Spotlight Summary

About This Experience

Nevada Division of State Parks – Southern Nevada operates a network of parks offering hiking trails ranging from easy canyon walks to challenging mountain routes. The system includes Cathedral Gorge's clay badlands, Cave Lake's alpine scenery, Kershaw-Ryan's desert oasis, and numerous water-based parks ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can expect varied terrain, wildlife viewing, camping facilities, and access to both geological wonders and Nevada's historic sites.

Did You Know

Interesting Facts

• •Cathedral Gorge features striking patterns carved by water erosion in soft volcanic clay, creating a unique landscape visible from above, below, and within the canyon
• •Cave Lake offers year-round activities including summer water sports and winter snowmobiling, sledding, ice-skating, and cross-country skiing
• •Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park displays the most abundant concentration and largest known Ichthyosaur fossils in North America, preserved in a 225-million-year-old marine deposit
• •Lahontan Reservoir spans 69 miles of shoreline with multi-sport recreation including water-skiing, horseback riding, and scenic canoeing routes

Insider Tip

Hidden Gems

• •Kershaw-Ryan offers a genuine desert oasis with natural springs, wild grapevines, white oaks, and a less-crowded alternative to heavily trafficked Southern Nevada attractions
• •Fort Churchill's historic ruins and Carson River access provide a quieter Civil War-era site for exploration compared to Nevada's busier state parks

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