These 10 Towns In Nevada Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2024
Home to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Red Rock Canyon, Nevada is known for possessing several awesome natural and historic wonders. Nevada is home to a multitude of towns scattered across its landscape that complement these and other attractions in their own way. Whether it is the historic buildings of downtown Mesquite or the local food and culture scene in and around Winnemucca, these ten towns were ranked as favorites in the state of Nevada in 2024. Possessing some of the most intrinsic natural, historic, and cultural attributes known throughout southwest America, these towns encourage visitors to try something new over and over again.
Winnemucca
The picturesque town of Winnemucca, famous for the Winnemucca Sand Dunes, has several other great activities ideally suited for the outdoor enthusiast or even an aspiring historian. Peaceful strolls through Water Canyon and tranquil hikes up the Winnemucca Mountain Trail display a sense of beauty in the pristine colors of spring, summer, and fall, while there are several places in downtown Winnemucca, like the Humboldt County Museum, Nixon Park, and a Veteran’s Memorial Park, that provide historical value to the area.
Several festivals that urge visitors to return year after year. "What in the Mucc," a casual dinner and dance event, is held at the fairgrounds every autumn.
Mesquite
About 500 miles south of Winnemucca, the pastoral town of Mesquite is home to several majestic geological formations. Whitney Pocket, a sandstone outcropping and part of Gold Butte National Monument, has many facets of natural value, while Gold Butte itself displays several “goblin-shaped” rock formations. There are also many venues in downtown Mesquite that are well worth the visit.
The Donkey History Museum has a multitude of donkey-related objects, from vintage photographs and paintings to porcelain and ceramic figurines to vintage donkey toys, while the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum showcases a plethora of great pieces of history, including an antique cash register, a 1920’s Victrola, and several ancient wedding dresses.
Fernley
Southwest of Fernley Reservoir and just north of Silver Springs, the town of Fernley, with a population of around 20,000 people, is known for being a haven of natural and cultural amenities. This makes it one of the best towns to visit in the state of Nevada. Home to a variety of parks, Fernley is also in close proximity to Lahontan State Recreation Area, which caters to fishermen, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, boaters, and even nature and bird watchers.
There are also a variety of festivals held in town annually, as well as the Friday Night Cruise, right on Main Street in the summer months, to see classic cars, sports cars, lifted pick-ups, lowriders, convertibles, bikes, and choppers.
Incline Village
Known for being home to Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, which in itself is home to Sand Harbor Beach, Memorial Point, and Hidden Beach, Incline Village is a peaceful oasis for those who wish to get away from the stress of societal issues caused by the rigors of city living. This town of just under 10,000 people is home as well to a plethora of hiking trails that showcase the picturesque charm of autumn in the area.
From the Marlette Lake Trail, which runs around 10 miles in length, to Sand Harbor Nature Trail, to the Genoa Canyon Waterfalls Trail, which is just over six miles long and ends at the Genoa Waterfall, there is a trail for any level of hiker from novice to professional.
Elko
The picturesque town of Elko is home to a variety of natural wonders, including the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and the Wild Horse Reservoir. Both locales boast great amenities to guests and visitors, like hiking, fishing, boating, and even camping overnight. Situated near the northeastern corner of Nevada, this town of around 20,000 permanent residents is also home to several historic attributes.
The Northeastern Nevada Museum displays several exhilarating exhibits, including the Wanamaker Wildlife Wing, which has the largest collection of wild animals in the state. Downtown Elko features some exciting festivals as well. The National Basque Festival, which is held to honor those from France and Spain who live on the Bay of Biscay, offers woodchopping competitions, local dancing and music, and even tasty lamb and paella dishes. In addition, the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering takes place each January.
Pahrump
Just west of Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which has a 13-mile scenic drive past a vast variety of awesome sites, the town of Pahrump is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Located inside the Mojave Desert, this town of just over 40,000 people is also home to Cathedral Canyon and Charleston Peak, which is known to be the highest peak in the Spring Mountain Range, reaching almost 12,000 feet. There are also several festivals in downtown Pahrump that are well worth the visit.
Petrack Park hosts the Wild West Extravaganza, which features western-trained blacksmiths, gunfighters, and even a mechanical bull, while the Pahrump Fall Festival hosts a medieval parade, local arts and crafts, and even has fun carnival rides and tasty fair food.
Boulder City
Lingering along the southern edge of the city of Las Vegas, Boulder City offers a plethora of activities that encourage visitors to return again and again. Home to Hoover Dam, first built in the 1930s during the Great Depression, and Lake Mead, considered the largest man-made reservoir in the United States, Boulder City is an oasis for natural and artificial wonders and sights that will leave you breathless.
Yet, this town of around 15,000 people also has a variety of downtown activities, including art festivals, car shows, and food and wine events. Boulder City also has a historical side, as it was established to house the original constructors and workers of Hoover Dam, and there are several architectural wonders scattered throughout the town.
Lovelock
The town of Lovelock, with a population of just under 2,000 people, is located in the northern portion of the state and is home to many great natural venues, including Lovelock Cave and Rye Patch State Recreation Area. The state recreation area offers several outdoor activities, like fishing, boating, hiking, and camping, while Lovelock Cave began first as a bat guano mine, transformed into storage for the locals of the area, and then became a piece of history for all to share.
There are also several great places in downtown Lovelock. Lover’s Lock Plaza allows for lovers to “lock their love,” while the Pershing County Courthouse, built in the early 20th century, is believed to be the last round courthouse still in use today.
Fallon
Nicknamed the “Oasis of Nevada,” it is no wonder that the charming town of Fallon possesses a plethora of attributes perfectly suited for an avid outdoor enthusiast. Located just southwest of Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge, which offers many hiking opportunities, including Tule Trail and the Stillwater Point Reservation Trail, Fallon is home to several historic venues as well.
The most popular of these is Grimes Point, which contains several petroglyphs (prehistoric rock carvings) that are said to be around seven thousand years old. Fallon is also home to Churchill County Museum and Hidden Cave. Hidden Cave is right next to the museum. It was first carved out of stone by Lake Lahontan, a massive prehistoric lake from the last ice age.
Laughlin
The charming town of Laughlin, with Lake Mojave and Grapevine Canyon slightly to the north, and the fast-flowing Colorado River running straight through town, may be one of the most scenic towns in all of Nevada. Head out on the river, lake, or canyon and boat, fish, hike, kayak, and even camp overnight. Laughlin is home to plenty of history as well.
The Don Laughlin Classic Car Museum features almost 100 antique cars, while the Laughlin Labyrinths, several stone labyrinths created in three and a half months by Wes Dufek, inspire that sense of peaceful tranquility for those who visit.
The great state of Nevada, hidden between Utah and California, has several towns that extend natural, historic, and cultural values. From Winnemucca in Humboldt County to Laughlin in Clark County and from Pahrump in Nye County to Fallon in Churchill County, there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a locale offering a vast variety of outdoor amenities, a place with a dominant historic vibe, or a taste of the societal culture through local festivals and events, these ten towns were ranked among the favorites in all of the United States.
