This Saturday, Sept 24th, all Nevada state parks will be fee-free in honor of Nevada Public Lands Day.
All fees associated with visiting the state parks will be waived, including entrance, camping, and boating fees, where applicable.
There are a ton of state parks located throughout Nevada, with four of them within an hour and a half drive from Las Vegas!
If you are looking for a great place to hike with breath-taking views, check out the Valley of Fire State Park, located about 45 minutes northwest of Las Vegas. This state park is known for it’s 40,000 acres of bright red sandstone outcrops, nestled around grey and tan limestone, making for beautiful backdrops for your photos! The state park contains petroglyphs, and ancient petrified trees that have been around for over 2,000 years. There are trails within the park, as well as a visitor center that explains the history of the park.
Check out the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, that is located in Downtown Las Vegas off Las Vegas Blvd and Washington Ave. This museum shows the history of Las Vegas before it was the Las Vegas we know now. In 1855, Mormon missionaries had built an adobe fort along a creek that was the only free-flowing water around for miles. The creek served as irrigation for fields and orchards. The site offers a visitor center that contains exhibits and photos of the history of the fort.
Another great state park is the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, located on highway 159 towards Blue Diamond. The park is close to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and was once home to millionaire Howard Hughes. The park was used as a working ranch, and a luxury retreat, while it is now open to visitors allowing them to see some of the oldest buildings in Nevada, including an 1860s blacksmith shop. In addition to the historical buildings, the park also boasts hiking trails throughout, as well as tree-shaded picnic sites with tables and grills.
There is also a park located about an hour and a half south of Las Vegas in Laughlin. The park is the Big Bend of the Colorado State Park. This state park is located on the shores of the Colorado river, and is clear and cool all year round. Activities include swimming, boating, kayaking, hiking, fishing, camping, and more. The park also has an abundance of wildlife that frolic around the park.
All of these parks are a great way to spend the weekend, especially with free admission to the parks (only on Saturday, the 24th).
Check out Nevada’s State Parks website with information on all the state parks located in Nevada!
