Overland Nevada-Nicholas and Benjamin Vaskov

Overland Nevada: A World Within. A State Apart.

Perhaps no state is better suited for overland adventures than Nevada. From ghost towns and remote mining settlements to hot springs and alpine lakes, Nevada offers it all and truly is “A World Within. A State Apart.”

North of the bright lights and glitzy entertainment of Las Vegas lies an oasis for overland adventure in rural Nevada. The landscape is dominated by basin and range topography, thousands of acres of long narrow mountain ranges interspersed with gentle sloping arid valleys. More than 80 percent of Nevada is owned by the federal government and managed for public use, so most of the land (millions of acres) is open to all things overland – off-roading, camping and adventure-seeking.

Great Basin National Park is the crown jewel of the area. The park is one of the most isolated in the continental United States. As a result, it is not overrun with city-slickers like many other national parks. Spaces at the improved campgrounds within the park are almost always available, and an abundance of primitive sites are on the numerous trails outside the park. Stargazing is a must-do activity. Great Basin National Park is internationally renowned for its dark skies thanks to its remote location, low humidity, and high elevation. While there, be sure to check out some of the oldest non-clonal organisms on earth - the bristlecone pine trees found only in the region. Some of these slow-growing trees are over 4,000 years old.

Not to be missed on any overland trip to Nevada are the Ruby Mountains. The “Rubies” are located just outside of Elko Nevada and include ten peaks over 10,000 ft. The range includes numerous alpine lakes, and the mountains are flush with wildlife. The rugged beauty is breathtaking. One could be forgiven for mistaking the Rudies for a small slice of the Swiss Alps.

Off-road opportunities abound in the Basin and Range National Monument and Gold Butte National Monument. Both are within a day’s drive of Las Vegas. The former includes numerous hot springs and interesting geological formations, including the Big Rocks wilderness. The later includes hundreds of ghost towns and old mining claims worthy of exploration.

Looking to find the weird and outlandish on your overland adventure? You can find that in Nevada, too. Start with the Extraterrestrial Highway, also known as State Route 375. The road runs adjacent to the Nevada Test and Training Range which includes Area 51, a top-secret military installation. Hundreds of UFO sightings have occurred in the area. A must-stop is the Little A’Le’Inn, a bar, grill and motel in Rachel, Nevada, that is out of this world. If you find your way to Goldfield, Nevada, be sure to check out the International Car Forest of the Last Church. This sculpture garden is made up of more than 40 cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles standing on end, straddling crevices or balanced in the desert sand. “Churchgoers” are invited to bring a can of spray-paint and their cameras.

So, when planning your next overland adventure, don’t let Nevada slip your mind. We are certain you will find it to be “A World Within. A State Apart.”

Nicholas and Benjamin Vaskov

2019 Toyota Tacoma and VentureCraft Trailer

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