The best camping in Nevada.

Although Nevada is best known for the glittering lights of Las Vegas, there’s so much more to discover. Slip through towering red rock canyons, camp in an ancient lake bed, or climb your first mountain—it’s all here.

Nevada is home to some of the country’s most spectacular state parks. Enjoy year-round tent and RV camping in Valley of Fire State Park. Here the brilliant red sandstone cliffs hide a treasure trove of petrified trees, hiking trails, and petroglyphs. At Cathedral Gorge State Park, camp under bentonite clay spires and explore wild slot canyons.

Want to escape the summer heat? Lake Tahoe, with its crystal clear water, is the perfect spot for swimming and boating. Local campgrounds and RV parks between the lake and Reno book up quickly, so reserve well in advance.

In eastern Nevada, Great Basin National Park is the perfect place to get off the grid. The massive Wheeler Peak rises high above the desert, dotted with ancient bristlecone pines. Five developed campgrounds—including one that’s open year-round—sit a quick drive from the fascinating underground tunnels at Lehman Caves.

For history buffs, Nevada is a gold mine. Explore a ghost town and check out Ichthyosaur fossils at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, or look for Oregon Trail wagon wheel tracks at Black Rock Desert Recreation Area. At the state’s many ranch camping properties, you can stay in a tipi or sleep under the stars with the cowboys.