Mt.Moriah (12,073 ft) is located within Mount Moriah Wilderness in Nevada. This peak is often overlooked by its neighbor to the South, Wheeler Peak, in Great Basin National Park. But that is what I loved about this area - we passed very few people on the roads, and literally no one on the trail! Mt.Moriah is very remote and 4WD and high clearance is needed to reach the trailhead.
Anniversary Narrows Slot Canyon is located within the Lake Mead Scenic Byway area, just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Hiking this trail is best November through March when the temperatures are much cooler.
Turtlehead Peak (6, 323 ft) is located in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, and one of the most popular hikes in the park. To reach the trailhead (TH) you must have a timed entry reservation for Red Rocks (get that here), and start hiking early to beat to people all the people and weather. Turtlehead Peak offers amazing views of the entire area, and on a clear day you can even see the Las Vegas Strip!
Lexington Arch is located within Great Basin National Park, yet very few people make the trek to it due to it not being in the main area of the N.P. In fact, access to the trailhead was closed for a long time due to the "Strawberry Fire" of 2016. Then a flash flood ripped up the road leading to the original TH. Now, hikers have to add an additional mile of hiking before reaching the official TH.
Winchell Lake is another high alpine lake in the Humboldt-Toiyabe Wilderness near the Angel Lake Rec area, just south of Wells, NV. It's neighboring lakes, Angel Lake & Smith Lake, gets most of the attention, but Winchell is just as pretty! Because this lake is only lightly trafficked, the trail is semi-overgrown and wearing pants will protect your legs. The trail is very easy to follow, it's just filled with overgrown sagebrush.
The Angel Lake Recreation Area near Wells, Nevada is a hidden gem for hiking, fishing, and camping. If you've ever seen the brown highway sign for Angel Lake off I-80 and kept driving, it's time to reconsider—this scenic spot is well worth the detour.
Gold Butte National Monument (GBNM) is a stunning and remote destination located in southeastern Nevada, just 2 hours northeast of Las Vegas and 1 hour south of Mesquite. Established in 2016, the monument spans over 300,000 acres and offers a unique mix of vibrant sandstone formations, ancient rock art, desert wildlife, historic mining sites, natural arches, and even a ghost town.
Whether you're an ATV enthusiast, hiker, or geology lover, Gold Butte offers something for everyone.
Spencer Hot Springs is one of Nevada’s most popular natural hot springs, located almost dead-center in the state, about an hour west of Eureka, NV. This remote oasis features three soaking areas: two human-made tubs and one natural hot spring pond. Whether you're looking to unwind under the desert sun or stargaze while soaking, Spencer Hot Springs is a must-visit on any Nevada road trip.
12 Mile Hot Springs, also known as Bishop Creek Hot Springs, is one of Nevada’s best-kept secrets—a natural, 102°F oasis located just 12 miles north of Wells, Nevada. With a flat 2-mile hike and relaxing, year-round access, this hot spring is perfect for families, couples, or solo adventurers looking for a peaceful soak surrounded by nature.
Did you know? Nevada has more natural hot springs than any other U.S. state, with over 300 spread across the region—most concentrated in the northern part of the state.
Cathedral Gorge State Park in Panaca, NV is a hidden gem in the heart of the Great Basin Desert. The Great Basin Desert is the largest US desert, which covers an arid expanse of about 190,000 square miles and is bordered by the Sierra Nevada Range to the West, and Rocky Mountains to the East. At the South East corner of Nevada sits Cathedral Gorge State Park, which exposes erosion that has carved unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay.
Valley of Fire State Park is the oldest Nevada State Park, which was dedicated in 1935. It covers approximately 35,000 acres, and was named appropriately for the magnificent red sandstone formations that resemble a realm of flames. These formations resulted from the shifting sand dunes more than 150 million years ago in the Mesozoic Era. Surrounding rock includes limestone, shale, and conglomerates.
I debated on creating a post for our attempt to Pilot Peak (10,720 ft), mainly because we didn't actually summit. I realized that not every summit will be successful or the most enjoyable, but at least I can share my experience with everyone, and I hope that this can help somewhat guide you and not make the same mistakes we did.