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Creator Jacob Moon in front of the Welcome to Nevada sign on a Southern Nevada road trip
(Photo: Jacob Moon)
Sponsor Content: Travel Nevada

Explore Southern Nevada鈥檚 Wild Side

Rally some friends. Hit the road. Get a little out there.

Published: 
Creator Jacob Moon in front of the Welcome to Nevada sign on a Southern Nevada road trip
(Photo: Jacob Moon)

Las Vegas gets the spotlight, but there鈥檚 a whole other side of southern Nevada, where backroads, outdoor adventures, and hidden gems await. This part of the Mojave Desert has always called to people who are looking for something a little different. Drive the quiet, expansive highways on the , an adventurous road trip route between Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park, where you鈥檒l discover desert oases, wildlife refuges, charming Old Western towns, and places that can only be described as a little out there. 国产吃瓜黑料 sent traveler and photographer on a one-of-a-kind adventure in Southern Nevada. Here’s everything he got to experience.

Trade Neon Lights for Starlight

Drive 30 minutes from Las Vegas and you鈥檒l be stunned by how encompassing the surrounding desert feels. is a popular destination for outdoor adventures鈥攕o popular that visitors need to reserve an entry time in advance. No need to join the crowd. Skirt around Red Rock Canyon to explore the neighboring slice of public land at .

This beautiful and lush oasis sits at 3,800 feet and has long been a respite from the desert heat鈥攆irst for the Southern Paiute and later for pioneers heading west on the Spanish Trail. Area ranchers also took advantage of the spring to raise cattle, sheep, and, at one point, chinchillas. Stop by the historic Main Ranch House to get a map before heading out on the 1.2-mile Sandstone Canyon Loop where you鈥檒l encounter a variety of desert flora and impressive views of the surrounding mountains. Be sure to make it back in time for free yoga classes on the massive lawn that鈥檚 supported by the park鈥檚 six natural springs. Then, stick around for an evening stargazing talk hosted by the Las Vegas Astronomical Society, which brings telescopes along for the occasion.

Tip: Still want to catch a glimpse of Red Rock Canyon? Take State Route 159 to Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. The overlook near mile marker 10 features amazing views of the sandstone mountains, no reservations required.

Hiking in Southern Nevada near Red Rock Canyon
The red color of the sandstone cliffs is derived from iron oxide in the stone. (Photo: Jacob Moon)

Make More Than a Pit Stop in Pahrump

With a population of around 40,000, Pahrump feels like a metropolis compared to many of the tiny towns you鈥檒l pass through in southern Nevada. But this midway point between Las Vegas and Death Valley National Park still delivers on small town charm鈥攁nd quirkiness, like the coffin-themed roadside attraction, . Although Pahrump is only an hour from Las Vegas, it didn鈥檛 have any paved roads until 1953. Today, the town has earned some fame for its off-road scene, so don鈥檛 hesitate to kick up some dust on hundreds of miles of OHV trails throughout Pahrump Valley.

Back in Pahrump, take advantage of the city amenities, including casinos, a variety of restaurants, and Pahrump鈥檚 thriving wine and spirits scene. Enjoy a wine tasting at 鈥攖he first winery established in the area鈥攐r sample cider and mead at , one of only a handful of meaderies in Nevada. If spirits are more your style, head to , which is known for its craft rum and cocktails. Moon also recommends a stop at the Pahrump Museum. 鈥淭he museum staff are extremely knowledgeable about the area鈥檚 history, which gives great context to the places you explore outside of town.

Tip: Before you hit the road, fill your bellies at O Happy Bread, a local favorite known for its croissants and pastries. Then, fill your gas tank. Service stations are few and far between in this part of Nevada.

Creator Jacob Moon explore Pahrump, Nevada
Southern Nevada’s western roots are on display at the Pahrump Valley Museum. (Photo: Jacob Moon)

Venture Into the Mountains

Southern Nevada isn鈥檛 all desert landscapes broken up with water-rich oases. Just 45 minutes from The Strip, is the perfect place for cool temperatures and alpine adventures. Just shy of 12,000 feet, Charleston Peak is the highest summit in southern Nevada and the eighth highest in the state. Take a spin at the small-but-mighty , which opened in fall 2022. Currently, the park has five lift-accessed downhill trails, with plans to expand in the coming years. The 4.2 miles of trails offer a good time for all levels of riders. In winter, Lee Canyon makes the transition to fun, .听

Prefer to explore on foot? Hike more than 60 miles of forested trails in the area. Most trails start at around 6,000 feet in elevation, so you鈥檒l be able to tackle longer distances without the desert heat to contend with. For a challenge, hike the 17-mile Mt. Charleston National Recreation Trail. The strenuous route climbs 4,890 feet to the summit, where you鈥檒l be rewarded with 360-degree views of the surrounding pristine desert and Las Vegas in the distance.

Tip: The view of Mt. Charleston from the desert is equally impressive. “During my trip in February, a snowstorm enveloped Mt. Charleston. When the clouds cleared, I was left with a stunning view of the snowy mountain massif from the surrounding desert landscape.”

Explore Death Valley National Park, Of Course

It鈥檚 true鈥攕outhern Nevada is the gateway to . You鈥檒l be close to the otherworldly preserve on this tour and you shouldn鈥檛 miss it. Drive through Twenty Mule Team Canyon, a three-mile, one-way loop through mudstone badlands. If temperatures aren鈥檛 too hot, this route is also great as a bike ride. Either way, hike to Zabriskie Point, which offers a must-see view of one of the most-photographed landscapes in the park. Learn how to protect the park鈥檚 fragile ecosystem and prepare for the extreme seasonal temperature changes by stopping at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center to chat with a park ranger.

Creator Jacob Moon hiking in Death Valley National Park
The best time to hike in Death Valley National park is November to March when desert temperatures are not as extreme. (Photo: Jacob Moon)

Another scenic route worth taking: Artist鈥檚 Drive. This nine-mile route leads to the colorful hills of Artist鈥檚 Palette. A variety of compounds in the volcanic rocks causes the rainbow effect. From there, head back to Badwater Road to drop down into Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the United States. 鈥淚鈥檝e visited Death Valley many times, and the desert always provides a unique experience,鈥 says Moon. 鈥淥n this trip, I got to see the Bad Water Basin like I鈥檇 never seen it before. An atmospheric river had flooded the basin creating the massive, temporary Lake Manly. The reflection of the snow-capped mountains in the water is something I鈥檒l never forget.鈥 Once you鈥檝e fully explored the park from top to bottom, make your way along State Route 190 back toward Beatty. Or take Hwy. 373 to Amargosa Valley for a special treat: a photo op with Big Bovine, a 12-foot tall cow statue.

Tip: Keep an eye out for as you head to Beatty. They typically travel in herds in the hills around this area and are sometimes the cause of 鈥渂urro jams鈥 as they cross the road.

Tour an Artsy Ghost Town

Only in Nevada will you find a sprawling sculpture park right next to a ghost town. In the early 1900s, the discovery of gold ore led to the establishment of Rhyolite, a town that boomed for a few years before the bust hit almost as quickly. By 1920, Rhyolite was all but deserted. Today you can explore , including the old bank building, jail, and train depot. Don鈥檛 miss the ghost town鈥檚 pi猫ce de r茅sistance: Tom Kelly鈥檚 Bottle House. Constructed in 1906, the residence was made from 50,000 discarded beer and liquor bottles. Although the novel choice of building materials was due to cost-effectiveness鈥攚ith lumber in scarce supply in the desert, glass was a cheaper building alternative鈥攔ather than style, the Bottle House is quite the work of art. The building was even restored a couple decades after Rhyolite鈥檚 heyday to have its moment in a movie.

You鈥檒l find more art at the next door. Spanning eight acres, this outdoor sculpture park is full of memorable sculptures created by a group of Belgian artists who were drawn to the Mojave Desert as a place they could have full artistic freedom.

Larger-than-life art at the Goldwell Open Air Museum in Southern Nevada
A ghostly interpretation of the Last Supper painting by Leonardo Da Vinci.

Tip: Grab dinner at the , one of many across the state. Then, hit Eddie World鈥攁 quirky gas station offering long aisles filled with every type of candy imaginable, many of which are made on-site.

Discover the Desert鈥檚 Biodiversity

Life thrives in Nevada鈥檚 desert鈥攊f you know where to look, that is. Explore a thriving desert ecosystem at . The largest oasis in the Mojave Desert, this preserve is home to incredible biodiversity. At least 24 plants and animals found in this refuge aren鈥檛 found anywhere else in the world. Stop by the visitor center to learn about the area, then head to Devils Hole, an underwater cavern with depths of up to 900 feet. With the help of binoculars, you might see the endangered Devils Hole pupfish from the viewing platform above the cavern.

For a more macro wildlife experience, head to the , a habitat for desert bighorn sheep. This massive preserve鈥 the largest wildlife refuge in the contiguous United States鈥攊s more than double the size of Rhode Island. The refuge鈥檚 800-1,000 bighorn sheep tend to spread out in smaller herds; ask a ranger for tips on spotting these elusive desert dwellers.

Tip: Throughout the refuge, keep your eyes out for petroglyphs from the Southern Paiute, who鈥檝e resided in southern Nevada since as early as 1100. Please remember to never touch petroglyphs.


(the Nevada Division of Tourism) is part of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It is responsible for promoting and marketing Nevada as a travel destination.

Lead Photo: Jacob Moon

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