6 Quintessential Nevada Towns
Nevada may be the Silver State, but it abounds in small towns that shine like gold. Sure, much of the state’s population lives in or near the two major cities of Las Vegas and Reno. Yet beyond the bright lights of these major cities, you can discover new sights throughout Nevada. Most of the state consists of arid desert lands, but Nevada also has towering mountains, verdant forests, and one of the world’s most famous deep-blue lakes. Nevada is known for its historic towns and vast public lands.
To give you a better idea of all you can really see and do throughout the Silver State, let’s take a closer look at these six quintessential Nevada towns and their hidden treasures that await your discovery.
Incline Village
With a name like Incline Village, it’s easy to assume this is a beautiful mountain town. Indeed, this town sits high in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and right by the azure waters of Lake Tahoe (about 39 miles southwest of Reno). During the summer, locals and visitors flock to Sand Harbor State Park for its iconically beautiful Tahoe beaches that are picture-perfect for swimming, scuba diving, kayaking, and enjoying the amazing shows at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. During winter, Lake Tahoe’s ski resorts come alive, and Incline Village is conveniently located near the intimate Diamond Peak Ski Resort and the high slopes (with a base elevation of 8,260 feet above sea level and up to 1,800 feet of vertical drop) of Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe.
In addition to the lakeside beaches and mountain ski runs, you can tee off at the Incline Village Mountain and Championship golf courses, try mountain biking on the Flume Trail, and take in the incredible views at Spooner Summit. Once you’re ready to settle down, you can check into a cozy yet refined stay at the boutique Incline Lodge or splurge on a grand escape to the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe.
Mesquite
At first, Mesquite might appear just another Desert Southwest suburb with cookie-cutter tract homes. Yet when you arrive here, you realize how much more this town has to offer. For starters, Mesquite is a convenient gateway to Gold Butte National Monument, a colorful wonderland full of unique sandstone formations like the Whitney Pockets and Little Finland, as well as stunning displays of indigenous petroglyph art. For some change of scenery, Gold Butte also has the Virgin Mountain area, where seasoned hikers and climbers can escape into the mountain forest and reach the summit of Virgin Peak.
Back in town, Mesquite is a golfer’s paradise: Take your pick of prime courses like Conestoga, Falcon Ridge, and Oasis Golf Club. They have challenging links and lovely desert views. And when you feel like trying your hand at Nevada’s most famous pastime, you can enjoy plenty of slots and table games at Eureka Casino Resort, along with some of the region’s best hotel accommodations.
Elko
If you’ve always dreamed of stepping back in time to the “Wild West” days, you may want to make your way to “Cowboy Country” in Elko. Located 290 miles east of Reno and 230 miles west of Salt Lake City (Utah), Elko hosts the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering every January with its many shows, workshops, dances, and other special events showcasing the wonders of Western life. Even if you can’t make the gathering, it’s still worth visiting the Western Folklife Center for year-round art exhibitions and community events.
For an even wilder side of Northeastern Nevada, head to Lamoille Canyon. This area is often called the “Swiss Alps of Nevada” thanks to the various jagged peaks of the Ruby Mountains, the dramatically scenic glacier-carved valley at Lamoille Canyon, the exhilarating opportunities for heli-skiing high in the mountains, and great conditions for hiking and fishing during the summer months. To experience even more of Elko, check out the Northeastern Nevada Museum for extensive displays of local art and historic artifacts. Try restaurants like the Star Hotel, Ogi Deli, and Toki Ona for authentic Basque-American flavors. When you need a place to stay, check into the cool contemporary digs at Elkotel, or book an extended weekend at Ruby 360 Lodge for a fully immersive Lamoille Canyon adventure.
Virginia City
Whether you’re a dedicated history buff or just curious to see what else Nevada offers beyond big casinos, head to Virginia City, about 26 miles southeast of Reno. To learn more about the Comstock Lode, a rich vein of mining silver, that sparked a mining boom in 1859 and gave Nevada its Silver State nickname, visit the Mackay Mansion Museum to tour one of Virginia City’s original 1859 manors. Or consider the Washoe Club Museum to explore what was once the region’s grandest hotels and saloons. Finally, The Way It Was Museum displays vintage mining artifacts.
When you feel like seeing more of Virginia City, go to the St. Mary’s Art Center for an art gallery and a series of workshops and events, or hike the local trails to enjoy amazing views of Mount Davidson. This desert wilderness grew from the remains of the former Comstock Mine.
Austin
Nevada’s Austin may lack the Big Tech capital and glossy showbiz glamour of that more famous Austin in Texas, but this Austin has plenty of its own special charm. You can start to sense it upon seeing Stokes Castle, a striking Roman-style structure built in 1897 for railroad magnate Anson Phelps Stokes. Grand views of the Reese River Valley exist here.
For even deeper throwbacks, take a drive to Toquima Cave for some of North America’s best-preserved indigenous petroglyphs at a site Native Americans used as a shelter some 1,500 to 3,000 years ago, and visit the Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area for an extensive network of wilderness trails leading to more petroglyph art and beautiful Big Smoky Valley scenery.
When you want even more backcountry adventures, head south to Kingston Canyon for camping, fishing, and dark sky stargazing. Once you’re finally ready to get some rest, you can return to town and check into the Magnolia Gallery and Inn for a cute cottage bed-and-breakfast, or try the Cozy Mountain Motel for affordable and family-friendly digs.
Rachel
You’ve probably heard of Area 51's many mysteries. Though the official area is closed off to the public, you can get close enough and experience the quirky extraterrestrial vibes of Rachel. Again, please do not attempt to break into Area 51, which is officially part of the Nevada Test and Training Range. Instead, stop at Alien Cowpoke to get some gas, stock up on snacks, and pick up some funky UFO-themed souvenirs. For even more extraterrestrial adventures, hit the official Extraterrestrial Highway (State Route 375) and drive over to the Alien Research Center gift shop for souvenirs.
To complete your alien adventure through UFO country, The Little A’Le’Inn has everything you need and plenty more that you want, including comfy motel rooms, documents and artifacts detailing alleged alien encounters, an inspired selection of swag at the gift shop, and even a full-service restaurant and bar where you can drink some Alien Amber Ale while meeting new friends who also share a passion for UFO lore.
Go for the Gold at These Special Silver State Towns
When looking for something outside the ordinary, these six quintessential Nevada towns go above and beyond to deliver. From the stunning alpine and lakeside scenery at Incline Village to the magnificent red rock formations around Mesquite, Nevada abounds in ethereal natural beauty. And speaking of ethereal, you can venture even further beyond the ordinary by taking a journey to the unofficial UFO capital of Rachel. No matter what you crave, you can find what you want and discover so much more in Nevada’s spectacular small towns.