Nevada's incredible scenery gives way to some incredible state parks!
http://www.ranker.com/list/best-nevada-state-parks/smellsrank,
Berlin - Ichthyosaur State Park
Gabbs - Berlin–Ichthyosaur State Park preserves several undisturbed ichthyosaur fossils, as well as the early 20th century ghost town of Berlin. The 1,540 acre park is located in far northwestern Nye County, approximately 150 miles east of Reno.
The ichthyosaur fossils were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1973.
Ichthyosaur fossils were first discovered in the area in 1928. Excavations were conducted through the 1960s, and the remains of approximately 40 ichthyosaurs were found. Until 2004, these remains included the largest ichthyosaurs ever discovered.
Cathedral Gorge State Park
Panaca - Cathedral Gorge was established as one of the four original Nevada State Parks in 1935. The park sits at an elevation of 4,800 feet above sea level, and is typically arid with semi-hot summers, and very cold winters. In the summer, temperatures usually range from 95 °F in midday to roughly 55 °F at night. Rainfall is variable, and thunderstorms are prevalent.
The park offers camping, picnicking and two hiking trails. A Regional Visitor Center, located at the park entrance, has interpretive displays.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park
Blue Diamond - A beautiful park located 15 miles from Las Vegas. A historical area where many different peoples passed through to California and Arizona.
Animal life here is diverse but nocturnal, so many species go unseen. Typical desert animals include a variety of lizards and snakes, antelope, ground squirrels, jackrabbits, foxes, and coyotes. Higher elevation species include rock squirrel, badger, mule deer, and bighorn sheep.
Spring Valley State Park
Ursine - Located near the eastern border with the state of Utah, 20 miles east of the town of Pioche. The Eagle Valley Dam was built in 1965, creating the Eagle Valley Reservoir for agricultural usage. The area around the reservoir was designated a state park in 1969. The park offers camping, fishing, a boat launch, picnicking, hiking trails, historic ranch buildings, and a group-use area.
Dayton State Park
Dayton - A 160 acre state park preserving the site of the Rock Point Stamp Mill, which was built in 1861 to process silver ore mined from the Comstock Lode. Located in the western section of the state.
Echo Canyon State Park
Pioche - A 1,800 acre park featuring a 65 acre reservoir. Echo Canyon Dam, which impounds Echo Canyon Reservoir, was built in 1969-70. It is the farthest downstream dam on the Meadow Valley Wash.
The scenic area around Echo Canyon (elevation 5,100 feet) has several ranches and farms. The park has campsites, a picnic area, hiking trail, boat launch and fishing.
Cave Lake State Park
Ely - This park is popular for brown and rainbow trout fishing, ice fishing, camping, picnicking and winter fireworks. Hiking is offered on four developed trails, three to five miles in length. In addition to ice fishing, winter activities include ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
The White Pine Fire and Ice Show takes place in the park each January and features an ice and snow sculpture contest and fireworks.
Kershaw-Ryan State Park
Caliente - The park offers camping, picnicking, and a group-use area. Hikers can explore the 1.5-mile Overlook Trail.
Beaver Dam State Park
Panaca - Beaver Dam is one of the least accessible state parks in Nevada.
The area has picnicking, camping and hiking.
Schroeder Lake, a 15 acre reservoir built in the park in 1962, was breached in 2005 after a winter of intense rainfall left the dam dangerously weakened. Schroeder Lake was built on Beaver Dam Wash, which drains much of the surrounding area before emptying into the Virgin River in far northwest Arizona.
Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park
Incline Village - This park is located on the northeast shores of Lake Tahoe. The park comprises six management units which total 14,301 acres. It includes the Marlette Lake Water System which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Other sites include Spooner Lake, Sand Harbor, Marlette/Hobart Backcountry, Cave Rock, Hidden Beach and Memorial Point.