Recreate Responsibly

Myth vs. Fact

If you’ve never been to Nevada, don’t let the erroneous word of mouth uttered by folks who’ve stuck to the interstate influence your perceptions. Instead, allow us to set the record straight and show that Nevada has quite a lot to brag about.

MYTH: Las Vegas is just a bunch of casinos.

FACT: Las Vegas is one of the most visited cities in America and draws in tens of millions of visitors a year. Sure, the casino resort experiences are a huge attraction, but the city has a thriving arts district (page 52 & 54) world-class museums (page 32) and outdoor adventures (page 82 & 84).

MYTH: Nevada is all about the silver.

FACT: While the Silver State appropriately produces more silver than any state except Alaska, Nevada is actually the U.S.’s largest gold producer— it’s responsible for 3/4 of the country’s gold extraction and is often one of the top-five gold producers in the world. MYTH: Nevada is flat and boring.

FACT: The average elevation of Nevada is 5,000 feet, or nearly a mile. No wonder much of the state is called the high desert! Elevations in Nevada range from just-above sea level (481 feet to be exact) to 13,147 feet, which allows for diverse topography including alpine peaks, sand dunes, rivers—and everything in between. MYTH: Las Vegas and Reno are the only destinations in the state.

FACT: Nevada is home to dozens of towns and communities outside of our two major metro areas, and each has its own distinct style and sights. Stroll through a quaint village in Lamoille or Genoa. Take a tour of an old cowboy town in Elko or Winnemucca, or step into the past in Virginia City or Pioche. MYTH: Nevada is hot all the time.

FACT: You might want to dip inside when visiting Las Vegas in the peak of summer, but one feature that draws visitors to the state is the predominantly mild climate. Here, all four seasons definitely get their spotlight. And have you seen the snow at Lake Tahoe?

MYTH: Gambling is legal everywhere in Nevada.

FACT: You’ll find no slot machines in Boulder City—they outlawed gambling when the town was established as a federal camp for workers on the Hoover Dam. The only other place in Nevada that prohibits gambling is the eastern town of Panaca. MYTH: Nevada is all arid desert.

FACT: While its desertscapes are indeed stunning, mountains studded with forests and alpine lakes make for equally breathtaking scenery. In fact, Nevada is the most mountainous state in the contiguous U.S.!