7 Undiscovered Small Towns in Nevada
Nevada, a classic Southwestern state, is filled with unique small towns. Scenic drives down lost highways reveal undiscovered small towns, from stagecoach to mountain towns. The Silver State is well-known for Reno and Las Vegas, but a quick trip in either direction reveals fantastic towns that should not be passed up. The historical monuments and sites, the quirky eateries, and the Old West hotels are just the start of what can be found.
Nature lovers will treasure the endless expanses, stargazing, and hiking trails. These towns also boast one-of-a-kind boutiques and unique encounters like Area 51. A long daylight trek through the desert scenery conjures up movie scenes, from bikers to hot rods blasting down the road without a care in the world. These are the best undiscovered small towns in Nevada because of their scenery and unique sites.
Virginia City
Virginia City's moniker is "the richest place on Earth," a nod to the mining boom of the 19th century. It also has many Victorian Mansions built during this prosperous period. Two of the most notable commercial buildings are the Washoe Club, reportedly haunted, and Piper's Opera House. The Washoe Club first opened in 1862. It has a haunted past and present and has been on multiple ghost shows like Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters. Piper's opened in 1863, initially called Maguire's Opera House, was condemned in 1920 and reopened as a museum in 1940. The club and museum define the lore and legacy of Virginia City, along with many other 19th-century landmarks.
The mining town is considered one of the most haunted places in America and is often visited by paranormal enthusiasts, especially the Silver Queen Hotel. The hotel, built in 1876, has beautifully restored rooms and an authentic Old West saloon in homage to the town's Old West past. Virginia City is a beautiful place to visit and has much more to offer than haunted hotels. The town embraces its mining history while offering excellent modern lodging and amenities.
Eureka
Eureka is a classic Western mining town with charming architecture and the fun nickname of "Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road in America." The historic brick facades with white balustrades in the downtown district make Eureka one of the best-preserved mining towns in the West. The town is on Route 50, which earned the handle of "Loneliest Road in America in the mid-1980s because of its lack of resources. Thankfully, that name did not scare the adventurous traveler from discovering this unique town with beautiful Victorian architecture.
One of the prettiest architectural examples is the Eureka Opera House. The theatre opened in 1880 in what is now known as Eureka's Historic District and exemplifies the Old West charm mixed with a touch of luxury. Other historic buildings in the district that are a must-see are the Eureka County Courthouse and the Eureka Sentinel Museum, where visitors learn about the town's mining history. Road warriors, history buffs, and Old West fans will love the drive to Eureka and a walking tour through this historic mining town.
Lovelock
Historic Lovelock is just outside Reno and full of charm, simplicity, and outdoor adventure. It is located off Route 80, also known as the Cowboy Corridor, for its abundance of cowboys riding their horses down this two-lane road. The Lovelock Cave is a notable outdoor attraction where thousands of artifacts were discovered ranging in age from 2,000 B.C. to 1,000 A.D. Eleven tule duck decoys, the oldest of their kind, were also found in the cave and became Nevada's state artifact in 1995.
Other outdoor sites include the Rye Patch State Recreation Area. Visitors can relax or swim in the 22-mile-long reservoir on 72 miles of shoreline. Lovelock also has many notable buildings to discover in the historic district. The Lovelock Depot was built by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1880 and is available for tours on Main Street. The Post Office on Dartmouth Avenue, built in 1937, is a key example of the Moderne architectural style and boasts a mural the Smithsonian calls one of the best depictions of Western art. Lovelock is a tremendous outdoor recreation place with well-preserved architecture and numerous historic sites to explore.
Elko
Elko is a small town steeped in cowboy culture and is famous for being home to the Northeastern Nevada Museum. The museum opened in 1968 and features six galleries with wildlife dioramas, art, and exhibits in six galleries. Elko is also home to the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering in January and has been a famous festival since its inception in 1985. Other cultural attractions and historical sites are fun to discover in this hospitable town.
The Western Folklore Center includes a television program and exhibits that showcase the best of cowboy culture, past and present. Another landmark is the National Basque Festival, started in 1965 for local cattle ranchers and sheepherders. The two-day event highlights the Basque culture of the region with food and culture. Elko has a long history ranging from railroads to cowboys and is a great town to visit on any road trip through Nevada.
Winnemucca
Winnemucca is a secluded hideaway with rolling dunes and mountain ranges, a transportation hub for the ranching and mining industries. The atmosphere is a comfortable blend of Basque and cowboy culture, evident by the quaint shops downtown. The Buckaroo Hall of Fame and Heritage Museum celebrates this culture with photos and exhibits for over 70 inductees. The Humboldt County Historical Museum boasts a Wooly Mammoth and Native American and Chinese exhibits. There are plenty of outdoor activities in this rustic town, too.
The Winnemucca Sand Dunes have incredible 100-foot dunes over a 40-mile stretch, perfect for off-road enthusiasts. Fishing is plentiful in the Humboldt River, connected to the Water Canyon Recreation Area. The park is 2,000 feet above the town and offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and ATV areas. Whether checking out the shops downtown or ripping through the dunes on an ATV, Winnemucca is one of Nevada's best towns to discover.
Ely
Ely was originally a stop along the famed Pony Express and Central Overland Routes, and then copper was discovered in a mine in 1906. The historic downtown district has museums, art galleries, and a sculpture garden. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum takes passengers along the original track on the famous locomotive #93, which made its first passenger excursion in 1993. The train ride honors Ely's railway legacy while teaching passengers about the town's significance.
Another fun cultural attraction is the Ely Renaissance Village. The Village was started in 1999 to preserve the artistic culture. It has eleven houses and a barn featuring biographies from the earliest settlers. Outdoor sites include the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. The park has six beehive-shaped charcoal ovens used between 1876 and 1879. After the mines were shut down, the ovens became shelters for travelers. Ely has numerous outdoor and cultural exhibits, making it one of the best small towns in Nevada.
Genoa
Genoa is a classic mountain town at the base of the Sierra Nevada Range. It is also home to Mormon Station State Park, the first permanent trading post in 1851. The elegant Courthouse Museum on Main Street is another excellent way to learn about the historic town's past. It started as the Douglas County Courthouse from 1865 to 1913 and transitioned into a school. Today, it features several historical exhibits, including Native American and Pony Express artifacts. Downtown also hosts several annual festivals throughout the year.
The famous Genoa Candy Dance in September has been going strong since 1919. The two-day arts and crafts fair has over 400 vendors, a Saturday night dance, and live music. The historic district is the oldest permanent settlement in Nevada, and many of the buildings have been preserved to maintain their mid-19th-century aesthetic and charm. The Victorian buildings contain boutiques, takeaway meals for picnics, and the oldest saloon in the state. Genoa is a must-see small town that captures the rugged spirit of the Silver State.
Nevada is one of the best road trip destinations in the West. Long expanses of highway winding through the desert with mountain range views are like a dream come true for the road savvy. Along these winding roads are many small towns begging to be discovered. The towns proudly display their 19th-century roots with Victorian architecture, vintage railway cars, and historical sites. There are also numerous outdoor adventures to be had.
Winnemucca is not only a historical town; it offers 100-foot dunes perfect for offroading in an ATV. Lovelock has a recreation park 2,000 feet above the town known for its hiking trails and views. Mining and the Old West's history are fascinating in these towns. Genoa's historic district, the state's oldest settlement, has preserved the buildings to keep the authentic look of the West. Any of these towns is worth a stop for anyone traveling down "The Loneliest Road in America."
