If there’s anything we know about Nevada, it’s that our state is filled with a ton of breathtaking valleys and mountain ranges. With fall around the corner and many of our favorite trails beginning to cool down now that summer is coming to a close, we’ve begun to once again daydream about our most amazing trails that are worth exploring.
Pack lots of water and don’t forget your sunscreen! These incredible trails throughout our state are an absolute must to visit before you die:
- Black Mountain Trail - Henderson
Nicole P./Yelp A hike that will have you feeling like you just landed on the moon or something close to it, Black Mountain’s summit will greet you with the American Flag! Considered a moderate hike, the trail doesn’t get too strenuous until the last short stretch that you’ll have before you reach the top. Accessible September through May, and you’ll want to wear a good pair of boots for this hike. How to get here: You’ll park at the small parking lot just off of Shadow Canyon Drive, located here.
- Hunter Creek Trail - Reno
Katherine C./Yelp A trail that you’ll normally see labeled easy, the 5.7-mile out and back hike features some rocky terrain. With that said, you’ll see visitors of all ages exploring here, enjoying the steady incline you’ll experience while taking in the beautiful scenery. The majority of this hike has you right out in the sun and nowhere near shade, meaning you’ll want to bring extra water and sunscreen with you! Another way to beat the heat? Start your hike as early in the day as possible. Hunter Creek Trail is accessible March through October. The end of the hike leads you to a waterfall that you’ll have a hard time believing is right here in the desert! How to get here: Park at the Hunter Creek Trailhead which you can find right off of Woodchuck Circle. Click here for the exact location.
- Mount Rose Trail - Incline Village
Jennifer T./Yelp A strenuous hike that will absolutely be worth all of the effort, this trail is rated as moderate and is a roughly 10-mile long loop. The well-maintained paths will bring you through peaceful meadows and even give you the opportunity to see a waterfall. This particular trail is very dog-friendly and is accessible from March through October. A mountain that should most certainly be on your bucket list!
How to get here: Park at the Mount Rose Trailhead parking lot just off of Mount Rose Highway not far from the campground. For directions and the exact location of the parking lot, click here.
- Calico Tanks Trail - Las Vegas
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr Located within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this 2.2-mile out and back trail will give you unbelievable views of Las Vegas. A more shaded trail, this one will ensure you’ll want to bring water due to the fact that most visitors underestimate how strenuous this trail will be. Most of the trail requires scrambling, getting your blood flowing quickly! The trail is rated as moderate.
How to get here: To get to the trailhead you’ll want to park in the Sandstone Quarry parking lot, located here.
- Mary Jane Falls Trail - Mount Charleston
Cathy M./Yelp The Mary Jane Falls Trail is located out in the Las Vegas area. You’ll find seriously breathtaking views while you’re exploring the trails of Mount Charleston. With various level hikes, this roughly three-mile out and back trail is considered quite difficult. But what’s that saying? No pain, no gain? These views wouldn’t be quite as sweet if we didn’t have to actually work for them. You’ll be able to pat yourself on the back after you complete this trail. Depending on when you visit, Mary Jane Falls tends to be a bit of a trickle; not one of our most powerful waterfalls you’ll ever visit, but amazing nonetheless! At the top of the trail you’ll also find a beautiful cave that’s worth exploring.
How to get here: To get to the trailhead, you’ll want to park at the parking lot off of Mary Jane Big Falls Road, located here.
- Marlette Lake Trail - Carson City
Martha D./Flickr A favorite area of Nevada that our residents thoroughly love to explore, the trails you’ll find out near Sand Harbor and surrounding Lake Tahoe are some of our best. While these trails are often popular for those on bike to check out, there’s nothing like taking on this trail with your own two feet! The trail is over five miles out and back and is accessible from June through November.
How to get here: Click here for directions to the parking lot!
- Cathedral Gorge Trail - Panaca
Ronnie Macdonald/Flickr Just over a three-mile loop that will take you through one of our most beautiful state parks, this gorge trail will leave you with no regrets for taking the time to explore. The trail is considered easy and will showcase some of our plants and wildlife along the way!
How to get here: Click here to find the parking areas for Cathedral Gorge State Park!
- Railroad Tunnel Trail - Boulder City
Debra S./Yelp If you’re looking to take a hike that offers rewarding views but won’t be a huge strain on your body, then Railroad Tunnel Trail is probably right for you! The over seven mile out and back trail is completely flat and great for visitors of all ages. The trail is loved for its rich history and that it was once used during the constructing of Hoover Dam. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of Lake Mead, and as you pass through five tunnels you’ll be able to hear the bats that live inside the tunnels!
How to get here: To get to the trailhead you’ll want to park at the Historic Railroad Parking Lot, located here.
- Wheeler Peak Trail - Great Basin National Park
Frank Kovalchek/Flickr One of the most difficult trails you’ll find on this list, this hike is rated as hard. The eight mile out and back trail is accessible from March until October and is a favorite trail to explore within Great Basin. While this hike is considered quite difficult, it’s one that you’ll hear almost everyone recommend because of its mind-blowing views from the top. From the summit you’ll have panoramic views of our glorious state from one of our highest peaks.
How to get here: Click here for directions and to make your way to the parking lot!
- Lamoille Lake Trail - Ruby Mountains
BLM Nevada/Flickr A great place to go hiking with a group of friends, this trail is roughly four miles and considered quite strenuous. If you’re a beginner with hiking, this mountain may not be for you. The trail leads you right to Lamoille Lake. You’ll love the smell of the flowers in bloom that you’ll see along the way.
How to get here: Click here for directions to the parking lot.
Still not ready to stop exploring? Then read about this Amazing State Park In Nevada That You Absolutely Must Visit!
Nicole P./Yelp
A hike that will have you feeling like you just landed on the moon or something close to it, Black Mountain’s summit will greet you with the American Flag! Considered a moderate hike, the trail doesn’t get too strenuous until the last short stretch that you’ll have before you reach the top. Accessible September through May, and you’ll want to wear a good pair of boots for this hike. How to get here: You’ll park at the small parking lot just off of Shadow Canyon Drive, located here.
Katherine C./Yelp
A trail that you’ll normally see labeled easy, the 5.7-mile out and back hike features some rocky terrain. With that said, you’ll see visitors of all ages exploring here, enjoying the steady incline you’ll experience while taking in the beautiful scenery. The majority of this hike has you right out in the sun and nowhere near shade, meaning you’ll want to bring extra water and sunscreen with you! Another way to beat the heat? Start your hike as early in the day as possible. Hunter Creek Trail is accessible March through October. The end of the hike leads you to a waterfall that you’ll have a hard time believing is right here in the desert! How to get here: Park at the Hunter Creek Trailhead which you can find right off of Woodchuck Circle. Click here for the exact location.
Jennifer T./Yelp
A strenuous hike that will absolutely be worth all of the effort, this trail is rated as moderate and is a roughly 10-mile long loop. The well-maintained paths will bring you through peaceful meadows and even give you the opportunity to see a waterfall. This particular trail is very dog-friendly and is accessible from March through October. A mountain that should most certainly be on your bucket list!
How to get here: Park at the Mount Rose Trailhead parking lot just off of Mount Rose Highway not far from the campground. For directions and the exact location of the parking lot, click here.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
Located within Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, this 2.2-mile out and back trail will give you unbelievable views of Las Vegas. A more shaded trail, this one will ensure you’ll want to bring water due to the fact that most visitors underestimate how strenuous this trail will be. Most of the trail requires scrambling, getting your blood flowing quickly! The trail is rated as moderate.
How to get here: To get to the trailhead you’ll want to park in the Sandstone Quarry parking lot, located here.
Cathy M./Yelp
The Mary Jane Falls Trail is located out in the Las Vegas area. You’ll find seriously breathtaking views while you’re exploring the trails of Mount Charleston. With various level hikes, this roughly three-mile out and back trail is considered quite difficult. But what’s that saying? No pain, no gain? These views wouldn’t be quite as sweet if we didn’t have to actually work for them. You’ll be able to pat yourself on the back after you complete this trail. Depending on when you visit, Mary Jane Falls tends to be a bit of a trickle; not one of our most powerful waterfalls you’ll ever visit, but amazing nonetheless! At the top of the trail you’ll also find a beautiful cave that’s worth exploring.
How to get here: To get to the trailhead, you’ll want to park at the parking lot off of Mary Jane Big Falls Road, located here.
Martha D./Flickr
A favorite area of Nevada that our residents thoroughly love to explore, the trails you’ll find out near Sand Harbor and surrounding Lake Tahoe are some of our best. While these trails are often popular for those on bike to check out, there’s nothing like taking on this trail with your own two feet! The trail is over five miles out and back and is accessible from June through November.
How to get here: Click here for directions to the parking lot!
Ronnie Macdonald/Flickr
Just over a three-mile loop that will take you through one of our most beautiful state parks, this gorge trail will leave you with no regrets for taking the time to explore. The trail is considered easy and will showcase some of our plants and wildlife along the way!
How to get here: Click here to find the parking areas for Cathedral Gorge State Park!
Debra S./Yelp
If you’re looking to take a hike that offers rewarding views but won’t be a huge strain on your body, then Railroad Tunnel Trail is probably right for you! The over seven mile out and back trail is completely flat and great for visitors of all ages. The trail is loved for its rich history and that it was once used during the constructing of Hoover Dam. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of Lake Mead, and as you pass through five tunnels you’ll be able to hear the bats that live inside the tunnels!
How to get here: To get to the trailhead you’ll want to park at the Historic Railroad Parking Lot, located here.
Frank Kovalchek/Flickr
One of the most difficult trails you’ll find on this list, this hike is rated as hard. The eight mile out and back trail is accessible from March until October and is a favorite trail to explore within Great Basin. While this hike is considered quite difficult, it’s one that you’ll hear almost everyone recommend because of its mind-blowing views from the top. From the summit you’ll have panoramic views of our glorious state from one of our highest peaks.
How to get here: Click here for directions and to make your way to the parking lot!
BLM Nevada/Flickr
A great place to go hiking with a group of friends, this trail is roughly four miles and considered quite strenuous. If you’re a beginner with hiking, this mountain may not be for you. The trail leads you right to Lamoille Lake. You’ll love the smell of the flowers in bloom that you’ll see along the way.
How to get here: Click here for directions to the parking lot.
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