Nevada : Safety by City
- Baker
- Battle Mountain
- Beatty
- Blue Diamond
- Boulder City
- Burning Man in Black Rock City
- Caliente
- Carson City
- Elko
- Fallon
- Fernley
- Henderson
- Incline Village
- Jackpot
- Las Vegas
- Laughlin
- Lovelock
- Minden
- Moapa Valley
- Mount Charleston
- North Las Vegas
- Pahrump
- Rachel
- Reno
- Searchlight
- Sparks
- Stateline
- Tonopah
- Virginia City
- West Wendover
- Winnemucca
Nevada is one of the biggest states in the United States by land mass but is only 32nd when it comes to population.
This means there is a lot of natural beauty to explore.
The state has land that ranges from rigid peaks to beautiful spacious deserts.
Nevada is also home to the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas, a city known for legalized gambling and world-class entertainment and restaurants.
People travel from around the globe to experience everything that the city has to offer.
Nevada borders California to the East, making it easy to make a quick day trip if you want to explore the Pacific Coast.
In Nevada, you can experience everything the United States has to offer, along with some of the most interesting and unique people in the country.
Are you safe when you travel there?
Keep reading to find out everything you want to know about traveling safely in Nevada.
Warnings & Dangers in Nevada
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Like most American states, Nevada is very safe for international travelers. The main risks come with heat in the desert. Always be prepared in case you have an emergency while driving in the desert. There are also some dangerous areas in Las Vegas if you don't know what you're doing.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
As long as you use a reputable company for your transportation, traveling by taxi or public transportation in Nevada is extremely safe. Just use your instincts when traveling and avoid any transport companies that may seem unsafe.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a very low risk, but it is higher than in other American cities. The only real chance of this is in some areas near casinos or other tourist areas of Las Vegas. As long as you are safe with your things, you have a very low chance of being pickpocketed.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
There is a very small chance you could experience an earthquake while you are in Nevada. Nevada is the third highest state when it comes to earthquakes per year in America. It should be noted that all of the earthquakes in Nevada in recent history have been very mild.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
There is a very small risk of being mugged in Nevada except for some more dangerous areas of Las Vegas. Just avoid being alone at night because that is the main thing that will make you a target for mugging. It's also a good idea to stay in well-lit areas.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There haven't been any recorded incidents of international terrorism in Nevada. You have zero chance of being in the middle of a terrorist attack on the state except for a rare instance of domestic terrorism. The chances are so small it's not worth worrying about in any way.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Las Vegas does have legal gambling, which attracts a certain type of character. There may be people looking to scam you out of money on the strip. Don't buy anything from someone that seems sketchy or go anywhere with someone that you don't trust. If you aren't sure, talk to the concierge at your hotel for help.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Prostitution and sex work are legal in Las Vegas. This also attracts an element of humanity that may be looking to take advantage of women if they aren't careful. As long as you are vigilant and don't go anywhere with someone you don't know, you will be safe.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
There is no risk associated with drinking tap water in Nevada, whether it is in urban or rural areas. There is no reason to carry your own water or treat water in any way before you drink it.
Safest Places to Visit in Nevada
If you want to experience everything Nevada has to offer while staying as safe as possible, try to stay in Henderson.
Henderson is located just a few miles from Las Vegas and has the lowest crime rate in the state at just 1.7 incidents per 1000 people.
On top of this, Henderson has a rich cultural history with entertainment, gambling, and historical museums.
If you are going to stay in Las Vegas, be sure to stay in areas that are friendly to tourists.
Stay on the strip or in an area with a lot of hotels, resorts, and casinos.
These are the areas of the town that are best set up and safest for tourists who might not know the city or how to get around safely.
If you want to stay in a smaller city that still offers everything Las Vegas does, consider staying in Reno in the northern part of the state.
Places to Avoid in Nevada
The best way to stay safe while traveling is to avoid dangerous areas.
The good news is that most of the more dangerous areas in Las Vegas are not places where tourists frequent in the first place.
Some casinos are safer than others, so be sure to gamble and stay in ones that have robust security that is very visible.
The strip is relatively safe, but it is still a lot of people congested in an area with gambling and other seedy activities, so don’t be careless while you are there.
This is the only area in Vegas friendly to tourists that could be unsafe if you aren’t careful because of the kinds of people that the gambling industry can attract.
Try not to be alone on the strip, especially if you are a woman.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Nevada
- Stick together. Do not wander outside of the strip alone. Stick to the crowded areas on the strip designed for tourists. There are some bad neighborhoods directly adjacent to the strip that you want to avoid, especially if you are walking alone at night. The strip is Las Vegas Boulevard and it runs from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere.
- Guard your items. Don’t be careless with your items like your wallet or purse. The strip does have some threat of your items being stolen while you are out and about. The risk is generally pretty small, especially if you are as careful as possible. One good tip is to never keep your wallet in your back pocket.
- Don’t overshare your personal information. Even though it seems like everyone else is a tourist, some aren’t. When you talk to people, don’t give them too much personal information about where you are going to be or where you are staying. This could easily make you a target for theft or some kind of attack.
- Check the state website. Visit nevada.com, the state’s website. The travel and tourism section will display all the current travel advisories in the state. This is a great way to see what the most current threats are to your safety while you are there. These can often change, so check here as often as possible. It’s also a great place to find out the current COVID-19 protocols.
- Tell your friends. Tell at least one of your friends or family members where you are going, where you are staying, and at least a general idea of your itinerary. This will help them find you if something goes wrong or if you go missing. Don’t just leave without telling anyone about it.
- Educate yourself about scams. Casinos and other elements found in Las Vegas can attract scammers. Be sure to educate yourself ahead of time about some of the more popular scams in the area. This will prevent you from falling for them while you are there once you know what to avoid.
- Be safe about hotels. There are a lot of options for hotels and places to stay in Vegas. Make sure you thoroughly check online before booking to make sure you are booking one with stringent security.
- Be discreet. If you are successful while gambling, don’t flaunt your success. Being flashy with your cash or chips will make you a target for thieves and scammers in the casino. The best practice is to be as discreet as possible.
- Check with locals. Go online, or try to talk to a local in person, to see where the best places in Las Vegas are. Of course, the internet is going to know all the hot spots, but the locals can tell you some of the secret spots and areas to avoid that may not be safe.
- Tell your bank you’re going. If your bank doesn’t know you are going to be spending the week in Las Vegas, it may flag your account for suspicious activity while you are there. Ensure you tell your bank you are going before you leave, so you can freely use your debit and credit card while you are on vacation.
So... How Safe Is Nevada Really?
Overall, Las Vegas is very safe for travelers.
The whole city is designed around tourism, gambling, and entertainment, so the city does everything it can to make sure that people are as safe as possible.
The casinos on the strip have some of the most high-tech and vigilant security in the world, even rivaling that of some governments.
While this is all true, Vegas can still attract a seedier element that may be looking to take advantage of you.
As long as you practice good safety and aren’t careless while staying on the strip, you should have no issues.
Don’t wander into other parts of the city, though.
You will stick out like a sore thumb if you are a tourist.
Nevada also has a lot of tourist attractions in the more rural parts of the state thanks to the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Hoover Dam.
Most of these areas are extremely safe and well-monitored by the authorities.
The only real danger you are in when traveling around Nevada is the elements.
Make sure your car is always full of gas and you have some emergency water and other supplies with you in case you have an issue while traveling.
Gas stations can be few and far between while you are traveling through the desert in Nevada.
How Does Nevada Compare?
| State | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Nevada | 79 |
| Kansas | 81 |
| Iowa | 82 |
| Idaho | 85 |
| Illinois | 77 |
| Indiana | 61 |
| Alaska | 65 |
| Colorado | 82 |
| Florida | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
There is no travel visa required to travel within the United States. If you are visiting from another country, you will need a passport with a tourist visa to enter the country, but you won't need one to travel from state to state once you are in the United States. There are also visas with extended periods of time if you plan to conduct business, work, or study.
Currency
Nevada uses the United States dollar as its main form of currency. There are plenty of currency exchange locations around the state where you can exchange your home currency for USD. For the best rates, exchange your money at the airport, either at home or when you land.
Weather
Nevada is in the desert of the southwestern United States, meaning it's hot year-round. In the winter, the lowest it gets is around 50 degrees at night. In the summers, it gets extremely hot with temperatures well over 100 degrees. Nevada is also known for having extremely dry air.
Airports
The most popular airport is McCarran airport in Las Vegas. It's the only international airport in the state and accommodates millions of visitors each year. One interesting thing about this airport is gambling is legalized there. You can play slot machines while you wait for your flight.
Travel Insurance
When you travel abroad, be sure to get travel insurance. You never know what is going to happen, so you want to protect your investment if there is a cancellation of your flight, hotel, or entertainment for any reason. Travel insurance is the best way to do this.
Nevada Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 22 | 28 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 8 |
| Low °C | -6 | -4 | -1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 1 | -3 | -6 |
| High °F | 45 | 50 | 57 | 63 | 72 | 82 | 90 | 88 | 81 | 68 | 55 | 46 |
| Low °F | 21 | 25 | 30 | 34 | 41 | 46 | 52 | 50 | 43 | 34 | 27 | 21 |
Nevada - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Baker | 74 |
| Battle Mountain | 79 |
| Beatty | 76 |
| Blue Diamond | 76 |
| Boulder City | 74 |
| Burning Man in Black Rock City | 70 |
| Caliente | 82 |
| Carson City | 77 |
| Elko | 72 |
| Fallon | 77 |
| Fernley | 77 |
| Henderson | 68 |
| Incline Village | 78 |
| Jackpot | 72 |
| Las Vegas | 62 |
| Laughlin | 75 |
| Lovelock | 76 |
| Minden | 82 |
| Moapa Valley | 78 |
| Mount Charleston | 77 |
| North Las Vegas | 54 |
| Pahrump | 74 |
| Rachel | 78 |
| Reno | 70 |
| Searchlight | 76 |
| Sparks | 77 |
| Stateline | 76 |
| Tonopah | 81 |
| Virginia City | 79 |
| West Wendover | 72 |
| Winnemucca | 73 |
Nevada was treat for me
Nevada is a great place to visit if you’re not a hardened gambler as you can easily lose all your money here. You get to see a lot of the things that make the US great and there’s much more than Las Vegas to see here. Always let your bank know you’re going to Nevada or Las Vegas. If you don’t and go gambling, your bank is sure to flag your account for suspicious activity.
Information
Information about legal prostitution in Las Vegas. Prostitution is legal in some rural counties, but illegal in metropolitan Las Vegas and Reno. Outside of the major cities, brothels are common.