10 Most Welcoming Towns In Nevada's Countryside
Nevada is mainly known for Sin City, aka Las Vegas, which is often quiet overwhelming for people looking for a more laid-back experience. Thankfully, there's a lot to see in Nevada's beautiful countryside if you're willing to go a bit off the beaten track. Within Nevada's countryside are many welcoming towns with fun and intriguing attractions like preserved mining facilities, stargazing parks, castles on America's Loneliest Road and great Basque cultural experiences. Here are 10 of the most welcoming towns in Nevada's countryside to visit.
Battle Mountain
Don't let the name fool you. While Battle Mountain has had a tumultuous past of struggles between settlers and Native Americans, today it is welcoming town that is happy to show visitors around. One of the most welcoming spots in town is the Battle Mountain Cookhouse Museum, which hosts artifacts from Native Americans, mining history, as well as live poetry, storytelling and art. If racing is more your cup of tea, then head out to the Battle Mountain Raceway to meet locals and watch as Outlaw Karts, Dwarf Cars and other vehicles dash through the desert. Or you can take an ATV yourself through Battle Mountain's Motocross track. Locals will also tell you to go outside of town to explore some of the ghost towns like Galena, an old mining town abandoned many years ago.
Tonopah
Many of Nevada's small communities sprung up as mining towns and Tonopah is no exception. In fact, it's called the Queen of the Silver Camps due to the discovery of silver in the area in 1900. Much of the mines dried up in the 1920s, and today Tonopah entertains guests with both beautiful and frightening attractions, making it one of the quirkiest Nevada towns. First off, visit the Historic Mining Park, which offers underground shafts, buildings, underground tunnel, and more. You can also gain a beautiful view of the area by hiking up nearby Mount Oddie. The most beautiful place to see in town is the Tonopah Stargazing Park. Thanks to the rural atmosphere, this is one of the best places to see the night sky. If you're feeling brave, you might want to check in at The Clown Motel, which has thousands of clown figurines spread throughout, and is right next to the historic Tonopah Cemetery.
Minden
Minden was founded in 1906 by German American Heinrich Dangberg Jr. who named it after a town in Germany. It became a major ranching town and today maintains a deep connection to its founder. Visitors can see the original ranch at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park, which includes a home, bunkhouse, slaughterhouse and original artifacts, like the first pair of Levi's in Nevada! If thrilling adventures are more up your speed, take to the skies to see the majestic Nevada countryside with SoaringNV, which provides glider tours. If great hospitality is what you're after, enjoy some tater tots with locals at the Cook'd restaurant or see the best of local artwork at the Art Gallery Prism.
Caliente
Anyone familiar with the Spanish language will recognize this town name. Caliente is a Spanish word meaning hot, named after the nearby hot springs. It previously served as a railway center and is the only incorporated town in al of Lincoln County. It's an adorable western town that sits in a picturesque part of Nevada. For example, just outside of town is the Kershaw Ryan State Park, which sits within a beautiful canyon and features multiple hiking trails and dark sky viewing. Within the town proper, visitors can enjoy peaceful birdwatching at the Meadow Valley Wash Linear Park or learn about the town's role as a railway hub at the Caliente Heritage Boxcar Museum. If you want to hang out with locals, grab some food at the Shamrock Pub.
Elko
As an old cowboy town, Elko knows a thing or two about hospitality while still giving folks plenty of space to explore on their own. No matter where you go, you're sure to have a rich fulfilling time within this Old Western town. For example, cowboy enthusiasts will have a great time at the Western Folklife Center, a museum that hosts western art and the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, and the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum, where one can see the finest quality of saddles, spurs and bits. If you'd prefer to get out into the wild lands of Nevada yourself, then go for a hike at the Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail that'll take you through breathtaking mountaintop views or go exploring Lamoille Canyon, a glacial canyon area with several picturesque mountain lakes nearby to hike to.
Austin
No this isn't Austin, Texas. Austin, Nevada is quite the opposite, as it is a tiny town nestled off Highway 50 within the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The town prides itself of being an oasis of fun and interesting activities in a sparsely populated part of Nevada, commonly called the Loneliest Road in America. Off the main street, you can learn about the history of this silver mining boomtown at the Austin Historical Society Museum or feel like family by enjoying a meal at the local restaurant called Grandma's. You can also get a look at a unique structure called Stokes Castle, an 1897 structure that was modeled after an Italian villa. Lastly, Austin is a great central location to explore natural and manmade wonders in the Nevada landscape such as the pictographs left by the Western Shoshone people at Toquima Cave or relax in the marvelous Spencer Hot Springs.
Genoa
Located about 45 miles south of Reno in the Nevada countryside, Genoa is actually the oldest settlement in the state, as it was officially founded in 1851 by a group of traders from the Mormon church. The town was named Genoa after the birthplace of Christopher Columbus in Italy. This welcoming town proudly preserves its history for visitors at several places, including the Mormon Station State Historic Park, which features an accurate reconstruction of the original trading post and a museum along with the Genoa Courthouse Museum. The friendliest place in town is also one of the oldest: the Genoa Bar & Saloon, which has been in operation since 1853 making it the oldest saloon in the entire state. Lastly, Genoa invites visitors to hit the trails with the Genoa Trail System, offering 16 miles of beauty amid the backdrop of the Sierra Mountains.
Baker
While you're on the US 50, the so-called "Loneliest Road in America," you'll want to make a stop at Baker at the border with Utah. This is because this tiny town sits next to the hidden treasure of the Great Basin National Park. It's one of the least visited national parks in America, which is a shame due to its gorgeous views such as the hiking trail up Wheeler Peak, the second tallest mountain in Nevada or the incredibly ancient bristlecone pine groves via the Bristlecone Trail. Speaking of old, Baker is home to the Baker Archaeological Site, a 13th century village occupied by the Fremont people. The town of Baker itself, despite having a tiny population, keeps a welcoming spirit with its Bristlecone General Store for snacks and basic necessities and its Sugar Salt & Malt restaurant that has a little bit of everything on its menu. Baker also brings in astronomers for the Great Basin Astronomy Festival each September to back in the glories of one of the best dark skies in the US.
Winnemucca
Winnemucca calls itself the friendliest town in Nevada. That's in part due to its rich cultural heritage, as a major immigrant center for Basque people, an ethnic group from the borderlands between Spain and France. In June, the town hosts the Winnemucca Basque Festival with food and activities such as Jota dancing. Winnemucca invites plenty of outdoor recreation such as the Winnemucca Sand Dunes, which are perfect for ATVs or dirt bikes, and the Water Canyon Recreation Area for camping, hiking and biking 2,000 feet above the town. This area links up with the 40-mile Bloody Shins Trail System, a challenging mountain biker trail through the Santa Rosa-Paradise Peak Wilderness. If you'd like a taste of Basque food outside of the festival , go to the historic Martin Hotel. First opened in 1898, it no longer has rooms to stay at, but it does offer popular Basque food like chorizo and braised lamb shanks.
Yerington
This town first began as a trading post in 1871, due in no small part to its fertile lands in a largely desert climate. Today, the farming community of Yerington is happy to welcome folks looking for a more relaxing experience away from the loud noises and lights of the big city. Yerington is a popular base camp for the Walker River State Recreation Area, which features nearly 29 miles of the East Walker River, a favorite spot to go fishing for trout. Off roaders can also hit the Yerington Trails network through the mountainous countryside. For those who'd rather chat with local artists than hit the trails, the Yerington Theater for the Arts and the associated Jeanne Dini Cultural Center provide opportunities to watch local performances, view exhibits, or grab breakfast at a café. For the best place in town to grab a coffee and enjoy a conversation, visit Hometown Coffee.
Visitors have great reasons to get out into the countryside and explore in Nevada. In fact, these towns are happy to let folks in and treat them with grand hospitality. Even if you're on the Loneliest Road in America, you can view dark skies with residents in Baker or sit down for a meal at restaurants like Grandma's at Austin. Locals will happily direct you to historical treasures in these towns such as the original trading post at the Mormon Station State Historic Park or the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park in Minden. These 10 welcoming towns are definitely worth visiting for any Nevada travelers.
