When most people think of Nevada, they only think of vast deserts and red-tipped mountains. That’s mostly true, as it is the driest state in the union. However, the granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada show a different side as they cup Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, surrounded by stands of ponderosa pine, pinon, and juniper. The human-made Lake Mead in southeastern Nevada is a 550-mile shoreline that is a massive oasis in the desert. A fantastic diversity of wildlife can still be found in the state that receives less than 10 inches per year. Follow up your exciting Las Vegas adventure with a trip to one of Nevada’s national and state parks or wilderness, such as the Jarbidge Wilderness, a 65,000-acre preserve. Nevada destinations include pristine wilderness, harsh deserts, lake oasis, and towering mountains.