8 of the Most Unique Towns in Nevada
With more old ghost towns than it has still inhabited communities, the state of Nevada offers no end of fascinating places to visit. In fact, some of the most unique Nevada towns are an interesting mix of abandoned buildings interspersed with residential areas, making them fun to explore.
Despite the fact that its 600 or more ghost towns outnumber its flourishing cities and towns by a factor of nearly four to one, Nevada’s smaller metropolitan areas are full of surprises. Find the best places to visit in the “Silver State” with our list of the most unique Nevada towns.
Genoa
The old town of Genoa, population just 786 souls, is a must-visit if you’re exploring the most unique towns in Nevada. Established in 1851 and the state’s first settlement, this historic community is located in the eastern foothills of the Sierra Nevada Range in the Carson River Valley and has embraced its “Wild West” roots.
Highlights include a collection of well-preserved buildings dating back to the town’s founding days, as well as Mormon Station State Historic Park. Located in downtown Genoa, here you’ll find exhibits relating to the town’s original Mormon settlers. Thirsty? Be sure to visit the Genoa Bar, reputedly the oldest saloon bar in the state.
Austin
Not only is the town of Austin one of the most remote still-inhabited communities in Nevada, it’s also one of the smallest. Its population? Just 167 people. And at an elevation of 6,575 feet, it’s also one of the highest.
Located on Nevada’s Highway 50, nicknamed the “loneliest road in the USA,” this unique little community has earned a reputation among outdoor enthusiasts for its hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife spotting. And despite its desert setting, it does actually snow here thanks to its elevation.
Ely
Ely is another unique Nevada town worth visiting. Located 150 miles due east of Austin, it too is connected to the rest of the world (or more specifically, the states of Utah and California) by Highway 50. After starting off as a stop on the famous Pony Express postal service, the building of a post office and stagecoach station cemented the town’s role as an important communication and transportation hub.
Fast forward to today and this rich history is celebrated on many of the numerous murals that adorn its buildings. Notable attractions include the Nevada Northern Railway Museum with its vintage engines and rolling stock, some of which still operate, and Ely Renaissance Village with its historic buildings and art installations.
Goldfield
The town of Goldfield was founded in 1902 and has the distinction of once having been the state’s largest city. Now home to just 234 residents, the town’s population shrank with its fortunes when the gold dried up. Fortunately, forward looking townsfolk have done a great job of preserving the town’s past.
Architectural gems that have survived upwards of a hundred years or more include the old high school, built in 1907; Tex Rickard House, dating from around 1906, a lovely red-brick building built by a once-famous boxing promoter; and the best of the bunch, the Goldfield Hotel, dating from 1907 and once considered one of the best luxury hotels in the West.
Incline Village
The nearly 10,000 residents who call Incline Village home must surely know just how lucky they are. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the beautiful north shore of Lake Tahoe, there’s not a bad view to be had anywhere in this bustling resort town. Many of the best, not surprisingly, can be enjoyed from the ritzy real estate that dots the hillsides and shoreline.
Fun things to do in Incline Village include boating, canoeing, and kayaking on crystal clear Lake Tahoe, or enjoying a hike or bike ride along its many excellent lakeside trails. Even in winter it’s a popular place, thanks predominately to its excellent skiing.
Jarbidge
Jarbidge certainly takes the prize for the smallest community on our list of unique Nevada towns. It’s also the most remote. Located on the Jarbidge River in northeastern Nevada and only a short distance from the state border with Idaho, this former mining town’s population fluctuates between around just 10 souls to over a hundred or more, depending on the season.
Busiest in the summer months when out-of-towners descend for its spectacular views and nearly off-grid lifestyle, the Jarbidge Wilderness Area is the big draw. This vast 65,000-acre park teems with wildlife and is a back-to-nature paradise that’s as popular with mountain bikers and hikers as it is with horseback riders.
Virginia City
An easy 30-minute drive south of Reno and you’ll find yourself in one of the prettiest historic towns in Nevada: Virginia City. With a population of just over 660 people, this former mining town’s prosperity is very evident in the fine old Victorian-era homes and red-brick buildings that line its streets. In fact, the town’s architectural heritage is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Take a stroll along the town’s immaculately preserved old main street, C Street, for some window shopping and pop into the historic Washoe Club for a drink and a little learning about the town’s past in this interesting part-bar, part-museum attraction. Other landmarks include the Pipers Opera House, dating from the late 19th century, and St. Mary’s Art Center, a great little art gallery set in a former hospital dating from 1876.
Baker
Located on the edge of an area of Western USA known as the Great Basin, the tiny town of Baker, population just 68 souls, has a number of interesting distinctions that set it apart from other communities across the state. The Great Basin Visitor Center is located within the town limits and offers a great deal of information about this fascinating region, including details of the remarkable Bristlecone pine trees. Considered to be the oldest trees in the world, these amazing specimens can live up to 5,000 years.
Other fun features that make Baker so unique a place to visit include a fascinating cave system known as the Lehman Caves, a number of great hiking trails, as well as scenic drives through the surrounding mountain peaks.
The Final Word
One of the largest states in the USA, Nevada is an often-overlooked tourist destination… unless you’re headed to Las Vegas, of course. We hope we’ll convince you with this list of the most unique Nevada towns that the Silver State deserves your attention and that its far flung, sometimes remote communities are worth exploring.
