Nevada is known for many things but one aspect that makes it fairly unique among our nation’s states is the prevalence of ghost towns. There are more than 600 ghost towns in Nevada, laying out the blue prints for a day trip that’s sure to please anyone who loves history. If you want to experience the best day trip in Nevada, the “Old West” and the truly unusual aspects of the desert are awaiting an opportunity to astound you. Prepare to travel back in time, because our collection of ghost towns will transport you to a whole other era.

We'll start our day trip in the little town of Beatty, which is located in the southern part of the state by the California border and Death Valley National Park.
geoff dude/Flickr
First a stop for breakfast at Gema's Wagon Wheel Cafe.
Reto W./Yelp
Gema's serves delicious breakfasts, such as this mouthwatering and hearty Texas skillet.
Jim R./Yelp
Gema's Wagon Wheel Cafe is located at 101 South 2nd Street and open Monday through Saturday 7 am to 3 pm and Sundays 7 am to 2 pm.
Our first attraction of the day is the ghost town of Rhyolite which is located 4 miles from Beatty.
J N./Yelp
Rhyolite was once a thriving town and during its best days, the third largest town in the state! Hard to believe now seeing the remains of the building structures in the midst of the desert.
J N./Yelp
The remains of three "bottle houses" can be found in Rhyolite. During the mining days of Rhyolite, lumber was hard to come by and some miners built houses from bottles collected from local saloons.
Ania K./Yelp

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Our next curious attraction is the Goldwell Open Air Museum, which is definitely an "only in Nevada" sort of place! This unusual "museum" is a collection of seven outdoor sculptures. They were created by several Belgian artists and each piece has its own style and sensibility.
Justin N./Yelp
The statue above is the "Lady Desert: The Venus of Nevada" created by sculptor Dr. Hugo Heyrman. It's like a large, pixelated video game character standing in the middle of the open desert.
Another iconic and haunting work is "The Last Supper" which has been often photographed.
Lucky S./Yelp
Created by sculptor Charles Albert Szukalski, who also created the concept of the Goldwell Open Air Museum, this piece was only supposed to remain standing for two years, yet has managed to persevere in the desert since 1984!
Now for something completely different yet also unique to Nevada, we're going to take a drive to the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge.
Lynn G./Yelp
The park is located about an hour's drive from the museum. Take NV-374 east toward E Avenue S, turn right onto South 2nd Street/US 95 South and follow this until NV-373/South Highway 373. Turn right here and then left onto Spring Meadows Road.
The Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing place. It's home to several crystal springs that are a breathtakingly beautiful turquoise color.
Norm K./Yelp
These springs are actually fed by what may be the largest underground river in the world and the water is called "fossil water" which refers to water that has been underground for thousands of years.
The entire refuge is a very rare oases in the middle of the desert. It's also the home to the largest number of endemic species in the U.S., as well as home to almost 300 species of birds.
Norm K./Yelp
It's also the only place you can find the Devil's Hole Pupfish, an endangered species and the rarest fish in the world. It may also be the oldest as scientists believe the species came to be about 60,000 years past.
Another interesting attraction within the refuge is the Devils Hole, which is the habitat for the pupfish.
Ghost D./Yelp
This rock formation is a geothermal pool inside of a limestone cavern that is completely fenced off. The cavern was the place of several deaths by divers who thought they could reach the bottom and drowned instead. It also was a source of fascination for Charles Manson, who believed it was an entrance into the underworld and he is said to have sent several days at the site trying to figure out how to drain it to get inside.
After a long day exploring the desert and the refuge, head back to Beatty and take in the local landscape.
Sarah Jane W./Yelp
People have lived here since 1905, yet much of the landscape continues to feel untamed in and around this town of circa 1,000 residents.

There is so much more to this fantastic state than initially meets the eye. Would you take this day trip of a lifetime in Nevada? Is there anything you would add to it? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Can’t get enough of local history? There’s much to see when it comes to Nevada attractions and ghost towns. However, they’re particularly intriguing when they’re actually haunted. Check out the local haunt that is the Tunnel Camp ghost town.

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More to Explore

Best Day Trip In Nevada

Nikki Rhoades | March 01, 2020

Are there any other unique things to do in Nevada?

The possibilities are endless here in The Silver State. Visitors and locals alike can tell you that there are many unique things to do in Nevada, even beyond the infamous Las Vegas Strip. Our state’s landscape is mostly desert, meaning it is home to a collective of parks and landmarks that’s downright astounding. We also have a history that has led to a rich archaeological record, and some archaeological sites are open to the public. If you spend any amount of time in the great outdoors of The Silver State, you’ll fall in love with the beauty of our untamed state.

What are the most popular and best places to visit in Nevada?

Nevada is, understandably, frequented by tourists. With Sin City as our claim to fame, many come here looking for adventure, indulgence, and riches. While the most popular destinations are undeniably popular for a reason, some of the best places to visit in Nevada are unknown to most traditional tourists. Have you ever heard of our “Moon Rocks” in the Hungry Valley Recreational Area? It is a magnificent way to view the majesty of Nevada, although other day trips offer an alternative look at life in our state. You can check out historic petroglyphs, or you can reenact history on the California Trail. There’s so much to do in our unique state – you’ll surely fall in love!

Are there other day trips that make up the best destinations in Nevada? 

While the best destinations in Nevada are, arguably, just a matter of personal opinion, some stand out as particularly memorable… and for good reason. You can celebrate the glitz and glam of showmanship at an Evel Knievel-themed pizza shop in Las Vegas, or you can unwind with a glass at a local winery. There’s also ample hiking, and even visitors to Las Vegas should set aside some time to explore Red Rock Canyon. Prepare to fall in love, because there is so much more to our magnificent state than initially meets the eye.

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Explore Nevada

Featured Addresses
Beatty, NV, USA
101 S 2nd St, Beatty, NV 89003, USA
Rhyolite, NV 89003, USA
Goldwell Open Air Museum, 1 Golden St, Beatty, NV 89003, USA
Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, 8757 Spring Meadows Rd, Amargosa Valley, NV 89020, USA