Get a Little Out There

Enjoy the best of Nevada’s remote landscape while soaking away your cares in the hot springs of the Black Rock Desert. On public land overseen by the Nevada Bureau of Land Management, this hot spring promises an unforgettable experience, free primitive camping opportunities, and the chance to spot the desert dace, a rare species of fish endemic to the region.

Accessing Black Rock Hot Springs means navigating across the ruggedly remote Black Rock Desert, but the trip is well worth it when you discover this natural oasis.

Take a dirt-road detour south of Elko and discover the stunning natural beauty of Ruby Valley Hot Springs.

This place is so historic, Mark Twain himself is responsible for its moniker. Soak in the mineral-rich water or up the relaxation ante with a variety of spa and massage treatments.

If it’s history, convenience, and affordability you’re after, you’ll find your perfect soak at Carson Hot Springs. The multiple outdoor pools and private indoor suites are all filled with natural mineral water from 35,000 feet below Earth’s surface.

Next time you’re cruising the Loneliest Road in America, park for a pit stop at these cowboy tubs with sweeping Big Smoky Valley views.

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, David Walley’s Resort has been a getaway for more than 160 years. Guests get to enjoy a heated outdoor pool and five geothermally heated hot spring tubs full of mineral-rich water.

This free, wild soak on the western edge of central Nevada promises views of the ruggedly beautiful White Mountains—including 13,147-foot Boundary Peak—along with unbeatable wildlife viewing, access to Nevada ghost towns, and some of the darkest skies in the country.

The 2.5-mile, 600-foot descent into scenic Gold Strike Canyon means navigating house-sized boulders with the help of a fixed-rope system, so be prepared to work up a sweat for your soak.

Ogi Deli offers an expansive menu of Basque and American sandwiches and salads, plus pintxos (Basque tapas) and imported Basque beverages on select evenings.

A Winnemucca landmark since 1898, The Martin Hotel is the perfect introduction to Nevada’s Basque heritage—one garlic-loaded, family-style bite at a time.

A trip to Elko isn’t complete without a visit to Toki Ona. Choose from Basque favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or stick with classic American dishes.

You can’t miss The Star’s neon sign, beckoning Elko visitors, locals, and old sheepherders alike off the highway and into this iconic Nevada institution for an unforgettable night of heaping, garlic-loaded entrees, preposterously stiff drinks, and new friends amid an old-world atmosphere.

Named a “USA Today” 2024 Restaurant of the Year, Louis’ Basque Corner has been serving up delicious, authentic Basque food since it opened in 1967. Come for lunch or dinner to enjoy family-style service and Nevada’s official state drink—the Picon Punch.

Enjoy all-you-can-eat Basque pintxos in the heart of Las Vegas at A Different Beast, where fresh ingredients shine in a unique dinner experience.

A family affair, this Gardnerville eatery serves up family-style lunches and dinners including rich lamb steaks, sirloin cuts, Basque chicken, wine, plenty of sides, and—of course—Nevada’s official state drink, the (in)famous Picon Punch.

Get yourself to a classic Basque joint like Carson City’s Villa Basque Café, where you can get to know one of our heartiest cultural influences one bowl of paella or chorizo link at a time.

Get ready to really put the “trip” in “road trip,” visiting kaleidoscopic boulder towers, a forest of art cars, a ghost town sculpture garden, and other offbeat attractions.

Welcome to the “Biggest Little City in the World,” where visitors revel in public art, bohemian shops, unbeatable outdoor action, all-the-time events, and a local-centric food landscape—all spread across several distinct, walkable neighborhoods.

Nicknamed “America’s Patriotic Home,” Hawthorne beckons military history enthusiasts with its thousands of artillery storage bunkers, a one-of-a-kind munitions museum, and its massive annual Armed Forces Day celebration. Meanwhile, outdoor recreationalists stream in to experience Walker Lake, hundreds of miles of off-road trails, bighorn sheep spotting, and world-class fly fishing along the East Walker River.

Your adventure options are endless in Tonopah. Embrace the oddball at a motel adorned with thousands of clowns, search for spirits in historic hotels or nearby ghost towns, and bask in the glory of the Milky Way (often visible to the naked eye here). And when you’re done, toast to your newfound stories with a locally brewed beer.

Established as a gold camp in 1902, Goldfield was once the richest, largest, and most influential city in Nevada. Today, the historic Western community still wows with beautifully preserved original buildings, a couple authentic Sagebrush Saloons, rockhounding opportunities, oddball art, and more.

Explore fascinating pockets of Nevada’s past in Beatty, including an anything-but-ordinary outdoor sculpture museum and a well-preserved ghost town. The town is also known as the “Gateway to Death Valley,” making it a perfect pit stop for supplies, gas, and eats.

One thing’s for sure: Las Vegas is a place that needs no introduction. With its five-star resorts, world-class restaurants, stellar shopping, unrivaled entertainment, and 24/7 pulse—from classic Downtown Las Vegas to the famous Las Vegas Strip and beyond—this one-of-a-kind city owns the throne as the world’s premier tourist destination.

Just outside Beatty, Rhyolite is one of the most photographed ghost towns in the West. The ruins continue to wow, as does the Tom Kelly Bottle House and next-door Goldwell Open Air Museum.

Now visible and explorable due to Lake Mead’s receding water levels, St. Thomas is a ghost town with a unique tale. It was once a populated settlement, but construction of Hoover Dam led to the community being flooded when Lake Mead began filling. Visitors can see foundations and ruins that were once 50-70 feet underwater.

Metropolis dreamed of being a farming empire, but drought, fire, and a cricket infestation (among other disasters) had other plans. A school archway is still standing, as are foundation ruins and a historic cemetery.

Just off US-95, Candelaria’s convenient location makes it the perfect add-on to any adventure. Take in an original Wells Fargo building and a stone mercantile building with massive window frames still equipped with metal storm windows.

Just a short drive from The Strip, Goodsprings still hums with frontier spirit. The town’s heyday peaked during World War I, when it supplied zinc and lead to the war effort. Now, its centerpiece is the Pioneer Saloon. Southern Nevada’s oldest bar comes complete with bullet holes, ghost stories, and old Hollywood legends.

Delamar is a colorful example of living Nevada history—literally. Explore dozens of still-standing buildings, two graveyards, milling remains, miner cabins, and a brick archway made of rainbow-colored stones naturally occurring in the region. In their heyday, these structures served Delamar’s bustling community as shops, saloons, churches, a hospital, and an opera house.

This double-whammy of a park contains remains of a mining town—with 130-year-old buildings, including an impressive 30-stamp mill—standing just a bone’s throw from the highest concentration of the largest ichthyosaur fossils ever found.

Unionville is known for being the (brief) home of Samuel Clemens, who went on to gain fame as Mark Twain. Today, there are still plenty of ghost town remains to explore—including the picturesque 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.

The main attraction to see is the original Cherry Creek School, which is one of the town’s two oldest structures and open by appointment. Be sure to check out several historic cemeteries and some original ruins from Cherry Creek’s more profitable days.