10 Offbeat Towns To Visit In Nevada

Nevada's landscape, reputed to be among the most mountainous in the country, is a jagged expanse of breathtaking peaks and flat, suntanned valleys — all amid occasional buttes and mesas. Strewn along the breadth of the seventh largest state are small ghost towns, numerous mines, and rockhounding sites, as well as several unusual natural wonders (such as the swirling rock formations of Valley of Fire State Park). With all these offerings, it is inconceivable that many Americans still limit Nevada to Vegas, Reno, or Carson City. If you are looking for something more unique, authentic, and intimate, we reveal the ten offbeat towns to visit in Nevada. But wait for the clincher. Some of these towns are not far from the World's Loneliest Highway.

St. Thomas

Few Nevada towns are as offbeat as St Thomas, a ghost town once submerged by the waters of Lake Mead in the 1930s. The town had its start as a rural, agricultural locale, where luscious melons, corn, and stone fruit would frequently feature on the tables of the town's first settler families. At its height, St Thomas had a school, church, ice cream parlor, numerous grocery stores – even a mechanic's garage. With the arrival of the Arrowhead Trail, the first all-weather road in the Western United States, which passed through the middle of town, St Thomas's continued growth seemed assured.

However, the nation was concerned about the flooding of the Colorado River, and in 1928, President Calvin Coolidge signed an act authorizing the Boulder Canyon Project, later named Hoover Dam — for Herbert Hoover, the Nation's 31st president. Lake Mead, which was brought about by the construction of the dam, would gradually submerge St. Thomas in the 1930s. Fortunately, with the receding of the waters of Lake Mead, visitors can see the ruins of old St. Thomas (including Hannining Ice Cream Parlor), and hike the Historic St Thomas Loop Trail in an adventure that speaks to the transience of life.

Goldfield

True to its name, Goldfield was the site of a gold rush in the early 1900s, a fact that would make the town one of the largest (and richest) in Nevada, albeit for a brief period. At its height (around 1910), Goldfield boasted approximately 40,000 residents. When the gold mines became silent, Goldfield witnessed a sudden slump. Today, Goldfield is home to fewer than 500 residents. However, one can sniff a sense of its glory days, especially when ambling through its array of dated, original buildings. The Goldfield Hotel, for instance, once arguably Nevada's most spectacular hotel, is today one of the most haunted places in the country. Also, the International Car Forest of the Last Church, just east of Goldfield, boasts more than 40 automobiles, many of which are unusually stacked on top of one another. Minutes from town (about 30 miles away), an unusual home sits atop a real gold mine — at the Hard Luck Mine Castle.

Jarbidge

If offbeat means anything, it should include a town that is secreted at the bottom of a dramatic canyon and framed by mostly bare and barren mountains. And that is Jarbidge, a name translated as "devil" in the Native Shoshone language. In 1916, the last stagecoach robbery ostensibly took place here. Also, Jarbidge was the site of one of the last gold rushes in the Old West. This town markets itself as "Where the Frontier Never Faded," and there are no prices for guessing why. If you want to listen to your heartbeat while appreciating how you are an insignificant speck in the incredible vastness of the universe, the Jarbidge Wilderness area, though scary, empty, and lonely, is worth traveling to. On the flip side, and on a slightly brighter note, the largest National Forest in the lower 48 states will be at your doorstep. The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest spans more than 6 million acres — and is the place to mingle with mule deer and other wild animals. If you want to grab a quick bite — or pick a much-needed item — the Jarbidge Trading Post will come in handy. 

West Wendover

You would expect offbeat towns to be in isolated spots. But this is not always the case. West Wendover is conveniently located on Interstate 80 and is the easternmost stop on the Cowboy Corridor, a surreal stretch of deserts and jugged peaks that stretches from Reno all the way to West Wendover near the Utah border. You will want to set base at Peppermill Wendover, a nice little getaway with cozy rooms and a fantastic casino. No visit to the area should terminate without a detour to the Bonneville Salt Flats, an ancient dry lake bed regarded as the largest of a series of salt flats on the western edge of the Great Salt Lake. Finally, Peppermill Concert Hall is noticeably intimate and an awesome place to see a concert.

Ely

Besides brimming with lots of places to hike and fish in the surrounding areas, Ely is chockful of art attractions and historical sites. The Ely Art Bank, for instance, houses a delightful variety of artwork and is known to be among Nevada's most impressively curated galleries. Once a small stagecoach stop, Ely would emerge as a well-known copper mining town until the 1970s when several mines, including Kennecott Minerals Co., located just east of Ely in Ruth, closed its massive copper mine. The wild side of Ely is partly lent credit by the fact it hosts the Historical Big 4 Ranch, which claims to be the oldest brothel in Nevada. Sections of Humboldt National Forest, known to be the largest in the contiguous U.S., are minutes from town. Ely is in Nevada's White Pine County and the White Pine Public Museum houses numerous artifacts of historical interest, including a complete skeleton of the Cave Bear, the species's most complete fossilized skeleton ever found.

Lamoille

While only a few souls live here, Lamoille provides access to natural wonders such as Lamoille Canyon, located in the Ruby Mountains of Nevada. Lamoille Canyon is often called "Nevada's Yosemite," and for a good reason. A steep-sided canyon strewn with beautiful lakes and unique geographic formations, this Canyon, the largest valley in the Ruby Mountains, is enough reason to visit Lamoille. Yet the drive to this spot may just suffice. The spectacular Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway, which features dramatic hairpin turns and twists, is one of Nevada's most breathtaking. But do not be tempted to drive back yet. Little Church of the Crossroads, which features beautiful views of the Ruby Mountains, is arguably the most photographed building in the area.

Fallon

Fallon is slow-paced, peaceful, and laid-back. If you want to leave everything behind and wind down in a secluded but lively spot, Fallon could be what you have in mind. To kickstart your trip and enjoy a hot roast beef sandwich, the kind that melts in the mouth, Slanted Porch would be the go-to place. About 10 miles from downtown Fallon, in the Grimes Point Archaeological Area, the Hidden Cave, only accessed via a scheduled tour, once served as a pantry for ancient Native Americans. Besides, there are other caves nearby, and the hike to the area features awesome views and an otherworldly feel. Also, the numerous petroglyphs at the Grimes Point Archaeological Area would pique the interest of any first-time visitor. Still, if you are looking for more offbeat adventures, Sand Mountain, known for its singing sand, is just about 25 miles from downtown Fallon.

Yerrington

It does not matter whether one is a nature lover, avid birder, geocacher, or seasoned hiker. Yerrington — and the area around it — will almost meet anyone's expectations. This town is just off the Pony Express National Historic Trail and boasts a quaint historic downtown area lined with charming shops and inviting restaurants. Nearby, Mason and Smith Valleys feature lush farmlands and vibrant meadows. The Yerington Theatre for The Arts in downtown Yerrington, besides its visual art exhibitions, is a nice place for a quick but delicious bite. Minutes from town, Walker Lake, Wilson Canyon, and Walker River, to name but a handful, provide a world of outdoor fun and adventure. Also, Lyon County Museum, with its unique cultural exhibits, provides a glimpse into the area's fascinating history and rich cultural heritage. Plus, the town's main street, with its dated post office, often feels like stepping back in time. Finally, you will not want to miss checking out Dini's Lucky Club Restaurant & Casino, the longest family-operated casino in the Silver State.

Austin 

Everyone should be sounding an ode to Austin, a quiet, beautiful little town on a hill mostly known as the base camp for Spencer Hot Springs. While taking a refreshing dip here is one reason to set foot in Austin, there is more to Austin than one of Nevada's most famous hot springs. Once the second-largest city in the state, Austin boasts a main street, which, with its historic B&Bs, looks stuck in the 1950s. Three historic churches with a history that goes back to the 1800s will make one understand the reason Austin styles itself as the "City of Churches." Also, Jason's Art Gallery, smack in the middle of downtown Austin, brims with unique Nevada souvenirs. Minutes from town, Pete's Summit provides access to arguably the best example of pictographs in the entire North America.

Baker

Rounding off this list is the town of Baker, a criminally overlooked charmer located on the easternmost edges of the state, just outside of Great Basin National Park. Besides its beautiful setting, do not expect much from this town, especially if a shopping adventure tops your to-do list. Baker is not the place for chain stores, swanky restaurants, or Costcos. Yet this is exactly what makes Baker tick. In this town, where the wheels of time glide ever so softly and in environs often uncrowded, one can enjoy some life-renewing calm and serenity before launching out to explore the area's attractions. The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive is worth every minute — as is the nearby Great Basin National Park. The Bristlecone Pines of the Great Basin, the longest-living non-clonal organisms on the planet, could be incredibly interesting. And the Lehman Caves, a subterranean wonder of dazzling stalactites and stalagmites, will be worth checking out.

The Takeaway 

Nevada is mostly associated with Las Vegas, the Entertainment Capital of the World. While this association is not unwarranted, it has the tendency to present a woefully incomplete picture of the Silver State. The seventh largest by land area — Nevada is home to a vast array of unique towns and attractions. If looking for the most offbeat towns in Nevada to visit, towns such as St Thomas, Goldfield, Jarbidge, and West Wendover would fit the bill.