Nevada:
Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2007
When one thinks of Nevada, the images that immediately come to mind are gambling houses and big-time spenders. Yet, the state is actually blessed with many other attractions that are not necessarily man-made. Green valleys, pristine lakes, and towering mountains are actually abundant in Nevada, and RV-boarded travelers will be pleasantly surprised to find out that there is more to Nevada than just casinos in Las Vegas.A Tour of the Nevada Regions
Hardly anyone knows that Nevada is actually a Spanish word that means "snow-capped", and this is actually appropriate for the land they call "Silver State" since it owns more peaks compared with other American states. These mountains invariably come to the fore in each of these regions that include the Reno-Tahoe Territory, the Cowboy Country, the Pony Express Territory, the Pioneer Territory, and the Las Vegas Territory.
The Reno-Tahoe Territory
Situated at the extreme northwestern end of Nevada, the Reno-Tahoe Territory is largely a mountain region dotted by several lakes and pine tree-covered forest areas. Its most dominant features are Lake Tahoe and Reno city, which account for the territory's name. Not to be left behind, however, are several other regional wonders like the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Black Rock Desert, the Toiyabe National Forest, and several historic towns like Virginia City, which started out as a mining district.
Needless to say, the above-mentioned Nevada attractions are most suitable for RVers who love exploring the outdoors. All they need now are the corresponding RV parks where they can easily park in their RVs. For this, they can consider both Reno and Virginia City as the two host at least one RV park like in the case of Virginia City which has the Virginia City RV Park. Reno, meanwhile, holds three RV parks under its fold, including Silver Sage RV Park, RV Park at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, and the Bonanza Terrace RV Park.
The Cowboy Territory
The territory is presently composed of state lands that were previously cattle ranches where 19th century cowboys used to make their living. Today, the area features a combination of the past and the present world where the American West lives alongside urban accommodations like casino houses.
The single biggest regional attraction here is the 300-mile long Humboldt River housed under the Humboldt National Forest where it shares space with other regional wonders like the Jarbridge Wilderness. Collectively, the area presents a wealth of outdoor opportunities like fishing, boating, camping, hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking, among others, activities that RVers will readily enjoy.
While many cities comprise the Cowboy Territory, RVers can actually choose one from them since they have convenient access to several other nearby towns and attractions. At Wells City, RVers can opt for a mountain adventure since the city is quite near the Humboldt Mountain Range. Alternatively, they can take a dip at Angel Lake, a mountain-covered lake found approximately 12 miles from Western Wells.
The city also hosts several RV parks so RV-boarded tourists need not be worried as to where they can park their vehicles. They can take their pick from Welcome Station RV Park, Mountain Shadows RV Park, and Angel Lake RV Park although the latter ought to be chosen if RVers prefer a view of the majestic Angel Lake as it is situated a few short drive from the RV park entrance.
The Pony Express Territory
Encompassing Central Nevada, the Pony Express Territory was so named because its main thoroughfare, U.S. Highway 50 is of equal distance to the principal route taken by the ground-breaking Pony Express mail service when it started in the 1860s. Apart from historic spots, though, this region is also filled with scenic valleys and alpine lakes, most of them found at the Great Basin National Park, easily the biggest regional attraction with its numerous enchanting bristlecone pine trees. RVers visiting this park will definitely find its hiking trails totally exhilarating as they conclude at the zenith of nearby Wheeler Peak which, at its height of 13,063 feet, has been named as the second tallest Nevada mountain.
The regional cities here include Ely, Austin, Eureka, and Fallon, all of which offer various attractions that RVers will find simply fascinating. Fallon, however, stands out for having Sand Mountain in its midst. Stretching for about two miles and standing 600-feet tall, Sand Mountain is actually a sand dune where sand skiers are commonly sighted.
Additionally, Fallon hosts Sage Valley RV Park situated about two miles away from the downtown area. It boasts of 52 RV sites and is capable of accommodating very large RVs measuring as long as 42 feet.
The Pioneer Territory
The land that used to be occupied by mining towns, dust-filled ranches, and large areas of open spaces has now been filled with various state parks although some are still existing today as reminders of that glorious time in Pioneer Territory history. For RVers who love history, the Pioneer Territory is a place worth visiting, but let that not lead to disappointment among outdoor enthusiasts for this region also features wide forest areas, geological wonders, and the ubiquitous Nevada mountains where the opportunity for outdoor exploration is always present.
Among the regional cities that RVers can visit here are Tonopah Belmont, Goldfield, and Pahrump with the latter situated near Spring Mountains, a long and linear mountain range that covers around 55 miles of land area. Hikers commonly take on its maintained trails that extend up to 50 miles while picnickers and campers enjoy a view of Spring Mountains via four picnic sites and eight campgrounds respectively that have been set up in various spots of Spring Mountains.
Pahrump also happens to play host to one RV park, the Preferred RV Resort,found along E. Crawford Way. It has the rare distinction of being a mile away from three large casinos where RVers can try to test their luck. Apart from that, the campground is also near several regional attractions such as the Toiyabe National Park, Lake Mead, the Tecopa Hot Springs, and Death Valley with their distances from the park ranging anywhere from a mile to a hundred miles at most.
The Las Vegas Territory
RVers who are not into gambling might shy away from this particular region, but that need not be so. While it is true that casinos in glittering neon lights, backed up by hordes of upscale shopping centers, and colorful hotels dominate the place, there is another Las Vegas Territory aspect that will certainly tickle the fancy of many RV riders. This other land is a virtual outdoor paradise where vast desert lands and rugged mountains share stellar billing. A good example of this is Mount Charleston set in northern Las Vegas. With its towering height of 12,000 feet, the mountain is the only skiing site in the Las Vegas Territory and offers a great and natural cooling area during the blistering summer heat. Below, campgrounds and picnic areas are available for those who prefer a scenic view of Mount Charleston.
RVers who want to explore this region can take note of the following cities: Boulder City, Laughlin, Overton, Primm and Jean, and Mesquite, for these offer several great outdoor attractions that should suit every individual interests. Mesquite, for example, is fast becoming popular for its golf courses set within resort towns and is quite near the Bryce Canyon National Park. Additionally, the city boasts of the Desert Skies RV Resort lying near the border of Nevada and Arizona with its concrete patio-adorned RV sites. The RV park features many different amenities including basic ones like 50 AMP electricity power up to the most modern like a computer room.
Exploring Nevada Cities
Las Vegas, along with Reno, is considered the most well-known Nevada city but she does not make up the entire "Silver State". There are actually several other state cities that may not be as popular as the casino capital but do offer attractions that RVers will find absolute enjoyment in.
Carson City
Lying on the southern corner of Reno approximately 30 miles away, Carson City is the official state capital whose name was aptly made in honor of a local hero from the Wild West period, Kit Carson. It was also in his honor that the Kit Carson Trail was named where RVers who are into hiking can take on the trail that traverses the historic city district down to rows of Victorian houses formerly owned by prominent Nevada personalities.
Traveling across the Western Carson City, RVers will encounter Lake Tahoe whose waters are considered the deepest and the clearest worldwide and where water-skiers, anglers, and boaters are known to regularly converge. RV-boarded visitors can either engage in these activities or explore the beauty of Lake Tahoe via a scenic drive along the road encircling the lake. The road, stretching for about 72 miles, includes a glimpse of Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park where Sand Harbor is a famous spot among swimmers, beach lovers, and picnickers.
Many other attractions await Carson City-bound RVers and for this, they need to have a suitable RV park to stay in, a concern that Carson Valley Inn RV Resort can satisfactorily answer. Apart from being a mere 20 minutes away from Eastern Lake Tahoe, the RV campground is likewise near the scenic Carson Valley where three small but lovely towns, namely, Genoa, Gardnerville, and Minden have resided for years and which RVers can explore to find out what these can offer them.
Boulder City
Boulder City is set within the fringes of the Las Vegas Territory of Nevada but unlike the glamor and excitement that characterize a great part of Southern Nevada, this city is quite proud of its quiet and relaxed atmosphere. RV riders who seek temporary relief from the hustle and bustle of city life are certain to find peace and serenity in these parts.
Attractions-wise, Boulder City has got lots of them, with Lake Mead topping its list. Considered as the biggest of all Western Hemisphere artificial lakes, it was the result of a concrete structure called Hoover Dam built in 1935. These two city attractions are housed under the Lake Mead National Recreation Area where a wide selection of outdoor activities await a typical RV-boarded visitor. The area features five lovely beaches that are excellent spots for swimming, sunbathing, and fishing apart from several campgrounds scattered in various areas.
For convenient access to regional attractions, particularly the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, RVers can head off to Boulder Oaks RV Resort which boasts of 275 RV sites. Nestled along Industrial Road in Boulder City, the RV campground offers several extreme outdoor sports including white-water rafting.
Black Rock Desert
Situated at the northern tip of the Reno-Tahoe Territory, the Black Rock Desert is an open area of pure and simple beauty. Historically, it holds the title of being the site where the land vehicle that first broke the sound limit or barrier made its landmark achievement in 1997.
For RVers, however, what ought to be interesting about this Nevada attraction is its lake nestled on the southern end. Pyramid Lake was once an inland sea previously enveloping a great part of Nevada. Through natural evolution, numerous tufa rocks gradually formed around the lake, consequently shrinking their sizes. Yet, Pyramid Lake is still considered the largest of all Nevada natural lakes with its length of 30 miles and a width of between seven up to nine miles. RV trippers exploring the lake will find this intriguing but equally enchanting are the lake waters that have become quite popular among fishing, boating, and sailing buffs.
Valley of Fire State Park
Overton, a city in northeast Las Vegas, is the host of this strangely beautiful state park that is the oldest and the largest in Nevada. Known for its red sandstones and ancient rock drawings, the Valley of Fire State Park was named so due to the numerous sandstones etched across its mountains that turn bright red as the hours pass by. Additionally, various ancient Indian rock carvings are seen in the woods that comprise the forest area of this state park.
For RV trippers, exploring the Valley of Fire State Park ought to be quite a unique experience. Yet, apart from that, they can also enjoy the innate beauty that surrounds the place through camping and picnics since the park has 51 campgrounds in its midst, specifically found on its western end. The camp sites are most likely RV-friendly since they feature dump stations, shower areas, and restrooms, among other amenities.
A Visit to Silver City
The geographical ends of Nevada are bordered by high deserts up north and low desert areas down south, resulting in extreme weather conditions during certain seasons. Summer temperatures in Southern Nevada, for example, usually reach a high of 115 degrees. Up on the northern end, the winter season provides Nevada with relatively cold nights although snow tend to last for months.
Generally, visiting Nevada will be most pleasant during spring time and autumn when the weather is generally mild. For RVers who prefer to engage in winter sports, the cold season can also be ideal visiting periods especially along the mountain areas where the significantly cold weather produces the needed amount of snow required for a good round of skiing.
Desert Rose RV Park
The vast desert, complemented by gently rolling hills, provide the perfect backdrop for RVers checking in at this RV park situated in Fernley City. Its other great attraction is the Golf Club of Fernley, where an 18-hole area surrounded by several lakes awaits golf enthusiasts.
For RV-boarded tourists who are not golf fans, there is no need to despair since a brief drive away are popular Nevada tourist destinations like Lake Tahoe, Walker Lake and Pyramid Lake. For other needs like grocery items, food, and cash, grocery stores, restaurants, and banks are accessible in just ten minutes.
Thinking of exploring other Nevada cities like Reno Carson City, Fallon, and Virginia City is likewise not a problem. These are just several miles away from the RV campground, with Carson City being the farthest at a distance of 50 miles.
Beverly Hills RV Ranch
Perched in Wells City, Nevada, this RV park prides in its serene and neat atmosphere and its proximity to magnificent Angel Lake where fishing is a prominent activity. Its spacious RV sites, numbering to around 40, are classified as either gravel paved or grassy, providing great views of the East Humboldt mountain range. At night, sky-watchers will find delight gazing at the stars hanging just over the mountains.
Operating all year through, the Beverly Hills RV Ranch boasts of being capable of accommodating RVs with sizes of as large as 60 feet. Restrooms with accompanying showers along with satellite TV are available, and for those using mobile phones, the RV park has a good and credible cell coverage site.
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