In July of 1986, Life magazine dubbed Nevada’s Highway 50 the “Loneliest Road in America.” The article claimed there were “no points of interest” along the route and “warned” readers not to risk traveling it unless they were confident of their “survival skills.” However, Nevada adventurers knew better then, and still do. A road doesn’t get much more wide-open than Highway 50, but that’s exactly why we love it. Today, this famous Nevada road trip is your gateway to ghost towns, historic mining communities, stunning state parks, and a handful of authentic Sagebrush Saloons.

Travel Nevada, a state-run site, sponsors a promotion where you can earn certificates that say, “I Survived the Loneliest Road in America”. You can go on this website to get your Highway 50 Survival Guide and then get your travel passport stamped along the highway.  As you travel along the highway you’ll see road signs, T-shirts, and bumper stickers proclaiming that you’re on the “Loneliest Road”.

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Capital Carson City to Historical Austin

This trip takes you through the more inhabited part of US 50 with lots of small towns and fun adventures. It will fill your day, especially if you take the side trip to Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park. Let’s take a look at this first leg:

Dayton– This is the first stop, which is just east of Carson City. Gold was first found here in 1850 at Gold Canyon. Stop at Odeon Hall, Nevada’s oldest casino building. At Odeon Saloon, Dayton’s oldest watering hole, and you can order a cocktail inspired by notable patrons like Mark Twain and Marilyn Monroe. While here look around for the exact spot where gold was first found at the Chinese Rock Retaining Wall. If you’re a history hound, keen on discovering the Nevada story, then you must stop at Dayton State Park and nearby Fort Churchill State Historic Park, both points along the historic, if short-lived, Pony Express route.

Dayton State Park– At the foot of the Virginia Range, on the banks of the Carson River, Dayton State Park offers picturesque beauty as well as gold and silver mining history. The park features the remains of the Rock Point Mill built in 1861.

Republic of Molossia– This area has quietly been an official, independent, sovereign nation for forty years, and is located right in a Dayton neighborhood. Free, highly whimsical monthly tours are offered from spring through fall (reservations required). Just be sure to leave your incandescent light bulbs, catfish, and onions at home, though as those items are contraband within these borders.

Fort Churchill State Historic Park– About 40 minutes east of Dayton, turn off Highway 50 onto Highway 95A to check out the weathered ruins of Fort Churchill. Today, the crumbling remains of officers’ quarters, barracks, and other structures show Nevada’s frontier past.

Sand Mountain -As the road continues, you’ll spot Sand Mountain rising 600 feet above the desert floor and stretches over 2 miles. This huge dune, made from sand carried from prehistoric Lake Lahontan, creates a strange landscape against Nevada’s mountains and valleys. The special friction between sand particles creates the booming sound heard at only 35 similar “singing” dunes around the world. During spring, look for the Sand Mountain blue butterfly which lives here and nowhere else on Earth.

Fallon– Home to the Naval Air Station Fallon (TOPGUN), is the last main town before the road truly earns its “lonely” nickname. Maine Street (spelled this way on purpose since 1908) has many shops, restaurant and The Nugget casino for you to explore. This casino opened 1957 and has its original neon signs. The Oats Park Art Center, originally a 1914 school building, has a 350-seat theater with original oak floors. Churchill County Museum, opened in 1968, shows an intact 1901 Pony Express station moved from nearby Desert Station. Now you’re going to start the real “loneliest” part of this road trip.

Middlegate Station– This is a historic Pony Express stop that has become a popular roadhouse in the middle of nowhere. This rustic place is known for its Monster Burger Challenge where you need to eat a four-pound burger that, when you finish, you will receive a special T-shirt. The walls are covered with dollar bills from travelers over decades. Running continuously since 1857, Middlegate’s original log walls can still be seen in the back section of the building. The bar counter, added in 1926, came from a Virginia City saloon and has over 4,500 carved initials. The stone well, built in 1859, still holds drinkable water from the same mountain spring that supplied Pony Express riders. The station’s guest book, kept since 1924, contains names of notable travelers including former U.S. presidents and famous aviator Charles Lindbergh.

Pro Tip: Be sure to carry plenty of water with you in the car, it’s not called the Loneliest Road for nothing. There are long stretches of nothingness. We like this water jug for our road trips.

Hickison– Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area offers a fascinating look at Nevada’s ancient past. This Bureau of Land Management site has a short half-mile trail leading to rocks with 10,000-year-old Native American art. There’s the “medicine man” figures wearing antler headdresses from about 8,000 BCE. The large circular calendar stone lines up perfectly with the summer solstice, making a shadow right through its center. From the site’s 6,594-foot elevation, you can clearly see both Toiyabe Range and Toquima Range across Reese River Valley, showing why this spot was strategically important to native inhabitants.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park– If you want to take a detour this is between Fallon and Austin off US 50. It’s about 95 miles from Austin. You’re in for a two-fold treat at this remote central Nevada state park you’ll find a real, early 20th century ghost town and 225-million-year-old marine reptile fossils. Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park offers a glimpse into Nevada’s rich silver mining history, as well as the largest known concentration of Ichthyosaur fossils at the site’s fascinating Fossil House. It is open 24/7.

Austin- This is the final stop on the first leg of your trip. Austin once had over 10,000 residents during its Silver Boom. Today, with about 300 residents, this high-desert town keeps its mining heritage through well-kept historic buildings and old mines. The 1863 St. Augustine’s Catholic Church has Nevada’s oldest church organ, dating to 1864 and still working today. The Gridley Store, built in 1863, keeps original wooden shelving where miners bought supplies with raw silver. The International Hotel, first built in 1859 and rebuilt after an 1871 fire, claims to be Nevada’s oldest hotel that’s never closed.

Pro Tip: As you travel, you’ll see some amazing scenery. Use a dash cam for this trip so you can capture all the beauty as you drive.

From Lovely Austin to Nature Loving Ely

If you go straight from Austin to Ely, it is 147 miles and you will pass through Eureka, NV. But if you decide to enjoy all the side trips in this area, you may want to consider making it a two-day trip and stay in Eureka. Let’s explore the many adventures you can find on this leg.

Toquima Cave– Nestled in the mountains east of here, take the quick 30-minute drive to Toquima Cave. 1,500 to 3,000 years ago, the Shoshone people used this sacred rock shelter as a temporary dwelling. Very few artifacts were uncovered, though an impressive number of pictographs can be seen covering the cave wall. Toquima Cave is considered to be one of the best examples of pictographs in North America, thanks to the sheer volume of ancient drawings that employ all four colors available at the time: red, black, yellow and white.

Eureka– Eureka calls itself “The Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road in America.” The town appears on the National Register of Historic Places, with many original brick and wood buildings from the 1870s and 1880s still there. The 1880 Eureka Opera House has original hand-painted stage curtains showing local landscapes and the original 1924 Wurlitzer piano still used in shows. The Eureka Sentinel Building, built in 1879, houses the original Washington press that printed the town’s newspaper from 1870-1960. At the Jackson House Hotel, you can see period furniture in each room including four-poster beds with original hardware.

Garnett Hill Recreation Area– Garnet Hill near Ely is located in White Pine County along Highway 50 on a well-maintained dirt road. A “Garnet Hill” BLM marker on the right-hand side of the road will guide you to the recreation and rockhound area. Here you can do your own rockhounding for garnets.

Ely– This marks the easternmost main town on Nevada’s Highway 50, 77 miles east of Eureka. It started as a stagecoach station along the Pony Express Trail; Ely grew quickly after copper was found in 1906. While you’re here take a tour of the six-story Hotel Nevada, built in 1929, was Nevada’s tallest building for 35 years and has original Art Deco elevator cabs still running. The White Pine County Courthouse, built in 1908, has a 16-foot-stained glass skylight made by Tiffany Studios.

Cave Lake State Park– Situated just off the Great Basin Highway, it’s about 15 minutes south of Ely. Cave Lake is perched in the foothills of the Schell Creek Range, part of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. At a towering 7,300 feet, this 32-acre Nevada State Park offers outstanding views with amenities and facilities. The main attraction here is of course Cave Lake itself, which provides great swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, fishing and tubing in the summer months.

Success Loop Scenic Drive– Located directly off the Loneliest Road in America, about 10 minutes from downtown Ely, this scenic byway brings you through the spectacularly scenic Schell Creek Range. The Scenic Drive lies adjacent to Cave Lake State Park, and depending on how you access this loop, you can begin or end your journey at the park. On this easy, 40-mile drive, visitors will wind their way up into high desert landscapes that this part of The Great Basin is known for. Here, you will find incredible mountain views and aspens exploding with color.

Pro Tip: Be sure to bring digital binoculars for great views and pictures of all the amazing scenery.

Grand Finale- Two Scenic Stops

Ward Charcoal Ovens– Just south of Highway 50 near Ely, the Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park protects six huge beehive-shaped structures that remain as monuments to Nevada’s mining past. Built in 1876, these 30-foot-tall stone ovens made charcoal for the nearby silver smelters in the mining district. Each oven used exactly 35 cords of wood during a 12-day burning cycle, making 1,750 bushels of charcoal. Once the mining ended, the ovens were used to shelter travelers and even had a reputation as a hideout for stagecoach bandits. The ovens remain today and are open for touring.

Great Basin National Park– Likely because of its remoteness, Great Basin National Park is one of America’s least visited. It’s great if you like less crowds, but it’s sad more people don’t get here to see how beautiful it is. Great Basin has alpine lakes, ancient bristlecone pine forests, lots of wildlife, and the impressive 13,064-foot Wheeler Peak. The park’s underground wonder, Lehman Caves, offers guided tours through a large marble cave system filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and over 300 rare shield formations. Teresa Lake, at 10,280 feet elevation, contains a unique alpine ecosystem with rare Tiger salamanders. From Wheeler Peak’s summit, you can see across four states on clear days with visibility over 100 miles. You can get to the summit via the 12-mile Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.

Pro Tip: Hang around for dark with your telescope for some of the best dark skies in Nevada. We like this travel telescope because it folds and has its own travel bag.

Road-Trip Prep & Survival Tips

Fuel discipline – Top off anytime you’re below ½ tank. Distances between pumps can hit 100 miles.

Real spare tire – Cell service is patchy; a donut won’t cut it.

Layers – 100 °F desert afternoons can drop to 40 °F at 7,000 ft. Bring layers, coats, hats and gloves.

Paper maps – Grab the free Highway 50 Survival Guide or a Benchmark atlas.

Night-drive caution – Wild mustangs, elk, and the occasional wandering cow love asphalt after dark.

Final Thoughts

Calling US-50 the “Loneliest Road in America” is like calling the Grand Canyon a ditch, technically true, wildly misleading. This ribbon of pavement is an open-air museum of Wild West history, a playground for hot-spring hunters, and a stargazer’s red-carpet runway. Bring curiosity, a full tank, and maybe a sense of humor. You’ll leave with dusty boots, a fresh roll of camera snaps, and bragging rights stamped in your passport. Happy Trails!

We always want to give you information and tips we learn along the way to help you make planning your vacation easier. If you’re looking for ideas for a road trip, roadtrippers.com is really helpful. Use code BTR5QTP for $5 off. We hope to inspire you to find your own adventure, get out, have fun and make some wonderful memories.

The post Surviving and Thriving on Nevada’s Loneliest Road: A Complete Guide to U.S. Highway 50 appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

What Defines a Ghost Town?

A ghost town is a former mining settlement that has been abandoned or is only sparsely populated. The decline of these towns typically resulted from the depletion of natural resources, especially gold and silver. Mining has long played a significant role in Nevada’s economy, and the landscape is dotted with remnants of these boom-and-bust communities. With over 600 ghost towns, more than actual populated cities, Nevada offers a fascinating journey into the past.

Ghost Towns in Southern Nevada

Techatticup Gold Mine

 Techatticup Mine in Eldorado Canyon is a mine tour that takes you underground into the mine to see the quartz veins still in the abandoned mine. In its heyday, this mine pumped out millions of dollars in gold, silver, and copper, making it the richest and most famous in southern Nevada. Reservations are required for the tour. Located in Nelson, NV about 45 miles from Las Vegas.

Goodsprings Ghost Town

This ghost town in southern Nevada offers an exemplary Wild West ghost town daytrip from Las Vegas. Located 45 minutes south of the Las Vegas Strip near Jean, the town dates to the early 1900s. The town’s population peaked in 1916 while supplying zinc and lead for World War I. Grab some food or quench your thirst inside the Pioneer Saloon, the oldest bar in southern Nevada, dating all the way back to 1913. Look for bullet holes from a poker game gone wrong in the original Sears and Roebuck stamped tin walls and cigar burns on the bar left by Clark Gable.

St. Thomas Ghost Town

A ghost town within the park’s limits was submerged when Lake Mead first filled up in the 1930s. St. Thomas thrived as a halting station along the Arrowhead Trail between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City when it was a Mormon town. St. Thomas is located near the Overton Arm of the Muddy River, which feeds Lake Mead, in the park’s northern section. The approach route is dirty` and occasionally uneven, so guests in low-riding vehicles should be cautious. Due to the dropping water levels of Lake Mead, vestiges of the town may now be seen. Visitors may now walk the ghost remnants of a classic western town, which was once flooded more than 60 feet above the tallest structure.

 Rhyolite Ghost Town

Located near Beatty by Death Valley National Park, this former mining town is full of ghostly ruins. Its population exploded after Shorty Harris’s famous 1904 gold discovery, and it became a very rich, luxurious town. But by 1920, dwindling mine production caused the town to collapse, making it one of the quickest towns to go bust. The looming remains of the bank, general store, and train depot are great photo ops. Other attractions to visit are the Tom Kelly Bottle House and the avant-garde Goldwell Open Air Museum.

Goldfield Ghost Town

This Nevada town is considered by many history buffs to be one of America’s most lively ghost towns.  Goldfield is often referred to as a “living ghost town,” thanks to the 250 residents who work tirelessly to preserve the town’s fascinating history. If you enjoy ghost tours or just want to check out old history, the Goldfield Hotel and Goldfield Historic High School offer ghost tours. Before you do anything, stop at the Goldfield’s Visitor Center which will give you lots of information about exploring the town. One last place you should definitely visit is the Goldfield Cemetery, where “DIED EATING LIBRARY PASTE” is but one of the hilarious epitaphs that reveal the untimely demises of this cemetery’s permanent residents. Don’t miss the burros who call Goldfield home.  While here, visit the International Car Forest of the Last Church.

Manhattan Ghost Town

This fascinating destination is just a short drive from Goldfield. You can choose to take a guided tour or explore on your own but either way you will find intriguing insights into Nevada’s mining history. Founded in the 1900s, Manhattan was once a thriving community filled with miners searching for silver and gold. As you wander through the remnants of the town, you’ll discover a variety of preserved structures, including mine shafts, homes, and storefronts. The haunting atmosphere and historical significance make it a wonderful experience for history buffs and adventure seekers alike.

Gold Point Ghost Town

History enthusiasts will be enthralled with Gold Point ghost town, which is situated just southwest of Goldfield near the Nevada/California border. Originally a silver mining camp founded in the early 1860s, Gold Point was once a prosperous boomtown that consisted of 125 dwellings including a post office, bakery, hotels, cafes, a store, and numerous saloons. The community was known as Hornsilver until 1932 and then became Gold Point. Mining operations ceased when World War II began and most of the residents moved to other towns or went overseas to war. Step inside a picture-perfect, Old West saloon and where you can quench your thirst at the bar, shoot pool on a 1909 Brunswick table, or browse a photo album, which weighs128 pounds, and contains more than 8,000 images of Nevada mining camps. Visitors can also stay overnight at the Gold Point Ghost Town Bed & Breakfast and stay in an original miner cabin.

Ghost Towns in Central Nevada

Aurora Ghost Town

While not a whole lot remains in Aurora ghost town today, this once-booming gold mining town was one of the most famous boomtowns in the West, with hundreds of houses, dozens of homes, stores, saloons, newspapers and schools, drawing the attention of failed-prospector-turned-writer Mark Twain himself.  Aurora Ghost Town is in central Nevada near the California/Nevada border close to Bodie Ghost Town in California. The closest town in Nevada is Hawthorne, which is about an hour east of Aurora, and makes for the best direct access.

Blair Ghost Town

Blair was established in 1906 by the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Gold Mining Company three miles north of Silver Peak. The Tonopah mining boom was causing frenzy in adjacent mining towns by 1906. The business brought by the company, constructed a rail spur to serve the town and mill. A post office and a newspaper were both established in 1906. A two-story hotel was constructed, and several saloons catered to the mill workers and miners in the area. Mining lasted until around 1916. You can still see the remains of the mill foundations and some buildings on the west side of the road. This abandoned town is located 18 miles south of US 95 near Silver Peak.

Tybo Ghost Town

Tybo Ghost Town lies one hour northeast of Tonopah. Nestled in the high desert mountains beyond Tonopah, discover one of Nevada’s best ghost towns. While the Shoshone had lived in and around this central part of Nevada’s Great Basin for many years, a major gold discovery beckoned hundreds of people from many cultures to Tybo during the 1870s. Today, a handful of impressively intact ruins are scattered throughout this once-booming gold mining town, like the original hoist house and headframe of the Tonopah Consolidated Mining Company, old Wells Fargo Office ruins, remnants of miner cabins, historic milling sites, old charcoal kilns, and more. A few seasonal residents call Tybo home today, keeping an eye on the impressively intact ruins that have managed to hang on more than 150 years.

Belmont Ghost Town

 A quieter ghost town with a historic courthouse and charming remnants of its mining days. Positioned north of Tonopah lies the fascinating remains of Belmont. Unlike most other ghost towns, Belmont’s boom lasted an impressive 20 years. In 1860, the town’s population reached 2,000. Already having become the county seat, the town boasted four stores, two saloons, five restaurants, livery stable, a post office, an assay office, a bank, school, telegraph office, two newspapers, and a blacksmith shop. The population boom was short-lived however, and by 1887 several of the mines shut down.  Take in sights like the 150-year-old Belmont Courthouse, perfectly masoned miners’ cabins and mill sites, and the Monitor-Belmont Mill chimney which was originally built to mill bricks, then used for target practice by WWII Air Force pilots. Belmont is located near the Tonopah Fairgrounds.

Ophir Mill Ghost Town

Situated in the heart of the Big Smoky Valley in the Toiyabe Mountain Range, this extremely isolated town of Ophir Mill first boomed in the mid-1860s. Being so isolated has helped this town stay so intact. Nestled in the Toiyabe range between Austin and Tonopah, many stone foundations can be found in Ophir Canyon, including a 20-stamp mill, all kinds of miner cabins and old stores, and a historic cemetery. Please consider how isolated it is here. Situated south of Kingston and north of Round Mountain, this Nevada ghost town is remote and challenging access and should only be considered by experienced backroad drivers with 4×4 clearance.

Ghost Towns near Reno and beyond

Sutro Tunnel

In the 1870s, the Sutro Tunnel was constructed as a drainage pipeline and underground exit route for miners working on the largest silver strike in history. Beginning in Virginia City, the tunnel snaked through almost four miles of mountains before terminating in Dayton. You can take guided tours into the first 50 feet of the tunnel. Outside the entrance, almost a dozen historic buildings, including a mule barn, carriage house, and machine shop are on display. This is about 45 miles from Reno, with the closest town being Dayton.

Seven Troughs District

The Seven Troughs District is home to three former boomtowns: Seven Troughs, Mazuma, and Tunnel. Destructive flash flooding put an end to mining operations in the area, especially after most residents chose to chase the next opportunity instead of rebuilding. Several structures and ruins still stand today in Seven Troughs, including a stamp mill, miner cabins, and a handful of old cars. Nearby, Tunnel also boasts cabins and a stamp mill in addition to a large brick building and mine tailings. Only a few foundations are left in Mazuma, but visitors can find a cemetery in the area. The closest town is Lovelock. It is recommended that you have a high-clearance 4 WD vehicle for the two dirt roads you will need to travel after getting off the highway.

Unionville Ghost Town

Founded in 1861, this little hamlet served as the county seat for Humboldt County, with a major boom between 1863 and 1870. While the population is approximately 20 today, the town boasted a population of 1,500 in its heyday, including a short residency by Samuel Clemens (better known as Mark Twain). He was prospecting at the time of his stay here.  Once the ore ran out, Unionville fell into a slow decline. Today, there are still plenty of remains to explore, including the remnants of the general store and Clemens’ cabin. Best of all, visitors can stay at the only business in town: Old Pioneer Garden Country Inn. This charming overnighter sits near a shaded creek and offers all the comforts of home. The closest town is Lovelock.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park delivers a double dose of adventure. This one-of-a-kind state park houses both a sprawling ghost town and the highest concentration of the largest Ichthyosaur fossils ever found. Stroll the ruins of Berlin and you’ll see historic buildings, homes, mining structures, and other relics. These include a Model -T and a genuine Westinghouse winch. Inside the Fossil House, you’ll get a peek at the up-to-50-feet-long marine reptiles that swam in the waters covering the Silver State over 225 million years ago. Fallon is the closest town to the park.

Ione Ghost Town

Like many other ill-fated boomtowns, the small town of Ione has managed to hang on all these years and continues to pride itself as the “Town That Refused to Die”. Originally founded all the way back in 1863, Ione catapulted to success as a trade and milling center after silver was discovered in the nearby Shoshone Mountain Range. By the time Nevada officially became a state in 1864, Ione’s population soared over 600 and proudly held the title of Nye County’s seat. By 1867, most of Ione’s population had dwindled and the county seat was relocated to Belmont.  With a very small population of 41, not much remains open to the public. Ione’s post office closed for the last time in 1959, and it appears all remaining businesses have ceased except for one market. The buildings remain surprisingly intact. It is not far from Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park.

Candelaria Ghost Town

Rediscover the spirit of the Silver State in one of the richest, and once-largest silver mining towns in southwestern Nevada. Founded in 1864, the rich silver deposits within Candelaria were first discovered by Mexican prospectors searching for gold and silver in southwestern Nevada. Within a few short years, this modest mining camp exploded into the most productive mining district in all southwestern Nevada. The town of Candelaria had two hotels, doctors, lawyers, a post office, many shops and many saloons. During the height of Candelaria’s boom, the Carson and Colorado Railroad was completed and ran through the Candelaria mining district. Lack of water was the cause of this town’s downfall as it was needed for mining.  Visit today to take in an original Wells Fargo building and a stone mercantile building with massive window frames still equipped with metal storm windows. You will also find more mining remains, cabins, and a cemetery. The closest town is Hawthorne.

Marietta Ghost Town

Unlike most Nevada boomtowns, Marietta wasn’t in the business of mining gold or silver. Its wealth came from borax, a specialized salt used in cleaning, medicine, ceramics, and metallurgy. A few hundred residents called Marietta home after the 1877 borax discovery, but the town busted in the 1890s when better deposits were found near Death Valley. Today, you’ll find a handful of standing structures in good condition and a half dozen foundations, plus a cemetery.  Shortly after turning onto dirt, you’ll be in the Marietta Wild Burro Range, a 66,500-acre tract of desert wilderness home to around 85 burros. Don’t forget your binoculars, as there are plenty of excellent vantage points to do some spotting. After winding down into an alkaline flat valley, you’ll be rewarded with a view of Boundary Peak, Nevada’s tallest mountain. The remains of Marietta are scattered along the north end of the valley.  High clearance, 4WD vehicles are required after getting off the highway, along with the ability to navigate a paper map (no cell service). This also is around Hawthorne.

Paradise Valley Ghost Town

Prospectors originally came to this remote valley for the gold, but many stayed to farm hay in its fertile soil. That tradition continues to this day as descendants of the early settlers, about 100 people, still live and work in this beautiful slice of northern Nevada. Plenty of old wood buildings survive in this historic community, making it a well-preserved relic of a 19th-century farm. Be sure to check out the Micca House, a historic home built in 1885 that went on to become a department store, post office, and government office. Afterwards, stop in at the Paradise Valley Saloon & Grill (a legendary Sagebrush Saloon) for a Basque chorizo burger. The closest town is Winnemucca.

Midas Ghost Town

Named for the mythological king whose touch turned everything to gold, the boomtown of Midas certainly lived up to its name for a short time. Between 1907-1908, it erupted into a tent town of around 2,000 residents. The town stayed running for the next four decades before most mines closed in the 1940s. Midas is still home to a handful of residents who work hard to maintain their historic community. When visiting, park on Main Street and check out the remains of an assay office, drug store, and a charming collection of false-front structures. The closest town is Winnemucca.

Off the Beaten Path Ghost Towns

Metropolis Ghost Town

In 1909, East Coast investors purchased a parcel of the Nevada desert intending to build a modern farming town. In fact, much of the community was built in advance of the first residents, including a railroad station, sidewalks, streetlamps, fire hydrants, parks, and a four-block commercial district. The town reached a peak population of around 2,000. Because Metropolis was proposing 40,000 acres of farmland, that would mean very little of the precious desert water available for the farmers downstream. These farmers sued and Metropolis was only granted 10 percent of the water it needed. Needless to say, this started the decline of this town and it was abandoned in the 1940’s. You can park by the ruins of the Hotel Metropolis. It’s a short walk to the town’s most photogenic landmark: the schoolhouse archway. There are dozens of other relics here and you will also find a well-kept cemetery. This is 11 miles NW of Wells, NV.

Delamar Ghost Town

Delamar ghost town lies nearly 150 miles (or about 2.5 hours) northeast of Las Vegas, nearest the southeastern community of Caliente. This abandoned ghost town is 30 minutes on a dirt road off HWY 93. Though unimaginably profitable, Delamar quickly became known as “The Widowmaker.” When the gold was crushed and processed, it created a toxic silica dust. When miners working in the mines and mills breathed it in, they often developed silicosis, meeting untimely deaths. When you visit Delamar ghost town today, you can explore countless stone structures that have survived the Mojave Desert elements for more than 100 years. You’ll also run across foundations and entire structures made from native rock, distinguishing Delamar from other Nevada ghost towns, along with two historic cemeteries and mill sites.

Tuscarora Ghost Town

Tuscarora was founded in 1867 after brothers John and Steven Beard discovered gold a few miles up the valley from the town’s present site. Near their claim, they established a mostly luckless mining community they named Tuscarora in honor of a U.S. gunboat. The town is located partway up the slope of Mt. Blitzen because that’s where a massive silver strike was made in 1871, after which Tuscarora was moved to where it is today. About 52 miles northwest of Elko, this town dwindled after the mines in the area stopped producing. Stop in town to take a walk along its decaying street grid and then wander up the hill to the big chimney to enjoy the breathtaking view. While you’re at it, mail a letter. The only business in town is a still-functioning post office, staffed daily, that services the ranches spread out across the valley.

Belmont Mill Ghost Town

 Situated about an hour west of Ely off the Loneliest Road in America, ghost town hounds will be pleased with this backroad adventure because it not only promises access to one Nevada ghost town, but four. Not to be confused with Belmont Ghost Town, Belmont Mill offers visitors the historic towns of Hamilton, Treasure City, Shermantown and Belmont Mill. Hamilton, Treasure City and Shermantown experienced a true boom during these years, while Belmont Mill didn’t come into the picture until the early 1900s when the Tonopah-Belmont Development Company began developing the area in hopes of extracting missed precious metals. Unfortunately, the mines simply weren’t as profitable as they’d hoped. Within a few short years, the entire operation shut down. Happily, most of these ruins are still intact today.

Final Thoughts

Nevada’s ghost towns offer a captivating look into the past, from the Wild West saloons of Goodsprings to the eerie remnants of Rhyolite. Whether you prefer guided tours or self-guided exploration, these abandoned settlements provide an unforgettable experience. You can do a day trip or plan a longer road trip, but whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong touring these ghost towns.

Maybe cowboys are more your thing, than ghost towns, try Nevada’s Cowboy Corridor Road Trip, learn more here. How about exploring the Extraterrestrial Highway, learn more about this on our blog. Or maybe you want to plan your own road trip. If you want some help planning a trip, go to Roadtrippers.com and use code: BTR5QTP to save $5. There are so many great places to explore in Nevada, but if you can’t make it to Nevada then find an adventure near you! We hope to inspire you to find your adventure. So, grab your camera, pack some essentials, and set out on a journey to uncover Nevada’s forgotten treasures.

The post Nevada Ghost Towns: Exploring the Abandoned Old West appeared first on scenicroutetravelers.com.

This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, we will receive a small percentage of the sale at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.

Las Vegas & Nearby Oddities

Mormon Fort State Historic Park

As the first permanent non-native settlement in Nevada, this restored fort offers glimpses into pioneer life. The adobe structure contains exhibits about early Las Vegas history and Mormon settlers. Regular demonstrations showcase traditional crafts and activities from the 1850s.

The Guardian Angel Cathedral

This striking modernist church showcases remarkable stained-glass windows and angular architecture designed by Paul R. Williams. The cathedral’s exterior features a 90-foot-tall angel sculpture looking over the Las Vegas Strip. Inside, visitors find a peaceful sanctuary adorned with contemporary religious artworks.

Johnston’s J-Bar-B Stables

Just 20 minutes northwest of downtown Las Vegas, a private horse ranch and equestrian center is surrounded by whimsical, tasteful artwork. Cut-metal flowers decorate the property’s side gate, while sheet metal cowboys and cowgirls can be seen atop various inner structures. While you can’t enter, the roadside view is worth a quick photo stop.

Day Trip from Las Vegas

Lost City Museum

Located in Overton, this museum preserves artifacts from ancient Puebloan settlements. The facility houses an extensive collection of Native American pottery and tools recovered before Lake Mead’s creation. Visitors can explore reconstructed pueblo dwellings on the museum grounds.

Art Stroll in Boulder City

 Boulder City Public Art Scape brought art to the streets of downtown. This exhibition displays more than 30 eclectic sculptures throughout the area. These incredible art pieces are the perfect excuse to take a stroll through the city. Heading into Boulder City you will see some art dedicated to the men who built the Hoover Dam. After your stroll, take a short drive to Hemenway Valley Park to see the Bighorn Sheep that come here daily to graze and relax.

Pioneer Saloon

Nevada’s Pioneer Saloon doesn’t just look like an old-timey saloon, it really began as one. The historic landmark of Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada may be the example for every Western bar ever depicted. Built by businessman George Fayle in 1913, the bar and its attendant general store quickly became the centerpiece of town, drawing locals and celebrities alike and is now the oldest working saloon in Nevada. There’s plenty of memorabilia to see including some original newspaper clippings, bullet holes, and the unique stamped tin exterior walls of the saloon, manufactured by Sears & Roebuck. Goodsprings is less than an hour south of Las Vegas.

Cottonwood Coffin Store

Pahrump is home to a charming little family-run coffin shop. Yes, a coffin shop. While Cottonwood is what the proprietors refer to as their actual home and property, their business – Coffin It Up – is open and available to field requests about all the coffin-shaped goods you’d ever dream of being custom made to fit your liking. Situated along the Death Valley Rally, a lovely husband-and-wife team run Coffin It Up, a charismatic coffin-themed business. Initially driven into the old-school, six-point coffin making business to make coffins at a more reasonable price, this dynamic duo now offers tours of their macabre, made-to-order, coffin-shaped everything business, including their workshop, hearse collection, and “Church of the Coffin” wedding chapel.

Seven Magic Mountains

Head west on Las Vegas Blvd. and you will see the exit for Seven Magic Mountains. Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains is a public art installation south of Las Vegas. The artwork features seven 30-foot towers made from colorful, stacked boulders, set against the dark Ivanpah Valley landscape.

Free Range Art Highway (I-95)

If unusual art, plenty of photo ops and wide-open roads gets you excited, then this road trip should be your next unusual adventure. This 500-mile stretch from Las Vegas to Reno has numerous outdoor installations including Seven Magic Mountains. Let’s look at more of them.

Goldwell Open Air Museum

The first place you should stop is Beatty, NV where you will find Goldwell Open Air Museum. Featuring seven colossal sculptures that include a ghostly life-size version of Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the Last Supper, a 25-foot pink woman constructed from cinder blocks, a 24-foot steel prospector and penguin, a gleaming tangle of chrome car accessories and a finely-carved winged woman who reaches for the sun from her perch atop a wooden pillar, the Goldwell Museum is certainly no average art experience.  If you like exploring ghost towns and have some extra time head to Rhyolite Ghost Town a few miles from Beatty.

Goldfield Historic Cemetery

About an hour from Beatty, you will come to Goldfield. Here you can browse historic epitaphs of residents long since passed including the unfortunate “DIED EATING LIBRARY PASTE.” Need we say more? Follow a two-lane dirt road to the back left and you’ll find the really old graves adorned with painted white rocks with red lettering.

.Gemfield Gems & Mining Claim

Situated about 4 miles from Goldfield you not only will be able to Rockhound Chalcedony, but you’re likely to see the wild burros and wild horses that hang out here. This is a pay-to-dig site, and you will need to bring your own rockhounding tools.

International Car Forest of the Last Church

The International Car Forest of the Last Church is a surreal art installation in the desert, featuring over 40 cars planted nose-first into the ground. On the outskirts of Goldfield about half-a-mile off Highway 95, lies the “International Car Forest of the Last Church” -an art installation of 40 graffiti splattered, old cars, trucks, and buses buried nose down into the desert.

Clown Motel

Located in Tonopah, this circus-themed lodging houses a collection of over 2,000 clown figurines and memorabilia. The motel’s lobby showcases an extensive display of clown portraits and dolls. It is adjacent to the Old Tonopah cemetery. While in town you should also visit Tonopah Historic Mining Park, the historic downtown area and the other famous hotel, Mizpah Hotel, known for its many ghosts! Not an art installations but still a must see on the Free-Range Art Highway.

Once you come to Reno, there are 120 or more art installations throughout midtown and downtown. This will be the last stop on the highway.

Reno and Northern Nevada Curiosities

Last Chance Joe

Last Chance Joe is a 36-foot-tall cartoon-like “jolly old miner.” For 56 years he stood out in front of Sparks’s Nugget Hotel where his happy smile greeted visitors. In 2014 a new owner bought the casino and almost demolished this popular Nevada roadside attraction. But the city stepped in and saved Last Chance Joe: he now stands in front of the Sparks Museum.

The Shoe Tree of Middlegate

A roadside oddity in Fallon, make a stop at The Shoe Tree of Middlegate, just east of Highway 50. The Shoe Tree near Middlegate is exactly what it sounds like, a tree adorned with hundreds of shoes thrown by travelers. This tradition started when a couple threw their shoes on the tree after their wedding in a Reno chapel, and after every happy year together, they returned to the tree and threw up another pair. Over the years, this quirky attraction has become a symbol of camaraderie, love, and good luck for those traveling through the Nevada desert.

Fly Geyser

Fly Geyser (also known as Fly Ranch Geyser) is a man-made geothermal geyser in Black Rock Desert. The geyser in the shape of three six-foot-tall rainbow cones that spew boiling water nearly 12 feet up into the air. The geyser can be seen from the road.  Since it was purchased by the Burning Man Project in 2016, the public is allowed to visit through a guided nature walk. Prospective visitors need to purchase tickets. Located about two hours from Reno in Gerlach, NV.

Guru Road

This two mile road north of Gerlach, NV will provide you with words of wisdom and hand-carved whimsy that line this mile-long road to reflection, along with several larger art pieces, including a weather station, Aphrodite, a tribute to Elvis, and the Desert Broadcast System, all the legacy of Gerlach local DeWayne “Doobie” Williams, who built the area up between 1978 and 1992.

Main Street Art Park

 Located in Fernely, NV you can take a stroll along a paved walkway that meanders through several artworks that were once featured at Burning Man or created by the local community. Here you will find Desert Tortoise, a 25-foot long and 17-foot tall sculpture crafted from boulders from a local quarry and thousands of 4”x4” painted ceramic tiles of images which reflect the culture of Fernley and the surrounding area. You can’t miss Bottlecap Gazebo. The name comes from the thousands of recycled bottle caps that were individually smashed flat and drilled and strung together with wire in the form of leaves, creating complex lattices of glimmering colors and patterns. 

Middlegate Station

This Old West eatery along America’s Loneliest Road was originally a stop on the Pony Express. This rustic restaurant in the heart of the Nevada desert is decorated with bull skulls, a neon “BAR” sign, and an antique wagon. The ceiling of Middlegate Station is covered in cash for decor, and you can make a donation of your own. According to the owner, the cash on the ceiling started because there wasn’t a nearby bank. Regulars donated to the ceiling with their names on it so they’d have some left to spend on another visit.  This is about an hour east of Fallon, NV.

Thunder Mountain Monument

Located in Imlay, about an hour and a half from Reno you will find this Nevada Historic Site. Chief Thunder created this folk-art environment over several decades as a tribute to Native American culture. The site features intricate sculptures made from found objects, concrete, and local materials. Weather-worn structures and mystical figures tell stories of Indigenous heritage and environmental conservation. Located right off I-80 along the Cowboy Corridor

Quirkiness Around Carson City

Republic of Molossia

Located near the town of Dayton, this self-proclaimed micronation of Molossia operates as a sovereign territory under the leadership of President Kevin Baugh. The tiny ‘country’ features its own customs station, a national bank, and a space program. Visitors can tour this 1.3-acre property to see unique attractions like the Peace Pole and Molossia Railroad. It is just a 31-minute drive from Carson City and an 18-minute drive from Virginia City. Its proud heritage and history make it the perfect stop for people who are looking to experience a unique destination you’ll only find in Nevada.

VW Beetle Spider

 On the side of Highway 50 East, between Carson City and Dayton, is a giant metal spider made from a vintage Volkswagen Beetle. Giant spiders with bodies made from Volkswagen Beetles make popular tourist attractions. This one has been around since 1979 and was created by artist David Fambrough. On the side of Highway 50 East, between Carson City and Dayton, Nevada, sits a giant metal spider made from a vintage Volkswagen Beetle. Great photo op.

Chocolate Nugget Factory

Halfway between Carson City and Reno you’ll run into the Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory where, for three generations, the Saltzwimmer family has been selling chocolates and souvenirs to Nevada road trippers and locals alike. Outside of the Washoe Valley shop you’ll find a giant Old Prospector statue that used to live at the Nugget Casino in Reno.

Off the Beaten Path Wonders

Area 51 Alien Center

This extraterrestrial-themed rest stop serves as a gateway to the mysterious Area 51. It is in Amargosa Valley.  The center features alien-themed merchandise, a dedicated UFO museum, and local conspiracy theory information. Visitors can enjoy alien-themed snacks while learning about Nevada’s extraterrestrial connections.

Big Bovine of the Desert (Alphie the Cow)

 Towering the deserts of Amargosa Valley, Alphie the Cow is a tourist attraction drawing hundreds of visitors as they gather for a photo op with the 14-ft.-tall dairy cow. Keeping the cow company are other oversized statues, including two brass bulls and a pig. This 14-foot-tall bovine stood on the roof of the now-demolished Holy Cow! Casino and Brewery in Las Vegas, and wore a pair of neon sunglasses. When the brewery closed in April 2002 the cow was purchased by Longstreet Inn and Casino owner Jim Marsh, who ditched the sunglasses and moved her here (The odd lump on her head originally supported horns, now lost).

Traveling on the Extraterrestrial Highway

If you head up Extraterrestrial Highway you will come to quite a few alien related businesses. When you come to Hiko, you will see the Alien Research Center. You can’t miss it with the tall aluminum alien in front. You can also stop and get some great jerky at E.T. Fresh Jerky. Head up the road a ways to Rachel, NV and make a stop at the Alien Cowpoke Gas & General Store and the Little A’Le’Inn. For more about going on the Extraterrestrial Highway Road trip, see our blog: Exploring Nevada’s ET Highway.

Permanent Wave Society

A whimsical, punny collection of “fence art” outside the tiny mountain town of Baker, Nevada. The collection of figures and statues, known as “Post” Impressionist Art due to its placement on fence posts, was initiated in 1997 by “Doc” Sherman, who found the practice of creating art to be therapeutic for his partially paralyzed body. Sherman’s first creation was a pair of rubber gloves filled with cement hung on the roadside fence; hence the name, “Permanent Wave.”

Over the course of two decades, the tongue-in-cheek collection has expanded to creations by other artists in the adjacent town of Baker, Nevada. The small and beautiful town of Baker offers a wide variety of other little-known attractions, including the Border Inn, a hotel whose rooms are in Utah while its office, restaurant, and casino are in Nevada.

Final Thoughts

If you love road trips and discovering the weird, the wild, and the wonderful, Nevada is your ultimate adventure playground. Whether it’s eerie ghost towns, jaw-dropping art installations, or oddball roadside stops, these quirky attractions promise a road trip like no other.

 We always want to give you information and tips that we learn to help you make informed decisions when planning your vacations. If you need ideas on more road trips, go to Roadtrippers.com to get some great ideas. Use discount code: BTR5QTP to save $5. We hope to encourage you to find your own adventures.  So, fuel up, hit the open road, embrace the unexpected and make wonderful memories!

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