7 Most Eccentric Towns in Nevada
Nevada is a state with sweeping forests, mountain ranges, and rushing rivers, so visitors to this beautiful state will have their choice of adventure or relaxation. The numerous small towns that dot this tumultuous landscape, however, deserve just as much recognition as the stunning topography. Nevada's towns contain as much history and personality as anywhere, so if you are interested in the unique, the strange, or the odd and offbeat, here are five of Nevada's most eccentric towns.
Elko
Since 1985, Elko has proudly hosted the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, a week-long celebration of life in the rural West. Featuring more than just poetry, attendees can enjoy music, movies, photography, and food. One of the more enduring and endearing traditions in the state, this annual festival draws crowds from across the nation.
Elko's attractions extend to the geological. The Hot Hole is a hot spring currently unavailable for use, but which is still available to be seen and appreciated: knowledge of the Hot Hole's existence predates Elko's formation as a town. And speaking of history, the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum offers a unique and interpretive exploration of the past. Visitors here can watch saddles being made, take leather-stamping classes, and enjoy silver-engraving demonstrations.
Laughlin
Located on the Colorado River, Laughlin is very much a scenic and smaller Las Vegas for those interested in trying their gambling luck. There is far more to Laughlin than its casinos, however: the Laughlin Labyrinths are a series of nine stone labyrinths created by a man named Wes Dufek. Ranging in shapes and sizes, each of these labyrinths is meant to be explored, and their centres found. Certainly a different outing for the day, navigating these labyrinths is a perfect family activity for those passing through the area.
People of all ages might also appreciate Don Laughlin's Classic Car Museum. This exhibit showcases over eighty of the world's most distinctive automobiles. With a collection constantly rotating, visitors can see everything from rare antiques to private collections. Just outside of town, one can find Grapevine Canyon, too: a stunning area to hike, and most famous for its one-of-a-kind collection of petroglyphs. Walk the windswept canyon and admire these rock carvings that represent the oldest human activity in the region.
Fernley
Fernley is perhaps best known for its association with regional Indigenous history. Leaning into this aspect of the area's earliest civilization, tourists can explore locations that are both informative and engaging. Mary & Moe's Wigwam is a restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but also hosts a range of historical Native American artifacts. Adorned with Indigenous art and infused with a welcoming atmosphere, patrons of the restaurant are sure to leave satisfied.
About a half hour outside of town, tourists can find Pyramid Lake. One of the largest natural lakes in Nevada, this lake covers over 125,000 acres and is one of the most scenic places in the state. There, visitors can also explore the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Tribe Museum, which displays the life of the Paiute tribe as they lived on the shores of this expansive body of water.
Pahrump
A growing town with a rich culture, Pahrump offers the best of city and wilderness alike. Its desert lifestyle leaves lasting memories, but what you cannot find anywhere else is Pahrump's Hot Air Rally in the Valley, a hot air balloon festival that spans three days and draws in thousands of people. There is music, wine, food vendors, and more at this colorful extravaganza. This is not the only festival to grace Pahrump's place in the rocky Nevada terrain: at the right time of year, visitors might also experience the Chili Cook-Off Festival, which, in addition to serving heaps of chili, provides contests, a carnival, live entertainment, and more.
The town's uniqueness can be further explored in the Pahrump Valley Museum, which showcases the history of the Nevada Test Site, a 1951 area used for nuclear device testing. Tours of the test site are available, but must be booked in advance. Make sure to take a stop at the quirky Area 51 Alien Center, which features a shop and museum honoring alien sightings in the area.
Winnemucca
Named after a Paiute chief, Winnemucca began as a railroad town and has turned into a gateway to the Wild West. Tourists can appreciate this layered and interesting history in the Humboldt Museum, which has several extant buildings from the 1800s on site. The Buckaroo Hall of Fame also displays Winnemucca's past in Western memorabilia and genuine cowboy gear.
Just outside of town, one can find Water Canyon, a rugged yet lush landscape used by locals as a picturesque setting for recreation. Hiking, ATV usage, camping, and picnicking are all activities encouraged in the area, and are all free of charge.
Tonopah
This one is for those interested in a spooky adventure. Tonopah is best known for the Clown Motel, which is every bit as creepy as it sounds. Filled with clown artwork and statues, this motel is also reportedly haunted. And it is no wonder: the historic Tonopah Cemetery is next door to the motel. In use only for ten years in the early 1900s, the cemetery is filled with victims of plague, gunfights, and more from an extremely tumultuous time.
Not to be outdone, the Tonopah Mining Park is home to the abandoned silver mine around which the town was formed. Here, visitors can tour amongst preserved and restored early mining equipment, buildings, and a variety of exhibits that represent the beginnings of 20th-century mining. Of course, the mine is also said to be haunted. Visit this town and see if you catch sight of a ghost!
McGill
Like Tonopah, McGill was a mining town. While it sought copper rather than silver, the town flourished in the early 20th century and has since dwindled to the small but lively example of American life over a century ago. Part of that life is perfectly preserved in the Drugstore Museum, a unique museum that has been largely unchanged for decades. Visitors can read from a prescription log dating back to the 1930s, or peruse the many 1950s toys and products that line the shelves.
Outdoor adventure is plentiful around McGill, as well. Nearby Cave Lake provides fishing and camping opportunities, while September and October are given over to pine nut harvesting, a regional tradition every autumn to gather the delicious bounty given by Pinyon pine trees. There is also the annual McGill town picnic, replete with games, food, fireworks, music, and a parade.
Explore the Quirky Side of Nevada Today
The windswept beauty of Nevada knows no limits, but neither does the uniqueness of each town that dots the state map. Whether it is Tonopah's haunted mines, Fernley's indigenous museums, or the petroglyphs deep in the Grapevine Canyon outside of Laughlin, the many towns of Nevada's turbulent history and exciting present are as eccentric and different as any in the country. So book a stay in the Clown Motel, because Nevada is waiting.
