National Parks Week     Upper Nevada National Park

      From April 20 to 28 this year marks “National Park Week USA,” an event initiated by the National Park Foundation. During this period, all U.S. national parks waive entrance fees except on April 20 itself, while each remaining day features a different themed national park activity. Located in the western United States, Nevada is home to two national parks and numerous state parks. Its vast and majestic landscapes and abundant park resources await your exploration.

      Great Basin National Park is the largest national park in Nevada, located in the eastern part of the state. The park boasts lush forests, cascading waterfalls, pristine lakes, stunning limestone caves, and even a small glacier and hot springs, showcasing nature’s awe-inspiring power. With diverse ecosystems and rich wildlife, the park is home to over 800 plant species and more than 60 animal species. Among the botanical stars is the ancient Bristlecone Pine, known as the “Tree Wizard,” which is over 4,000 years old and renowned for surviving in harsh and ever-changing environmental conditions.

      The park offers activities such as fishing, rock climbing, cycling, horseback riding, and stargazing. June through September are the best months for climbing and hiking, and the annual “Great Basin National Park Astronomy Festival” held every September is highly popular among professional astronomers and stargazing enthusiasts.

      Despite its somewhat intimidating name, this national park attracts countless visitors with its vast sand dunes, colorful rocks, canyons, and rare wildlife. Death Valley National Park is a two-hour drive from Las Vegas and spans both California and Nevada. The park holds several “extreme” records: it is the hottest and driest national park in the U.S., as well as the lowest in elevation. Spring is the best time to visit, as summer temperatures rise dramatically, posing significant physical challenges to visitors. In fact, Death Valley has topped the list of “hottest average monthly temperatures” globally for two consecutive years, and meteorologists predict that extreme heat will continue in the region.

      Most of the park’s landforms were formed over 3 million years ago, resulting in ever-changing landscapes year-round, including canyons, salt flats, volcanic craters, sand dunes, and wildlife sanctuaries that leave visitors in awe. Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes thus became one of the filming locations for *Star Wars: Episode IV*. Additionally, remnants of the tough lives of early Native American inhabitants, such as metal mines, charcoal kilns, ghost towns, petroglyphs, and ancient Native American trails, are also worth exploring.

        Typically, visitors use the mining town of Beatty, located a 25-minute drive from the park entrance, as a base for exploration. The town features a museum, cafes, and classic Western-style bars, serving as a great spot for food along the way. Within Death Valley National Park, due to unique geological conditions, a phenomenon known as Moving Rocks occurs—rocks that appear to “walk” on their own, leaving visible tracks, sparking great interest among science enthusiasts.

      Valley of Fire State Park is no less spectacular or famous than the previous two national parks. The park gets its name from the vast expanse of red sandstone in varying shades of red. The large areas of Mesozoic-era red sandstone exposed in the valley reflect a fiery red under sunlight, resembling a valley on fire when viewed from afar. Established in 1935, the park is a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Las Vegas. The winding mountain roads, rock formations that require hands-and-feet climbing, and prehistoric cave ruins make it a favorite among photographers, where every shot can be a masterpiece. It has also served as a filming location for Hollywood movies such as *Transformers* and *Planet of the Apes*.

      The entire park is like an outdoor archaeological museum. The shifting and faulting of rock layers have created its current appearance, including petroglyphs on the Atlatl Rock that date back 8,000 years, depicting Native American culture and early life scenes. Valley of Fire offers nighttime camping experiences with 73 campsite options. The state park also features three hiking trails of varying difficulty—1 km, 3 km, and 11 km—for outdoor enthusiasts to challenge themselves.

      Arches are one of the park’s must-see attractions, with over 300 naturally formed arches of various sizes. Due to the forces of gravity and natural erosion, some arches have collapsed, so don’t miss the chance to see this wonder at Valley of Fire State Park.

About the Nevada Tourism Board of the United States

        The Nevada Tourism Board (TravelNevada) is committed to promoting Nevada’s diverse culture and historical heritage. Since its establishment, it has spared no effort in boosting the state’s economy, tourism development, and employment. Since 2004, Nevada has attracted over 50 million visitors annually. That same year, Nevada became the first U.S. state tourism board officially authorized to promote tourism in China. For more information on travel, hotels, and events in Nevada, please visit GoNevada.cn.