I am a Nevada local and in this guide, I am going to share what I think are 13 of the best small towns in Nevada.
Nevada is famous for its big and vibrant cities, but many do not know that the Silver State is also home to many charming small towns.
Whether you are looking for the best places to live In Nevada, or just somewhere to visit, I will tell you everything you need to know about the best towns in Nevada. Each town has its own interesting history, and they all offer something special!
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13 Best Towns in Nevada
👉 Did you know? Nevada has over 100 towns and cities. This article focuses on the towns in Nevada, which we define as having a population of under 50,000. Check out our article on the best cities in Nevada to learn more.
Genoa
Discover fascinating attractions in one of the oldest towns in Nevada.
📍 Google Maps | Genoa Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Genoa on Booking
Genoa is one of the oldest towns in Nevada and is the first settlement in Nevada. It is only 25 minutes away from one of the major Nevada cities, Carson City. With a population of under 1,000 people, the community is very close and has many events, like the Genoa Candy Dance, to bring each other together.
The Genoa Courthouse Museum is the perfect place to learn about the town’s history with exhibits that make you feel like you are back in the 1800s. David Walley’s Genoa Hot Springs has been a highlight of this town for decades, with over five different hot springs.
Pahrump
Pahrump maintains a small-town charm while still offering plenty of places to gamble or grab a drink.
📍 Google Maps | Pahrump Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Pahrump on Booking
Pahrump has around 40,000 residents. It is one of the best towns near Las Vegas, located just an hour away. With multiple schools and cozy neighborhoods, Pahrump is a great Nevada town to settle down with children. The Nature Health Farms Petting Zoo and Discovery Park are also popular things to do with kids in Pahrump.
Desert Cane Distillery and Sanders Family Winery are also fun places to get a taste of the local booze selection. There are plenty of hotels and casinos in the area if you are looking for a fun time out in the desert.
Mesquite
Step into this mini paradise of a town not far from North Las Vegas.
📍 Google Maps | Mesquite Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Mesquite on Booking
Mesquite has plenty of resort-style hotels which make you feel as if you are vacationing on a beach somewhere far away. The camel safari is another one of the main attractions, where you can even ride one of the camels if you are feeling adventurous!
There are plenty of gorgeous golf courses and clubs for people who enjoy golfing. Mesquite is a popular getaway for Las Vegas locals, but over 20,000 people reside in this town that also has a wide selection of great neighborhoods.
Boulder City
A historic town with gorgeous views of Lake Mead and unique shops to explore.
📍 Google Maps | Boulder City Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Boulder City on Booking
Boulder City is a historic Nevada town that was once home to the many people who built the Hoover Dam. Now the town has around 15,000 residents, and many people visit each day to see the famous Hoover Dam. Boulder City is just a 30-minute drive from Las Vegas, so it’s one of the more popular day trips from Vegas.
Hemenway Park is a free and fun outing where bighorn sheep freely roam around and you can set up a picnic and observe them. The Boulder City Historic District also has a wide variety of antique shops and tasty restaurants to explore.
Lake Mead is nearby and offers cruises and watersports where you can spend a beautiful day on the water.
Incline Village
This gorgeous Nevada town sits on the clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe.
📍 Google Maps | Incline Village Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Incline Village on Booking
Incline Village is a very small Nevada town on the north shore of Lake Tahoe, Nevada and it is only 50 minutes away from Carson City. Incline Village is a very popular vacation spot, but it also is a great place to live for people who want to live in a more lowkey area near the water.
During the summer, you will be able to access a wide selection of water sports, stunning beaches, and even a gorgeous golf course. In the winter, you will find incredible ski slopes and cozy hotels and casinos where you can stay warm. There are also plenty of delicious restaurants and unique shops to explore while you are there.
Moapa Valley
Wander the red wilderness at the Valley of Fire and end the day at one of the cozy local restaurants.
📍 Google Maps | Moapa Valley Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Moapa Valley on Booking
Moapa Valley is one of the small towns in Nevada that is just an hour’s drive from Las Vegas. It is home to under 7,000 residents, but those who do live there are part of a tight-knit community.
Moapa Valley is home to the Valley of Fire State Park, which has numerous gorgeous hikes and a breathtaking scenic drive.
The Clark County Rodeo and Fair also take place in Moapa Valley and draw large crowds from all over Nevada. Be sure to check out their local restaurants, like Pirate’s Landing or The Inside Scoop to feel as if you are part of this friendly community.
Virginia City
Once a thriving mining city, is now a historic town with architecture that will make you feel as if you have truly gone back in time.
📍 Google Maps | Virginia City Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Virginia City on Booking
Virginia City is a small town that you will find 30 minutes away from Nevada’s capital, Carson City. Mackay Mansion Museum and the Silver Queen Hotel are famous for being some of the most haunted locations in Nevada.
You may also want to check out one of their many saloons, with the Red Dog Saloon being one of the most popular. There are a variety of unique tours you can take like walking tours, mine tours, or even trolley tours. A Nevada town isn’t complete without a little gambling, so of course the Gold Ranch Casino is a very popular attraction in Virginia City.
Tonopah
One of the most haunted towns in Nevada also has plenty of exciting things to see.
📍 Google Maps | Tonopah Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Tonopah on Booking
Tonopah is far enough from any major cities that the stargazing in this town has been voted the best in the nation. The Tonopah Stargazing Park is one of the most popular places to see the incredible night skies that you likely won’t find anywhere else.
Tonopah is also home to America’s scariest motel, the Clown Motel. Not far away is the most haunted hotel in America, the Mizpah Hotel, which you can still spend the night in if you are feeling brave.
Visit the downtown area of Tonopah to see some of the haunted bars with great views, or to try a tasty meal at one of the local restaurants.
Elko
Get a glimpse of the old West in this cowboy-honoring town.
📍 Google Maps | Elko Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Elko on Booking
Elko is famous for being one of the most western towns in Nevada, due to its annual cowboy poetry gathering. The annual cowboy poetry gathering brings cowboys from all over the place to tell stories, and poems, and share their creativity.
The Western Folklife Center and Cowboy Gear and Arts Museum are another two places you can visit to learn all about cowboys and the Old West. In the winter, the Elko Snow Bowl is a gorgeous place to go skiing with the whole family. You will also find multiple hotels and casinos where you can stay overnight, or stop by for a little bit of gambling.
👉 Pro Tip: Elko has its own airport, where you can fly in and then take a 6-hour road trip down to Las Vegas to get the full Nevada experience.
Ely
Ely is one of the most gorgeous mountain towns in Nevada with stunning hiking trails nearby.
📍 Google Maps | Ely Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Ely on Booking
Ely is a small mountain town that is just an hour away from the Great Basin National Park. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a popular spot for visitors, where you can go and drive a steam locomotive by yourself.
Ely also has over 11 blocks with art, murals, and sculptures that essentially tell a story about the town. The Ely Renaissance Village is another great museum with fascinating artifacts and stories about the history of the town.
Austin
From castles to ghost towns, Austin is full of surprises.
📍 Google Maps | Austin Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Austin on Booking
Austin is another one of the breathtaking mountain towns in Nevada, which you will find in the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest. Belmont is one of the nearby ghost towns, and it has ancient relics that you might get lucky and find if you look hard enough.
St. Augustine’s Catholic Church is the oldest Catholic church in Nevada and it has such beautiful architecture. Stokes Castle dates back to 1897 and still stands as a reminder of the town’s mining history.
Rachel
Stop by this town to learn about UFO sightings along the way to Area 51.
📍 Google Maps | Rachel Town Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Rachel on Tripadvisor
Rachel is a town that is famous for its otherworldly history and is around a two-hour drive from North Las Vegas. You will find Rachel along the Extraterrestrial Highway, where many people travel to learn more about all of the UFO sightings in the town.
The Little A’Le’Inn is a restaurant and hotel, where you can stay overnight or stop by to try the Alien Burger. There are also several ghost towns nearby, like Troy or Silverbow Ghost Town.
👉 Read Next: Best Suburbs of Las Vegas
Eureka
This Nevada town has a rich history with stunning original buildings that you can still explore.
📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Hotels in Eureka on Booking
Eureka is one of the best-kept mining towns in Nevada, with much of the original architecture still intact. The Eureka Opera House was home to plays and operas in the 1800s, and it is now open to tour for free, with the occasional performance still occurring.
The haunted Jackson House Hotel is available to stay in, or if you want to find out more you can embark on one of the Historical Ghost Tours. Plenty of tasty local restaurants like the Owl Club Bar & Steakhouse or Eureka Depot exist.
👉 Read Next: Best Things to Do in Las Vegas, Nevada
FAQs About Nevada Towns
What are the oldest towns in Nevada?
What are the best small towns in Nevada to visit?
Incline Village,Genoa,Pahrump, and Tonopah are some of the best small towns in Nevada to visit.
How many towns in Nevada are there?
There are 10 major cities in Nevada and over 80 different towns in Nevada.
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Thanks for reading. I hope I was helpful on your journey to finding the best small towns in Nevada!
