Looking for wide-open spaces where you can hike, fish, camp, and explore without fighting for elbow room? It’s time to discover Lincoln County, Nevada.
Boasting 10,000 square miles of high desert beauty, Lincoln County is home to five distinct state parks and some of the most unique landscapes in the West. Whether you’re an RV camper, a backcountry hiker, a fishing enthusiast, or a family looking for a weekend escape, you’ll find it here.
Here’s a look at the adventures waiting for you.
Explore an ‘Otherworldly Dreamscape’ at Cathedral Gorge
If you visit only one park, make it this one. Cathedral Gorge State Park is formed from an ancient lakebed. Hundreds of thousands of years of erosion have carved the soft clay into dramatic cliffs, narrow canyons, and towering columns.
It’s a photographer’s paradise and a hiker’s delight. You can explore the slot canyons, climb to stunning viewpoints, and camp right among the unique formations.
Enjoy a Lush Oasis at Kershaw-Ryan
Just a short drive away, Kershaw-Ryan State Park feels like a different world. Nestled between steep canyon walls, this park is a lush garden oasis. It’s fed by a natural spring that supports wild grapevines, white oaks, and even an old fruit orchard planted by its original 1800s-era homesteaders.
With 16 campsites, picnic spots, hiking trails, and a children’s wading pool, Kershaw-Ryan is the perfect getaway for families.
Go Boating and Fishing at Echo Canyon & Spring Valley
If water is what you’re after, Lincoln County delivers.
Echo Canyon State Park is centered around a 65-acre reservoir, making it a popular spot for boating and fishing for rainbow trout and largemouth bass. It also features some of the largest campgrounds in the county, with 33 first-come, first-serve sites and 20 sites with full RV hook-ups, making it ideal for a comfortable stay.
For an even deeper dive into the Nevada backcountry, Spring Valley State Park offers another beautiful reservoir for boating and fishing. Its main campground has 37 sites with grills, water, and access to showers. For those wanting to really get away, the remote Ranch Campground offers seven primitive sites.
Find Wildlife at Beaver Dam State Park
For those seeking true remoteness, Beaver Dam State Park is your destination. Located about an hour from Caliente, this park is a designated Watchable Wildlife Area.
Its streams, waterfalls, and pine forests attract a huge variety of wildlife, including jackrabbits, porcupines, coyotes, bobcats, great blue herons, and even mountain lions. It’s a fantastic spot for hiking, fishing, and camping under the stars in one of its two developed campgrounds.
More Than Just Parks
The adventure doesn’t end there. Lincoln County is also home to the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge and the vast Basin and Range National Monument, offering hundreds of miles of unspoiled wilderness to explore.
For a dose of history, you can even visit the Elgin Schoolhouse State Historic Site, a preserved one-room schoolhouse that educated ranching children from 1922 to 1967.
From hiking and biking to camping and fishing, Lincoln County offers endless outdoor activities. Start planning your adventure!
