Uncommon Overnighters: Tarantula Ranch Vineyard
Fall 2023
Take a step outside the ordinary for a perfectly placed adventure.
It’s no secret that Nevada offers world-renowned hospitality at lavish resort-casinos and cozy roadside hotels. But elsewhere in the Silver State, our perks are also our quirks. If, instead, you’re looking for a vacation that’s irresistibly different, Nevada’s array of unique retreats and unusual accommodations have got you covered.
Sometimes, you just need a place to stay the night. Nothing wrong with that, but when you’re ready for lodgings that are as much a part of the adventure, look no further than Tarantula Ranch Vineyard in Amargosa Valley.
Take a moment to let that sink in…a vineyard lodging named for a feared spider on the doorstep of Death Valley National Park. 
What else would you expect in Nevada? Tarantula Ranch is the perfect fit for anyone exploring the southern Nevada desert, especially those looking to check the stayed-at-super-cool-lodgings box.
Situated just outside the border town of Amargosa, Tarantula Ranch is the home of Brandon and Sunshine Schmidt and their three kids. Hailing from Oregon, the couple fell in love with the area and its proximity to the park. So in 2020, they took a chance on an 8-acre ranch and vineyard and haven’t looked back.
Tarantula Ranch offers five dry camping spots, one RV hookup, three “glamping” trailers, and one small guesthouse. The adorable guesthouse has a queen bed, couch, kitchenette, and private outdoor shower. The trailers accommodate two with a queen bed and storage space. You’ll also get Adirondack chairs and a table outside, plus spectacular views of the vineyard and soaring mountain peaks. Clever compostable toilets, a shared kitchen, and an awesome outdoor bathhouse round out the accommodations, along with fire pits, cornhole, and plenty of gathering spaces for your troop and for making friends with fellow campers.
Hiking trails in every direction, unfathomable sunsets, and inky-black night skies are free of charge, as are the memories you’ll make at this one-of-a-kind stay.
