Best time to visit Nevada
Check out this seasonal guide to help you plan your Nevada trip.
The best time to visit Nevada depends on three things: how well you cope with hot and cold weather, the activities you want to do, and your tolerance for crowds.
Weather-wise, the best time to visit is during early autumn (September/October) or spring (March to May) when daytime temperatures average a pleasant 15°C to 25°C which is ideal for outdoor adventures and camping.
What is the weather like in Nevada?
Nevada is one of the USA's largest states with diverse topography ranging from snow-topped mountains to deep canyons and deserts. A large chunk of the state sits in a semi-arid climate zone, excluding Las Vegas which has a subtropical hot desert climate.
This means the weather is extreme, ranging from scorching 40+°C summers in the desert to freezing winters in the mountains. Sunshine is also plentiful, with around 250 sunny days. It's also one of the driest states, with most areas receiving less than 10 inches of precipitation per year – most of which is snow on the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Seasons in Nevada
Best for: wildflowers, comfortable temperatures and hiking
Spring is a great time to get outdoors and discover Nevada's natural beauty. Daytime temperatures average a pleasant 16°C to 23°C and nature springs back to life, providing a stunning backdrop for cycling, hiking and photography. Wildflower blooms in Lake Tahoe Basin, Lamoille Canyon and Fire State Park are particularly pretty. Excluding Spring Break, crowds are relatively thin in spring too.
Best for: exploring Las Vegas (in air-conditioned buildings)
Summer in Nevada is hot, hot, hot. Temperatures peak in July, with average highs hitting 41°C in Las Vegas, 47°C in Death Valley, 33°C in Elko and 32°C in Carson City. Due to the extreme heat, travelling in summer isn't recommended if you want to go hiking. You may wish to consider the shoulder months of May and September when it's cooler (and safer).
Summer trips are still doable, especially if you plan on visiting Vegas where you can escape the heat in one of its many airconditioned buildings.
Best for: cooler temperatures and outdoor pursuits
The stifling heat subsides in September. Come October, the state’s forested basins and alpine lakes erupt in an explosion of fall colour, which is all the more reason to dust off the hiking boots and hit the trails in Great Basin National Park, Lamoille Canyon and Lake Tahoe.
The winter chill arrives in November, so you’ll need warm layers for the evenings and early mornings.
Best for: winter sports, hot springs and Christmas festivities
Winter weather is a mixed bag with clear skies and sunshine in the desert and snow on the peaks. Nights and mornings can be chilly across the state, so pack sufficient layers to stay warm. You can also warm up in Carson Valley's steamy hot springs.
It's a great time to get outside and enjoy winter sports at one of the state's many ski resorts such as Lee Canyon, Elko Snobowl and Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe mountains. The snow-topped peaks are a postcard-perfect scene for photographers.
Las Vegas is lively all year, but the holiday season is particularly joyous with Christmas decorations, festive events and the iconic ice rink at The Cosmopolitan.
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