Nevada road trip: Black Rock Desert to Hoover Dam
Explore Nevada's most iconic destinations across 4,084 km, from the natural wonders of Great Basin National Park and Lake Tahoe to the engineering marvel of Hoover Dam and the vibrant Las Vegas Strip. This route connects desert landscapes like Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire State Park with historic Virginia City and the outdoor recreation hub of Reno.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Black Rock Desert
- End
- Las Vegas
- Stops
- 13
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Black Rock Desert — Located in the far northeast corner of Nevada, this desert hosts Burning Man, a renowned music and arts festival.
- Great Basin National Park
- Virginia City — A small town with incredible historic atmosphere located just south of Reno, featuring six saloons lining C Street.
- Red Rock Canyon — Stunning natural attraction west of Las Vegas featuring red rocks in interesting formations, with scenic escarpment, trailheads and viewpoints.
- Valley of Fire State Park — State park located 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas, featuring Rainbow Vista panoramic views and White Domes with sandstone formations.
- Lake Tahoe — The largest alpine lake in North America, straddling California and Nevada borders, located in the Sierra Nevada with crystal-clear waters surrounded by mountains and forests.
- The Strip
- Hoover Dam — A marvel of modern engineering that blocks the Black Canyon of the Colorado River and straddles the Nevada-Arizona border, with Lake Mead behind it.
- Lake Mead — Vast reservoir stretching behind Hoover Dam along the Nevada-Arizona border.
- Lehman Caves — Spectacular caves within Great Basin National Park.
- Bristlecone Pine Trail — Popular hiking trail where visitors can see some of the oldest trees on the planet and spot the glacier at the base of Wheeler Peak.
- Reno — City at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains with numerous attractions.
- Las Vegas — Major city serving as reference point for Red Rock Canyon and the Strip casinos.
Video on this route
10 Best Places to Visit in Nevada - Travel Video