International Camel Races
Nevada Commission on Tourism
Have you ever seen camels, ostriches or zebras race around a track? Here's your chance! The 54th annual International Camel Races get underway in Virginia City, September 6-8. Order your tickets online for this wildly-entertaining event. Make it an action-packed weekend by getting up early and heading out to the Great Reno Balloon Race, also happening September 6-8. The FREE event is celebrating its 30th year of Dawn Patrol, during which the hot air balloons light up against the dark morning sky, before taking flight at dawn. Enjoy new character balloons that will be joining the popular Darth Vader and Smokey the Bear balloons. If speeding through the air is more your style, do not miss the 50th annual National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport, September 11-15. This is the last closed-course air racing event in the world, and the longest running in history. RV camping is available within walking distance or stay in style at one of Reno's sponsoring resorts.
Family Fun in Cowboy Country
If you missed Bonneville Speed Week in August, consider heading out to the World of Speed on the internationally-renowned Bonneville Salt=""Flats near West Wendover, September 7-10. The event is known to be a place where you can mix and mingle with the teams and drivers who are out there setting world speed records. The Ruby Mountain Balloon Festival arrives in Elko September 26-29. The Ruby Mountain Film Festival is also in town that weekend. Make sure you stop by the Star Hotel-voted one of Nevada's Treasures-and enjoy a hearty Basque meal before you skip on over to the Elko After Dark Haunted House for a screaming good time.
Ride the Pony Express Territory by Bicycle
OATBRAN is known by a few names including "One Awesome Tour Bike Ride Across Nevada" and "America's Loneliest Bike Tour." It kicks off September 22 at the MontBleu Casino Resort & Spa in Lake Tahoe. This week-long bike ride travels more than 400 miles across the Great Basin via Highway 50 and includes meals and accommodations in several of Nevada's neatest small towns: Fallon, Austin, Eureka, Ely and Baker near Great Basin National Park. Don't worry, they don't make you ride all the way back!
Get Out in Southern Nevada
Las Vegas hosts Nevada Wild Fest September 20-22, which includes live music, celebrity meet-and-greets, a carnival with midway games and a National DockDogs competition complete with Big Air, Speed Retrieve, Extreme Vertical and Iron Dog contests. It's a great time for the whole family. The Smith's 350 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race is happening September 28 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Bring your RV and camp onsite or take the shuttle bus from Excalibur, Bally's, Circus Circus or Golden Nugget. Only an hour's drive out of Las Vegas, head to Pahrump for its Fall Festival September 26-29. The event includes a carnival, rodeo and live entertainment. Don't miss the parade on Saturday morning and shopping for great arts & crafts. Be sure to stop off at the Pahrump Valley Winery-also voted one of Nevada's Treasures-for a tasting of award-winning Nevada wine.