 2020, our readers voted for their favorite runners-up in each category, and we’ve compiled the winners below. Enjoy!

Each issue we showcase what we love about Nevada. Well, now it’s your turn. We’re dedicating these pages to our readers, and we’re asking you to share images of your Nevada favorites. We’ll pick a theme (see above) and let our readers lead the way!

We asked to see your favorite rock, and well, we weren’t quite sure what we’d get, but boy did you come through! From giant slabs to visions that defy description, Nevada has got some seriously sweet stones.

I just reread my editor’s note from our final issue of 2019, and I made what I thought was a clever comment about how 2020 would be the year of hindsight. I admit I did very little looking back this year; instead the lion’s share of 2020 has been spent with a wary eye on the future. As we round the corner on the end of the year, I’m looking forward to the new year and the hope it brings.

Mankind’s natural curiosity for the mysterious and unexplained spans our entire history. Where is the lost city of Atlantis? Will we ever know the identity of Jack the Ripper? How were ancient sites like Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids constructed? Is Bigfoot real? What actually caused the dinosaurs to go extinct? Do aliens exist?

Nevada holds its own collection of myths and mysteries, peculiar and unexplained. Some are morbid, some are silly, but all require the reader to take a small step—or leap, if you like—into a “Twilight Zone” mindset. Sit back, relax, and enjoy, because you’ve just crossed over.

Many of us have experienced a great deal of change and uncertainty in 2020. Familiarities and routines were broken; challenges and difficulties arose. The images submitted to this contest are examples that prove that while the world may be turned upside-down at times, the beauty and authenticity of the great state of Nevada can never be hindered, and those who capture these traits in visual form will never be discouraged.

Each issue we showcase what we love about Nevada. Well, now it’s your turn. We’re dedicating these pages to our readers this year, and we’re asking you to share images of your Nevada favorites. Each issue we’ll pick a theme (see below) and let our readers lead the way!

We asked to see your favorite event and you responded proudly! Nevada has a spectacular offering of interesting and quirky events that compose the character of this state.

Our 23rd annual readers’ survey results are here! This survey has changed as the years have gone by, but one thing stays the same: people are passionate about their choices. This year’s results look a little different than past years, yet there are many constants. Our readers have grown and changed, so the Best of 2020 reflects those differences, but fear not as many old favorites are still well represented.

In 1956, the American CinemaScope epic film “The Conqueror” hit the big screen. The movie was produced by business magnate and film tycoon Howard Hughes, and starred John Wayne as the Mongol leader Genghis Khan. The movie details Genghis Khan’s love for Bortai—the daughter of a rival tribe—whom he steals away, causing a war. Once the movie hit theaters, it was clear it was cursed.

The phrase “if these walls could talk” is bandied about to convey that a room or structure had likely housed many conversations and situations that had been forgotten in the shadows of time. Nowhere could this be truer than the Nevada State Prison in Carson City. The stories that remain from the venerable institution are enough to fill 10 libraries, and consider this: those are just the ones we know about.

When I heard we would be spending a night in the miner’s cabin at the Gold Hill Hotel—one of the most popular destinations for paranormal researchers in the state—and taking a walking ghost tour in Virginia City both in the same night, I was naturally (or supernaturally) elated.

Local Lore & Mysterious Matters Episode 3: A cashier conundrum, the Pyramid cradle, and the Sundance scandal. BY ERIC CACHINERO Mankind’s natural curiosity for the mysterious and unexplained spans our entire history. Where is the lost city of Atlantis? Will we ever know the identity of Jack the Ripper? How were ancient sites like Stonehenge […]

Each issue we showcase what we love about Nevada. Well, now it’s your turn. We’re dedicating these pages to our readers this year, and we’re asking you to share images of your Nevada favorites. Each issue we’ll pick a theme (see below) and let our readers lead the way!

We asked to see your favorite wildlife and what a diverse group of animals you sent! We knew this would be an exciting theme, thanks to how prolific wildlife is in the Silver State, but we were still blown away by your submissions. There were so many incredible photos to choose from, we can’t thank you enough. Nevada certainly is rich in beautiful wildlife.

Voting is now open in our 23rd anniversary Best of Nevada readers’ poll! Vote here! Please read all rules at the top of the survey.  Cast your vote for a chance to win a southern Nevada getaway package: 2-3 nights stays at these great resorts Food & beverage credits for restaurants Spa packages 3-hour zipline […]

Local Lore & Mysterious Matters Episode 2: A casino’s riches vanish, a ghostly stickup, and an elusive serpent. BY ERIC CACHINERO Mankind’s natural curiosity for the mysterious and unexplained spans our entire history. Where is the lost city of Atlantis? Will we ever know the identity of Jack the Ripper? How were ancient sites like […]

We asked to see your favorite structure for this issue, and with no guidelines other than that, our submissions ran the gamut. And we love it! From historic buildings to remnants of the past and impressive sites today, the photos on these pages reveal the Silver State is rich in structural art.

With an arsenal of abandoned historical buildings and eerie locations, Nevada can occasionally be spooky. Much of the energy stems from the state’s mining history, which got grizzly and dark at times. Mine fires and construction catastrophes are engrained in Nevada, as are Wild West-style murders. Some people attribute these factors to the reported hauntings at many of the state’s oldest mines and buildings.

Not everything paranormal needs to be scary, though. Many people believe in the presence of residents past, whose ties to a particular area simply withstand the test of time. 

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s a strong case to be made that different buildings or areas can affect our senses in different ways. This certainly has been the case with countless paranormal investigators that have spent countless hours in the Silver State searching for something spectral.

Each issue we showcase what we love about Nevada. Well, now it’s your turn. We’re dedicating these pages to our readers this year, and we’re asking to share images of some of your Nevada favorites. Each issue we’ll pick a theme (see below), and let our readers lead the way!

We asked to see your favorite view for this issue, and you responded! From shots out the backdoor to those that required long hikes and everything in between, we received photos that demonstrate just how much beauty Nevada has to offer.

Mankind’s natural curiosity for the mysterious and unexplained spans our entire history. Where is the lost city of Atlantis? Will we ever know the identity of Jack the Ripper? How were ancient sites like Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids constructed? Is Bigfoot real? What actually caused the dinosaurs to go extinct? Do aliens exist? Nevada holds its own collection of myths and mysteries, peculiar and unexplained. Some are morbid, some are silly, but all require the reader to take a small step—or leap, if you like—into a “Twilight Zone” mindset. Sit back, relax, and enjoy, because you’ve just crossed over.

In August 2018, I was contacted by Connie Johnson and Sandi TenBoer from the new Northern Nevada State Veterans Home in Sparks that was scheduled to open in mid-2019, asking if we could sell them some photos for the facility. They had a limited budget and tried purchasing Nevada photos from a stock photo company, but were disappointed in the choices.

Around 2 miles north of Gerlach lies a peculiar road; an anomalous cut in the sagebrush. Nevada has seemingly endless miles of dirt roads, but this one is special. Guru Road, as it has become known, is the Burning Man of dirt roads.

The 2019 hunt has officially come to a close. The 2019 Silver State Scavenger Hunt took dedicated adventurers tens of thousands of miles collectively around the state, exploring some of Nevada’s most incredible natural wonders. Participants searched near and far to complete the hunt, collecting memories and crossing off places of the state they’ve never […]

Merriam-Webster defines photography as “The art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (such as film or an optical sensor).” While this definition certainly describes the act of creating an image, it leaves out the most important factor in the whole equation: the photographer.

The images you are about to experience didn’t simply come from a camera arbitrarily aimed at a particular subject, rather they were created through the passion and artistic perspective of the person behind the lens. We all know Nevada is beautiful, but it’s the photographers’ ability to capture this beauty using infinite perspectives that really makes the state shine.

Is an abandoned car in the desert in violation of leave-no-trace ethics? If you think about it, it’s made of everything that came from the earth, just assembled differently. Iron ore is mined to make steel, which is used for the frame and body panels; glass windows are just heated sand; gasoline is made from crude oil, which formed from ancient plants and animals; even rubber tires and plastic dashes are just modified forms of naturally-occurring materials.

Our 22nd annual readers’ survey is complete, and once again, the staff of Nevada Magazine is happy they are not the ones doing the voting. There are simply too many choices, which is why we leave this to our readers. Nevada businesses engender some staunch loyalty, that’s for sure, but it’s always great to see […]

“Business or pleasure?”

If you’ve traveled outside of the U.S., you may have heard this phrase muttered by stoic customs agents upon stamping your passport. But, did you know this scenario can play out within the confines of our great state?

Had Dr. Seuss had the ability to create one lasting physical memorial here on Earth, Fly Geyser would probably be his contribution. This magical manmade monument rests on the edge of the Black Rock Desert in northern Nevada.

NEVADA MAGAZINE CELEBRATES OUR STATE’S NATURAL WONDERS. Click here for complete rules. Have you ever traversed the narrow slot canyons of Cathedral Gorge? Gazed upon Lake Tahoe’s most iconic bonsai tree? Hiked among the vibrant red sandstone in the Valley of Fire? Gazed across the seemingly infinite flatness of the Black Rock Desert? Do you want […]

The Great Nevada Picture Hunt is underway! Please read the rules before you submit, and good luck! Contest began May 20, 2019 and the deadline to enter is Friday, July 19, 2019, 5 p.m. Pacific time. Categories: Each photo submitted must be labeled with one category. Submissions without a category will not be considered. Some […]

What do a ghostly figure holding a bicycle, a seemingly nude towering pink Lego woman, and a metal prospector with a penguin have in common?
They’re only found together in our state. Nowhere else in the world would that sentence make sense other than at the Goldwell Open Air Museum, located near the Rhyolite ghost town.

Voting is now open in our 22nd anniversary Best of Nevada readers’ poll!

A conversation with Nevada’s 29th governor. BY MEGG MUELLER Brian Edward Sandoval was elected Nevada’s 29th governor in 2010. Due to term limitations, he will re­enter the private sector when the state’s soon-to-be-elected 30th governor takes office in January 2019. It may shock some folks to know that Governor Sandoval was not born in Nevada, for […]

20th Annual Reader’s Survey In the July/August 1998 issue, the Best of Nevada contest was born with a whopping 31 categories. Best revue, lounge act, and hotel reservation service were among the choices readers voted on that year, but today most folks wouldn’t even know what a hotel reservation service was (hint: It wasn’t Google). […]

18th ANNUAL READERS’ SURVEY To choose “the best” is a tough endeavor in a state as great as ours. Nevada is home to so many top restaurants,  shows,  attractions, golf courses, etc…we have just about run out of superlatives.  That’s where you come in; each year, our readers vote for their favorite things about Nevada. We added some new categories this […]

The 6th Silver State Scavenger Hunt is now underway! Nevada is full of incredible structures built long ago, and now’s your chance to see some.  If you’ve not done the Hunt before, it’s easy! We split the state into two zones—Northern and Southern—with 14 historic buildings in each. Snap a photo of yourself holding the […]

NEVADA MAGAZINE CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE TRAIN BY SENDING ADVENTURERS TO RAILROAD DESTINATIONS. Click here for complete rules. All aboard the 2018 Silver State Scavenger Hunt! The hunt is back, and the pressure’s on to get out and explore Nevada while winning some awesome adventure prizes. We’re incorporating the Nevada railroads theme into this year’s hunt, […]

Ancient Nevada – Geology Sixth of six-part series explores the geology of the Great  Basin. BY ERIC CACHINERO A fire raged some 15 million years ago that still glows to this day. Though the embers are now cool enough to hold in your hands, the colors are as bright as ever. During the time when it […]

Fifth of six-part series explores the Great Basin’s primal flora and fauna. BY ERIC CACHINERO Tens of thousands of years ago, on a landscape marked by vast ancient lakes, a creature roved in search of prey. It stood about the same height as a male grizzly bear, and sported a set of scythe-like claws at […]

GREAT NEVADA PICTURE HUNT Nevada means home to each and everyone one of us in different ways, which is why it was a spectacular, albeit challenging, task selecting our favorites for this year’s picture hunt. We received more than 1,200 photographs, each expressing a distinct and brilliant facet of the Silver State. We want to […]

Ancient Nevada – Fossils Fourth of six-part series unearths specimens that are older than dirt. BY ERIC CACHINERO   Evidence of ancient life is set in stone. Hundreds of millions of years ago, giant marine reptiles occupied the oceans that covered what would become Nevada. The ichthyosaur was one among many species whose bodies became […]

Third of six-part series explores the forming of Nevada’s diverse landscapes. BY ERIC CACHINERO Although surely a feat for the ambitious, it is possible to walk the rim of a volcanic crater at Lunar Crater National Natural Landmark, hike the nearly 12,000-foot Arc Dome, and soak in a geothermal-heated pool in the massive Big Smokey […]

Where else in the world can you traverse a forest comprised entirely of dilapidated and half-buried cars, photograph a plaster ghost riding a bicycle next to a giant metal penguin and miner, admire eloquent murals depicting Nevada history, and watch 30-foot flames shoot from the antennae of a giant metal praying mantis? Nevada, of course. […]

Second of six-part series explores clues left behind by the earliest Nevadans. BY ERIC CACHINERO Thousands of years before the Great Pyramid of Giza, Machu Picchu, and Stonehenge were built, ancient Nevadans were leaving their own existential clues. Some of these clues—time capsules delivering messages about the behavior of man—sat preserved deep in the recesses […]

If you were to stand on the shore of Pyramid Lake and gaze across seemingly endless miles of beautiful blue water, it would be hard to imagine that it could get any larger. But the northern Nevada lake was once part of a much larger body of water that dwarfed modern ones in size.

With hearts of gold, this Top Gun town flies to the finish. BY MEGG MUELLER The final winner of our 2016 Tour Around Nevada contest shouldn’t be all it is today. Plopped into the arid land that was once home to ancient Lake Lahontan and part of the Forty-Mile Desert that ended the dreams of […]

Tucked into the capital, two distinct venues bring history to life. BY GUY CLIFTON At its best, history tickles our senses. To see history up close—to touch it, to smell it, to hear it, to stand in the footsteps of those who made it—is what ties generations together. It can spark wonder in the young […]

This small southeastern town adds flavor to the state. BY JANET GEARY The adage “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” is familiar to most, but it is especially personal in the southeastern town of Mesquite. A handful of pioneers who refused to let the beautiful, but fickle, Virgin River keep them from […]

Collecting and preserving Nevada’s past takes more than just a museum. BY MEGG MUELLER To unlock the story of the Nevada Historical Society in Reno seems a bit like unfolding an origami swan. The intricacies of the design, the numerous layers and folds, and the amount of effort involved in its creation are just a […]

GRAND PRIZE WINNER Tony Fuentes Oftentimes, photographers explain that unexpected circumstances can lead to an extraordinary shot. Such is the case for the grand-prize winner of the 2016 Great Nevada Picture Hunt Tony Fuentes, who captured this incredible shot of Sand Harbor and Lake Tahoe’s eastern shore. “A  friend and I arrived to the overlook, […]

Let's get this out of the way: there is no such thing as a mucca, so no, you can't win one. And yes, that question gets asked.

Tiny town’s history is larger than life. BY MEGG MUELLER If you look up quaint in the dictionary, you just might find a photo of the town of Genoa. Tucked so perfectly into the spectacular Carson Range of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this picturesque town is exactly what you’d expect from what many say is […]

Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, showcases area’s rich history. STORY BY ERIC H. MAUPIN PHOTOS BY SYDNEY MARTINEZ/TRAVELNEVADA The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas has been providing tourists and locals with a wide range of historical knowledge about the state of Nevada since 1982. The museum relocated to Springs Preserve in Las Vegas in 2011, […]

On the heels of a successful inaugural run, the Nevada Magazine Silver State Scavenger Hunt is back! In 2015, participants traveled tens of thousands of miles, explored nearly every nook and cranny in the state, and truly earned the title of Nevada explorer. This year’s hunt promises to be bigger, better, and with more excellent prizes. We’ve […]

Jokes aside, northern Nevada town is a little slice of heaven.   BY MEGG MUELLER Sparks Councilwoman Julia Ratti had a big birthday wish. “I was traveling to New York City and I grabbed Nevada Magazine at the airport and saw the Tour Around Nevada story,” she recalls. “I posted on Facebook my birthday wish […]

  East Ely Railroad Depot chronicals decades of locomotive history. BY LINDA FINE CONABOY Railroad and history buffs, beware. The East Ely Railroad Depot Museum has designs on you, and if you visit, you’ll be back—again and again. The museum offers a trove of history, memories, and lore from days gone by, unaltered, carefully maintained, […]

A Capital place to live, according to all. BY MEGG MUELLER When I was a youngster living in Reno, I used to think of Carson City as that town in between me and my sister in Los Angeles; the pedestrian-friendly 25-mph speed limit through the heart of Carson’s downtown drove me crazy, as I was […]

Exhibit pays tribute to once-thriving towns. BY JANET GEARY Traveling to Mesquite—about 65 miles from Las Vegas on Interstate 15—takes you through a section of the beautiful Moapa Valley, but to really experience it, you need to take State Route 169 south and head to Overton. Overton was originally settled in 1869, and was the […]

Expectedly, this northeastern town is home to everything unexpected. BY MEGG MUELLER Great expectations can sometimes lead to disappointment; no expectations can create a sense of boredom. Go ahead and toss both those notions out the window, if you please. This is Elko we’re talking about. “We were a cow town, a railroad town, and […]

The Silver State’s Special Birthday Brought Lasting Changes. BY ERIC CACHINERO Sesquicentennial. The impossible word is back. Not in the sense that we’re celebrating Nevada’s 150th birthday all over again, but that reverberations from the yearlong celebration in 2014 are continuing to echo throughout the state. Nevada’s sesquicentennial came and went; swelling pride from the […]

Set along the Colorado River, this small town has a big impact on fun. BY MEGG MUELLER There were just 93 residents of Laughlin in 1982 when we wrote a story about the “Boomtown with No Place to Go.” In 2010, when we wrote about Laughlin as a winner in our first Tour Around Nevada […]

Together or alone, twin towns are twice as nice. BY MEGG MUELLER Laurel and Hardy. Batman and Robin. Simon and Garfunkle. Bogie and Bacall. Synergy occurs when two equally exceptional sides join to form a whole; the result is more than just the sum of two parts but an entirely new creation. Minden and Gardnerville […]

Central Nevada town proves it’s more than just a stop along the way. BY MEGG MUELLER The draw of Tonopah has fluctuated over the years. As home to the second largest silver deposit in Nevada history, its importance as a mining town is undeniable. As the almost-exact halfway point between two of Nevada’s largest cities […]

Silver, saloons, mining lore, the Comstock, the Wild West, and Mark Twain. It's likely some or all of these words come to mind when someone mentions Virginia City. The history of this northern Nevada gem is as wild, deep, and important as they come, and not just to Nevada.

Calling all trekkers, explorers, road trippers, and weekend warriors! Do you love traveling the Silver State? If so, we want to offer you—the almighty adventurer—a chance to visit some of Nevada’s most iconic destinations, while possibly winning an awesome prize. Like what you see? Here are the details:

Outpouring of votes shoots diverse eastern town to No. 1 spot. BY MEGG MUELLER When the votes were counted and Ely was revealed as the first winner of the Tour Around Nevada 2015, no one in the Nevada Magazine office was surprised. Not only did Ely take honors in our 2010 Tour Around Nevada campaign, […]

Love Letters to Nevada ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE DURING THE SILVER STATE’S SESQUICENTENNIAL. We can’t believe it’s almost over…more than one year of celebrations, events, and history in the making, and you helped make it possible. In January, Nevada Magazine set out with the goal of finding out what our readers love most about […]

ICONS OF NEVADA BIGHORN SHEEP Nevada Relevance: State Animal The desert (Nelson) bighorn sheep canadensis nelsoni) is found throughout the southern, central, and western part of the state and in mountain ranges as far north as Interstate 80. Tourist Tidbit: Boulder City’s Hemenway Valley Park is popular for its herds of bighorn sheep, which routinely […]