Nevada
Outdoor tourism grows in Nevada despite Las Vegas Strip visitor decline
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — While Strip tourism declined this year, outdoor recreation across Nevada continues to grow, with some areas seeing increased business and new facilities opening to accommodate visitors.
Valley of Fire State Park reached 1 million visitors this year and recently opened a new $30 million visitors center. Lake Mead National Recreation Area also continues to draw tourists, including those taking holiday-themed rafting tours through Black Canyon.
Chad Taylor, director of operations for the Hospitality Division of Guest Services and Hoover Dam Rafting Adventures, calls outdoor recreation an “enormous” boost for the state economy.
Last month, the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation (NDOR) released an Economic Impact Analysis finding that outdoor recreation is a $24 billion industry in Nevada, generating $13.7 billion in total economic output, supporting more than 75,000 jobs, and contributing $8.8 billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
NDOR reports outdoor recreation has officially surpassed the mining industry in GDP contribution and is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Nevada’s economic diversification strategy.
The Hoover Dam Rafting Adventure, which has operated for more than four decades, saw slightly lower numbers this year for its 12-mile Colorado River tours starting at the base of the dam. Taylor said the rafting business typically follows Las Vegas tourism trends.
“As Las Vegas tourism increases or decreases, we typically see the same out here for the tour specifically,” Taylor said.
However, other outdoor properties showed growth. Taylor said Lake Mead properties, including Callville Bay, Cottonwood Cove, and Temple Bar, saw increased business this year.
Taylor, who sits on the governor’s advisory board for outdoor tourism, said the state is investing heavily in outdoor recreation infrastructure. Nevada is building Adventure Centers in Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada.
The Southern Nevada Adventure Center, under construction in Boulder City, will serve as a one-stop shop for booking outdoor activities. The facility is expected to open in summer 2026.
“Not only at the federal level, but the state level, the amount of energy and effort that they’ve put into outdoor recreation over the last few years, especially when it comes to the two new adventure centers that they’re building in Northern Nevada and Southern Nevada, they’re doubling down on outdoor recreation,” Taylor said.
The Hoover Dam rafting company continues its holiday-themed tours with Santa through Christmas Eve.
Reservations can be made at hooverdamraftingadventures.com or by calling (800) 455-3490.
Copyright 2025 KVVU. All rights reserved.
CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO) -Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar is calling a federal court ruling against the Trump administration a “big victory” after a judge struck down a presidential executive order tied to voter “election requirements.”
The ruling blocks an executive order that would have mandated states require voters to provide proof of citizenship to register.
Aguilar said the decision is a recognition that states have the responsibility to run their elections.
“The constitution is very clear in that states have that duty and obligation,” Aguilar said.
Nevada and 18 other states described the ruling as an overwhelming victory in court.
The court also stopped threats to withhold funding from states that refused to comply with proof-of-citizenship requirements and it throws out a demand for states not to count ballots received after Election Day. However the Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on the latter of the two in the coming days.
Aguilar said the executive orders were intended for partisan gain.
“I think the fact the president is trying to federalize elections shows he’s trying to influence the election, and again that’s wrong,” Aguilar said. “Voters should decide elections, the president should not choose his voters for our elections.”
Aguilar also said the cost to taxpayers if the executive orders had remained in place would have been an unfair burden.
“To hold states hostage from resources I think is detrimental to the overall responsibility of the federal government,” he said.
Copyright 2026 KOLO. All rights reserved.
NV Energy has issued a Public Safety Outage Management (PSOM) watch for multiple regions in northern and eastern Nevada, warning customers of potential proactive power shutoffs this weekend due to elevated fire weather conditions.
In the Carson City and Genoa areas, a temporary power outage is possible on Saturday, June 27, from approximately 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The impacted zones include South Carson City/Jacks Valley and South Carson City/Clear Creek.
Meanwhile, a separate 24-hour PSOM watch has been issued further east for parts of Elko County. Residents in East Elko and Spring Creek could experience proactive outages beginning Saturday, June 27, at 10 a.m. through Sunday, June 28, at 10 a.m.
NV Energy officials stated they are actively monitoring local fire weather and will provide regular status updates to affected customers. The utility provider noted that any customers currently experiencing a power outage outside of these designated PSOM zones should report it directly via NV Energy’s online Outage Center.
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