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Cowboy Corridor
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.
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Uncommon Overnighters: Kingston Cabin
Many moons ago, I wrote about my best-ever stay in Nevada, at a little place in Kingston. Times change and businesses close, so my search began anew for my favorite spot. I’m thrilled to say I’ve got a new leader on the clubhouse wall, and I’m not surprised it happens to be in the same locale. Kingston Cabin—in the small hamlet of Kingston (population less than 150)—offers that exceptional combination of a perfectly furnished stay in a sublime location. The two are inextricably linked to me, so let’s tackle them one at a time.
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Ghost Town Primer
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.
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Through the Lens: Nevada’s Wild Northwest
During my senior year of high school, I took a trip to the Black Rock Desert. I remember sitting in the back seat as we drove through Wadsworth and Nixon, past mysterious Pyramid Lake, and into the unknown toward the tiny town of Gerlach. The landscape was alien to me; at that point in my life, I hadn’t explored outside the Gardnerville-Carson City-Reno area, and I had no idea what secrets hid in the Nevada desert.
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Cabin Fever
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.
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The Loneliest Road in America
In July 1986, “Life” magazine used the term “The Loneliest Road in America” to describe the stretch of U.S. Route 50—more commonly known as Highway 50—from Fernley to Ely. AAA even advised against traveling the highway, claiming there was nothing to see. They noted that anyone crazy enough to make the journey should carry survival gear such as water and cold-weather clothes.
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Fish Lake Valley
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.
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Rainbow Canyon
As a 30-something-year Nevada resident and a writer for Nevada Magazine & Visitor Guide, I've spent a lot of time on the road. I can safely say I have been on every major state route and highway, not to mention countless graded backroads and washed-out two-tracks. Over the years, a few routes have become favorites, and I always look forward to taking or recommending them.
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Southern Nevada’s Scenic Drives
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.
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Star Park
Nevadaʼs national park has many natural wonders. Its pristine caverns, bristlecone stands, and snow-capped peaks attract tens of thousands of visitors each year despite the parkʼs remote setting. Over the past decade, however, this quiet corner of the state has become famous for another—and increasingly rare—natural resource: its near-perfect night sky.
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Echo Canyon State Park
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).
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Ready to Ride?
Nevada is home to more than 300 named mountain ranges, more than any of the other contiguous U.S. states. It stands to reason that mountain biking is a hugely popular sport in the Silver State. While the trails around Lake Tahoe are well-known in the two-wheel community, the last decade has seen an explosion of trails in less-obvious parts of the state. Exploring new trails can be both exciting and daunting but have no fear: Bindlestiff Tours is here.
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Set Your Sights on Dazzling Views
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.
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Exploring the Extraterrestrial Highway
It started as a joke. Or maybe more of a bad pun. “A Rachel in Rachel, Nevada.” Unexpectedly, the little quip snowballed. “Ali at the Little Ali-Inn,” playing off the legendary Little A’Le’Inn near Area 51. Before we knew it, the two of us were packing up the car, topping off the gas tank, and departing Carson City. Bound for the Extraterrestrial Highway, we were ready for a true Nevada road trip.
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Birding Among The Ancient Ones
Scaly Joshua trees sweep by in shades of brown, green, and gold on the route to the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, now part of the 500,000-acre Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. Located west of Searchlight on State Highway 164, this hushed landscape gently slopes down from the base of the McCullough Range. At 6,050 acres, the wilderness provides critical habitat for many species of plants and animals, including more than 100 species of birds.
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Tuscarora
In 1962, a Washington D.C.-based potter named Dennis Parks stopped in Tuscarora during a cross country road trip. He had heard about the remote Nevada community—located an hour north of Elko—from a friend who had recommended it as the perfect artist retreat. Upon arrival, he found what looked be a ghost town of crumbling brick chimneys and weathered homesteads.