Wide Open

A wet winter in the Great Basin is pretty much always a good thing. Most Nevadans will gladly sit through their third April snowstorm if that means babbling brooks and green hillsides into July. But it’s not only grass, sage, and alfalfa that reap the rewards of strong runoff: Snowcapped peaks in spring means a bumper crop of beautiful wildflowers.

Few road trips brim with as much Western heritage as Nevada’s Cowboy Corridor. And here’s the thing: Interstate 80’s speed limits hit 80 mph but when you come to a town, slow down. Beyond those off-ramps, you’ll find lively communities full of history and engaging attractions, with museums, restaurants, and festivals blend buckaroo, Basque, and American Indian traditions. So, pack your boots, hit the Cowboy Corridor, and become part of the story.

Nevada is known for many things: Las Vegas, mining, and wide-open spaces, for example. While some people may be aware, it’s perhaps less known that the state is home to more ghost towns than currently populated ones. Many states have ghost towns, but here, there are more than 600 spread across the desert landscape. That figure outnumbers populated towns almost five-to-one, based on the approximately 175 zip-coded locales in the state. So just how did Nevada end up with so many places no one wanted to call home any longer? And what is a ghost town, exactly? Are there really “living” ghost towns? Read on for the answers to these questions and more.

There’s nothing quite like overnighting in a cabin. Simple, secure, and weatherproof, cabins provide comfortable shelter in even the most remote areas. And for those folks that aren’t fans of tent camping, cabins are an excellent way to experience the elements while keeping those creature comforts. Plenty of cabin getaways await across the Silver State, but here are some of our favorites to get you started. 

Fish Lake Valley is a green stretch of high desert straddling the Nevada-California border. Even by Nevada standards, this is rural country. Beyond the tiny town of Dyer—home to one gas station and no stoplight—only farms and weathered homesteads dot the landscape.

As the seventh largest state, Nevada offers plenty of backroads and byways to choose. Not only that, it's also one of the most geologically diverse states. Where else could you drive through mountains filled with forests of evergreens, valleys covered in a sea of sagebrush, and a strip of neon castles seen from space? Get behind the wheel and discover why Nevada is known as a land of contrasts.

From sunbathers to weekend warriors, Echo Canyon's 70-acre reservoir offers something for everyone. Boaters may use the ramp (when water levels are high) but are also welcome to launch from the shore. Anglers will encounter a good population of rainbow trout stocked by the Nevada Division of Wildlife (always keep your Nevada fishing license handy whether fishing in the water or on shore).

Road trips call to those who seek a little adventure in their travels, and the Rubies Route is a jewel that sparkles particularly bright in the summer sun. With Elko as your hub, you’ll have the choice of three main spokes that lead to scenic slices of recreation-packed paradise.