Nevada
 Although Nevada, the Silver State, has had legal gambling since 1931 and is famous for its casinos and night life, it also is the State with some of the wildest deserts and magnificent scenery in the United States. When vacationers think of visiting Nevada and its deserts, they also should remember its natural and man-made lakes, including Lakes Tahoe, Mohave, and Mead as well as Pyramid and Walker Lakes, where everyone can enjoy all types of water sports. Agri-tourists can study sheepherding and cattle raising techniques in the grasslands and hills throughout this arid state. Scenic driving tours of Nevada can be planned for a day or two-or a week. Tourists looking for scenic drives can start at Reno and wind south on the Mount Rose Scenic Byway to Lake Tahoe, or at Lake Tahoe and continue to Carson City to enjoy the panoramic views of the lake and nearby mountains with camping and picnicking areas. Alternative Route 50 provides a scenic trip across the State and traverses the mountains and valleys that are in the center of Nevada. Campgrounds are available near all of the scenic highways for weary travelers and hikers, backpackers, and rock collectors. Nevada has many working ranches as well as some dude ranches where even novice horseback riders can enjoy the sunny days and clear, starry nights.
For outdoor lovers, Nevada has an abundance of wildlife for watching, hunting, or fishing. Nevada has non-resident licenses. Whether fishing on Lakes Mead and Mohave or Colorado River, fisherman can catch trout, bass, mountain whitefish, and catfish. Hunters can find mule deer, quail, ducks, geese, partridges, and deer.
 Historians, geologists, anthropologists, and archaeologists can learn and relax in Nevada while others are enjoying the nightlife, gaming, and excitement of the cities. Austin, for example, near the Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest, is a great destination because it touches everyone's interest and represents the heart of the Nevada mining history in the 1860s. The town is a relic of the past close to the Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park with the fossilized remains of marine reptiles, Hickison Petroglyph Recreation site where there are ancient Native American drawings craved in stone, and Pony Express Trail. Hikers and cyclists find the trails around Bootleg Canyon, which wind along the edge of a dormant volcano cone, challenging. Lake Tahoe, at the California border, has panoramic views of the pristine lake and breathtaking mountains, Alpine skiing, gaming, and golfing.
Nevada has scenic and recreation areas developed by the National Park Service. Great Basin National Park includes caves, mountain peaks, and the Lexington Arch, a natural limestone arch over six stories high. Visitors to the Great Basin National Park enjoy touring on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive as well as hiking and camping. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, which includes Hoover Dam, is perfect for trekking and fishing. There are several marinas on Lakes Mead and Mojave where water sports also include kayaking, canoeing, and house boating. Hikers and equestrians can view beautiful plateaus, desert basins, canyons, colorful rock formations, and bighorn sheep. This recreation area intrigues eco-tourists because it is the convergence of three desert ecosystems, including the Mojave, Great Basin, and Sonoran Deserts.
Carson City, named after Kit Carson, is the State capital and has its routes in the Wild West, silver mining days. While in Carson City, visitors can tour the museums reflecting the regional history and heritage, including the natural history and railroad development in the West.
Even little Elko, in the heart of the ranch lands where it was a stopping point for wagon trains, has gaming along with gold mining, and a museum which highlights the pioneer culture, Native American heritage, and Pony Express riders.
Las Vegas and Reno are famous for their gaming, spas, and luxurious casinos for adults, but they also are vacation destinations for families with amusement parks, museums, golf courses, helicopter rides, animal parks, hot air balloon rides, and rodeos.
Nevada has interesting state parks like the Valley of Fire State Park with its red sandstone, which are carved by wind, rain, and geological upheaval. It is a photographer's delight because the natural carving of the red sandstone left "natural sculptures" of arches, beehives, domes, and other shapes. Hikers can trek around the colorful rocks and find petroglyphs left by the ancient Anasazi and Basket Maker people. Spring is a beautiful time to hike through the Valley of Fire because the glorious wildflowers are in bloom. After exploring the Valley of Fire, visitors need to stop by the Lost City Museum of Archaeology in Overton. This museum also is called the Pueblo Grande Nevada and focuses on the Anasazi people who were the early inhabitants of the valley.
Visitors to Nevada can enjoy its festivals and special events throughout the year.
Nevada is served by all of the major airlines. Many of the airlines have special gaming packages. Drivers can reach Nevada through the interstates.
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