Nevada is a state full of fascinating history, diverse landscapes, and quirky facts that make it a fun place to explore through riddles. Here are 45 riddles about Nevada with their answers.
Riddles about Nevada’s History and Culture
Riddle 1
I’m a city founded in 1905 that quickly became known for gambling and easy divorces. What am I?
Answer: Las Vegas
Riddle 2
I’m a Native American tribe that has lived in Nevada for centuries. Our name means “People of the Mountains.” Who are we?
Answer: Shoshone
Riddle 3
I’m an annual counterculture festival that takes place in the Black Rock Desert. Tens of thousands come to experience art, music, and more. What event am I?
Answer: Burning Man
Riddle 4
I’m Nevada’s oldest casino, opened in 1906. Bugsy Siegel had a secret ownership stake in me. What historic casino am I?
Answer: The Golden Gate Casino
Riddle 5
I’m an organization started by Basque immigrants that hosts an annual festival celebrating their culture. What am I?
Answer: National Basque Festival
Riddles about Nevada’s Cities and Towns
Riddle 6
I’m the most populous city in Nevada, known for casinos and nightlife on the Las Vegas Strip. What city am I?
Answer: Las Vegas
Riddle 7
I’m a city near Lake Tahoe nicknamed “The Biggest Little City in the World.” What am I?
Answer: Reno
Riddle 8
I’m a former mining town with well-preserved 19th century architecture and Old West saloons. Mark Twain briefly lived here. What town am I?
Answer: Virginia City
Riddle 9
I’m a city near the northern tip of Nevada where you can view petroglyphs and see wild mustangs. What am I?
Answer: Elko
Riddle 10
I’m a tiny desert town along Route 50 known as the “Loneliest Road in America.” What spooky place am I?
Answer: Ghost town along the Loneliest Road
Riddles about Nevada’s Natural Landscapes
Riddle 11
I’m a desert valley located between mountain ranges where Area 51 and the Extraterrestrial Highway are found. What am I?
Answer: Nevada Test Site
Riddle 12
I’m a dry prehistoric lakebed made of hard mud that people drive fast cars over. What natural attraction am I?
Answer: Rhyolite ghost town
Riddle 13
I’m a hot spring located near the Oregon border where you can soak in relaxing mineral waters. What am I?
Answer: Black Rock Desert
Riddle 14
I’m a mountain peak that is the second highest in Nevada. Climbers flock to me for the challenge. What peak am I?
Answer: Boundary Peak
Riddle 15
I’m a national park in southern Nevada featuring red sandstone cliffs, canyons, and natural arches. What park am I?
Answer: Great Basin National Park
Riddles about Nevada’s Wildlife
Riddle 16
I’m the state animal of Nevada, known for my large antlers. I’m a type of deer. What am I?
Answer: Mule deer
Riddle 17
I’m a predator animal that lives in Nevada’s mountains and forests, recognizable by my bushy tail. What animal am I?
Answer: Gray wolf
Riddle 18
I’m a rodent found across Nevada that builds burrow systems. My name comes from the Spanish word for “plains wolf.” What am I?
Answer: Coyote
Riddle 19
I’m Nevada’s state reptile, a venomous snake with diamond patterns on my back. What am I?
Answer: Great Basin rattlesnake
Riddle 20
I’m a bird of prey found in Nevada that is currently threatened. I have a white head and tail with dark wings. What am I?
Answer: Golden eagle
Riddles about Nevada Symbols and Facts
Riddle 21
I’m a silvery-gray metallic element that is Nevada’s state metal. What am I?
Answer: Silver
Riddle 22
I’m a flagship university located in Reno. I’m Nevada’s land grant institution. What university am I?
Answer: University of Nevada, Reno
Riddle 23
Over 80% of Nevada’s land is managed by me, a federal agency. What am I?
Answer: Bureau of Land Management
Riddle 24
I’m a Las Vegas casino with singing gondoliers that is shaped like a golden lion. What casino am I?
Answer: The Venetian
Riddle 25
I’m a legislatively protected route running north-south across Nevada. I’m considered one of the loneliest roads in the US. What route am I?
Answer: US Route 50
More Difficult Nevada Riddles
Riddle 26
I’m a mountain pass on the California-Nevada border near Lake Tahoe. The Donner Party became trapped here in the winter. What am I?
Answer: Donner Pass
Riddle 27
I’m a dry lakebed on the edge of Death Valley National Park. Strange moving rocks and a “sailing” stone have been found here. What am I?
Answer: Racetrack Playa
Riddle 28
I’m an extinct supervolcano located in Nye County. My massive eruptions shaped the Nevada landscape millions of years ago. What am I?
Answer: Long Valley Caldera
Riddle 29
I’m a mountain sky island in southern Nevada home to several species found nowhere else. conservation efforts protect me. What am I?
Answer: Spring Mountains
Riddle 30
I’m a Native American tribe whose territory spanned Nevada, California and Oregon. My name means “People.” Who am I?
Answer: Paiute
Funny and Tricky Nevada Riddles
Riddle 31
What do you call stolen goods in Nevada?
Answer: Nevada-lootin’
Riddle 32
Why can’t you play cards in the Nevada desert?
Answer: Because there are too many cheetahs!
Riddle 33
What kind of shorts do clouds wear over Nevada?
Answer: Thunderwear!
Riddle 34
What do you call a Nevada parade?
Answer: A Reno-vation!
Riddle 35
Why did the cowboy buy a wiener dog in Nevada?
Answer: He wanted to get a little doggie in Reno!
Riddles about Nevada for Kids
Riddle 36
I’m big and sandy in Nevada. You can play and build things on me. What am I?
Answer: Desert sand
Riddle 37
I’m a stripey equine that lives in the wild in parts of Nevada. What am I?
Answer: Zebra
Riddle 38
I’m a rodent with big ears that lives in burrows in Nevada. What am I?
Answer: Jackrabbit
Riddle 39
I’m a wet place in the desert. Camels like to take big drinks from me. What am I?
Answer: Watering hole or oasis
Riddle 40
I’m a slithering reptile you might find sunbathing on rocks in Nevada. What am I?
Answer: Rattlesnake
Classic Nevada Riddles
Riddle 41
People come from all around to see my bright lights and exciting shows. What famous street am I?
Answer: Las Vegas Strip
Riddle 42
I’m an icy cold lake that straddles the border of California and Nevada. What lake am I?
Answer: Lake Tahoe
Riddle 43
Prospectors flocked to me in hopes of striking it rich during the mid 1800s. What Nevada boomtown am I?
Answer: Virginia City
Riddle 44
I’m a desert festival where giant wooden sculptures are burned. What counterculture event am I?
Answer: Burning Man
Riddle 45
I’m a Native American tribe indigenous to parts of Nevada. My name means “people of the snow.” Who am I?
Answer: Washoe
Conclusion
Nevada’s unique history, landscape, wildlife, and culture make it a fascinating place to explore through riddles. From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the loneliest roads, ghost towns, and natural wonders, there are so many interesting facts and stories to uncover about the Silver State. Hopefully these 45 Nevada riddles and their answers entertained and educated you about this southwestern state!
