8 Coolest Nevada Towns For A Summer Vacation In 2025

While there’s no shortage of gambling throughout the state of Nevada, there’s much more to see beyond the walls of a casino. The Silver State has plenty of cool towns to explore that don’t involve the bright lights of Las Vegas or Reno. You can save money on your travel budget and enjoy the vast, beautiful deserts beyond the cities in these 8 Nevada towns. This summer, skip the crowds and opt for more room in the smaller towns of the Battle Born State.

Elko

Northeastern Nevada’s most populated city, Elko, serves as an excellent summer vacation spot. The nearby Ruby Mountains are an incredible sight with multiple hiking trails to alpine lakes, camping, and picnic areas within its Lamoille Canyon. Downtown Elko features multiple casinos, bars, and restaurants. The Star is a local gem for visitors and Elkoans. Specializing in Basque, family-style menus, it’s been operational since 1910. If you’re lucky enough to be in Elko over the 4th of July weekend, you’ll get to experience the festivities of Independence Day and the annual Basque Festival. Live music, traditional Basque food picnics, and dance performances can be found at the Elko Basque House and within the city park.

Jarbidge

Visitors can head to the teeny mountain town of Jarbidge for an isolated getaway. Camping is most common in Jarbidge, with several options near the creeks. These campsites cater to tent camping and RV camping. Off-roading with ATVs and dirt bikes is a fun option for families in the Jarbidge wilderness. Anglers love the Jarbidge River with rainbow trout, brookies, redbands, and bull trout. Visitors can spend their evenings in the main strip of town at the Outdoor Inn and Red Dog Saloon. The Outdoor Inn serves up impressive, homemade items like pies and breads.

Ely

Along the “Loneliest Road in America,” Ely is a small mountain town in east-central Nevada. Visitors often base themselves in Ely before visiting Great Basin National Park. You can be transported back to the 1950s in the McGill Drugstore Museum. It houses items of the decade along with serving up milkshakes and sodas at the original barstool counter. Visitors can go rock hounding at nearby Garnet Hill. Gem collectors from all over the world visit the site to find garnets. You can find all local history at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum or the White Pine Public Museum.

Virginia City

Transport yourself back to the 1800s with a vacation to Virginia City. This boomtown has been well preserved and hosts an array of events and activities for visitors. For ghosty, haunted history fans, The Silver Queen is a great place to stay overnight and catch a glimpse or sensation of the supposed ghostly presence of the building. There are also haunted tours that can be booked with the Virginia City Ghost Tours. Go shopping amongst the antique and specialty shops of downtown for souvenirs, leather goods, or custom hats at the Virginia City Hat Maker. The V&T Railroad ride is a traveler favorite. It takes riders on a 35-minute excursion with mountain scenery and narration of history from the conductor.

Mesquite

Mesquite is a golfer’s paradise with eight different courses within 10 minutes of popular hotels. Casablanca Golf Club is an excellent choice for visitors as it offers a room and golf package. The Casablanca Resort amenities include an incredible pool, casino, and restaurants, making it an inclusive choice for a summer vacation. For the thrill seekers, Mesquite offers a plethora of off-roading trails. Adventure Rentals (across the border of Arizona, to the east of Mesquite) has convenient RZR rentals and map guidance for full-day trips. For more leisurely activities, guests can head to the Donkey History Museum.

Lamoille

Lamoille is a 25-minute drive from Elko to the south and exhibits some of the most beautiful landscapes in Nevada. Base yourself in the small strip of town at Hotel Lamoille, or plan to camp in Lamoille Canyon. The Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway winds through the Ruby Mountains for 12 miles. Once at the top, there are multiple spaces along the creek for picnics or photographs. You will also find the base for hiking trails throughout the canyon here. For shorter, family-friendly hikes, visitors can check out the Lamoille Lake or Island Lake trails. You can find mouthwatering meals at O’Carroll’s or Pine Lodge along Lamoille Highway after a long day of exploring. Be sure to snap a photo at the Little Church of the Crossroads on the edge of town.

Stateline

Stateline comes alive in the summer with music, lake activities, and hiking. Bordering the California side, Stateline is close to access along the south end of Lake Tahoe. Throughout the warmer months, visitors can find live music performances at the Mountain Bar at Harvey’s, McP’s Taphouse Grill, Harrah’s, Golden Nugget, and Bally’s. For a hiking challenge with unbeatable views, plan a day hiking Mount Tallac. It is 9.6 miles out and back with 360-degree views of the lake. For a calm beach day, head to Nevada Beach or nearby Zephyr Cove.

Genoa

Genoa is the oldest settlement in Nevada. It’s a fun rural town for a getaway into historically preserved Victorian buildings and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The Genoa Courthouse Museum and the Genoa Bar are both a must-see for history buffs. The Genoa Bar and Saloon, which was established in 1853, houses artifacts and paintings from the 19th century. The Genoa Trail System is a favorite amongst mountain bikers and hikers. It has 16 miles of trails that connect with the Sierra Canyon Trail and the Tahoe Rim Trail. Visitors wanting a little luxury can opt for lodging at David Walley’s Resort, which features five on-site hot spring mineral pools.

Conclusion

There are vacation gem spots to find spread out amongst the sagebrush and vast deserts of Nevada. Any one of these 8 towns will fulfill an alternative getaway for families, solo travelers, or couples. These towns are diverse in what they offer and the surrounding landscapes, suitable for any kind of traveler looking for adventure, leisure, or a little bit of both. From the jagged mountainous region surrounding Stateline or Lamoille to the red desert rock of Mesquite, Nevada is for every traveler.