9 Undisturbed Towns To Visit In Nevada
Nearly 89 percent of Nevada’s population resides in Clark and Washoe counties, the two most populous counties. This means that Nevada abounds in wide-open spaces and quaint small towns, making it oh-so-easy to get away from it all. From the glacier-carved mountains often called the “Swiss Alps of Nevada” to the “Old West” pioneer settlement with the state’s oldest saloon, there’s plenty of refreshment to be found out here. And yes, travelers can even encounter some otherworldly delights at a certain haunted ghost town made famous by a pair of paranormal TV shows, and at a town that’s proud of its extraterrestrial lore.
When one needs to let go of life’s distractions and escape to a quieter place, it’s hard to think of a better state to escape to than the Silver State. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at these nine undisturbed towns to visit in Nevada.
Elko
At the northeastern end of Nevada, around 230 miles west of Salt Lake City (Utah), is the “Cowboy Corridor” hub of Elko. Not only does the Western Folklife Center host the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering every January, but it’s also open year-round to showcase original works by Western artists and host music shows and cultural events. A few blocks north, the Northeastern Nevada Museum has over 20,000 square feet and six galleries chock full of local art, interesting historic exhibits, and even Nevada’s largest collection of wild animals on display in life-size habitat dioramas. And for the full taste of Elko’s classic cowboy culture, one must stop at the Star Hotel & Bar for their hearty Basque-American cuisine.
While there’s plenty to see in town, it’s also worth the drive up Lamoille Canyon to experience the magical beauty of the Ruby Mountains, the “Swiss Alps of Nevada” that abound in stunning alpine lakes, magnificently verdant forests, and towering mountain peaks. Once one’s ready to wrap up the day, the Shutters Hotel Elko is the perfect place to retire with its bright, cheery, and recently renovated guest rooms.
Ely
Ely may be the largest city in White Pine County, but it’s also the only city in the county, and it’s picture-perfect for exploring Eastern Nevada’s incredible public lands. After all, it’s a short-ish drive out to Great Basin National Park, a 77,180-acre preserve beloved for its ancient bristlecone pines and the 13,065-foot Wheeler Peak, home to Nevada’s best-known rock glacier and one of the state’s most striking alpine environments. On the way back to town, there’s Cave Lake State Park, a year-round recreation hub that’s great for Nordic skiing and snowmobiling in winter, and for boating, fishing, and swimming at the reservoir during the warmer months. Then, just to the west of Ely, Ward Mountain Recreation Area has over 30 miles of scenic trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and (wintertime) backcountry skiing.
In case anyone wants to do some time traveling, the Nevada State Railroad Museum East Ely is a worthwhile stop for touring one of the United States’ oldest and best-preserved railyards full of vintage locomotive relics and artifacts. From there, it’s an easy jaunt over to the Prospector Hotel & Gambling Hall, which has a full 24-hour casino floor and a deluxe hotel with recently refreshed guest rooms.
Austin
Nestled in the heart of Nevada is Austin, a town where rich history and amazing natural beauty combine to make a surprisingly phenomenal getaway. In town, the Austin Historical Society Museum is a treasure trove full of historic artifacts, including a vintage printing press and original mining equipment, that tell fascinating stories of the area’s 19th-century silver rush, which kicked off due to the United States’ government push to secure more precious metals to fund their fight during the Civil War. For an even grander relic from Austin’s mining days, folks can head up to Stokes Castle to view the remains of a lavish Roman-style estate that mining magnate Anson Phelps Stokes built for his family in 1897. Then, for some present-day precious finds, Jason’s Art Gallery carries plenty of hand-crafted premium jewelry featuring locally sourced stones.
Though Austin has a number of amazing historic treasures in town, there are even more dazzling wonders awaiting travelers’ discovery at Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, which has a wonderful network of hiking trails that stretch out into the open desert and run by some original indigenous-made petroglyphs carved into the rocks. And for those who’d like to stay in a present-day castle, Paradise Ranch Castle fits the bill with its funky medieval castle-like aesthetics, its classically appointed guest rooms, and a full hot breakfast every morning.
Virginia City
Only 16 miles northeast of Carson City is the vivacious village of Virginia City, a one-time “richest place on earth” that still exudes a wealth of captivating mining history. The discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859 forever changed the fortunes of this town (and the entire state), and the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum makes a valuable starting point for learning the story of the Comstock Lode and the silver rush that enriched Storey County. From there, it’s a nice walk up to the Mackay Mansion to tour an authentic 1859 Victorian mansion with plenty of original furniture and fixtures, and to the Washoe Club for an original 1862 Old West saloon that some locals insist is haunted.
When one’s really in the mood to dig deeper into this town’s heritage, one can go with Chollar Mine Tours to venture into this mine that was first staked in 1859, then worked for the next 80 years to extract some $17 million in gold and silver. Then, one can retreat to the wonderfully historic B Street House Inn, a cozy Victorian-style inn offering comfortable guest rooms with contemporary amenities like smart TVs and central heating and air.
Incline Village
Perched on the northern shores of the dazzling Lake Tahoe, roughly 37 miles southwest of Reno, is the relaxing and refined town of Incline Village. During the winter season, skiers and snowboarders flock here to hit the slopes at Diamond Peak, a community-owned resort offering 40 trails across 655 acres and a good amount of higher-level runs. Also nearby is Mt. Rose - Ski Tahoe, a resort that features the Tahoe region’s highest base elevation (at 8,260 feet above sea level) and a total of 67 trails across 1,200 acres.
Meanwhile, for those hoping to find a quieter side of Tahoe, they can hike (or snowshoe in winter) the Ophir Creek Loop through Tahoe Meadows and connect to the Tahoe Rim Trail, which circles the entire basin. In addition, it’s a short drive down to the idyllic lakeshore of Sand Harbor State Park. Whether one is in town for the skiing, the mountain backcountry, or the simple yet stunning Tahoe scenery, the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort is the perfect place to stay for easy access to the lake and the area’s ski resorts, along with deluxe rooms and suites, the on-site Stillwater Spa, and a tasty selection of restaurants.
Genoa
From Reno, it’s about a 47-mile drive south to Genoa, a town at the foot of the Sierra Nevadas that kicks off an amazing adventure into Nevada history. At the Genoa Courthouse Museum, visitors can tour the original Douglas County Courthouse and trace the journey of local Native American communities, 19th-century Mormon pioneers, and the Pony Express into the Carson Valley. Right across the street, Mormon Station State Historic Park marks the site of Nevada’s first permanent non-Native settlement, and it includes one of the state’s oldest surviving residences at the 1856 Kinsey House. And another very short stroll south leads to Genoa Bar & Saloon, “Nevada’s oldest thirst parlor” (since 1853!) and a place that’s been serving adult beverages to a long list of famous patrons ranging from Mark Twain and Ulysses S. Grant to Clint Eastwood and Raquel Welch.
When visitors feel more like stretching out and exploring the great outdoors, the Genoa Trail System offers a 17-plus-mile network of trails connecting the town to the mountains, ideal for hiking, biking, and equestrian riding. After a long day of traipsing around town (or traversing the mountain trails), guests can settle down to a lovely stay at the White House Inn, an over 100-year-old boutique inn with cozy guest rooms in the main house and nearby cottages that work well for those needing more room to roam.
Goldfield
Whether one’s a dedicated American history buff or one’s simply a fan of paranormal-themed TV shows like Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters, there are plenty of reasons to stop and spend some quality time in the illustrious mining town of Goldfield. For one, there’s the Goldfield Hotel, the 1907 landmark built by mining magnates George Wingfield and George S. Nixon to be the state’s most luxurious hotel. Today, visitors can view the landmark from the outside. To better understand how Wingfield amassed such a fortune to build such a lavish hotel, one must do a tour of the Florence Mine, one of the region’s most lucrative gold mines, and a major draw for newcomers hoping to strike it rich in the early 20th century. And for another 1907 original, it’s worth perusing the Historic Esmeralda County Courthouse and admiring the majestic construction of this sandstone structure that once served justice for Nevada’s most prosperous county (and now, Nevada’s least populous county).
Though this stretch of the high desert is best known for its historic gold mining lore, there’s a much more contemporary treasure awaiting visitors’ discovery at the International Car Forest of the Last Church, a project by local resident Mark Rippie and the artists Chad Sort and Zak Sargent consisting of over 40 retired vehicles and a rotating array of additional artworks. And for a pleasant oasis of local hospitality, there’s the Goldfield Stop, a collection of cabins and an RV park alongside a boutique stocked with locally made goods and a one-stop shop for historic and paranormal-themed local tours.
Rachel
Rachel may have a population that merely registers in the dozens, but the local lore is so out of this world that the 152-mile road trip from Las Vegas is totally worthwhile. Ever since word started to spread about a mysterious corner of Nellis Air Force Base and its alleged alien activity, UFO enthusiasts have been hitting the Extraterrestrial Highway (or State Route 375) to get as close as they legally can to the now world-renowned Area 51. But if anyone fancies an interesting detour, they can stop at the Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area to stretch out and enjoy this curious corner of the Mojave Desert, where local birds and reptiles find refuge. Getting closer to town, the Mt. Irish Wilderness Area (part of Basin and Range National Monument) is a fascinating natural wonderland full of limestone canyons, indigenous-made petroglyphs, and pinyon-juniper woodlands that serve as critical habitat for wildlife like mule deer and bighorn sheep.
Once visitors reach the core of Rachel, they can take in the surreal atmosphere immortalized by classic 1990s TV shows and films like The X-Files and Independence Day while loading up on intergalactic novelties at Alien Cowpoke Gas & General Store. And for the ultimate Rachel experience, visitors can stay and play at the one-and-only Little A’le’inn, a beloved motel and campsite that also hosts the town’s liveliest watering hole and a gift shop full of curious curios.
Laughlin
Near the state’s southernmost corner, about 99 miles south of Las Vegas, is the bright and sunny riverside town of Laughlin. While is town is well-known for its large casino hotels, it’s also a nature lover’s paradise. The area that’s now Avi Kwa Ame National Monument has long been considered sacred by local indigenous communities, and it’s full of gorgeous natural landmarks like the craggy granite spires of the Spirit Mountain Wilderness and the verdant Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness. Meanwhile, to the south lies Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area, a two-mile expanse of sandy Colorado River shoreline perfect for boating, fishing, swimming, and bird watching. And just to the north of town, Colorado River Heritage Greenway Park & Trails offers some nine miles of scenic hiking, biking, and equestrian riding trails, as well as a path to the massive Davis Dam that’s been regulating river flow (from Hoover Dam upstream) and providing hydroelectric power since 1953.
Of course, there’s much more to see and do in town, and Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort provides a great launch pad for all sorts of fun and games. Not only do they have a full casino floor offering slots and table games 24/7, but they also have several restaurants, a showroom, a bowling alley, an on-site salon and spa, and a nice collection of comfortable and contemporary guest rooms.
Far from Ordinary Nevada Towns
Nevada may be a state full of sparsely populated desert wilderness, yet it’s also a state full of unique surprises. There’s Elko, the classic cowboy town that preserves local traditions and a truly spectacular alpine paradise in the Ruby Mountains. Then, at Virginia City, folks can step into the past and retrace the 1859 silver rush that propelled Nevada into statehood. Incline Village works great as a “base camp” for exploring Lake Tahoe’s north shore, while Goldfield makes the perfect place for spook-tastic ghost hunting. And all the way down at Laughlin, nature lovers can take in the many wonderful sights of the area’s state and federal public lands.
Though Nevada is a state that works well for anyone who simply does not want to be disturbed by outside forces, it’s also a state that invites adventurous travelers to discover its treasures and create cherished lifelong memories.
