Nevada’s backroads offer incredible experiences without breaking the bank. Whether you’re drawn to art, history, outdoor thrills, rock collecting, wildlife, stargazing, or even the paranormal, the US 95 and 50 highways deliver year-round adventures, with most attractions costing nothing or under $15. Pack snacks, fill up the tank, and hit the road.
The US 95: Nevada’s Wild Art Highway
Las Vegas to Carson City
Leg 1: Beatty and the Ghosts of Rhyolite
Start north from Las Vegas on US 95, known as Nevada’s Free-Range Art Highway, towards Beatty. This town is the gateway to Death Valley National Park. Nearby, explore the three-acre Goldwell Open Air Museum, a free outdoor gallery featuring a ghostly sculpture of “The Last Supper” and a towering miner with his penguin companion.
Just around the corner lies Rhyolite Ghost Town, abandoned in 1914 after a gold rush boom. Some structures remain, like Tom Kelly’s Bottle House, built from 50,000 bottles. The ruins of the Cook Bank still stand as a haunting reminder of the past. Stay at the Atomic Inn in Beatty for a retro vibe, paying tribute to Nevada’s nuclear testing history.
Wake up and head to Spicer Ranch for hiking or mountain biking. This private ranch borders vast public land, offering trails, wild burros, and Mojave Desert views. Camping is welcome (donations appreciated).
Where to Eat & Stay:
- Gemma’s Cafe 🍽
- Smokin’ J’s Barbecue 🍽
- Atomic Inn 🛏
- Death Valley Inn 🛏
- Exchange Club Motel 🛏
- StageCoach Hotel & Casino 🛏
Leg 2: Goldfield’s Ghosts and Auto Art
Continue north towards Goldfield. Detour to Gold Point Ghost Town for a drink at the 1909 pool hall and browse the 110-lb photo album of mining history.
Return to US 95 and visit Goldfield, once Nevada’s largest city. Take the Goldfield Historic Walking Tour, featuring 190 sites, including the Goldfield Hotel, rumored to be one of Nevada’s most haunted locations.
Explore Rocket Bob’s Art Cars and the International Car Forest – surreal, ever-changing outdoor exhibits with no admission fee. Spend the night in one of the eccentric rooms at the Goldfield Stop Inn, built on the former red-light district.
Spend a day rockhounding at Gemfield, where you can find agate, obsidian, and turquoise.
Where to Eat & Stay:
- The Dinky Diner 🍽
- Goldfield Stop Inn 🛏
Leg 3: From Tonopah to Carson City
Next is Tonopah. Explore the massive Tonopah Historic Mining Park, featuring tunnels and structures frozen in time. Check into the Mizpah Hotel, elegantly restored and famous for its ghost stories.
Head west to Candelaria, respecting the Dirt Road Code. Founded in 1864, Candelaria was once a major mining hub.
Finally, reach Hawthorne, known as “The Patriotic Home of the United States” due to its munitions depot history. Visit the Hawthorne Ordnance Museum, with the world’s largest collection of inert bombs, missiles, and nuclear weapons. Enjoy pizza at Old Nevada Pizza and relax at Hawthorne’s Best Inn after watching bighorn sheep near Walker Lake.
Finish your trip in Carson City, exploring the Kit Carson Trail or hiking to Kings Canyon Waterfall.
Where to Eat & Stay:
- Belvada Coffee Shop 🍽
- Strawberry Hill Diner 🍽
- The Grid Fallon 🍽
- Stone Cabin Coffee 🍽
- Old Nevada Pizza 🍽
- The Bighorn Crossing 🍽
- Mizpah Hotel 🛏
- Hawthorne’s Best Inn 🛏
The US 50: America’s Loneliest Road
Carson City to Great Basin National Park
Leg 1: Leaving Carson City
US 50 follows the old Pony Express route, crossing Nevada’s desolate landscapes. Start at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, showcasing local talent. Stock up on supplies before heading east.
Visit Fort Churchill State Historic Park, once an army post before Nevada became a state. An hour and a half east is Middlegate Station, an original Pony Express stop with a restaurant, campground, and motel. Camp nearby at Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park.
Where to Eat & Stay:
- Villa Basque Café 🍽
- Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint 🍽
- Shoe Tree Brewing Company 🍽
- Middlegate Station 🍽
- Grandma’s 🍽
- Cold Springs Station 🛏
Leg 2: Echoes of the Past
Visit the Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area, where ancient Shoshone rock art survives. Camp here for stunning stargazing.
Reach Eureka, “The Friendliest Town on the Loneliest Road.” Explore the Eureka Opera House, which hosted famous acts in 1880. The Eureka Sentinel Museum preserves the local newspaper’s printing press. Stay at the Jackson House Hotel (haunted) or SureStay by Best Western.
Head to Hamilton for ruins of a former mining town. Continue to Ely for art and nature. Check out Ely Art Bank and the Ely Mural Walking Tour. Explore Renaissance Village, preserving the city’s history in restored railway houses.
Where to Eat & Stay:
- Urban Cowboy Bar & Grill 🍽
- Raine’s Market 🍽
- Economy Drug & Old Fashoned Soda Fountain 🍽
- Bristlecone Motel 🛏
- Jackson House Hotel 🛏
- SureStay by Best Western 🛏
- Hotel Nevada 🛏
Leg 3: Ely and Beyond
Ely is surrounded by landscapes and history. Hike or bike in Ward Mountain Recreation Area. Visit Cave Lake State Park or Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park.
Finally, reach Great Basin National Park, famous for bristlecone pines, dark skies, and caverns. Entry is free, but camping and cave tours cost extra.
Nevada’s backroads prove that adventure doesn’t require a fortune. With a little planning and a sense of curiosity, you can experience the state’s unique history, art, and natural beauty on a budget.
