Nevada is getting a new kind of outdoor destination: first-of-their-kind recreation hubs, coming to the state through a three-year partnership between Outside Inc. (Outside‘s parent company) and Travel Nevada. The first ribbon cutting was this week, as the Travel Nevada Adventure Center in Boulder City opened up to the public.
The adventure hubs, called base camps, will give visitors one place to find guided tours, gear rentals, local businesses, and other resources for planning quick day trips or multi-day adventures. By making it easier to figure out where to go and how to get there, these hubs hope to get more people get outside and experience Nevada year-round.
“This partnership, combined with federal, state, and local resources, will give visitors the confidence and connections to explore responsibly and discover why Nevada is such a special place to adventure,” said Rafael Villanueva, CEO of Travel Nevada.
Outdoor recreation continues to grow nationwide, especially in Nevada, where spending on it amounted to nearly $1.7 billion in 2025. Visitation to Nevada State Parks, Great Basin National Park, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area totaled 10.5 million in 2025, topping 10.5 million for the second consecutive year.
Travel Nevada’s adventure centers share Outside’s vision to “get everyone outdoors to experience healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives,” said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Interactive. “This partnership is a powerful step toward making that vision a reality in Nevada.”
What to Expect When You Visit
Travel Nevada Adventure Center–Boulder City opened its doors to the public on October 7. A second location will open in Carson City in early 2027.
The construction of the adventure hubs were made possible by a grant provided by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Together, the two projects represent more than $7 million invested on existing state-owned land.
Boulder City
The Boulder City location is a half hour southeast of the Las Vegas Strip and a few minutes from the Arizona border. It’s a one-stop shop for many of the adventure opportunities the area has to offer. Upon arrival, visitors will find bike rental options, desert adventures, rafting opportunities, Hoover Dam tour options, Lake Mead cruises, Colorado River paddling, helicopter rides, off-road tours, and more.
Scheduling and booking is present on-site. Visitors coordinate directly with tour operators. A shuttle service is provided to and from Las Vegas, too, through Boulder City Express, with morning drop off at the adventure center and an early evening return, ensuring that all who wish to connect with the outdoors can.
Carson City
The Carson City location, opening in early 2027 and located 30 minutes from both Reno and Lake Tahoe, will get visitors on hikes, kayaks, SUPs, skis, and snowshoes, and connect them to historical tours, including at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, which is right next door.
This second location is actively looking for local businesses to partner with who will provide gear rentals, help book tours, and offer education around Nevada ecology and land stewardship.
The Neon to Nature Route
Travel Nevada also offers an experience called the Neon to Nature Route, for those interested in multiple-day adventures. The route starts in Las Vegas and runs through Southern Nevada in three parts. Stops include the Hoover Dam, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire, the ghost town of Goodsprings, the Seven Magic Mountains art installation, and the riverfront town of Laughlin.
For more information, to partner, or to plan a visit, explore the Nevada Adventure Centers online hub.
The post Outside and Travel Nevada Are Bringing New Adventure Hubs to the State’s Historic Desert Towns appeared first on Outside Online.
