10 Affordable Summer Vacation Spots In Nevada

Boasting a landscape that is as vast as it is diverse, Nevada is among the most famous states — not just in the US — but also in the world. One of Nevada’s claims to fame is that it is home to Las Vegas, the unofficial Entertainment Capital of the World. Salaciously called “Sin City,” Vegas conjures images of revelry, gambling, and all the shades of fun you can imagine. Away from Vegas, however, and the famous road trip from Vegas to Los Angeles, the Siver States boasts some whimsical landscapes, such as the Red Rock Canyon, that you may not find anywhere else in the country. Many of these would make for a perfect summer vacation destination. But where is the cash? Discover these affordable summer vacation spots in Nevada.

Ely

Nestled in the east-central side of Nevada next to the Utah border in White Pine County, Ely is a Nevada charmer you will find affordable if you are making your trip in summer. Ely was established in 1868, three years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, and would witness rapid growth because of the mining activities that soon picked up in the area. Today, Ely’s mining heritage lives on and can be relived at the region’s many mining ghost towns and recreational facilities. According to Momondo, hotels in Ely will set you back about $128 on average while many of its attractions, including the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park — are either dirt cheap — or completely free. Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, for instance, charges an admission fee of only $5.

The Sahara Hotel

Las Vegas is not quite a budget-friendly summer vacation destination. This should not come as a surprise. Because it is one of the most visited cities in America, you will expect prices to go up. It is the law of supply and demand. And the same is true for other popular destinations such as New York City and Los Angeles. But it is not all gloom. You can actually visit Las Vegas on a budget. Just book a room at the Sahara and see your accommodation budget taking a heartwarming nose dive. While Sahara is a bit far from the Strip, the exciting news is that it is on the monorail line. This means you can be down right in the middle of the Strip in minutes without having to take a cab. For the cheapest rate in Sahara, which can go as low as $19 per night, you should plan to stay on a Sunday or Monday — and travel over in June.

Lake Tahoe

While there are many activities one can indulge in during summer, water is often a common theme. You will want to take a refreshing plunge in some cool, crystal clear lake, pull paddles in a meandering stream, sink your ankles in some warm, white sand while savoring the thermal sensations, or just sit down and inhale the heart-ravishing views. If you are looking for some on-the-water adventure, and your wallet is a bit thin, you might want to check out Lake Tahoe. For starters, Lake Tahoe is the highest alpine lake of its size in the United States. You can decide to circle the lake without having to part with a dime, pay just $10 to wander through Eerald Bat State Park, or better still, skip the hotel and pitch your tent at the Sugar Pine Point State Park.

Fountains Of Bellagio

While some consider fountains a waste of scarce resources, you may agree that fountains, just like flowers, trees, and well-trimmed topiaries, make city dwellers feel they are not trapped in a soulless jungle of glass and concrete. Besides, the sound of running water, whether from a bubbling brook — or an artistic artificial installation like a fountain, are often music to the ears. At the Fountains of Bellagio, every night, more than 1,000 fountains sway and dance to music and lights on an iridescent artificial lake right in front of the Bellagio Resort in the Las Vegas Strip. While this show takes place both during the day and night, the latter is the more spectacular. But what about the cost? Well, this famous show is completely free of charge.

Mesquite  

Mesquite, Nevada, is nestled in the Virgin River valley and is adjacent to the Virgin Mountains. The town is located in a remote corner of the Mojave Desert. This desert paradise is a vibrant charmer and plays host to about 22,300 residents. One of Mesquite’s claims to fame is that it is a golfer’s paradise. You will find up to nine courses; all located within 10 miles of the town, many of which are encircled by a whimsical desert landscape. While fall is often the favorite time to tee off, summer is the second best. Then again, you can enjoy some fun on the water at Lake Mead, explore the Virgin River Gorge, or just hit the trails; in activities that will cost you next to nothing.

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Honeycombed geologic formations; all in a suntanned, storybook environment that looks more fictional than real, is what the Red Rock Canyon looks like. Expect to gasp at such heart-churning natural marvels as the Keystone Thrust Faults, the Ice Box Canyon, and numberless other eye candies. But wait for this: Red Rock Canyon is just about 25 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. If you are staying in Sin City, this Nevada wonder can make for a quick dash. Besides, Red Rock Canyon is quite affordable, even if affordability is relative. Pedestrians only pay $5. But if you have a car, you will part with $20 per vehicle. On the flip side, you will pay $10 or $8 for a motorcycle or a bicycle respectively.

Goldwell Open Air Museum

Goldwell Open Air Museum is an outdoor sculpture park located less than a mile from the ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada, about 122 miles northwest of Las Vegas. You will find unique ghost-like art exhibits gloomily spread out on a ghost-like space that spans nearly 8 acres. This famous facility was the brainchild of Polish-Belgian artist Albert Szukalski, known for decades in Europe as the sculptor of “ghosts.” A trip to this spooky, one-of-a-kind attraction is never complete without exploring the nearby ghost town of Rhyolite. The town’s gloomy buildings, a tiny, old wooden train, and a fairytale scenery that looks frozen in time— will be forever etched in your memory. Of course, the Goldwell Open Air Museum is completely free of charge.

Elko

Elko is a town of about 20,000 which sits astride the Humboldt River along Interstate 80 between Salt Lake City and Reno. The town is 430 miles directly north of Las Vegas. If you want to stand in awe of a dramatic high desert landscape, complete with nature in its most wild and whimsical, you may want to set base at Elko and inhale the many eye candies around. You may start your adventure by checking in at Esquire Inn, whose rooms start at an affordable $52 per night. After this, enjoy a delicious feast of Western history and culture, including fascinating details of the famous California gold rush — at the free-to-enter California Trail Historic Interpretive Center. Meanwhile, the nearby Ruby Mountains pack a lot of fun-filled outdoor adventures all in one spot.

Hoover Dam

It is a mark of Hoover Dam’s popularity that every year, more than seven million visitors troop to this architectural marvel. Well, one of Nevada’s most popular tourist attractions, constructed during the Great Depression, also happens to be among its most affordable. This is because Hoover Dam, which today stands as a symbol of both human genius and determination, is completely free to visit, especially if you will skip the guided tours. This architectural masterstroke is about 7 miles from Boulder City, a town whose history is closely intertwined with that of America’s most famous dam. It is also only 37 miles via Highway 93 from Las Vegas. There are many things you can do at Hoover Dam, including walking across the Hoover Dam bypass bridge, formerly known as Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which features the longest concrete arch in North America.

Valley Of Fire

It is not often that you come across a landmark called “Valley of Fire.” Because of its evocative appellation, Valley of Fire will pique the interest of any adventurer and is hands-down among Nevada’s much sought-after attractions. Fortunately, you will not have to break the bank to enjoy one of the most underrated gems in the United States. For a $10 day pass, a feast like no other will be spread out before your mesmerized eyes. Spanning nearly 46,000 acres, the largest and oldest state park in Nevada is located 16 miles south of Overton, a speck of a town about an hour’s drive from Las Vegas. Aside from gasping at the shapes and vivid colors of these unique rock formations, the park is home to some trails hikers will want to explore.

The Takeaway

We always want to travel the world, whether to see tigers in India, lions in the wilds of Kenya’ or Tanzania, or polar bears in Alaska. Yet money is just never enough. If you are hamstrung by cash, Nevada is home to several pocket-friendly attractions you can explore. These include Lake Tahoe, the highest alpine lake of its size in the United States, Goldwell Open Air Museum, and Hoover Dam, an enduring masterpiece of architectural genius. With these options, money should not stand in the way between desire and experience.