2025's Most Underrated Towns In Nevada
The state of Nevada is not home to many big, well-known cities, with Las Vegas and Reno standing out as two of its only major population centers. Across its vast, mountainous deserts, there are, however, several small towns that deserve the spotlight this year. For those seeking a new experience in 2025, any of the destinations discussed here are sure to provide it. Whether it's a lesser-known park to explore or a chance to discover some off-the-beaten-path historic landmarks, these highly underrated Nevada towns should definitely be on the radar.
Ely
Ely, a former copper mining town in the sparsely populated northeastern Nevada, has a wonderful and historic downtown core along with several nearby green spaces that see few visitors. Ely’s downtown features large-scale murals depicting its mining and railroad heritage, turning the space into an open-air gallery. Tourists can learn more about Ely's storied past as a transport hub at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, which offers rides on its collection of century-old steam and diesel locomotives through the high desert.
The town’s history is also on display at the Renaissance Village, where restored historic homes highlight the diverse immigrant communities that have shaped the region over the centuries. The White Pine Public Museum, home to more pioneer-era artifacts and a reconstructed 19th-century schoolhouse, provides a deeper look into the lives of the region's earliest settlers. On the other hand, outdoor enthusiasts have direct access to Great Basin National Park. Less than an hour away, the park hosts sites like Lehman Caves and contains ancient bristlecone pines that provide striking natural scenery to discover. Often overlooked for larger national parks in the United States, the Great Basin is an excellent locale to find some peace and quiet this year.
Tonopah
Tonopah, located between Las Vegas and Reno, is another idyllic mining town turned travel destination with a compelling mix of Old West heritage, the eerie remnants of a ghost town, and some of the clearest night skies in the country. The Tonopah Historic Mining Park, built on the original mining claims that sparked the town’s silver boom in the early 1900s, allows you to explore old tunnels and equipment and witness various nearby viewpoints over the desert landscape. For a more detailed dive into local history, the Central Nevada Museum showcases more artifacts from the region’s once bustling mining industry, along with exhibits focused on Native American culture and the town's original pioneers.
Just outside town, the crumbling remains of the nearby Belmont Ghost Town provide a glimpse into the unfortunate boom-and-bust nature of many of Nevada's original settlements. It is a cool spot for those who want to see a more unsettling side of the state's history. Tonopah’s remote desert location also makes it one of the best places in the U.S. for stargazing. The town and its surrounding area have minimal light pollution, allowing the nearby Tonopah Stargazing Park to provide ideal conditions for viewing the Milky Way, planets, and maybe even a meteor shower in 2025!
Gardnerville
Gardnerville sits nestled in the Carson Valley near the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is a lesser-known Nevada town with a tight-knit Basque community, seemingly endless scenic ranchlands in all directions, and a plethora of easy access to outdoor recreation. The town’s cultural influences are most evident in its dining scene, with historic boardinghouse-style restaurants like J.T. Basque Bar & Dining Room serving traditional family-style meals. The Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center will give you a clearer window into the area’s ranching history (which attracted many of the region's Basque immigrants), indigenous Washoe heritage, and other early pioneer settlements.
On the other hand, nature lovers can explore one of Nevada's only wetlands and other pristine landmarks at the nearby River Fork Ranch Preserve or take in unobstructed views of the Sierra Nevadas from one of the trails in the Pine Nut Mountains. Just outside town, Mormon Station State Historic Park in neighboring Genoa marks the site of Nevada’s first permanent settlement, blending nature and history together to give you another unique way to learn about the area's early Mormon settlers.
Caliente
Caliente, the only incorporated city in Lincoln County, is an overlooked destination known for its historic railroads, incredible canyon landscapes, and proximity to several state parks. The town’s Mission Revival-style Caliente Railroad Depot, built in 1923, remains its most recognizable landmark. It now houses a museum and a useful visitor center. It is an excellent spot for train enthusiasts, as the nearby Caliente Heritage Boxcar Museum is another recommended attraction focusing on the region’s rail history and its role in Nevada’s early development.
Surrounded by expansive desert terrain, Caliente also serves as a gateway to a wide array of outdoor sights. Kershaw-Ryan State Park is located just minutes from downtown and contains a network of hiking trails, natural springs, and a green valley oasis that creates a welcoming contrast with the surrounding desert. A little further north, Cathedral Gorge State Park’s dramatic slot canyons and towering rock formations provide some of Nevada's most unique hiking opportunities that you ought to check out this year.
Wells
Wells, a small town in northeastern Nevada, is often bypassed by travelers on Interstate 80 but has much in store for those curious enough to visit for a time. This community of nearly 1,300 residents was once a major stop along the California Trail and later became an important railroad stop as transportation routes advanced. Today, the Trail of the 49ers Interpretive Center tells the story of emigrants who passed through the region in the 1800s as the budding state of Nevada started to become what it is today.
Wells sits geographically at the edge of the Humboldt Mountains, making it a convenient base for exploring natural landmarks like Angel Lake, a glacial tarn surrounded by lush alpine scenery. The lake’s hiking trails and fishing holes provide a nice escape from the surrounding desert. Further south, the Ruby Mountains are an idyllic spot for backcountry hiking, including access to the Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway and the Ruby Crest Trail. However, you’ll need a whole day to travel to and from these sites.
Pioche
Pioche was once one of the most lawless settlements in the Old West. In the 1870s, its silver boom attracted prospectors, outlaws, and fortune seekers alike, leading to a violent reputation, with legends that say 72 men were buried before a single person died of natural causes. In 2025, the town holds onto much of its frontier character without the danger, housing numerous well-preserved 19th-century buildings and other historic landmarks.
The Pioche Historic District includes sites like the Million Dollar Courthouse, a structure from 1872 that cost far more than planned due to corruption and mismanagement, hence its name. It now contains a museum that shines a light on the region's formerly operational mines, has exhibits featuring artifacts, and displays a period-accurate courtroom (which is allegedly haunted). Moreover, the nearby Thompson’s Opera House, originally built in 1873, still hosts live performances and community events. The town’s overhead tramway, once used to transport ore from the mines, also remains intact and stretches across the nearby hillside for you to see. You can also explore the partially intact ruins of Bullionville, a nearby ghost town tied to Pioche’s mining history.
Austin
Austin is a fun little destination along U.S. Route 50, which is aptly considered the "Loneliest Road in America." Founded during the silver boom of the 1860s, the town has evolved over the years into a quiet community that maintains many of its historic landmarks, including Stokes Castle, a three-story stone tower built in 1897 as a summer retreat.
Austin’s small downtown area is also home to old churches, a pioneer cemetery, and the Gridley Store. This well-preserved structure once served as a vital supply shop for the region, starting in the Civil War era. The Austin Historical Society Museum gives visitors a deeper look into Austin's past, housing artifacts dating back from the area's earliest native inhabitants to the time electricity came to town.
The nearby Toiyabe Range has been a hotspot for off-the-beaten-path hiking and other off-road exploration. The Toquima Cave is another natural draw. Located in the nearby Monitor Valley, it contains a number of Native American pictographs estimated to be over 1,000 years old! Moreover, natural hot springs, including Spencer Hot Springs, are scattered across the area, providing a remote and relaxing stop for one to enjoy.
Lovelock
Lovelock is unique in many ways, whether it is its historic round courthouse, the ancient caves nearby, or the community's "love-locking" tradition. This quirky but beloved local tradition gives the town its name a deeper meaning. You can symbolize your love towards whoever or whatever it may be by locking a padlock onto chains at Lovers Lock Plaza in the heart of town.
One of Lovelock’s most fascinating attractions is Lovelock Cave. On this archaeological site, some of the oldest Native American artifacts in North America have been discovered, including ancient tule duck decoys dating back around 2,000 years.
For a look into more recent history, Lovelock is one of the few places in the U.S. with a circular courthouse. The 1917 Pershing County Courthouse stands out as a highly distinct architectural landmark and a centerpiece you ought to see for yourself while in town. Furthermore, the nearby Marzen House Museum will give you a clearer window into other aspects of the area’s past, including its early economy, first railways, and original American residents.
Explore these Gems in Nevada this Year
From historic mining settlements and railroad hubs to desolate yet beautiful desert landscapes and archaeological wonders, these towns reveal a side of Nevada that many travelers seem to overlook. With their sparse population and remote locations, it's not a surprise that many of these destinations don't get the attention they deserve, but now that you're in the know, you can spend your 2025 seeing all they have to offer!
