13 Small Towns in Nevada that Were Ranked Among US Favorites

Nevada is synonymous with the glittering lights of Las Vegas and the political pulse of Carson City. But beyond the hustle and bustle of these renowned cities, the Silver State harbors hidden gems, each brimming with charm and natural splendor. Nevada's small towns offer a refreshing escape from urban life, with attractions ranging from snow-capped peaks to tranquil lakes and from historical landmarks to vibrant local cultures. If you're craving a peaceful retreat or an adventure through picturesque landscapes, these captivating towns await your discovery.

Genoa

Nevada’s oldest permanent settlement, this quaint unincorporated town, is situated in Douglas County on the western edge of Carson River Valley, about 7 miles northwest of Minden and 42 miles south of Reno. Initially settled by Mormon pioneers in 1851 as a trading post named “Mormon Station” to serve the passing wagon trains along the Emigrant Trail, the settlement was renamed in 1856 by Orson Hyde in honor of the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 129.5-acre Genoa Historic District includes 29 contributing buildings of Late Victorian architecture. Tourists must visit the Genoa Courthouse Museum and the Mormon Station State Historic Park to learn more about the town’s glorious past. Visitors can also enjoy an outstanding shopping experience at Genoa Square, play golf at the Genoa Lakes Golf Club, and relax at the David Walley’s Resort, a well-known hot springs and spa. Every year, during the last weekend of September, the town hosts the Candy Dance Festival, where crafts, food, and candies are sold to support the town government.

Incline Village

Placed on the northern shores of Lake Tahoe in Nevada’s Washoe County, this census-designated place, 6,350ft above sea level, forms a portion of the Reno-Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. Initially settled as a part of the logging endeavor of Sierra Nevada Wood and Lumber Company, the settlement was named after the SNW&L incline railway that served the region. Home to some of the country’s most expensive real estate, Incline Village is a haven for business and affluent individuals from Southern Nevada and California. As a popular year-round vacation destination, Incline Village offers visitors picturesque lake and mountain vistas. During summer, tourists can enjoy an array of water-based recreations, stunning beaches, mountain biking down the Flume Trail, and magnificent golf courses. They can enjoy sliding the beautiful ski slopes at the Diamond Peak Ski Area in winter or staying warm at the various cozy hotels and casinos. Besides these, the tourists can also spend a memorable time at the nearby Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Sand Harbor, and UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center.

Virginia City

The administrative center of Storey County, Virginia City, is nestled on the Sierra Nevada Range’s eastern slopes, approximately 20 miles south of Reno. Originally settled in 1859, Virginia City developed as a mining boomtown after the discovery of Comstock Lode silver at the neighboring Mount Davidson. Virginia City’s entire economy is dominated by its tourism industry. Attracting over 2 million visitors annually, the Virginia City Historic District boasts numerous historic properties dating to the 1860s and 1870s. These restored historic buildings house many bed and breakfast facilities that cater to visitors of all ages. Tourists can explore the various saloons on Historic C Street, like the Bucket of Blood Saloon, Delta Saloon, Bonanza Saloon, Red Dog Saloon, etc. Some of the town’s other attractions include the Comstock Historic Walking Trail, Silver State Police Officers’ Museum, The Way It Was Museum, Fireman’s Museum, Fourth Ward School Museum, Piper’s Opera House, Washoe Club & Haunted Museum, and the Silver Queen Hotel and Wedding Chapel. The town also hosts an annual Hillclimb covering 5.2 miles from Silver City to Virginia City via State Route 341.  

Lamoille

Home to just 130 residents as per the latest US Census, this picturesque town is located at the foothills of the Ruby Mountains in northeastern Nevada’s Elko County, approximately 19 miles southeast of Elko. Offering a unique amalgamation of rural charm and outdoor adventures, Lamoille serves as the principal gateway to the spectacular snow-covered Ruby Mountain range via the 12-mile-long National Forest Scenic Byway up the Lamoille Canyon. Indeed, Lamoille’s natural beauty and stunning mountain vistas captivate visitors all year round. Moreover, the tourists can also enjoy the iconic Little Church of the Crossroads and some retail shops and restaurants that line the town’s charming rural lanes.  

Ely

Placed at the eastern extremity of the “Loneliest Road in America,” this remote mountain hamlet is the largest city and county seat of Nevada’s White Pine County. Initially founded as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express and Central Overland Route, the settlement expanded following large-scale copper mining and the establishment of many copper mining companies. Currently, tourism is the mainstay of Ely’s economy. Tourists visiting Ely must stop by the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, which features the “Ghost Train of Old Ely,” the six charcoal furnaces displayed at the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park, the historic Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall, Ely Renaissance Society Village, White Pine Museum, and the adjoining natural areas like the Garnet Hill, Great Basin National Park, Cave Lake State Park, and the different state parks of Nevada’s Lincoln County. Close to Ely, the State Route 318 hosts the annual 90 Miles Silver State Classic Challenge course that draws entries worldwide.

Austin

The small unincorporated town of Austin is placed on the Toiyabe Range’s western slopes at an elevation of 6,575 ft in Nevada’s Lander County. Considered a “living ghost town,” Austin is home to four churches, including St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Methodist Church, St. George’s Episcopal Church, and the recently built Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Besides these churches, Austin has the International Hotel, Stokes Castle, Austin Cemetery, Old City Hall, Gridley Store, Austin Odd Fellows Home and Masonic Lodge, Toquima Cave, and the former Lander County Courthouse. Located about 15 miles east of Austin is a cluster of natural hot springs, and about 24 miles east is the Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, which offers visitors a glimpse of the various ancient drawings carved on the rocks.

Rachel

Home to only 48 inhabitants, Rachel is located in the Great Basin Desert along Nevada Highway 375 (also known as the Extraterrestrial Highway), more than 100 miles north of the bustling metropolis of Las Vegas. Named after Rachel Jones, the first child born in the community, this tiny town draws many UFO hunters, Sci-Fi Fans, and aviation enthusiasts from worldwide due to its proximity to Area 51 and Nellis Air Force Range. Although most people reside in mobile homes on patches of scrub desert, the visitors can explore a small tourist shop, a 12-room motel, and the Little A’Le’Inn, the town’s alien-themed restaurant and bar.

Eureka

Nicknamed “The Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road,” this charming small town is placed on the southern end of Diamond Valley, along the Lincoln Highway in Nevada’s Eureka County. Initially settled by a group of silver prospectors in 1864, the town was named based on an incident where one of the prospectors exclaimed “Eureka” after discovering the silver ore deposits. Visitors to Eureka can get glimpses of the glorious days of the 19^th-century mining era and walk past historic buildings dating back to the 1870s and 1880s. Some of the town’s prominent attractions include the Eureka Opera House, Sentinel Museum, Jackson House Hotel, Eureka County Courthouse, the historic Richmond Mine, and Raine’s Market and Wildlife Museum. Eureka also hosts several annual events, including Nevada Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest, Eureka Gold Rush Games, and the Eureka Art, Wine & Music Festival, which attracts residents and tourists alike.

Zephyr Cove

Named after Washoe Zephyr, the seasonal, diurnal wind which blows across western Nevada, this census-designated place in the state’s Douglas County is located along the eastern shores of Lake Tahoe. The small community is known for the Zephyr Cove Resort, which is considered one of the finest resorts along the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe. The resort, together with its mile-long sandy beach, beach volleyball courts, the famed Sunset Bar & Grille, and ample recreational activities, are popular with tourists who wish to unwind along the pristine waters of Lake Tahoe. Outdoor lovers must not miss the Logan Shoals Vista Trail, Zephyr Cove Loop, and a round of golf at the Zephyr Cove Golf Course and the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.  

Winnemucca

Often called the “Friendliest Town in Nevada,” Winnemucca, the county seat of Humboldt County, is located along the mighty Humboldt River in the state’s northwestern portion. Initially named “French Ford” after the town’s first settler, the community was renamed after the 19^th-century Chief Winnemucca of the native Northern Paiute tribe, who traditionally inhabited the area. The town is renowned for its warm hospitality, tasty Basque cuisine, thriving cowboy culture, and scenic outdoor opportunities. The town’s historic downtown area is dotted with a variety of hometown businesses, restaurants, pubs, and lovely boutiques. Winnemucca serves as the starting point for several types of outdoor recreation, including the various hiking and biking trails and many miles of off-road adventure trails. Some of Winnemucca’s notable tourist attractions include the Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage Museum, Humbolt Museum, Winnemucca Sand Dunes, Water Canyon Recreation Area, etc.

Tonopah 

Nicknamed the “Queen of the Silver Camps,” Tonopah, the administrative center of Nevada’s Nye County, is renowned for its mining history. Placed approximately halfway between Reno and Las Vegas, at the meeting point of U.S. Routes 6 and 95, Tonopah is currently a tourism-based resort city. Visitors to Tonopah can enjoy various outdoor activities here, including mountain biking, camping, hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the Tonopah Historic Mining Park and the Central Nevada Museum. For a spooky experience, tourists must visit the Clown Motel beside the Tonopah Cemetery, considered one of Nevada’s most haunted places. If you want to avoid the scares, try staying at the historic Mizpah Hotel.

Caliente

Formerly referred to as Culverwell and Calientes, the name of this tranquil town in Nevada’s Lincoln County means “hot” in Spanish and refers to the nearby hot springs. Nicknamed “Nevada’s Rose City” due to the abundance of wild roses in the region, Caliente serves as a handy stop for travelers and is renowned as an excellent location for outdoor activities. Some notable attractions include the historic mission-style Caliente Railroad Depot and the nearby Beaver Dam State Park, Kershaw-Ryan State Park, Cathedral Gorge State Park, the Delamar Ghost Town, and the Rainbow Canyon Scenic Drive. In addition, Caliente hosts various annual events like softball tournaments, the Fourth of July Celebration, the Memorial Day Celebration, and Mountain Bike Fest, all of which draw visitors from all over the globe.

Minden 

Founded by Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg Jr. in 1906 and named after the German town of the same name, Minden, the county seat of Douglas County occupies the heart of Nevada’s Carson Valley. Home to just 3,442 inhabitants, this idyllic community is known for its beautiful surroundings, historic buildings, and friendly atmosphere. Lined by century-old houses and storied brick buildings, the streets of Minden offer fantastic mountain views at every turn. Tourists visiting Minden must not miss the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park, Carson Valley Inn Casino, Red Barn Antiques, SoaringNV, and Skydive Lake Tahoe. Minden is the Lake Tahoe Loop's ideal starting or stopping point.

Nevada's Beauty Beyond the Neon Lights

From the dazzling waters of Lake Tahoe to the haunting charm of Tonopah's mining past, Nevada's lesser-known destinations offer an array of unique experiences. Far from the major cities' neon lights and crowded casinos, these small towns boast historic architecture, intimate museums, delectable dining, and untouched wilderness. Whether you're a history enthusiast or an outdoor lover, Nevada's off-the-beaten-path destinations provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable vacation. Come and unearth the treasures of the Battle Born State, and let the allure of these incredible places capture your heart.