Nevada isn’t just about Las Vegas. Get off the strip and you’ll find a state filled with unexpected sights, fabulous roadside attractions, and a wide variety of scenic landscapes. Nevada also offers some of the best skiing in the country, as our friend -- and resident adventure madman -- Wade Holland discovered in this video, which is part of a continuing partnership with Matador Network and TravelNevada.
Wade wasn’t just out to investigate Nevada’s ski territory. He also made the trip into one of his famous #dadventures by bringing his dad along for the ride. He also had quite a surprise in store (but we won’t spoil it for you -- you’ll just have to watch the video to find out for yourself).
And stick around after the video for recommendations on some of Airstream’s favorite Nevada camping, in case you want to take a #dadventure of your own.
Nevada Camping
Valley of Fire State Park
Overton, NV
Located just 50 miles northeast of Sin City, you’ll find Nevada’s oldest state park and one of its most beloved. Valley of Fire State Park derives its name from the red sandstone formations, called the Aztec Sandstone, that formed from shifting dunes 150 million years ago. The sandstone often appears to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays. Valley of Fire is world-renowned for its 40,000 acres of these bright red Aztec sandstone outcrops. The formations are nestled in gray and tan limestone and contain ancient, petrified trees and petroglyphs (or prehistoric rock carvings) dating back more than 2,000 years. At the park, soak in the beauty of the landscape by taking one of the numerous and varied trails for a day hike. There are loops for all skill levels. In the evening, relax and enjoy the park’s serene peacefulness. All campsites are first-come, first-served (always call ahead to see if spots are available or make a reservation far in advance) and sites all have shaded tables, grills, water and electric hook-ups.
Click here for more information on Valley of Fire State Park
Washoe Lake State Park
Carson City, NV
Washoe Lake State Park is situated in an incredibly scenic valley between Reno and Carson City. This gorgeous space offers visitors breathtaking views of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Carson and Virginia mountain ranges. Washoe Lake is a warm-water fishery that hosts Sacramento perch, white bass, channel catfish, brown bullhead and carp. If fishing is not your thing, you can enjoy the lake while windsurfing, kiteboarding or small boat sailing. The park is also a popular area for hiking, offering a slew of trails for both novices and experienced hikers. While visiting Washoe, you’ll likely spot some of the diverse birds and waterfowl that call the park home, such as American white pelicans, Canadian geese, and majestic bald eagles. Washoe has 49 sites, each with a table, grill and fire ring. Some spots come with a shade structure. The campground is open year-round and sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is dry camping territory, with no hookups available, but there are two comfort stations (one with a shower), and a dump station is on site.
Click here for more information on Washoe Lake State Park
Angel Lake Campground, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest
Wells, NV
If you’re looking for a pristine place to camp – complete with a lake and waterfall – this is your spot. Welcome to Angel Lake Campground, part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. This facility is known for its subalpine dwarf aspen forest setting, situated right next to Angel Lake and flanked by glacial cirques. The campground sits at an elevation of 8,500 feet making for a drive that is steep but well worth it. Angel Lake offers 26 camping sites, including one double site. Bring a canoe and explore the lake, whether fishing for rainbow, brook, and tiger trout, or just enjoying the views. Put on your hiking shoes and head up to the Smith Lake Trailhead, which accesses the northern part of the East Humboldt Wilderness. There’s another trailhead from just southeast of the campground that heads south, to Winchell Lake. During your trek, you may see some of the local wildlife, like bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope. Angel Lake is dry camping, but water and comfort stations are available.
Click here for more information on Angel Lake Campground
Cathedral Gorge State Park
Pioche, NV
Many of today’s visitors and explorers describe Cathedral Gorge as a “hidden gem.” Spend just a few minutes in the park and you will share that feeling. Located in southeastern Nevada in a narrow valley, Cathedral Gorge is home to beautiful, dramatic carvings that erosion created in the soft bentonite clay. The park’s unique landscape began millions of years ago when geologic processes made cave-like formations and cathedral-like spires out of layers of volcanic ash that were hundreds of feet thick. The result is a rare and almost otherworldly destination spot for visitors to explore. Cathedral Gorge offers adventurers the opportunity to soak in the park’s mysterious beauty by hiking, picnicking and camping. No matter what else you do, take the Miller Point Trail, a two-mile out-and-back trail that leads you through a canyon to a steel staircase to an incredible overlook. The campground has 22 sites, each with a table, grill and shade ramada, that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Electric hookups are also available. Water and flush restrooms with showers are also on site.
Click here for more information on Cathedral Gorge State Park
Lower Lehman Creek Campground, Great Basin National Park
Baker, NV
Welcome to Great Basin National Park, where there’s a whole lot more than desert to explore. In Great Basin, explorers will find the 13,000-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, sage-covered foothills, ancient bristlecone pines, and mysterious subterranean passages. With so much to do and see here, it’s no wonder that the park’s Lower Lehman Creek Campground is a favorite destination spot for wanderers of all stripes. With only 11 sites, Airstreamers 4airstreamers put it best when they reported: “It's a small campground, but it's nearly impossible to see a neighbor. The trees and bushes are thick and high, and you feel like you're in your own private corner of the world.” They go on to say of their stay, that it was a dream campsite that was near perfection. Does it get much better than that? Lower Lehman offers dry camping, though water and restrooms are available. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table, and some are located right by the creek – a great place to splash around and cool off after a day of hiking!
Click here for more information on Lower Lehman Creek Campground
Zephyr Cove Resort
Zephyr Cove, NV
Few places on earth rival South Lake Tahoe for spectacular natural beauty, making it a favorite choice for people who love to explore the great outdoors through RV cruising and camping. Zephyr Cove Resort's award-winning RV Park & Campground offers you the comforts of an outstanding facility within the serenity of our lovely wooded setting. One of the greatest advantages of staying at Zephyr Cove Resort's RV Park & Campground is its great location on Lake Tahoe's South Shore – just a few minutes walk from the services and activities offered at the resort including restaurant, private beach front, lake cruises, horseback riding, marina boat rentals, and gift shop. Whether you're pitching a tent at your campsite, or enjoying the comfort of your RV campground, you'll love this family-friendly destination.
Plus, a new first-class Airstream experience is now available at Zephyr Cove RV & Campground. If you're looking to experience the Airstream lifestyle but don't yet have a silver bullet of your own, you can book a stay in a luxurious travel trailer and sleep under the stars in style.
Click here for more information on Zephyr Cove
Looking for even more great places to visit and things to do in Nevada? Visit the TravelNevada website today!
