If you’ve been seeking a new destination that contains an astronomically high chance of securing your end in a violent, unnecessary death, look no further than the vast and perilous stretches of the Mojave Wasteland. The Wasteland offers its own rare blend of sharp, unfeeling character and unmistakable environmental dangers that you’ll barely be able to outrun (or out-gun). Quests for glory across the fatally scorched earth of Nevada have never been more inviting! Below are ten highlights introduced with vaguely cheerful language, confident descriptions, and an intentional lack of detail about your probability of survival.
The Strip (Including Freeside)
The Strip dazzles visitors who come from far and wide like moths to a flame with its flashy neon lights, brazenly armed Securitrons who bark questions for credentials if you step near them, and shady casinos differentiated only by which flavor of crime they’ll ask you to commit. Step just outside the gates into Freeside and enjoy a more authentic local experience involving hunger, addiction, and folks who will greet you with both a smile and a knife. Together, The Strip and Freeside both offer the picture-perfect post-apocalyptic example of prime urban planning, where wealth is tersely guarded by the high rollers and poverty is for everyone else. Those who visit would do well to remember that The House Always Wins.
- An independent economy powered by gambling and quietly outsourced violence via one shadowy cabal or another
- Memorable dining experiences with unique fare
- Freeside locals are eager to relieve you of your excess caps, valuables, or blood, making your journey lighter
Black Mountain
Black Mountain serves as a scenic hike that active visitors are sure to love, staffed by enthusiastic super mutants with long-range weapons and a strong curiosity for using them on trespassers, with Black Mountain Radio ensuring that no one will mistake the experience for a peaceful hike. The climb is structured with narrow switchbacks and minimal cover, encouraging visitors to remain visible to the violent roaming patrols for the duration of their ascent. Reaching the summit is considered an achievement because it means guests are likely still breathing when they do it.
- Panoramic views victoriously earned under sustained sniper fire
- Locally managed radio station featuring first-of-its-kind shoot-first broadcasting standards
- A vertical route unlike any other designed to test endurance, tactics, and commitment to the journey
Promontory Point (Deathclaw Promontory)
In addition to a scenic capture of the rising cliffs of the Southwest, Promontory Point offers visitors a chance to interact with the Mojave Wasteland’s highest concentration of deathclaws who have claimed the area for their own. On arrival, guests can see an elevated area leading to a unified pack of motivated beasts who are eager to respond to visitors swiftly and collectively. Once spotted, guests can expect a prompt coordinated welcome, making retreat attempts both difficult and urgent. This is a popular destination for visitors seeking memorable wildlife encounters and immediate clarity about their perceived survival odds.
- Up-close impressions of wildlife conducted at full sprint
- Group-oriented residents who respond quickly to disturbances of all kinds
- Natural beauty of the Mojave Wasteland enjoyed from a safe distance
Camp Searchlight
Camp Searchlight offers visitors a softly glowing introduction to radiation exposure and long-term consequences of bad luck as a result of the NCR’s poor decisions. Formerly an NCR military installation, this camp now features open access to all the radiation exposure one could desire, in addition to a rabid roaming population of feral ghouls – mostly former NCR soldiers – who are eager to demonstrate their perception skills. Guests are encouraged to monitor their Geiger counter on their Pip Boy often and to appreciate the area’s history from as far away as they possibly can. Protective gear is strongly recommended to all, with exception to those who are interested in joining the ghoul population.
- Former soldiers now offering unscheduled encounters for morale purposes
- Opportunity to test out protective equipment
- Scenic desolation with some estimated educational value
Cottonwood Cove
Cottonwood Cove offers guests a firsthand look into the distinctive Legion culture, complete with slave pens, public punishments, a strictly adhered-to military discipline bordering on abuse. The camp’s waterside location next to the Colorado River offers scenic views and a dense population of mirelurks, thoughtfully positioned to discourage premature departures against Caesar’s wishes. As long as visitors remain useful or compliant, the chances of their heads ending up on a spike remain (somewhat) low. A short visit is recommended to first-time visitors, as longer stays can become complicated vis-à-vis NCR sanction. This location is an excellent stop for travelers curious about authoritarian regimes and their many red flags.
- Cultural misunderstandings promised to be resolved swiftly and on the spot
- Hospitality defined astonishingly narrowly
- Sightseeing is recommended to be done silently or otherwise from a considerable distance
Vault 22
Vault 22 invites guests to explore a once–cutting-edge agricultural research facility turned self-sustaining flora ecosystem, full of promising educational points and zero interest in human visitors. Travelers will find that the dense overgrowth and low visibility in rooms and hallways ensure that every encounter happens at close range and is almost never on their terms. Barely visible former residents and hostile plant life will offer sudden, intimate opportunities for guests to brush up on survival skills. The experience serves as a tour of scientific ambition and hubris, thoughtfully preserved in a state of permanent collapse.
- Overgrown hallways engineered for unique surprise encounters
- Airborne contaminants included at no charge throughout the facility
- Close-quarters combat encouraged by design from the dozens of locals who are puzzlingly still alive
The Divide
Many visitors find The Divide to be a dramatic travel destination defined by shattered highways, constant stormfronts, and have questions about if cannibalism is part of the custom practiced here. Guests are asked to navigate narrow, unstable routes while contending with unforeseen environmental hazards and residents who are eager to make friends. Occasional underground disturbances ensure no one can become too comfortable while sitting for too long, and a steady stream of recordings from a thoughtful tour guide provide insightful commentary on the history and identity of the region. It’s a popular choice for travelers who enjoy scenery, philosophical bloviating, and being overly blamed for past events they were not in control of.
- Opportunities for up-close encounters with nuclear weapons
- Locals shaped by the fractured land and are deeply committed to staying that way
- Scenic routes best enjoyed without stopping
Zion Canyon
Visitors are offered a rare opportunity in Zion Canyon to experience natural beauty primarily untouched by civilization, mostly because any sort of attempt at civilization keeps being violently interrupted. Towering red cliffs, monolithic rock formations, and lush winding rivers set a peaceful backdrop when being disrupted by ambushes and tribal warfare. Guests will swiftly encounter locals embattled within local conflicts, some of whom have very different ideas about hospitality towards visitors. This is an ideal destination for philanthropic visitors who enjoy challenging hikes and strategic outdoorsmanship, as well as constant reminders that they are a hopeless stranger in a strange land.
- Immediate cultural immersion
- Regular opportunities to practice and exercise diplomacy skills
- Trails through exceptional an landscape primed for reflection, photography, and sudden evasive maneuvers
Big MT
The Big MT welcomes visitors to its research facility where innovation once flourished and oversight has long since vanished. Upon arrival, guests will find that the staff has helpfully unburdened you of both your brain and your spine to streamline the facility experience. Enthusiastic robotic personalities will insist upon their lengthy lectures and explanations of their research while their nemesis contributes regular announcements via a jarring, echoing intercom that thunders across the entire site at inopportune moments of concentration. Autonomous property defenses and experimental lifeforms seem to continue their routines and security checks long after they should have been shut down, creating a lively atmosphere of ongoing research and education for visitors who are curious about scientific advancement.
- Mandatory complimentary removal of organic parts upon arrival
- Free educational research lectures administered at length without consent
- Active patrolling experiments operating without supervision for maximum efficiency
The Sierra Madre Resort & Casino
The Sierra Madre invites guests to experience a long-forgotten pre-war luxury establishment with their own non-negotiable complimentary explosive collar included at no charge upon arrival. Guests will be greeted by a tour guide with great detail about the location and then released into a fog of corrosive red cloud for a uniquely location-specific experience. Visitors are encouraged to savor each and every step they make and to take their time soaking in the wondrous sights of the Grand Opening as the local workforce enthusiastically roams the sites, offering a highly interactive experience for all who pass through the gates. The promise of leaving wealthier than they arrived attracts many visitors to this site, assuming they’ll be able to leave at all.
- Cutting edge wearable technology that provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience when exposed to the certain radio frequencies
- An environment that provides a refreshing break from excess, featuring near-total deprivation
- The Sierra Madre’s signature vermillion toxic cloud that helps to encourage efficient navigation and brisk sightseeing for guests
SAFETY NOTE:
By reading this article, you relinquish any right to lawsuits that may be derived from experiences at any of these sites or locations. The publishers of this article are not responsible for injury, death, or any other unwelcome circumstances guests may experience at any of the sites or locations. Visitors are assumed to travel prepared and to remember that our travel guides will never lie, but may at times omit critical safety details for better ratings.
Sarah Everett is an avid poster and Red Dead Redemption 2 player. You can find her on Twitter, Bluesky and regularly streaming on Twitch.
