With the Silver State’s nearly 70 recreation areas, from state park and historic sites to campgrounds, backcountry byways and more, outdoor enthusiasts will find no end of explorable terrain. But up the ante with three spectacular national parks and recreation areas and it’s easy to see why Nevada’s possibilities for adventure are as wide open as the landscape.

It may not sound inviting, but don’t let the name fool you. Death Valley National Park is filled with rich sand dunes, colorful rocks, brilliantly hued canyons and more. The colossal park measures 3.4 million acres of largely unpopulated terrain, but explorers brave enough to venture in will find a fascinating collection of relics from its amazing past. From charcoal kilns and ghost towns to petroglyphs and ancient Shoshone foot trails, the park is anything but barren. And while it hasn’t also been such an amazing tourist destination – early pioneers gave certain features in the valley names indicative of their extreme struggles here, including Hell’s Gate, Starvation Canyon, Coffin Peak and the Funeral Mountains, among others – today’s visitors will find Death Valley far more inviting.

At the very southern point of Nevada, water sport lovers will find their Mecca at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Measuring a sprawling 1.5 million acres, the recreation area was the first of its kind to be established by an act of congress and encompasses both Lake Mead and Lake Mohave. The waters are ideal for boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, sport fishers, kayakers, canoers and even belly-floppers. But it doesn’t end there. Nine developed areas on the lakes offer accommodations and services, while paved roads lead into the surrounding desert and offer access to a range of recreational activities. So after a morning of water-skiing, you can hike through the amazing rock formations and deep canyons at the junction of three of the nation’s four desert ecosystems, which means native plants and animals exclusive to the region.

Nevada’s third national park is a wonderland of outdoor beauty, home to groves of ancient bristlecone pines, one of the planet’s oldest living things, beautiful towering peaks and amazing features like the Lehman Caves. These incredible limestone caverns were originally protected as a national monument before being incorporated into the larger national park. The expansive park features an assortment of excellent campsites, perfect launching pads for hikers, climbers, explorers and more.