How to Get a Little Out There in Northern Nevada

On the surface, Nevada has a bit of a reputation: Las Vegas, Reno, and the desert. But for adventurous travelers who want to explore beyond the expected, there’s much more to the Silver State than meets the eye. Venture outside the cities and you’ll discover wildly diverse outdoor playgrounds and a you-do-you culture that fosters creativity and quirkiness as a way of life. To fully experience this land of contrasts requires a curious spirit. But if uncommon adventures are what you’re after, you’ll find all that and more when you get a little out there to explore northern Nevada.  

Hit the Open Road

Northern Nevada has no shortage of scenic byways, with an emphasis on scenic. With a car, you’ll have the ability to reach far-flung places—quirky little towns listed in the smallest font on the map, dirt roads that lead to hidden gems, and places that weren’t even on your list to begin with. Need help mapping your route? Check out official road trip routes like the Cowboy Corridor, a tribute to the region’s Western heritage, or the Rubies Route, an exploration of some of Nevada’s most scenic treasures. Both itineraries offer the perfect mix of outdoor adventures and a taste of northern Nevada’s culture. Plus, the routes are gorgeous when they’re lined with quaking aspen in early October. Of course, Nevada is all about doing things your own way, so don’t feel like you have to stick to the script. 

“You can have the place to yourself in some of the most remote zones in the contiguous United States,” says outdoor adventurer and athlete Max Djenohan, who recently visited northern Nevada. “You’ll think you’ve just landed on another planet, or at least another continent.”

Tip: Not within driving distance of northern Nevada? Fly into Reno-Tahoe International Airport and spend a day or two in Reno before you kick off your road trip. The Biggest Little City has an amazing food scene and a lively Midtown district filled with public art and nightlife—and it was named one of America’s happiest towns in Outside’s September/October 2023 issue.

Enjoy the Space to Just Be

With Reno in the rearview and I-80 stretching toward the horizon, you’ll experience one of the best features of northern Nevada: wide-open spaces. The state has more than 45 million acres of public land set aside for recreation. On a northern Nevada road trip, it’s yours to enjoy. Within hours, you can be exploring a glacier-carved canyon, soaking in the quiet splendor of an alpine lake, or enjoying solace in some of the most remote wilderness in the country. These awe-inspiring landscapes lend themselves to quiet moments to breathe, take it all in, and unplug like never before.

“Northern Nevada has an unbelievable amount of wide open spaces, with nobody in sight. You truly have the place to yourself,” says Djenohan. He recommends exploring the area around Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge. “The landscape is like something out of a Western. You get spectacular views of the Ruby Mountains, and there are herds of pronghorn antelope—the second fastest land mammal on earth—everywhere.”

Don’t Miss: Northern Nevada and the Ruby Mountains are especially beautiful in the fall. For the best chance at catching fall colors, plan your trip for late September through mid-October.

Embrace Your Wild Spirit

If active exploration is your style, northern Nevada has space for that, too. The region has more hiking and biking trails than you could ever explore in a single trip. You’ll also find opportunities to climb, go off-roading, paddle, and more. Hit one of the crags in Lamoille Canyon (the Yosemite of Nevada), where a mix of short bolted routes and low-angle routes will keep you busy all day. Looking for another kind of wild? Stop by Thunder Mountain Monument while traversing between Lovelock and Winnemucca. The massive open-air gallery was constructed entirely from trash left in the desert. The monument is just one of many unique public art installations you’ll find around the state. 

Don’t Miss: Driving an off-road-capable rig? Head to Crum Canyon, just south of Battle Mountain. Rugged, remote, and incredibly scenic, this area is a must-visit for experienced off-roaders. 

“One of the best decisions we made was upgrading our rental vehicle to an off-road-capable SUV,” says Djenohan. “This move allowed us to veer off course and truly get a little out there.” By out there, he means taking the long way around to Unionville, up through Star Peak. The rugged 4×4 road features 5,000 feet of elevation gain and stunning views of Rye Patch State Recreation Area and the Cowboy Corridor. “This spur-of-the-moment detour helped drive home the idea that, in northern Nevada, there is room to roam,” he says.

Revel in the Contrasts

Part quiet contemplation, part spirit of adventure. Nature’s beauty juxtaposed with human-made art. Northern Nevada is a land of contrasts, and you’ll be missing out on the full experience if you don’t lean into the unexpected along the way. Stop by a ghost town with a population of 20 (on a good day) to get a peek at the region’s western heritage. Or experience Basque culture—a uniquely Nevadan subculture of settlers from the border region of Spain and France who came to northern Nevada during the mid-1800s. There’s no telling what uncommon characters you’ll meet or transformative experiences you’ll have when you let yourself get a little out there. 

Tip: One of the best ways to appreciate Basque culture is through its food. Northern Nevada has no shortage of family-owned Basque restaurants where you can fill up on hearty dishes of braised lamb or signature Basque chorizo paired with soups, salads, and ample red wine. 

“Winnemucca seems to be the heartland of Basque culture, and their north star is the Martin Hotel,” says Djenohan. “ If you’re looking for rich history, delicious food, and decadent Burgundy red wine, the Martin has what you’ve been searching for.

Travel Nevada (the Nevada Division of Tourism) is part of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It is responsible for promoting and marketing Nevada as a travel destination.