Top 8 Nevada Towns To Visit In 2025
Everyone knows that Nevada is made famous by Las Vegas. Beyond the glitz and the glamor of Sin City lies some of the most beautiful and unique towns that are a must-see while staying in Nevada. From the Hoover Dam in Boulder City to the desert oasis of Caliente, life is never boring in the Silver State. If you are really itching to bet it all on red, be sure to visit Mesquite! It’s like a mini-Vegas, without all the crowds and traffic. So, pack your bags and get ready to discover a few of Nevada's top towns to visit in 2025.
Boulder City
Boulder City, home of the modern wonder of the Hoover Dam, should be on every American’s bucket list! For a fee, visitors can not only see the dam but also take tours of the tunnels and even ride the original elevator to the top, as well as a guided powerplant tour. While the Hoover Dam is a must-see during your visit to Boulder City, there is so much more to see and do in the community and the surrounding area! Boulder City is also home to Lake Mead and the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. There, visitors can swim or relax along the shore of its crystal-clear waters, hike the Redstone Hiking Trail, or bike along the paved River Mountains Loop Bike Trail.
The surrounding natural beauty of Boulder City is stunning, but there are also plenty of things to see right in town! You can visit the Boulder City Hoover Dam Museum to learn more about the process of building the Hoover Dam or check out the quirky Tom Devlin's Monster Museum.
Elko
The humble city of Elko may seem like just another small village off of I-80, but there is a hidden charm there that makes it worth the long drive. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Ruby Mountains and the Humboldt River, it’s a desert oasis ripe for exploration. If you love outdoor activities, you have to check out the Ruby Mountains. The hiking trails in the Ruby Mountains can be challenging, but the views are well worth it. If you don’t have the time for a 36-mile hike down the Ruby Crest Trail, the Island Lake Trail is only two miles, and the view of Lamoille Canyon is simply breathtaking.
During your stay in Elko, make sure you explore their local museums to learn more about the area, like the Northeastern Nevada Museum and the California Trail Interpretive Center. After learning more about the land and the people who settled in Elko, you can explore the remains of the ghost towns surrounding the area. Sign up for a guided Elko Ghost Town Tour (they are especially fun during the Halloween season), or take a self-guided tour through the ruins of Tuscarora.
Tonopah
Secluded in the middle of the Nevada desert is the rural city of Tonopah. However, don’t let its isolated location fool you into thinking there isn’t much to see! Tonopah is a city where times seem to stand still. The downtown district reflects its old Wild West days with a historic downtown with original buildings dating back to the 1800s. You can shop for Western apparel and supplies at the A-Bar-L Western Store or learn more about the history of the region at the Central Nevada Museum.
What makes Tonopah so special is that it maintains many of its original structures and allows visitors to explore the old ruins of the area. The Tonopah Historic Mining Park offers a collection of buildings amidst the dusty desert, like the Mizpah Mine. The Mineshaft may not look like much on the outside, but it allows visitors to stare into the 500-foot-deep stope illuminated by LED lights. Before you go, make sure to stop by the Visitor’s Center to admire their mineral collection and purchase souvenirs to bring home!
Ely
Along the edge of US Route 50, also known as the Loneliest Road in America, is the remote mountain city of Ely (pronounced EE-lee). As an important railway village in the early 1900s, Ely cherishes its reputation in the railway industry to this day. You can take a tour of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum to discover Ely's rich railway history or ride on the Nevada Northern Railway to enjoy the scenic countryside.
A ride on the Nevada Northern Railway is well worth the trip alone, but there is so much more to discover in Ely! Just 15 minutes down US-50 is Cave Lake State Park, where you can hike, mountain bike, fish, or cross-country ski in the winter. Another notable spot south of Ely is the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park, made famous for its beehive-shaped ovens used to process silver ore in the 1800s. Outside the historical ovens, the park also offers a picnic area, hiking trails, and a dedicated campground.
Mesquite
Welcome to Mesquite, a mini Las Vegas! Situated a 60-minute drive north of Sin City, Mesquite has all of the attractions of Las Vegas with none of the traffic and crowds. If you love gambling, golfing, and shopping within close proximity to breathtaking natural parks, Mesquite is a fantastic place to visit. If you love all things Vegas, the Casablanca Resort, Casino, Golf, and Spa is your one-stop shop to gamble, relax by the pool, or golf. Mesquite is the type of small town where you can enjoy fine dining (Gregory's Mesquite Grill is a local favorite) and venture out into the great Nevada wilderness all on the same day.
South of downtown Mesquite is the Gold Butte National Monument, famous for its ancient rock art and stunning red sandstone in the great Mojave Desert. The monument even has fossil tracks that are said to be over 170 million years old! To get up close and personal with exotic animals with the backdrop of the desert, be sure to check out Camel Safari, which takes you on a tram tour through a 176-acre ranch.
Caliente
If you are planning a Great Basin Highway road trip, Caliente is a must-stop! Caliente was a resort destination in its early days, offering visitors soaks in its famous hot springs (hence the name, the Spanish word for ‘hot’). While there are still a few hot springs and bath houses in Caliente at the Caliente Hot Springs Motel and Spa, it’s no longer what draws visitors from around the state. It’s the wild rose-lined city streets and proximity to stunning state parks that put this little rural desert town on the map.
Many Nevada state parks are overrun with visitors, but the parks around Caliente are tranquil, uncrowded, and just as beautiful. Kershaw-Ryan State Park, for instance, is an oasis in the middle of the Eastern Nevada Desert. Famous for its rose gardens, natural cold springs, and soaking pool, it is unlike most Nevada parks. Another hidden gem only found in Caliente is Rainbow Canyon, where visitors can admire the amazing red rock and sweeping views.
Incline Village
On the northeast shores of Lake Tahoe lies the picturesque Incline Village. In the late 1800s, Incline Village was once a logging city known for the Great Incline Tramway. While it is no longer a logging community and more of a picturesque mountain retreat, it’s named after the Great Incline Tramway from its old logging days. In the summertime, a great way to beat the heat is at the tranquil shores of Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe. Swim in the crystal clear blue waters, or venture out on the lake via kayak or paddleboard.
Incline Village is also a great place to hike, with miles of trails and green mountain views. One of the more popular trails is the 165-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, which takes you around the entire lake. While the full trail is designed for serious backpackers, there are smaller trails, like the Flume Trail, that make excellent day hikes. As a resort destination, you can spend the day out in nature and then head into town for amazing cuisine. The Lone Eagle Grille is a favorite among visitors, offering upscale cuisine with amazing lakeside views.
Yerington
Driving an hour and a half outside of the bustling metropolis of Reno and east of Lake Tahoe is the quaint rural farming community of Yerington. It’s a place of small-town pride and serves as a base camp for the great wilderness of Western Nevada. The Walker River State Recreation Area is Yerington’s biggest attraction, providing over 12,000 acres of rolling hills and rangeland along the East Walker River. It’s a great place to hike, camp, bike, and fish. And if you love OHV exploring, the picturesque Wilson Canyon is a great place to explore.
Yerington is home to just over 3,000 residents, and there is a strong pride in every corner of the community. The Lyon County Museum, located in an old church built in the early 1900s, has neat artifacts showcasing the early days of Yerington. There is even an authentic replication of an old barbershop and courthouse office in the Enide Johnson Gallery. It’s a treasure trove for history buffs!
Plan Your 2025 Adventure in Nevada
Whether you want to hike the Ruby Mountains, relax along the shore of Lake Tahoe, or explore real ghost towns in Elko, each of these cities brings something new and fresh to the table. The landscape of Nevada is as vibrant as the lights of Las Vegas Boulevard, and there is always something new to discover. From carved red rock formations, peaceful lakeside retreats, and the wild rose-lined streets of Caliente, Nevada is home to some of the top towns to visit in 2025. The best way to experience Nevada is by touring the small communities that helped shape it into what it is today.
