Features

What do you get when you combine wide open spaces with stunning fall foliage? There’s no punchline, and it’s no joke that the Silver State has a lot to offer leaf-peepers. With gorgeous October colors awaiting, a road trip was in order, so Senior Graphic Designer Alexandria Olivares-Wenzel and I grabbed our cameras and hit the road.

If someone knows just one thing about Nevada, it’s probably how huge the state is, or how almost 85 percent of its land is public. What they might not know is how seriously we take off-roading around here. In fact, Nevada is home to the very first congressionally designated off-road (as in dirt) trail in the country. Another thing we're serious about? Helping you get onto the lesser-traveled backroads that traverse our landscape. 

In the mid-1860s, stories spread of a rich silver lode in Nevada. Thousands of treasure seekers arrived from all points of the compass, and by 1870, the mining camp became one of the largest cities in the West outside of San Francisco. For years, wealth poured from its surrounding hills as if from a broken tap. When the bonanza inevitably ended, the town lived on and weathered another century and a half. Today, it is a rare living artifact of the 19th century.

From adventurers and gunslingers to writers and thinkers, Nevada’s history was shaped by individuals witah grit and drive. Each issue, we look at one of these notable heroes from the past. Whether born or raised, these aren’t just Nevadans: they’re Legendary Nevadans. 

Tucked back in the Egan Mountains about 30 miles south of Ely—and an hour from Great Basin National Park—is Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park. As you approach, you’ll spot its six massive beehive-shaped charcoal ovens peeking over the hills, a sign you’re in for a very different state park experience.

As the main road for travel between Reno and Las Vegas, U.S. Route 95 sees its fair share of traffic. Millions of motorists take this 400-mile journey each year, many of them doing it more times than they can count. If that sounds like you, mix things up on your next odyssey with a ghost-town packed alternate route.

Las Vegas is in the middle of an urban cultural renaissance. A well-timed combination of affordable living, supportive city policies, and grassroots community planning has made the city a stronghold for creative expression. At the heart of this movement sits the Las Vegas Arts District and its 18-plus blocks of colorful shops, novel restaurants, and endless entertainment.  

For 150 years, the Nevada State Prison—located in Carson City—housed some of the state’s most high-profile offenders. Since shuttering in 2012, community groups have worked to preserve its past. 

If you’ve been in or near the Great Basin, you know sagebrush. It’s practically everywhere, from marshlands and mountainsides to cities and salt flats. It never appears by ones or twos, either. When it’s there, it’s usually stretching across the horizon like an ocean. 

For 28 years, Reno has transformed into Artown for the month of July. The nationally recognized event brings hundreds of performances in dance, music, and theater, not to mention art shows. Last year, Artown held more than 600 performances across 125 venues. International performers and headliners joined regional and local artists to entertain more than 300,000 attendees.

In 1971, Lahontan Reservoir was designated a state recreation area: The water that made Fallon’s famous farmland now doubled as an outdoor playground. Today, its 69 miles of shoreline attract visitors year-round.

On a quiet day in March 1926, businesses in Las Vegas shuttered their doors. Local schools closed and the federal post office was deserted. Most of the city’s residents were attending the funeral of Helen Jane Wiser Stewart. The homage paid to Stewart by the city she helped create would have surprised the unassuming woman. But the legacy of her strength, character, intelligence, and spirit was evident to all who knew her. 

While everyone vacations differently, it’s a safe bet that whether you’re a history buff or an adventure seeker, one truth is universal: you want to experience something authentic and particular to your destination. While there are plenty of roadside attractions in Nevada that fit that bill, we had something a little wilder in mind. 

This trip up Nevada’s eastern edge begins with sandstone canyons and ends at ancient bristlecone pines beneath some of the nation’s darkest skies. Along the way, explore the surreal landscapes of several state parks, visit charming communities, and hit some of the state’s best hiking and biking trails. 

You’ve seen the road signs. You’ve always talked about stopping. But each time you’re in the area, you blow right past so you can just get home. Here are the top 10 overlooked places that are right off the highway and deserve your attention. Trust us, these attractions are time well spent, so ease up on that pedal and pull over. You can thank us later. 

In late 1928, President Coolidge signed the Boulder Canyon Project Act. Its intent was simple: the US would build the world’s then-largest dam and tame the Colorado River.

The best locations for the dam were along the Nevada-Arizona border. Initially, the idea was to place it in Boulder Canyon—hence the name of the act—but surveyors later identified nearby Black Canyon as a superior site. Although the project was officially renamed Hoover Dam in 1931, people continued to call it Boulder Dam for at least another decade. 

Nevada’s major lakes are household names. But while Lake Tahoe, Lake Mead, and Pyramid Lake are popular, they only skim the surface of water recreation in the Silver State. The following backcountry destinations might mean arrival by a rough road or hike, but time it right and you could have a pristine aquatic playground practically to yourself. 

Las Vegas is for everybody. Yes, Lamborghini escorts and palatial suites await high rollers, but $19.99 buffets and pinball arcades can be just as nice. There are plenty of lavish—if impractical—options worth gawking at, but this desert metropolis also offers some fantastic value for your dollar. Which is the better option? That’s up for you to decide. 

Thunderbird Lodge is a sight to behold. Even from the parking lot, visitors can’t help but snap photos of the manor nestled amid pine trees and car-sized boulders. The summer home of a Depression-era millionaire, Thunderbird Lodge is lavish and remote. It is also a place of many secrets that, when revealed, help paint a picture of the mysterious man who built it. 

Who was Howard Hughes? He is remembered as the billionaire who spent much of his late life in near isolation. His demand for privacy is the stuff of legend. When he stayed in hotel rooms, adjacent rooms were also rented, and blankets were draped over all windows. Even employees rarely—if ever—saw him, and most communication was done by phone. 

But above all, Hughes was a shrewd capitalist. To best understand this, look no further than the four years he spent in Las Vegas.  

While Nevada is home to serious outdoor splendor, not all recreation is found on hiking trails and mountain tops. For those looking for something with a little more gas, there are racetrack adventures waiting to be found. 

Walking into an old movie theater is enough to give anyone waves of nostalgia. The smell of the lobby, the buzz of the crowd, the colorful concessions: this is what makes a night out at the movies worth it. Nowhere is this truer than in these historic movie theaters found throughout the state. 

Sarah Winnemucca was born around 1844, near what is today Lovelock. Her name at birth was Thocmetony, and she was a daughter of the leading family of the Kuyuidika-a—a band of the Paiute people.  

Within a year of her birth, Winnemucca’s grandfather encountered John C. Frémont—one of the area’s first white explorers—at what is now Pyramid Lake.

You can’t get much further south in Nevada than Laughlin, and it’s worth every minute it takes to get there. Below, find eight of our favorite things to do in Laughlin.

Some structures are immediately identifiable: The Eiffel Tower, Westminster Abby, and the Space Needle among them. For Nevada ghost town enthusiasts and historians, it’s the façade to the Sutro Tunnel.

The tunnel and adjacent ghost town were closed to visitors for decades, yet the portal remained as a reminder of Comstock Lode and Nevada history. In 2021, Friends of Sutro Tunnel acquired the 150-year-old property, and today, visitors are invited to wander back in time to explore this historic site. 

One of the greatest appeals of the American West has always been that sense of unbridled freedom and room to roam. In the crowded world we live in today, it might be hard to picture that solitude and deep connection with nature, but for the modern-day pioneer, it is still within reach in a place called Nevada.

For the driest state in the U.S., Nevada’s fishing opportunities are surprisingly numerous. Lakes, creeks, rivers, streams, ponds, and reservoirs are teeming with dozens of finned wildlife species. No matter the season or style, we’ve got what you need to hook a great time. 

Nothing sparks pride in where you reside quite like a flag. However, creating a banner to represent an entire culture or geographic region isn’t easy work. Nevada’s flag is beloved by residents today, but it took four (almost five) versions until the matter was settled. 

Clear out your memory card, reorder the missing lens caps, and try to remember how that tripod works again: it’s time to dive into two remarkably photogenic state parks. 

For our ancestors, a view of the cosmos made for nightly scenery. Today, most of us enjoy the stars only a few times a year. The reason? A pristine night sky has become something of a luxury, and even areas outside cities can’t escape the light pollution. But in Nevada, wide-open landscapes promise plentiful stargazing opportunities. 

Welcome to the fourth-largest county in the entire nation. Elko County is home to the Ruby Mountains—one of Nevada’s most prized ranges—and some of the largest gold mines in the world. Many flock to this corner of the state for verdant alpine vistas, hearty Basque cuisine, top-notch gaming, and a dose of cowboy culture. 

The Silver State is home to some of the largest national wildlife refuges (NWR) in the U.S., providing dozens of specialized habitats for a collection of animals, birds, and reptiles. From the raptors and other migratory birds that soar over Nevada each year to a sanctuary so special it saved the pronghorn antelope entirely, check out this lineup of where to find some wildlife during your time in Nevada.

In ancient Greece, King Hieron's new crown was to be made of pure gold, but to be sure, the court asked the mathematician Archimedes to determine if inexpensive metals had been used instead. To think the problem over, Archimedes took a bath. As he stepped into the tub, he noticed water spilling over the side. The answer suddenly came to him! A gold bar with the same weight as the crown should displace the same amount of water. If it didn’t, then the blacksmith had certainly cheated the king. The greatest scientist of the ancient era leapt from his tub and ran undressed toward the palace, proclaiming, “Eureka! I have found it!” More than 2,000 years later, that same exclamation was evoked by prospectors in the heart of the Great Basin Desert, and from their discovery, one of the West’s richest boomtowns was born. 

You may have heard about a festival that takes place each year on a massive playa in northern Nevada. Attended by tens of thousands, the celebration of art and self-expression that is Burning Man is now a part of our cultural lexicon. While tens of thousands flock to the playa to see the incredible art pieces, most people never get to appreciate them. Lose that fear of missing out, because numerous Burning Man works can be seen in open-air galleries around the state.

At 34 years old, Jessie Beck (born Jessie Renfro) found herself recently divorced and nearly broke. Opportunities for a single mother in 1938 were few, so she was relieved to find work at a diner in Fort Worth. A few months into the job, Beck’s sister Mabel and brother-in-law Raymond “Pappy” Smith entered the restaurant. The two had just arrived from Reno, where Pappy managed the Harolds Club casino.

Legend has it that when Mormon settlers crossed the forbidding Mojave Desert, they found solace in the trees. The Joshua tree, with its branches reaching upward in almost human-like form, reminded them of the biblical character Joshua, who led his followers through the desert with outstretched arms pointing to the heavens in prayer. Although they thrive in the Mojave Desert, Joshua trees aren’t always easy to find. That is what makes the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness so special: for just a short stretch on a lonely highway, the conditions are so perfect that the surrounding hills are literally blanketed with them. 

Savvy travelers know that the best way to become truly acquainted with a place is through its cuisine—but which restaurants do you choose? How can you get a comprehensive sampling without a big price tag or exhausting trial and error? In southern Nevada, the answer is simple, thanks to Lip Smacking Foodie Tours.  

Nevada’s distinct history is borne by the nearly 600 towns that rose and fell before the 1900s even had a chance to stretch its legs. The gold and silver fever that struck the nation resulted in a clamor that touched nearly every corner of the state. While most towns bore fruit only for short periods, they literally left their mark on the state’s landscape. Many ghost towns have no more residents, but they are still full of stories, if you listen carefully.  

All Nevada is a stage, and cowpokes, artists, activists, and visionaries are the players in a drama centuries in the making. Whether born or raised, these special characters aren’t just Nevadans: they’re Legendary Nevadans. 

In 1861, Samuel Clemens was living his childhood dream as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi. The 25-year-old had established himself as a talented, respected navigator and earned a considerable salary of $70 a week (equivalent to about $2,000 today).  

But that summer, Clemens knew his days as a pilot were over. The Civil War had just begun, and military blockades were undoing his livelihood. With few prospects in his home state of Missouri, a new opportunity suddenly appeared from his older brother.  

Some of America’s favorite wild creatures thrive in Nevada’s 3-million-plus acres of wilderness. Keep an eye out for animals you know—after all, more than half the nation’s wild horses roam free here—but also species you might not expect like the surface-dwelling desert fish (the world’s rarest). Bring your camera; chances for photography and incredible encounters await.

Tucked into the hills in northeast Nevada, Ely was a thriving, multi-ethnic community for most of the 20th century. After the town entered a recession in the 1990s, a group of citizens embarked on a mission to transform one ruined block of homes into a place of living history.

So you’re in Reno and want to get acquainted with the city: where should you start? Consider this walking tour a primer for exploring the city. Beginning next to the neon and nightlife of downtown, you’ll end your walk on a bohemian street where locals shop and dine. Along the way, discover a post office-turned-indie mall, a riverside restaurant on Reno’s most historic site, and one of the town’s earliest buildings. We begin just south of the Truckee River right after crossing the bridge on Virginia Street. 

One of the lures of Nevada’s wide-open spaces is the ability to find a bit of solitude in a busy world. Sometimes finding that outdoor quiet requires long treks and dirt roads—not that there’s anything wrong with that! But sometimes, that quiet escape can be found just off the highway. No matter your choice, if you’re looking to go where the crowds aren’t, look no further than these naturally socially-distanced state parks.

Just like superheroes, every town’s name has an origin story. Some are straightforward: Mesquite is named for a tree found in the region; Carson City is named after the pioneer Kit Carson. For others, the tale has a little more to it: Yerington, for example, was originally called Greenfield, but had to be renamed when the postal service said there were already too many towns called that. Here's a look at other towns where the story is disputed, steeped in legend, or just downright fun.  

Getting down—and maybe dirty—in the hills of Nevada is one of the easiest, least expensive, and most rewarding pastimes you’ll ever find. Hunting for gems and minerals can be an easy day trip from many towns, including Fallon, Ely, and Mesquite. 

Nevada’s parks celebrate the Great Basin's natural and human history, and for this issue, we’re zeroing in on ones that tell the story of the state from prehistory to today. Get ready for a trek through time; along the way you’ll meet ancient reptiles, tour military forts, and hang out in pioneer pit stops.

Nevada’s distinct history is borne by the nearly 600 towns that rose and fell before the 1900s even had time to stretch its legs. The gold and silver fever that struck the nation resulted in a clamor that touched nearly every corner of the state. While most towns bore fruit only for short periods, they literally left their mark on the state’s landscape. Many ghost towns may have no residents, but they are still full of stories, if you listen closely.  

Spring break. The phrase conjures many thoughts, but for parents it’s one simple question— where should we take the kids? The weather can be mercurial, much like the kids’ moods, but staying home is just not an option. Across the Silver State, spring break can be celebrated indoors and out, with adventures both near and far. Here are just a few. 

While the bald eagle serves as a national emblem for the U.S., the states tend to take icons to a new level. Sure, there’s a state animal in Nevada, but there’s also a reptile, fish, and even a state insect. Without further ado, here are five creatures that Nevadans chose to embody the spirit of the state.  

On a cold October day in 1881, four men approached a group of cowboys gathered in an alley. These four represented the law in Tombstone, Arizona: City Marshal Virgil Earp, his brothers Wyatt and Morgan, and Doc Holliday. Reports of what happened next run the gamut from massacre to a fair fight, but 30 seconds later, three cowboys were dead and the West’s most famous shootout at the O.K. Corral entered the history books—guaranteeing posterity would know the names Virgil and Wyatt Earp.

In 1885, Absalom Lehman was riding south of his remote ranch near the Nevada-Utah border. As he worked his way into the verdant mountains near his homestead, the ground suddenly gave way and the horse and rider plunged through a chasm in the earth. Recovering from the fall, Lehman rose and beheld a vast cavern of geological wonder.

Until 2020, I don’t think there was ever a year that I didn't go to Pyramid Lake. That means, for 54 years, no matter where I lived, I made sure to get to my favorite lake at least once a year. My parents started taking me to Pyramid when I was just a baby, and today, I take my grandchildren there. I think I have the lake’s dirt in my blood, and I know I have it in my soul. 

“One hundred ninety-eight miles to Panaca,” our GPS announced as my husband and I left Tonopah. The robot voice pronounced it panic-uh, and Google kept autocorrecting it to panacea, and in the end, our four-day trip resulted in both being accurate.

Cathedral Gorge State Park, born of volcanic activity more than 10 million years ago, touts itself a photographer’s dream and I can attest to that being true. For a relatively small state park, it is huge in character, drama, and opportunities to explore. We spent four days and three nights at the Swallow Cove B&B in Panaca, merely 2 miles from the park entrance. If not camping at the park itself, this is the closest lodging and a perfect option for photographers who plan to be there all hours.

Sometimes, to know the heart of a town, you need to look from the outside in. Staring down into the town of Ely, located in the state’s northeastern region, I see the requisite historical buildings that dot Nevada. I see the intense landscape that flanks the area, mostly the verdant and hardy scrub brush that thrives in the clear, dry air, and the towering Egan and Schell Creek mountain ranges that soar high above the town which itself sits at more than 6,500 feet elevation.

Very little is a given in this world; in fact, we’re often told the only thing you can count on is death and taxes however there is another incontrovertible fact about humans. We need food. But beyond basic sustenance, food plays an indelible part in our lives and it touches not only our biological needs but also our social and emotional needs as well. 

When many people think Nevada, they often think Las Vegas. While this lively and entertaining city is one of Nevada’s most popular destinations, it’s not all about the lights, slots, and urban attractions. Las Vegas is environed by myriad landscapes, many of which are less than an hour’s drive from the metropolis. These simple and spontaneous trips are perfect for quenching the thirst for adventure, no matter if you’re a novice explorer or a veteran wayfarer.                

Whether seeking snow-covered peaks, rugged mountain terrain, or a stunning river expedition, some exhilarating experiences near Las Vegas await. Perfect for a full- or half-day adventure, these micro-adventures offer ideas for getting out and enjoying some of Nevada’s wonders without spending too much time planning or getting there.

Way back in days of yore there was this legendary building in a historic mining town that begged to be visited. It stood sentinel, high in the desert hills, doors shuttered for decades, with its secrets locked forever inside. It once housed the riches of miners, the homes of families, and eventually, their faded memories. I can barely recall when I first learned of this forgotten treasure…it’s been so many years now. I believe it was 2018, if memory serves.

Hunting can be difficult; then factor in logistics, travel, practice, preparation, cost of gear, scouting, and buck fever. Not to mention animals are incredibly well adapted to the environment and have been outsmarting predators for all of history. All of this compounded can be intimidating to hunters, but especially those with disabilities who rely upon a wheelchair for mobility.

The prospect doesn’t have to be intimidating, however, thanks to a group of Nevada volunteers who make it their mission to bring accessible hunting to people in wheelchairs. Each year, Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs (NOW) brings an all-inclusive hunting experience to a handful of lucky applicants. The group provides the hunt of a lifetime in Nevada, and couples the experience with adventure, education, and a whole lot of surprises.

With a gaping hunger hole in my stomach and waning morale, I stare at the absolute chaotic mess on the ground. My wife Jillian and I are 17 miles into the wild and remote Desolation Wilderness, and the destroyed plastic remnants of our nutrition for the next three days stare back at us—an amalgamation of torn Ziploc bags, crushed dehydrated beans, tiny globules of peanut butter and Spam. It is clear that our food storage method has failed, and the cunning persistence of the American black bear has won yet again.

Picture fly fishing a pristine mountain stream; a poetic scene. The sun is smiling down warmly, the birds are calmly singing, and soothing sounds of nature fill the angler with peace. Each cast is artistic, and nearly every flick of the line leads to a plump trout on the other end. Everything is perfect, and the angler smiles as they have not a care in the world. That is not what fly fishing is like at all.

Looking from the outside in, sheepherding and Basques in Nevada go hand-in-hand. But for the Basque immigrant life wasn’t that simple. First, he had to overcome a language barrier, as well as homesickness. He then had to learn a completely foreign skill—herding sheep—under strenuous circumstances.

For the pioneer of the mid-1800s leaving life behind to verify whispers of gold out west, the scene must've been something spectacular. In many cases, the ordinary family farm wagon was modified for the trip: hickory bows were affixed to the wagon bed and a canvas cloth was stretched over the top. The wagons in those days became known as prairie schooners, due to the cover’s resemblance to a boat’s sail.

Las Vegas is known for its toasty temperatures, celebrity-studded swimming pools, and steamy nightlife. It’s often called an adult Disneyland where adventure and fantasy can be found around seemingly every corner, and activities of every stripe can be found. There is one thing, however, that many visitors don’t know about Las Vegas: it’s a great place to go skiing and snowboarding. 

You read that correctly, and while no one is comparing the Spring Mountains to the Alps, with just a modicum of effort, a winter adventure awaits above the desert of southern Nevada. 

Something Spectral Part 1: Carson City offers a host of spooky sites. BY MEGG MUELLER & ERIC CACHINERO With an arsenal of abandoned historical buildings and eerie locations, Nevada can occasionally be spooky. Much of the energy stems from the state’s mining history, which got grizzly and dark at times. Mine fires and construction catastrophes […]

Each seasoned bird hunter knows the feeling. The perfect conditions lead to the perfect day hunting. A warm sun complements solitude offered atop the mountain peaks, hunting dogs bound and leap with electrified energy searching for birds, and a light layer of snow on the ground reveals hundreds of tiny chukar footprints. Suddenly, the hunter hears the intoxicating and familiar chirping of dozens of chukar high on the mountain above him.

Chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck.

Mother Nature has tried to have her way with the northeastern town of Wells. Fires and a powerful earthquake have done their best to level the micropolitan burg about 50 miles east of Elko, without success. So too did the winds of change, when the town was all but bypassed by progress, but in the face of it all, Wells has persevered and maintained its charm while keeping a weather eye on the future.

Railroad town is riding a new wave of economic prosperity. BY MEGG MUELLER A person with true grit is often defined as someone who sticks to their goals, despite problems, setbacks, and failures. Having true grit means you are tough and determined…you have a steadfast core. In 2019, we are highlighting towns in Nevada that […]

The Silver State has seen many towns come and go; ghost towns litter the state and have been said to outnumber live towns 6 to 1. While many living towns have seen their fortunes rise and fall, and their populations swell and dwindle, very few have felt it the way Hawthorne has.

A century of the Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West. BY GUY CLIFTON In spring 1919, the Commercial Club of Reno—a precursor to the Reno Chamber of Commerce—created a committee known as the Reno Rodeo Association. The committee was filled with many of the city’s leading citizens, including cattle baron William H. Moffat, auto dealer […]

From 1841-1869, the lure of gold and silver, gentler weather, and the chance for a new life encouraged some 250,000 people to leave the comforts of their eastern homes and set out West. Many emigrants chose to follow the California Trail, and many died when they tried to cross the 40-Mile Desert, which ran roughly between Lovelock and Fernley.

There is a lot to see in Nevada—110,557 square miles of rugged, picturesque mountains, lakes, and desert. Because of the state’s large size and wide-open spaces, it can be daunting for even the most courageous traveler to figure out how to see it all, or even where to start. That is where commemorative passports come into play.

The cycle of life in many Nevada towns can be measured by the presence of mining activity. Ore found? Boom! Ore depleted? Bust! The town of Beatty has ridden the mining roller coaster for most of its existence, and it would be an oversimplification to say the lack of mining business has routinely dampened the town’s economy. From its very beginnings, however, Beatty has continued to go with the flow.

Nevada roads go on forever. Small towns appear on the horizon, but are often quickly in the rearview mirror with little more than a passing thought about the town’s existence. And while tourism is the state’s largest industry—and the focus of this magazine—it is not why all towns in Nevada exist. This year, we honor some of those towns that defy easy description but stand tall in the desert, refusing to give into the sways of economic hardship or the passing of time. These towns bloom in the dirt, and they embody true grit. First up: Battle Mountain.

Technology developed in the early days of Nevada mining required innovation, experimentation, and a whole lot of determination.

Vagabond rolling stock was centerpiece on the day America changed. BY GUY CLIFTON As artifacts go, Coach 17 is not the prettiest piece of Virginia & Truckee (V&T) rolling stock at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City. Its exterior is rough, including multiple holes in the siding left courtesy of an untold number of acorn […]

Nevada’s Department of Wildlife protects all aspects of the Silver State, on and off the water. BY CHRIS LEWIS It’s the start of Labor Day weekend in southern Nevada. Along the state’s highways in the morning hours, a long procession of vehicles travels in a single direction—many with boats and jet skis in tow. They come […]

During the night of Oct. 1, 1903, on the Southern Pacific line near Beowawe, The Atlantic Express and No. 219 trains barreled down the tracks; one headed east, one headed west, respectively. The only problem with this seemingly normal scenario was that the trains were on the same track, heading not in opposite directions, but directly toward each other. In the dead of night, two gigantic hunks of metal weighing thousands of tons and traveling at high rates of speed, collided head on.

A treaty with Spain, a skirmish with California, gold strikes, frontier astronomers, a stubborn surveyor, and plenty of errors combined to create Nevada’s unmistakable shape.

Transitory Train Towns NEW RAIL ROUTES OFTEN LEFT OLD TOWNS OUT TO DRY. BY ERIC CACHINERO It is generally well known that train-sized holes were drilled through hundreds of yards of solid rock to lay railroad tracks during the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad. In fact, throughout Donner Pass, countless tons of rock were […]

The Middle of Everywhere Not content to be a drive-through town, Tonopah is leading the charge of change. BY MEGG MUELLER In a 1975 story about Tonopah in Nevada Magazine, the writer spent a great deal of space discussing how favorable Tonopah’s climate is for those suffering from various conditions, such as bronchitis, arthritis, rheumatism, […]

If you were to take all of the concrete used to build the Hoover (Boulder) Dam, there would be enough to create a 4-foot-wide sidewalk around the equator, or enough to build a two lane road from Seattle to Miami, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Department also estimates that the dam weighs 6.6 million tons (13,200,000,000 pounds). So how did 1930s-era civil and industrial engineers figure out how to transport approximately 13.2 billion pounds of concrete, along with millions more tons of metal and other materials? They teamed up with another type of engineer—the railroad engineer.

The days of illicit back-alley poker games and nickel slots paying out drinks and cigars were over, and gaming quickly became one of the state's most important industries. Since that time, the core of the industry—the games—has changed, led by technology and followed closely by the desire for bigger payouts, and more entertaining games.

HIGHWAYMEN Nevada outlaws conducted the first train robbery in the West. BY ERIC CACHINERO   Just two and a half short years after the Central Pacific Railroad arrived in Reno, an engineer found his forehead on the business end of at least one six-shooter. Rather inconveniently for the engineer, the man whose trembling finger danced […]

The Race To Bullfrog Two of America’s captains of industry clashed in this desert railroad battle. BY FRANK WRIGHT This story first appeared in the July/August 1992 issue of Nevada Magazine. In 1905, two railroads began making a mad dash across the desert north of Las Vegas. The object of the race was to capture […]

The Great Seal of the State of Nevada dates from Nevada’s constitutional convention of 1863-1864. Among symbols representing agriculture, mining and other industries, is a train. In December 1863, the convention committee responsible for the seal described the train on the seal as “approaching, very slowly.” This was an understatement to say the least, and the statement may even have been a joke. At the time, the Central Pacific—the railroad closest to Nevada and the one that would eventually connect Nevada with the world—had barely 10 miles of track on the ground.

Trails to Rails, Roads, and Skyways The railroad comes to Nevada In the pioneer days, men dreamed of railroads that would cross the continent. These dreams haunted men until they became realities, and so the railroads came to contribute their share in the building of the West. Laying rails over endless miles of undeveloped country […]

General aviation in rural Nevada often faces a turbulent future BY MEGG MUELLER Nevada is the land of wide-open space. Miles of highway, endless valleys, and vistas are the stuff road trippers dream about. Some travelers to the Silver State, however, don’t need any roads. Certain intrepid sightseers prefer to do their traveling with a […]

Autumn de Forest – Stays Grounded In Nevada Young artist paints beautiful picture of a world she aims to help. BY CHRIS LEWIS PHOTOS COURTESY AUTUMN DE FOREST An iconic image of a small boy suffering the ravages of war in Syria is hard to forget; it is one of the most recognizable of the […]

“Welcome home.”
They were the first words I remember hearing as I was received with open arms at the greeter station to participate in my first Burning Man. I was a Burning Man virgin in 2011 with no true concept of the weight of the words that welcomed me.

Nevada Wildflowers As many know, Nevada has seen an abundantly wet winter this year, so it was a no-brainer to include a look at the bumper crop of beauty that can be found in our normally arid climate. While a desert state might not be the first place you’d think of when you go looking […]

During its 150 years of continuous operation the Nevada State Prison in Carson City played a significant role in the history of Nevada, protecting its citizens, influencing architecture, and amassing an impressive list of historically significant events. The prison now sits idle after closing its doors on May 12, 2012.

Atomic testing is remembered as a sensational and sometimes sinister era of the state’s history. BY ERIC CACHINERO On the morning of May 5, 1955, a family nested in their contemporary dream home. A tall redbrick chimney and lovely shutters complemented the whitewashed exterior, which gave an exquisite view of the surrounding desert mountains. The […]

EXPLORING THE GHOST  RAILROADS OF CENTRAL NEVADA HISTORIC SITES LAY TRACKS TO THE PAST. BY JIM PRICE “Choo, Choo!” I know it seems child-like, but every time my wife and I are driving along what we know is an abandoned railroad grade I just can’t help myself. We ride through cuts and overfills that were built […]

NO LIMITS NEVADA’S OUTDOOR SPLENDOR CAN BE ENJOYED BY EVERYONE, EVEN THOSE WITH LIMITED MOBILITY. BY BRETT FISHER There was a time when I thought much of Nevada was beyond my reach. Experiencing spastic muscles in my legs and reduced mobility, I was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), an upper motor neuron disease affecting muscles […]

  Lessons to be Learned Stewart Indian School is Still Teaching that the Past Should be Remembered BY JOYCE HOLLISTER Sports and girls. Those were what made Buck Sampson happy at Stewart Indian School in Carson City during his first few weeks there in 1968. While he ended up playing baseball and joining the boxing […]

A VIEW FROM THE TOP On Nevada’s northwestern edge, Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge offers historic splendor. BY SHEVAWN VON TOBEL Nevadans can be proud of our unbelievable access to wide-open spaces, expansive views, and plenty of room to roam. From the rugged mountains of central Nevada to the colorful rock arrangements in the south, to […]

UNLEASH YOUR INNER JASON BOURNE The mission for cinematic adventure is on in Las Vegas. BY CHRIS LEWIS Las Vegas built its reputation as the place to fulfill fantasies. Ever since Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo, the city has promised to transport us to somewhere else and maybe even transform us into someone else. In the […]

  80 years of mystery and magic surround Lake Tahoe’s famed estate. BY MEGG MUELLER If the Internet had been around in the 1930s, the legend of George Whittell Jr. would far outshine the scandal-plagued celebrities of today. And while he was himself a raconteur, the adage would still be true; you can’t believe everything […]

  Locomotion Commotion History is on track with growth at Boulder City’s Nevada State Railroad Museum. BY CAROLINE HORWITZ “There’s a romance to trains, a kind of magic,” says Peter Barton, administrator for the Nevada Division of Museums and History. “Riding one never seems to lose its charm.” Indeed, this charm is felt by all […]