Central Nevada Discovery

Explore The Oasis of Nevada

Day 1

Depart Reno heading east on I-80 to Lovelock and enjoy a unique visit to Lovers Lock Plaza, where more than a thousand locks symbolize true love. Locks can be found at businesses throughout town. Look for an empty spot on a chain and secure your love and throw away the key. From Lovelock continue east on I-80 Winnemucca for lunch and stop by the Winnemucca Convention & Visitors Authority and pick up a Historical Walking Tour map of the area. Continue east on I-80 past Carlin, which serves as the gateway to the “Carlin Trend” area that is home to some of the largest and most productive open pit gold mines in the world. Just 8 miles before Elko, visit the new California Trails Center, which presents the history of the Gold Rush, Western Migration, Pioneers and the Donner Party. Overnight in Elko.

Total Travel Time: 4 hrs 40 mins

Day 2

Start your day in Elko with a visit to the Northeastern Nevada Museum which houses one of the best collections of wildlife and history of the area. In historic downtown Elko, experience the sights and sounds of the Western Folklife Center and learn more of Cowboy poetry and songs. See amazing saddles and leather creations at Capriola’s Saddle Shop. From downtown take State Route 227 south and drive through beautiful Lamoille Canyon, in the scenic Ruby Mountains. From Lamoille Canyon take State Route 228 and US 93 South to Ely. Have dinner in a jail cell at Cell Block Steak House at the Jail House Casino Motel. Overnight in Ely.

Total Travel Time: 4 hrs 30 mins

Day 3

Ride the rails this morning on Nevada Northern Railway, also known as the Ghost Train. Explore the East Ely Railroad Depot museum. Drive out to Great Basin National Park. Enjoy a guided tour of Lehman Caves, with incredible stalactite and stalagmite, and rare shield formations. You can also explore the park by hiking the Bristlecone Pine Trail to see the oldest living organisms in the world. From Great Basin National Park, take Highway 50 west to Eureka. Overnight in Eureka.

Total Travel Time: 4 hrs

Day 4

Explore Historic Eureka Walk the Eureka Self-guiding Tour to visit the Eureka Opera House built in 1880 and the Eureka County Courthouse, which boasts two large bells cast in Cincinnati, Ohio, and San Francisco. Directly across the street from the courthouse is the Eureka Sentinel Museum, which housed the former Eureka Sentinel newspaper from 1879 to 1960. On the ground floor is an authentic 1880s press room with original newspaper equipment throughout the room. From Eureka, continue travelling west along U.S. Highway 50, “The Loneliest Road in America,” to Austin, almost exactly in the centre of the state. Founded during a silver rush in the 1860s, Austin stands as a testament to “the way it was.” On Main Street, there are several antique and gem shops where visitors can browse jewellery made from locally mined turquoise and silver. Towering above Main Street is the privately owned St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic Church in Nevada. Drive onto Fallon, home of the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge, known as the “Oasis of Nevada.” You can hike, mountain bike, bird watch and ATV, or head out to Lahontan Reservoir for wakeboarding, fishing, swimming or waterskiing. From Austin, continue west on Highway 50 to Fallon. Overnight in Fallon.

Total Travel Time: 3 hrs

Day 5

Begin the day with a visit to the Churchill County Museum to explore the unique history of the area from the earliest native inhabitants to the pioneers, to the modern day farmers who make up the area. Next, take Highway 50 and State Route 116 to visit the Stillwater Wildlife Refuge, an area home to diverse wetlands that attract more than a quarter million waterfowl annually. From Stillwater take Highway 50 and I-80 back to Reno.

Total Travel Time: 3 hrs

This road trip was provided by Travel Nevada.

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