10 Best Sights in Nevada, USA

Begin this full-day, 8.6-mile hike early in the morning to minimize exposure to afternoon storms. Depart and return to Summit Trailhead near the end of Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive. Most of the route follows a ridge up the mountain. Elevation gain is 3,100 feet to 13,063 feet above sea level, so hikers should have good stamina and watch for altitude sickness and hypothermia, as the temperature drops and the air becomes thinner the higher you climb. The trail is especially steep and challenging toward the summit, with lots of loose rock, but the reward is incredible. On a clear day, you can see more than 100 miles in every direction from the top. Difficult.

Though the park has several bristlecone pine groves, the easiest way to see the gnarled, ancient trees up close is to hike this trail. From the parking area to the grove, it's a moderate 2.8-mile hike that takes about an hour each way. Rangers offer informative talks in season; inquire at the visitor center. The Bristlecone Pine Trail also leads to the Glacier Trail, which skirts the southernmost permanent ice field on the continent and ends with a view of a small rock glacier, the only one in Nevada. It’s less than 3 miles back to the parking lot. Allow three hours and remember the trailhead is at 9,800 feet above sea level. Moderate.

A photogenic 3-mile cycling and walking path linking Incline Village and Sand Harbor State Park, this paved lakeside trail edges classic patches of turquoise water, giving way to cobalt blue, with the mountains as a backdrop. You can traverse portions of the trail by stopping at Highway 28 vista points, but parking is for only 20 minutes. Park at the Tunnel Creek Road pay lot for longer walks, less expensive than Sand Harbor's day-use fee.

This 2.7-mile trek loops past the beautiful Stella and Teresa lakes from the trailhead near Wheeler Peak Campground. You’ll rise and fall 440 feet in elevation as you pass through subalpine and alpine forest. The views of Wheeler Peak, amid wildflowers (in summer), white fir, shimmering aspens, and towering ponderosa pines, make this memorable. The trailhead is at nearly 10,000 feet, so make sure you’re adjusted to the altitude and are prepared for changing weather, with plenty of snacks and water. Allow up to three hours. Moderate.

This full-day, 12-mile hike can easily be made into a two-day backpacking trip. You'll gain a total of 2,620 feet in elevation on the way to Baker Lake, a jewel-like alpine lake with a backdrop of impressive cliffs. Difficult.

Looking for a place to stroll with a view? These nine labyrinths ranging in length from 25 to 55 feet blanket a hill overlooking the casinos and the Colorado River. Watch for a small sign and parking area halfway between Bruce Woodbury and South Casino drives.

Just past Rhodes Cabin on the right side of the visitor center, this short and easy trail (0.3 mile) through pinyon pine and juniper trees is marked with signs describing the plants. The path passes the original entrance to Lehman Caves and loops back to the visitor center. It’s a great way to spend a half hour or so while you wait for your cave tour to start. Easy.

In 1890, at a cost of $108,223, the Osceola Gravel Mining Company constructed an 18-mile-long trench. The ditch was part of an attempt to glean gold from the South Snake Range, but water shortages and the company’s failure to find much of that precious ore forced the operation to shut down after a decade and a half. This trail takes to you the eastern section of the ditch and passes through pine and fir trees, with interpretive signs along the way. Allow 30 minutes for this 0.3-mile round-trip walk. Easy.

Stretching 35 miles around the River Mountains, this multiuse paved trail is perfect for hiking, biking, running, jogging, and horseback riding. For a stretch, the trail parallels the shores of Lake Mead, and it connects with a historic spur that leads from the Lake Mead National Recreation Area to a parking lot just north of Hoover Dam. The route runs through Boulder City, Henderson, and Lake Las Vegas. You can rent bikes at All Mountain Cyclery ( www.allmountaincyclery.com) in Boulder City. The most popular trailheads are at the Alan Bible Visitor Center inside Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Bootleg Canyon Park, at the north end of Yucca Street in Boulder City. But you can also reach the trail from the eastern end of Equestrian Drive and from the Railroad Pass Hotel & Casino, both in Henderson.