Nevada is a beautiful state with many mountains, canyons, waterways, and stunning scenery. From the bright red rocks of Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, and Gold Butte to the many mountain ranges and glorious and scenic canyons, the Silver State is chock full of natural charm, gorgeous sights, and some of the best back roads for a long picturesque day trip. If you are looking for a lengthy, panoramic scenic drive, these eight byways are, by far, some of the best scenic drives in Nevada.
- California Trail National Back County Byway
Famartin/Wikimedia Commons Beginning near Wells in northeast Elko County, this scenic byway traverses 96 miles of gravel roads. Visitors will parallel nearly 40 miles of the California National Historic Trail, see several trail huts, and pass by Winecup Ranch and Little Goose Creek. Wagon ruts are visible and there are many historical markers and hiking opportunities. Click here to learn more. U.S. 93, US-93, Jackpot, NV, USA
- Lunar Crater Back Road Byway
Ken Lund/Flickr This incredible landmark approximately 80 miles northeast of Tonopah sits at Nevada’s geographic center. The 430-foot deep Lunar Crater is part of an enormous volcanic field that contains other craters, cinder cones, basalt flows, and ancient lava beds. In fact, visitors can see approximately 20 other extinct volcanoes from Lunar Crater’s rim. Visiting the Lunar Crater is one of the best scenic day trips in Nevada. Learn more about this byway here. Lunar Crater, Nevada 89049, USA
- Lovelock Cave National Back Country Byway
Julie T/Google This 20-mile, two to three-hour drive takes visitors past the remains of ancient Lake Lahontan and Lovelock Cave. Lovelock Cave is considered to be among North America’s greatest archaeological sites with its impressive petroglyphs. This is one of the best scenic drives in Nevada as it takes visitors up the Old California Trail, near Paiute reservation land, and provides ample wildlife viewing. Click here to learn more. 397 NV-397, Lovelock, NV 89419, USA
- Gold Butte Back Country Byway
BLM Nevada/Flickr Beginning near Riverside, this scenic five-hour, 62-mile road offers ample views of stunning red and white sandstone cliffs and rock formations. Additional sights along this byway include petroglyph sites, sinkholes, the ruins of the historic Gold Butte mining camp, and much desert flora and fauna. To learn more about one of the best Nevada byways, click here. Gold Butte, Nevada, USA
- Fort Churchill to Wellington Back Country Byway
Jasperdo/Flickr Beginning east of Carson City at Fort Churchill State Historic Park, this scenic drive follows the route of the Pony Express National Historic Trail along the Carson River to Dayton. From there, the road climbs above Eldorado Canyon and passes through the Como mining district. Click here to learn more. Fort Churchill State Historic Park, 10000 US-95 ALT, Silver Springs, NV 89429, USA
- Mt. Wilson Back Country Byway
Don Barrett/Flickr This scenic byway passes through a heavily forested ancient volcanic caldera, Echo Canyon and Spring Mountain State Parks, and the heart of the Wilson Creek Mountain range. As the road is poorly marked, purchasing a BLM route guide or topographic Nevada map is highly recommended. To learn more about this scenic drive, click here. Pioche, NV 89043, USA
- Bitter Springs Trail Back Country Byway
Chris Pepper/AllTrails Beginning in Valley of Fire National Park, this 28-mile scenic drive passes along the foothills of the Muddy Mountains, past several abandoned mining camps, through several dry washes, intersects with the historic Old Spanish Trail, and ends on North Shore Drive in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This is one of the best scenic drives in Nevada and worth every mile. Click here to learn more about this beautiful drive in Nevada. Bitter Springs Trail Back Country Byway, Nevada, USA
- Red Rock Canyon Back Country Byway
Nicola/Flickr The shortest (and only paved) of these amazing drives, the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop is a 13-mile scenic loop outside of Las Vegas that passes through the stunning and colorful red rocks of the canyon. If you are searching for one of the most scenic day trips in Nevada, this is it. Click here to learn more. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161, USA
These stunning scenic Nevada back roads are perfect for a long, relaxing drive. Have you traveled down any of the state’s best back roads? Did I leave your favorite off this list? Please share your comments below.
Famartin/Wikimedia Commons
Beginning near Wells in northeast Elko County, this scenic byway traverses 96 miles of gravel roads. Visitors will parallel nearly 40 miles of the California National Historic Trail, see several trail huts, and pass by Winecup Ranch and Little Goose Creek. Wagon ruts are visible and there are many historical markers and hiking opportunities. Click here to learn more.
U.S. 93, US-93, Jackpot, NV, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
This incredible landmark approximately 80 miles northeast of Tonopah sits at Nevada’s geographic center. The 430-foot deep Lunar Crater is part of an enormous volcanic field that contains other craters, cinder cones, basalt flows, and ancient lava beds. In fact, visitors can see approximately 20 other extinct volcanoes from Lunar Crater’s rim. Visiting the Lunar Crater is one of the best scenic day trips in Nevada. Learn more about this byway here.
Lunar Crater, Nevada 89049, USA
Julie T/Google
This 20-mile, two to three-hour drive takes visitors past the remains of ancient Lake Lahontan and Lovelock Cave. Lovelock Cave is considered to be among North America’s greatest archaeological sites with its impressive petroglyphs. This is one of the best scenic drives in Nevada as it takes visitors up the Old California Trail, near Paiute reservation land, and provides ample wildlife viewing. Click here to learn more.
397 NV-397, Lovelock, NV 89419, USA
BLM Nevada/Flickr
Beginning near Riverside, this scenic five-hour, 62-mile road offers ample views of stunning red and white sandstone cliffs and rock formations. Additional sights along this byway include petroglyph sites, sinkholes, the ruins of the historic Gold Butte mining camp, and much desert flora and fauna. To learn more about one of the best Nevada byways, click here.
Gold Butte, Nevada, USA
Jasperdo/Flickr
Beginning east of Carson City at Fort Churchill State Historic Park, this scenic drive follows the route of the Pony Express National Historic Trail along the Carson River to Dayton. From there, the road climbs above Eldorado Canyon and passes through the Como mining district. Click here to learn more.
Fort Churchill State Historic Park, 10000 US-95 ALT, Silver Springs, NV 89429, USA
Don Barrett/Flickr
This scenic byway passes through a heavily forested ancient volcanic caldera, Echo Canyon and Spring Mountain State Parks, and the heart of the Wilson Creek Mountain range. As the road is poorly marked, purchasing a BLM route guide or topographic Nevada map is highly recommended. To learn more about this scenic drive, click here.
Pioche, NV 89043, USA
Chris Pepper/AllTrails
Beginning in Valley of Fire National Park, this 28-mile scenic drive passes along the foothills of the Muddy Mountains, past several abandoned mining camps, through several dry washes, intersects with the historic Old Spanish Trail, and ends on North Shore Drive in Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This is one of the best scenic drives in Nevada and worth every mile. Click here to learn more about this beautiful drive in Nevada.
Bitter Springs Trail Back Country Byway, Nevada, USA
Nicola/Flickr
The shortest (and only paved) of these amazing drives, the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop is a 13-mile scenic loop outside of Las Vegas that passes through the stunning and colorful red rocks of the canyon. If you are searching for one of the most scenic day trips in Nevada, this is it. Click here to learn more.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, 1000 Scenic Loop Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89161, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best scenic drives in Nevada August 27, 2021 Courtnie Erickson What are some of the best scenic day trips in Nevada? If you want to experience some of the most beautiful views that Nevada has to offer, hop in your car and go for a ride. Some of the most beautiful drives in Nevada are filled with unique sights, bright colors, and well-known landmarks. If you are looking for one of the most scenic day trips in Nevada, explore the Valley of Fire Road. This road is 10.5-miles long and connects Valley of Fire State Park’s east and west entrances. The unique rock and the bright colors are definitely picturesque. If you are looking for a drive that is bright and lively and there is plenty to see and do, explore the Las Vegas Strip Scenic Byway. This is one of the most popular Nevada byways and is the only nighttime byway in America. What are some of the best Nevada byways I should explore? If you are looking for one of the best scenic drives in Nevada, head to Lake Tahoe and explore the Lake Tahoe – Eastshore Drive Scenic Byway. This byway is 16.2 miles and will take you along the northeastern shore of the lake. Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is another one of the most beautiful drives in Nevada. This scenic byway is 12 miles long and takes you through the awe-inspiring Lamoille Canyon in Elko County. Make sure you bring your camera as there are views you will not want to forget along this road.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best scenic drives in Nevada
August 27, 2021
Courtnie Erickson
What are some of the best scenic day trips in Nevada? If you want to experience some of the most beautiful views that Nevada has to offer, hop in your car and go for a ride. Some of the most beautiful drives in Nevada are filled with unique sights, bright colors, and well-known landmarks. If you are looking for one of the most scenic day trips in Nevada, explore the Valley of Fire Road. This road is 10.5-miles long and connects Valley of Fire State Park’s east and west entrances. The unique rock and the bright colors are definitely picturesque. If you are looking for a drive that is bright and lively and there is plenty to see and do, explore the Las Vegas Strip Scenic Byway. This is one of the most popular Nevada byways and is the only nighttime byway in America. What are some of the best Nevada byways I should explore? If you are looking for one of the best scenic drives in Nevada, head to Lake Tahoe and explore the Lake Tahoe – Eastshore Drive Scenic Byway. This byway is 16.2 miles and will take you along the northeastern shore of the lake. Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is another one of the most beautiful drives in Nevada. This scenic byway is 12 miles long and takes you through the awe-inspiring Lamoille Canyon in Elko County. Make sure you bring your camera as there are views you will not want to forget along this road.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you want to experience some of the most beautiful views that Nevada has to offer, hop in your car and go for a ride. Some of the most beautiful drives in Nevada are filled with unique sights, bright colors, and well-known landmarks. If you are looking for one of the most scenic day trips in Nevada, explore the Valley of Fire Road. This road is 10.5-miles long and connects Valley of Fire State Park’s east and west entrances. The unique rock and the bright colors are definitely picturesque.
If you are looking for a drive that is bright and lively and there is plenty to see and do, explore the Las Vegas Strip Scenic Byway. This is one of the most popular Nevada byways and is the only nighttime byway in America.
What are some of the best Nevada byways I should explore?
If you are looking for one of the best scenic drives in Nevada, head to Lake Tahoe and explore the Lake Tahoe – Eastshore Drive Scenic Byway. This byway is 16.2 miles and will take you along the northeastern shore of the lake.
Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is another one of the most beautiful drives in Nevada. This scenic byway is 12 miles long and takes you through the awe-inspiring Lamoille Canyon in Elko County. Make sure you bring your camera as there are views you will not want to forget along this road.
