That’s not all. You can also drive the road less travelled in Nevada. And no, this is not some tired traveller cliché, it’s the legit nickname for Route 50, the Loneliest Road in America.
The Loneliest Road in America
Alone time can get a bad rap. Sure, it can suck when you’re bored at home on a Friday night with only the cat for company. But road trip the Loneliest Road in America through central Nevada, and you’ll find that the peace, quiet, and no-one-else-ness of driving this 287-mile is an enriching kind of loneliness.
A drive down Route 50, the Loneliest Road in America, demonstrates the tenacity that springs from remoteness and an abundance of space. Discover mining communities, ghost towns, the world’s oldest trees, and expansive state parks along the historic Pony Express Trail.
While we’re encouraging a road trip along one of the most scenic drives through the Silver State, not everyone felt the same way. The AAA, back in 1986, told their members, “There are no points of interest” along Route 50. They also said, in print, “We don’t recommend it”.
The AAA clearly hadn’t got a clue back then. There are countless treasures along this route from Carlson to Ely. You can hike, bike, ride a horse, fish, canoe, spot wildlife, sandboard, soak, camp, RV, and more. Plus, there are fascinating small towns – and their histories – to discover.
A highlight of any journey along the Loneliest Road in America is time spent in the Great Basin National Park. Not only due to the park’s limestone formations, alpine lakes, ancient glacier, and the groves of Bristlecone Pines (the world’s oldest living organism). There’s the impressive night sky, too: Great Basin has some of the darkest skies in the continental United States!
Neon to Nature
Ever seen those day-to-night looks in magazines? Consider this: Nevada is the ‘day’ with its natural beauty and understated appeal. Which makes Las Vegas ‘night’ (well, of course) with its glitz, glamour, and good times. Sometimes people forget about the rest of the state, dazzled by Vegas’ bright lights, glitzy hotels, and non-stop entertainment.
No shade to Las Vegas, mind you, the city deserves its accolades. However, it’s good to include stops beyond the Strip and see the undeniable natural beauty of Nevada. This is why we love taking day trips (or road trips) from Neon to Nature.
You only need to travel an hour or two in any direction from Las Vegas to discover the state’s adventurous side. In fact, you can reach the alluring Red Rock Canyon in around 30 minutes! That’s less time than it takes to walk from the Bellagio to Mandalay Bay!
Once there, explore the looming red sandstone peaks, craggy canyons, and ancient wonders. Red Rock is a must on any Nevada itinerary.
Want to touch the land where dinosaurs once walked? Then head to Nevada’s first and largest state park, the Valley of Fire. The sandstone formations wouldn’t look out of place on Mars!
Stop by the Fire Wave, Arch Rock, and Elephant Rock to see the Valley of Fire’s park highlights. While you’re out this way, include a stop at the Lost City Museum to learn about American Indian history.
Other noteworthy Nevada day trips include Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Laughlin Riverwalk. For more road trip ideas, head here.
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