Explore Nevada’s state parks for free by checking out a pass from the local library
From red sandstone in the Valley of Fire in the Mojave Desert, to crystal-clear water and pine trees in Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe, visiting Nevada’s State Parks can seem like visiting separate planets all together, despite just hours separating them.
Two passes are available to any of Nevada’s 27 State Parks at the Humboldt County Library that cover the day-use entrance fee for one passenger vehicle (with up to eight passengers). The passes can be checked out for up to an entire week and then returned to the library, giving Nevadans more “equitable access to nature.”
“[The pass] lets [people] explore their state and get to know their national parks a little bit better,” said Humboldt County Library Director, Jessica Anderson.
The McDermitt Library and the Denio Library also have a pass available at each location, according to Anderson.
The “kits” that have been put together by the Library include the pass, a map of the parks, a “passport” to collect souvenir stickers/stamps upon entry to the parks, binoculars, and a compass, all stored together in a travel fanny pack—creating the perfect adventure pack for any park visitor.
The Library also has tablets, mobile internet hotspots, travel books and other kits that those with library cards can check out to take with them on the trip to the park, explained Anderson.
“The Library is like a one-stop-shop before a long road trip.”
The free passports that come in the pack with the park pass, which are meant to be kept by those checking out the passes, can earn any park visitor free entrance into any Nevada State Park for an entire year if they complete the Nevada State Park Passport Challenge and visit at least 15 of Nevada’s parks.
According to Nevada State Park officials, “The Passport Program was designed to challenge and encourage Nevada residents and visitors to experience the diverse natural, cultural and recreational resources that span all of Nevada’s state parks.”
Nevada State Parks Administrator Bob Mergell said “By making libraries a gateway to State Parks, our goal is to help more Nevadans explore the outdoors, while creating healthier communities with stronger connections to Nevada’s spectacular natural and cultural resources.”
For those who have recently moved to the area and may not have the proof of residency necessary to get a library card, ease of access cards and temporary cards are available to those wanting to use library services and the Library is only going to grow and make more resources available, explained Anderson.
“We’re expanding our collection all the time outside of books and we’re offering new services—digital and physical— and [the library] is a great resource for our community to utilize.”
To learn more about Nevada’s state Parks, visit http://parks.nv.gov/parks.