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Top 5 Reasons Nevada is a Dirtbag’s Paradise

Posted on 24. Apr, 2009 by Dirtbag in Nevada, Places, The Road

My love affair for Nevada began in the spring of 2007. I was young to the road and Nevada made all my dreams of surviving off of $15 a day a reality. Nevada holds a very special place in its heart for the well-worn and adventure-seeking traveler – the kind of traveler that finds Las Vegas a mere refueling point on the way to the grander, less-traveled locales. Plain and simple, Nevada loves tourists. What follows are reasons to give rural Nevada a chance – consider spending some time rather than just blowing through this apparently barren landscape on the way to the Sierras or the Red Rock Desert of Southern Utah.

(1) Free Camping Nevada

The Nevada tourism board wants you to visit its state so badly that it offers numerous free camp spots. Nevada recreation areas have many free camp spots with facilities. For example, Hickison Petroglyph Area offers toilets, garbage facilities, and fire pits with absolutely no fee. Did you know that Nevada has more BLM land than any other state? This means that more land is available for ‘boondocking’ – rustic, dispersed camping where leave no trace ethics are a must. Also, campsites with facilities at Great Basin National Park currently run $12 a night – one of the cheapest national park sites in the country. Check out www.campingguidenevada.com – for all the sweet camping deals.

(2) Great Basin National Park – another freebie

In an age of increasing recreation fees, Great Basin National Park still manages to have no entry fee. Great Basin is known for its 5000 year-old bristlecone pine trees, towering 13,000+ foot Wheeler Peak, and spectacular limestone Lehman caves. Great Basin in one of the most remote national parks in the country – the area is excellent for stargazing as its high altitude, clear skies, and remoteness make it one of the darkest places in the entire US.

(3) The Basin and the Range

Centered on the state of Nevada, the basin and range geologic province stretches from the Sierra Nevadas to the Colorado Plateau and makes up nearly all of Nevada. Basically there are hundreds of mountain ranges in Nevada – 313 named mountain ranges to be specific. Due to the stretching of the Earth’s crust, Nevada is nothing but alternating mountain ranges and valleys followed by more mountain ranges and valleys. Climbing, mountain biking, and backpacking potentials are just beginning to be explored.

(4) Oddities, Art, and Counterculture

It is no coincidence that the ultimate event in self-expression, Burning man, occurs every August in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada. Whether it be ancient rock art, massive earth work pieces (Michael Heizer’s work) or burning playa works of ultimate counterculture expressions – Nevada is a breeding ground for artistic expression.

(5) Utter Solitude

America’s Loneliest Road, Hwy 50, stretches the state of Nevada from the Utah border to Carson City, NV. From hidden hot springs to ghost town exploring and wild horse viewing to backpacking deserted peaks – this lonely road has much to offer. If solitude is what you are looking for, Nevada has much to give in terms of solace.

Tags: Art, Camping, Great Basin, Nevada