8 Cozy Nevada Destinations To Visit In 2025
The Silver State of Nevada may be most famous for the bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip, yet there’s much more to explore throughout Nevada and outside of Las Vegas. From the sparkling shores of Lake Tahoe to the colorful desert at the foot of Death Valley, Nevada has a fascinating mix of comfortable and cozy places to visit. Sure, Nevada has a wealth of Old West-style near-ghost towns that offer special glimpses into the state’s rough-and-tumble past but don’t miss out on more offbeat towns that open up to some of the United States’ most open and beautiful stretches of wilderness.
Once you start experiencing these eight cozy Nevada destinations to visit, don’t be surprised if you feel the urge to get (more) comfortable and spend more time in these special towns.
Zephyr Cove
Nestled on the southern shore of Lake Tahoe and less than five miles from the bustling scene at Stateline, Zephyr Cove offers a much more relaxing vantage point from which to enjoy all that Tahoe has to offer. During the summer season, spend the day at Zephyr Cove Beach, where you can stroll and/or ride a bike on dry land and try everything from swimming to water-skiing and windsurfing in the water. Year-round, you can book a cruise on the M.S. Dixie II custom paddlewheel boat and sail smoothly around the south side of Lake Tahoe.
During the winter season, Zephyr Cove places you close to the 4,800 acres of ethereal skiable terrain at Heavenly Ski Resort, as well as prime snowshoeing and backcountry skiing terrain at Tahoe Rim Trail. For the ideal base camp to reach all the wondrous gems in and around Zephyr Cove, book a cabin or campsite at the lakefront Zephyr Cove Resort.
Panaca
Since 1864, Panaca has existed as a quiet farming town in Eastern Nevada, and it’s now the oldest surviving town in the region. It’s also the closest town to Cathedral Gorge State Park, a stunning collection of cathedral spire-like bentonite clay formations formed by volcanic eruptions and subsequent erosion over tens of millions of years. After hiking the trails at Cathedral Gorge, consider a refreshing soak at the nearby Panaca Warm Springs, or take a scenic drive to Echo Canyon State Park for swimming, boating, and fishing.
For a different perspective on Panaca’s unique beauty, do another short drive to the Panaca Charcoal Kilns to discover a series of beehive kilns built in the 1870s to produce charcoal for the nearby silver mines. And when you’re down to get extra cozy in Panaca, head back to town and book a room or log cabin at Pine Tree Inn for a quiet and comfy bed-and-breakfast.
Beatty
Though most of Death Valley National Park lies on the other side of the California-Nevada state line, the town of Beatty is often called the “Gateway to the Death Valley” because it’s generally the most hospitable space to relax and refuel before and after Death Valley outings. Of course, no trip to Beatty feels complete without any stops at Death Valley, and sights like Titus Canyon and Leadfield ghost town are perfect places at Death Valley to explore near Beatty. Just outside the park boundaries and closer to town, the ghost town of Rhyolite is an interesting spot to tour the ruins of one of the most bustling mining towns of the early 20th century, along with the Goldwell Open Air Museum and its quirky collection of contemporary outdoor sculpture art. For a deeper dive into Beatty’s past, make a detour to the Beatty Museum, which is a small space with a rich collection of artifacts and exhibits that chronicle well over a century of local history.
Whether you’re restocking on supplies for a Death Valley outing or stopping for interesting souvenirs, make sure to stop at Eddie World on the US 95 Highway for the original Death Valley Nut & Candy store, a sweet tooth paradise full of delectable treats (including some savory stuff like meat jerkies). Right next to Eddie World, Stagecoach Hotel & Casino is a convenient and comfortable full-service hotel that places you within easy reach of many of the region’s best sights and attractions.
Genoa
First settled by Mormon settlers in 1851, Genoa is officially Nevada’s first permanent settlement, and this town continues to wow visitors with its vintage vibes at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At Mormon Station State Historic Park, see where it all began, tour the pleasantly verdant grounds, spot a reconstructed version of the original 1851 trading post, and peruse the fascinating artifacts inside the park’s museum. For even more local history, head across the street to the Courthouse Museum to tour the original courthouse and a wide array of historic treasures that date as far back as Genoa’s early days.
While Genoa has plenty of historic sites in town, it also has the Genoa Canyon Trailhead that connects to some 16 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails that provide spectacular views of the Carson Valley below, as well as access to special hidden gems like streams and waterfalls. For a different kind of exploration of local scenery, stop at the famed Genoa Bar & Saloon, that’s been providing refreshments and very old-school Old West vibes since 1853. For a convenient yet elegant place to stay in town, check into the White House Inn for a lovely boutique bed-and-breakfast at a 100+ year-old house.
Virginia City
Though Virginia City may not be Nevada’s oldest town, it might be the Silver State’s most storied. First noted as a boomtown following the 1859 Comstock Lode that helped give Nevada its official “Silver State” nickname thanks to the rich silver deposits in the Virginia Range, Virginia City lets you step back in time and experience Northern Nevada’s mining-rich glory days at landmarks like the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum, Piper’s Opera House, and the Bucket of Blood Saloon. For a more comprehensive view of Virginia City’s (and Nevada’s) past, check out The Way It Was Museum for a great variety of rare photos, maps, mining artifacts, and other original relics that share the stories of this once mighty mining town.
If you crave an even deeper dig into Nevada history, book a tour of historic mining sites like the Chollar Mine (open year-round), the Ponderosa Mine (also open year-round), and the Comstock Gold Mill (open May to October) for greater insight into the life and times of Virginia City during its heyday in the 1860s and 70s. Once you feel like settling down, you can settle into a uniquely cozy and comfy stay at the B Street House Inn, a bed-and-breakfast that combines the rich history of a Victorian home with 21st-century amenities like smart TVs, central heating and air, and a coffee and tea bar that’s regularly stocked with snacks and breakfast goods.
Ely
With a location near the eastern end of US Highway 50, or “The Loneliest Road in America,” it’s easy to assume that Ely is a difficult and lonely place to visit. While its location in Eastern Nevada makes Ely feel isolated, there are actually plenty of delightful sights and attractions to welcome you here, including the tranquil scenery at Cave Lake State Park (that’s also great for boating and fishing), exciting opportunities for gem hunting at Garnet Hill, and the perfect spot for hiking, biking, winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and camping at Ward Mountain.
For the ultimate outdoor adventure(s) in Ely, it’s hard to beat Great Basin National Park and its incredible assortment of natural treasures. Come to catch a glimpse of the massive 13,063-foot (above sea level) summit of Wheeler Peak, stay to do a tour of Nevada’s longest cave system at Lehman Caves, and linger a little longer to discover amazing natural landmarks like Baker & Johnson Lakes. To make your time in Ely extra special, book a room or suite at the Hotel Nevada, a state historic landmark that preserves its original 1929 character while also offering plenty of contemporary creature comforts.
Lovelock
In recent years, the western edge of Pershing County has become (in)famous for the raucous Burning Man festival held every September in the Black Rock Desert. Yet off the I-80 freeway, roughly halfway between Reno and Winnemucca, you’ll find a more relaxing town with a fitting name of Lovelock. Here, you can expect less hectic energy and more calming beauty at places like Rye Patch State Recreation Area for scenic hikes and fishing days and Lahontan State Recreation Area for water sports and horseback riding.
When you’re down for deeper explorations into Lovelock’s history and heritage, do a drive to Lovelock Cave to discover an ancient cave that the Northern Paiute indigenous people began using for storage as far back as 2000 BC, then head back to town to tour the Marzen House that was first built in 1875 and now houses a museum full of fascinating artifacts and archives from Lovelock’s early days as an Anglo settlement. Also, check out the charming Victorian atmosphere (and abundance of “lovers lock” padlocks) at Lovers Lock Plaza, and check into the Lovelock Junction Hotel & Casino for a cozy and comfy place near the heart of town.
Boulder City
Just about 27 miles southeast of the bright lights and bustling casinos of the fabulous Las Vegas Strip, experience a whole nother side of Southern Nevada in Boulder City. This town may be best known for the Hoover Dam that turned the nearby stretch of the Colorado River into Lake Mead, and it’s certainly a place worth visiting for its marvels of engineering. But for more of the Hoover Dam’s and Boulder City’s backstory, head back to town and tour the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum to see how the dam came to life in the 1930s. For an interactive history lesson that’s fun for the whole family, visit the Nevada State Railroad Museum for a variety of vintage trains, train memorabilia, and even weekend train rides.
While Boulder City is chock full of interesting history, it’s also a great place to get away from it all and enjoy a quiet sojourn at wide open spaces like Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area with its extensive network of desert wilderness trails and over 300 works of Indigenous petroglyph rock art. For more explorations on open water, try kayaking or paddling the Black Canyon Water Trail from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach (on the Arizona side of the Colorado River). Once you’re ready to call it a day, stay at the historic Boulder Dam Hotel, which has welcomed guests to town since 1933.
Get Cozy at These Warm and Welcoming Nevada Destinations
When you seek cozy destinations to relax and unwind, Nevada is the place to find all sorts of small towns and beautiful expanses of open nature. At Zephyr Cove, experience the incredible scenery of Lake Tahoe in a calmer and more pristine environment. At Ely, you can find a wealth of tranquil parklands, including the majestic treasures of Great Basin National Park. And at Boulder City, get some much-needed respite from fast-paced Las Vegas with a slow journey along the Colorado River. However you’d like to get cozy, Nevada is a great state to kick back and find your ideal comfort zone.
