Nevada
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Nevada lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Silver State far beyond the Las Vegas Strip, from the magnificent Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon to the extraordinary Great Basin National Park, the remarkable Lake Tahoe and the extraordinary ghost town heritage of the central Nevada mining boom. This route covers the complete Nevada experience. The extraordinary Valley of Fire and Hoover Dam near Las Vegas, the magnificent Great Basin National Park and its bristlecone pines, the extraordinary Pyramid Lake and the Walker Lake basin, the remarkable Virginia City silver boom heritage and the extraordinary Lake Tahoe shoreline.
Best Time To Visit
March to May or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Las Vegas (LAS) or Reno (RNO)
Getting Around
Rental car essential. Nevada distances are extraordinary.
Budget Per Day
Approx $110 to $180 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some desert and mountain hiking
DAY 1
VALLEY OF FIRE AND LAS VEGAS
MORNING
VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK AT DAWN
Valley of Fire State Park is the most extraordinary red rock landscape in Nevada, its extraordinary 40,000 acres of Aztec sandstone formations glowing deepest crimson at sunrise in a spectacle unlike any other in the American Southwest. The Fire Wave swirling sandstone formation, the Elephant Rock natural arch, the Rainbow Vista overlook and the extraordinary White Domes slot canyon give the finest variety of desert landscapes in Nevada. Entry $10 per vehicle. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
VALLEY OF FIRE PETROGLYPHS AND ATLATL ROCK
The petroglyph sites in Valley of Fire contain the most extraordinary collection of ancient rock art in Nevada, the Atlatl Rock with its steel staircase giving extraordinary close-range access to 2,000-year-old Ancestral Puebloan carvings and the Mouse's Tank trail giving the finest concentration of petroglyphs in the park. The extraordinary Beehive formation and the arch at Seven Sisters are unmissable. Both free with park entry. Drive: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
HOOVER DAM AND THE COLORADO RIVER
Hoover Dam is the most extraordinary engineering achievement in Nevada, its extraordinary 726-foot concrete arch-gravity dam creating Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the United States. The dam tour gives extraordinary access to the power plant, intake towers and the Colorado River below. The extraordinary Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge gives the finest aerial view of the dam from the new pedestrian walkway. Dam tour approx $30.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary White Domes loop trail in Valley of Fire at 1.25 miles is the finest hidden trail in the park, its extraordinary sequence of slot canyon, collapsed lava arch, old movie set ruins and the most vivid white and red sandstone domes giving the most extraordinary landscape variety in the park. Free with entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Coffee Cup Cafe, Boulder City The finest breakfast near Valley of Fire. Extraordinary local Nevada eggs before the red rocks. | Lunch: Picnic at Valley of Fire Pack lunch from Overton. The extraordinary red rock picnic tables at Arch Rock campground. | Dinner: Esther's Kitchen, Las Vegas Arts District The finest Italian restaurant in the Las Vegas Arts District. Extraordinary local produce.
DAY 2
GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK LEHMAN CAVES
Great Basin National Park is one of the least visited national parks in America, its extraordinary isolation on the Nevada-Utah border giving the finest solitude in any national park in the contiguous United States. Lehman Caves is the most extraordinary limestone cave in the Great Basin, its single large room decorated with an extraordinary density of cave shields, stalactites, stalagmites and helictites found nowhere else in such extraordinary abundance. Entry approx $10. Drive: 4.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
WHEELER PEAK AND THE ANCIENT BRISTLECONE PINE GROVE
The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive climbs to 10,000 feet in the Snake Range of eastern Nevada, giving extraordinary views of the basin and range landscape stretching to the horizon. The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Grove trail at 2.8 miles round trip passes Prometheus, the tree stump that was the oldest living organism on earth at 4,900 years when felled in 1964, and living trees of extraordinary ancient character. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE LONELIEST ROAD IN AMERICA, US HIGHWAY 50
US Highway 50 across central Nevada is the most extraordinary empty highway in America, its extraordinary straight-line crossing of the Great Basin through six mountain passes and five valleys with no services for 400 miles giving the finest experience of Nevada's extraordinary emptiness. The extraordinary Hickison Petroglyphs rest area off US-50 near Austin gives remarkable ancient rock art in the most isolated setting in Nevada. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lexington Arch in Great Basin National Park is the finest hidden natural arch in Nevada, its extraordinary 75-foot limestone arch accessible by a 3.4-mile round trip trail giving the most extraordinary arch experience in the Great Basin far from the crowds at Lehman Caves. Free with park entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Border Inn, Baker The only restaurant near Great Basin. Extraordinary Nevada diner breakfast on the Utah border. | Lunch: Great Basin Visitor Center cafe Outstanding park cafe with extraordinary Wheeler Peak views. Local Nevada produce. | Dinner: El Capitan Casino Resort, Hawthorne The finest restaurant in central Nevada. Outstanding local Nevada beef and strong coffee.
DAY 3
PYRAMID LAKE AND RENO
MORNING
PYRAMID LAKE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY DESERT LAKE IN NEVADA
Pyramid Lake is the most extraordinary desert lake in Nevada, its extraordinary deep turquoise water in the Paiute tribal lands of the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation surrounded by white tufa formations including the extraordinary Pyramid itself, a 25-story tufa spire rising from the lake that gives the lake its name. The extraordinary Anaho Island pelican rookery, the largest American white pelican colony in the world, and the remarkable Stone Mother tufa formation are unmissable. Entry approx $15. Drive: 3 hr drive
MIDDAY
WALKER LAKE AND THE NEVADA GHOST TOWN TRAIL
Walker Lake is the most extraordinary remnant inland sea in Nevada, its extraordinary turquoise water in the Walker River basin giving the finest desert lake landscape in central Nevada. The extraordinary ghost town of Luning nearby and the remarkable Candelaria mining ruins give the finest Nevada silver boom heritage experience outside Virginia City. The extraordinary Alkali Flat near Fallon gives the finest white salt playa in Nevada. Both free. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
RENO, THE BIGGEST LITTLE CITY IN THE WORLD
Reno is the most extraordinary small city in Nevada, its extraordinary Truckee River corridor of outdoor recreation, the remarkable Nevada Museum of Art and the extraordinary Midtown arts district giving a vibrant city experience entirely unlike Las Vegas. The Whitney Peak Hotel with its extraordinary outdoor climbing wall on the former Sands Hotel building and the remarkable Reno Aces baseball stadium give the finest Reno experience. Nevada Museum of Art entry approx $15.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Fly Geyser near Gerlach in the Black Rock Desert is the finest hidden wonder in Nevada, its extraordinary man-made geothermal geyser creating vivid red and green mineral terraces in the most extraordinary accidental landscape feature in America. Tours from Burning Man Arts approx $25. The most extraordinary hidden gem in Nevada.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Depot, Reno The finest breakfast in Reno in a historic locomotive depot. Extraordinary local Nevada produce. | Lunch: Picnic at Pyramid Lake Pack lunch from Reno. The extraordinary lakeside picnic with tufa formations as backdrop. | Dinner: Campo, Reno The finest farm-to-table restaurant in Reno. Extraordinary local Nevada and California produce.
DAY 4
VIRGINIA CITY AND CARSON CITY
MORNING
VIRGINIA CITY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SILVER BOOM TOWN IN AMERICA
Virginia City is the most extraordinary preserved 19th-century mining town in America, its extraordinary Comstock Lode silver boom of the 1860s that produced $500 million in silver and gold funding the Union cause in the Civil War now preserved in the finest collection of Victorian commercial architecture in the West. The Piper's Opera House, the Fourth Ward School, the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office and the extraordinary mine tours give the finest silver heritage experience. Entry free, mine tours approx $18. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
VIRGINIA CITY MINE TOURS AND THE WAY IT WAS MUSEUM
The Chollar Mine tour in Virginia City is the most extraordinary underground mine experience in Nevada, its extraordinary 19th-century mine workings with original square-set timber framing giving the finest insight into the Comstock Lode silver extraction that produced one of the greatest mineral rushes in history. The Way It Was Museum on C Street gives the finest introduction to the Comstock history. Mine tour approx $18. Drive: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
CARSON CITY AND THE NEVADA STATE CAPITOL
Carson City is the most extraordinary small state capital in the American West, its extraordinary Nevada State Capitol building of 1871 with its silver dome and the remarkable Nevada State Museum in the former US Mint building giving the finest Nevada heritage experience. The extraordinary V and T Railway between Virginia City and Carson City is the finest historic narrow gauge railroad in Nevada. State Capitol and museum free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bowers Mansion near Washoe Valley between Reno and Carson City is the finest hidden historic house in Nevada, its extraordinary 1864 sandstone mansion built by Sandy Bowers, the first Comstock Lode millionaire, giving the most extraordinary Victorian silver boom domestic heritage in Nevada. Entry approx $5.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Brass Rail, Virginia City The most legendary breakfast in Virginia City. Extraordinary Nevada diner in the finest silver boom town. | Lunch: Cafe del Rio, Virginia City Outstanding lunch in the finest restaurant in Virginia City. Local Nevada produce and craft beer. | Dinner: The Union, Reno The finest restaurant in Reno's Midtown district. Extraordinary local Nevada produce and cocktails.
DAY 5
LAKE TAHOE NEVADA SHORE
MORNING
LAKE TAHOE NEVADA STATE PARK, SAND HARBOR BEACH
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park at Sand Harbor is the most extraordinary beach on Lake Tahoe, its extraordinary clarity of water revealing the lake floor at 30 feet depth in the most transparent freshwater lake in the United States, its extraordinary granite boulders and ponderosa pine shoreline giving the finest beach experience in Nevada. The extraordinary Sand Harbor amphitheater hosts the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival each summer. Entry $10 per vehicle, arrives early as fills by 9am. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
MARLETTE LAKE TRAIL AND SPOONER SUMMIT
The Marlette Lake trail from Spooner Summit is the most extraordinary mountain hike on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, its extraordinary 10-mile round trip through old-growth Jeffrey pine forest to a pristine alpine lake at 7,800 feet giving the finest backcountry experience in the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. The Flume Trail above Marlette Lake is the most extraordinary mountain bike trail in Nevada. Entry free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
CAVE ROCK AND THE NEVADA TAHOE SHORE DRIVE
Cave Rock on the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe is the most extraordinary landmark on the Nevada side, its extraordinary 75-foot volcanic rock plug rising from the lake shore sacred to the Washoe people and giving the finest geological feature on the Nevada shore. The drive along US-50 from Cave Rock to Stateline along the Nevada shore gives the most extraordinary Lake Tahoe coastal drive, with the Sierra Nevada peaks rising above the extraordinary blue lake. Cave Rock free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Secret Cove beach on the Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe is the finest hidden beach in Nevada, its extraordinary secluded granite cove accessible only by a short trail from a pullout on US-50 giving the most extraordinary private beach experience on the lake entirely unknown to most visitors. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe at Incline Village The finest breakfast on the Nevada shore of Lake Tahoe. Extraordinary local produce and strong coffee. | Lunch: Sand Harbor beach picnic Pack lunch from Incline Village. The most extraordinary lakeside picnic in Nevada. | Dinner: Lone Eagle Grille, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe The finest restaurant on Lake Tahoe. Extraordinary local produce over the lake.
Where To Stay
Las Vegas and Baker, Nights 1 to 2 Red Rock Resort or Border Inn Baker. Approx $60 to $180 per night. Reno and Virginia City, Nights 3 to 4 Whitney Peak Hotel Reno or Silver Queen Hotel VC. Approx $80 to $180. Lake Tahoe Nevada, Night 5 Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe or Zephyr Cove Resort. Approx $150 to $350 per night.
Top Tips
1. US Highway 50 across central Nevada is the Loneliest Road in America. Fill up at every gas station.
2. Great Basin National Park has the finest dark sky in Nevada. Bring a blanket for stargazing at Wheeler Peak.
3. Pyramid Lake tufa formations at sunrise give the most extraordinary desert lake photograph in Nevada. Free.
4. Virginia City is the most authentic 19th-century silver boom town in America. The Piper's Opera House is extraordinary.
5. Lake Tahoe Sand Harbor beach in Nevada is the finest beach on the lake. Arrive by 8am in summer.
6. The Extraterrestrial Highway (US-375) near Area 51 is the most extraordinary empty road in America.
Total Budget
$110 to $180/day