Capital: Carson City

Population: 1,998,000

Major Points of Interest:

• Death Valley National Monument;
• Lehman Caves National Monument;
• Valley of the Fire State Park;
• The casinos of Las Vegas and Reno.

Your complete guide to visiting Nevada is Nevada 2001-2002 Visitor's Guide, available free from The Nevada Commission on Tourism (NCT, 401 North Carson Street, Carson City NV 89701, 775-687-4322 or 800-237-0774). Within the 121 pages, you'll find information on the six main vacationing areas (Reno-Tahoe, Pony Express, Pioneer, Las Vegas and Indian Territories, and Cowboy Country), scenic byways, golf, camping, historic mining towns and events.

If you're an event-goer, you'll enjoy reading Nevada Events and Shows, a 69-page entertainment guide that lists hundreds of events around the state including the Biggest Little Quilt Show in the West in September to the Annual Beard Contest on Nevada Day in Carson City . . . and everything in between. Included is a big, foldout state road map. The Nevada Scenic Byways is a guide to some of the most interesting routes in the state, and the NCT will throw in a free copy with the major guide.

There are unidentified flying objects in the skies over Nevada, some say, but there is a question to their origin. Many think they are not from this earth. Others disagree, and you can make up your own mind by visiting the Extraterrestrial Highway in the south-central part of the state. Somewhere along the 98-mile stretch of Highway 375, strange things reportedly happen on a regular basis, including (maybe) visitors from outer space. An interesting brochure called The ET Experience is available from the NCT.

Highway 50 is called The Loneliest Road in America and there's a small survival-guide book provided by the NCT. It runs roughly parallel to the old Pony Express Trail, stretching the width of the state. If you arrive during bad weather, you can get updates on road conditions by calling 877-687-6237.

Fact: Population-wise, there are about 18 people per square mile in Nevada, about the same as Nova Scotia.

Some friends of mine living in eastern Canada owned an older motorhome and considered driving to Nevada. But they thought it was beyond their capabilities and their limited time frame, so they flew to Las Vegas and rented a motorhome for a week. If you think that might be your solution, there are two rental agencies in Vegas: Bates Motorhome Rentals (800-732-2283) and Sahara (800-748-6494).

The Nevada RV and Camping Guide is your key to finding the best camping facilities in the most interesting places. Here you'll find page after page of RV Parks listed alphabetically by location. Each listing includes name and address, telephone number, website (if available), number of sites, season, and every type of facility information you need. In addition to private parks, you'll find parks and recreational areas. A distance chart in the back will tell you how far you are from major cities around the state.

If you're into golf, a statewide directory called Nevada Golf is available from The Nevada Commission on Tourism (Box 30032, Reno NV 89520). Additional information on golf in Nevada is available from the Northern Nevada Golf Association (Box 5630, Sparks NV 89432, 775-673-4653) and the Southern Nevada Golf Association (3590 East Patrick Lane, Las Vegas NV 89120, 702-566-9297).

Is houseboating the same as motorhoming, only on water? If you think so, there's a section on renting houseboats that are large enough for 10-14 people in the 2001-2002 Visitor's Guide. They're located mainly in the Las Vegas area. If you want to step outside your motorhome and stretch your arms and legs, you can check into one of the dude ranches or bed and breakfasts listed on pages 119-120 of the above-mentioned Visitor's Guide.

Nevada State Parks is a brochure that will introduce you to the parks around the state and their facilities. It's available free from the Nevada State Parks Association (1300 South Curry Street, Carson City NV 89703, 775-687-4384). Information on other public lands is available from the Bureau of Land Management (702 East Industrial Way, Ely NV 89301, 775-289-1800).

Individual planimetric maps providing coverage of the entire state, of particular interest to hunters, rockhounds and others wishing to explore Nevada up close, are available in spiral-bound atlases. They cost $12 for each area and are available from the Nevada Department of Transportation Map Section (1263 South Stewart Street, Carson City NV 89712, 775-888-7627).

Nevada Campgrounds

• Amargosa Valley RV Park, Junction Highway 95 and 373, Amargosa Valley NV 89020 (775-372-1178)
• Rio Rancho RV Park, Highway 95 North, Beatty NV 89003 (800-448-4423)
• Pinon Plaza RV Park, 2171 Hwy 50 East, Carson City NV 89701 (800-501-2929)
• Double Dice RV Park, 3730 E. Idaho Street, Elko NV 89801 (888-738-DICE)
• Ely KOA, HC 10, Ely NV 89301 (800-562-3413)
• Desert Rose RV Park, 3285 Highway 50 East, Fernley NV 89408 (775-575-9399)
• Western RV Park, 1023 E Fremont Street, Las Vegas NV 89101 (800-634-6703)
• Holiday Travel Park, 3890 South Nellis Boulevard, Las Vegas NV 89121 (702-451-8005)
• Las Vegas KOA, 4315 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas NV 89121 (800-562-7782)
• Riviera Travel Trailer Park, 2200 Palm Street, Las Vegas NV 89104 (702-457-8700)
• Road Runner RV Park, 4711 Boulder Hwy, Las Vegas NV 89134 (702-456-4711)
• Riverside RV Park, Box 500, Laughlin NV 89029 (702-298-2535)
• Seven Palms RV Park, 101 South Linda Street, Pahrump NV 89048 (775-727-6091)
• Terrible's Lakeside Casino & RV Resort, 5870 South Homestead Road, Pahrump NV 89048 (888-558-5253)
• Preferred RV Resort, 1801 East Crawford Way, Pahrump NV 89048 (800-445-7804)
• Reno KOA, 2500 East 2nd Street, Reno NV 89595 (888-562-5698)
• Reno RV Park, 735 Mill Street, Reno NV 89502 (775-323-3381)
• Silver Sage RV Park 2760 South Virginia Street, Reno NV 89502 (888-823-2002)
• Shamrock RV Park, 3800 N Virginia, Reno NV 89506 (702-329-5222)
• Bordertown RV Resort and Casino, 19575 Highway 395, North Reno NV 89506 (800-218-9339)
• Walker River Resort, #1 Hudson Way, Smith Valley NV 89430 (800-446-2573)
• Virginia City RV Park, 355 North F Street, Virginia City NV 89440 (800-889-1240)
• Welcome Station RV Park, PO Box 340, Wells NV 89835 (702-752-3808)
• West Wendover KOA, 651 North Camper Drive, West Wendover NV 89883 (800-KOA-8552)
• Hi-Desert RV Park, 5575 E Winnemucca Boulevard, Winnemucca NV 89445 (800-699-3959)