With its haunted motels, ghost towns, free-range art, and other peculiar attractions, this desert highway has earned a fitting nickname: “The Weirdest Road Trip in America”. From spine-chilling encounters to quirky and unforgettable sights, this road trip is an adventure unlike any other. So, if you’re looking for a journey off the beaten path, full of oddities and surprises, pack your bags and hit the road on this surreal and unforgettable road trip through Nevada as we drive from Reno to Las Vegas!
Walker Lake
This stunning roadside lake was named after us, so obviously we had to stop (Obviously kidding!). But, it is worth a stop, right off the side of the highway, this beautiful lake is surrounded by Nevada’s rocky peaks. Oh, I should mention, don’t go wandering around on the beach, as there are unexploded munitions in this area….welcome to Nevada!
Clown Motel
The Clown Motel, dubbed “America’s Scariest Motel”, sits adjacent to the Old Tonopah Cemetery and boasts a peculiar clown theme that has drawn clown donations from all over the globe, with a collection totaling 2,050. Although non-themed rooms are available, the braver souls can upgrade to one of the haunted rooms for the night, where numerous guests have reported sightings of ghosts.
Silver Peak Lithium Mine
Silver Peak, the only functioning lithium mine in America, is a hauntingly stunning sight to behold. The drive to the mine offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and wandering burros amidst vast desert scenery, making the drive a worthwhile destination in itself. The small town of Silver Peak, situated at the base of the mine, emits an unsettling aura. As you explore the area, you’ll come across an overgrown playground and seemingly vacant houses with aggressive dogs barking in front to signify that someone does indeed reside there.
Goldfield Cemetery
Goldfield Cemetery in Nevada is a historic burial ground that is home to the graves of many notable figures from the town’s mining boom era. Near the grave of a man named Martin, who passed away due to “gunshot by deputy sheriff,” lies an epitaph that poses the question: what is the most embarrassing way to die? May he rest in peace.
The Goldfield Hotel
With a history of grandeur associated with gold mining, the Goldfield Hotel now stands abandoned since at least the 1980s and is reputed to be among the most haunted sites in Nevada. Gaze through the windows to catch a glimpse of its former splendor and determine for yourself if you sense any eerie presence.
International Car Forest of the Last Church
Nestled in the dusty desert of Nevada, the International Car Forest of the Last Church is an unconventional art installation that captures the imagination of all who come across it. This extraordinary site boasts a collection of over 40 cars that have been planted at odd angles and adorned with vibrant graffiti and artwork. The cars seem to be growing out of the earth like peculiar flowers, creating an eerie yet captivating landscape. Visitors are free to roam around the site and marvel at the eclectic display of colors and shapes, making the International Car Forest of the Last Church a must-see destination on any Nevada road trip!
Gold Point Ghost Town
Originally named Lime Point, this quaint ghost town with a population of only 27 underwent a necessary name change after the discovery of gold. Despite the inactive mine and the mass exodus of its residents, Gold Point was later purchased by a man named Herb Robbins from Las Vegas. Take a leisurely stroll through the town to experience life as it was in the late 1800s. For a truly immersive experience, book a stay in one of the old mining cottages and enjoy a family-style meal while the town’s sheriff, fire chief, and historian, Robbins himself, regales you with fascinating stories about Gold Point’s intriguing past.
Rhyolite Ghost Town
Rhyolite Ghost Town, located just outside of Death Valley National Park, is a fascinating glimpse into the past. Founded in 1904 during a gold rush, the town once boasted a population of over 10,000 and a bustling economy. Today, visitors can wander the deserted streets and explore the ruins of a bank, a red light district, a train depot, and more. Despite only existing for 12 years before the electricity was cut off during a financial panic, Rhyolite remains a hauntingly beautiful testament to the boom and bust cycles of the American West.
Goldwell Open Air Museum
Goldwell Open Air Art Museum is a must-visit destination for those seeking unusual and thought-provoking art. The outdoor gallery features a collection of large-scale installations, including a sculpture of “The Last Supper” with ghostly figures instead of Jesus and the apostles, a colorful mosaic couch, and a ghostly cyclist pedaling through the desert. Each piece of art is unique and captivating in its own way, and the stark desert backdrop only adds to the surreal and otherworldly feel of the museum. It’s a perfect place for those who appreciate offbeat and unconventional art.
Wild Donkeys in Beatty
Beatty, a charming little desert town situated on the edge of the vast and rugged Death Valley National Park, is well-known for its free-roaming wild burros that wander the open desert. If you’re passing through, grab a bite to eat at the Happy Burro and snag a seat on the porch to watch wild burros causally roaming through the town.
Area 51 Alien Center
Get your hands on UFO-inspired vodka and other must-have items for your road trip at the Area 51 Alien Center, which exploits the extraterrestrial ambiance of nearby Mercury’s “Area 51”. Additionally, take advantage of your visit by setting off fireworks at the adjacent store that boasts the opportunity to “shoot them here”.
Mercury
Sixty five miles outside of Las Vegas, you pass the sign “Mercury No Services”. Pull over and you’ll be at the gateway to the Nevada Test Site, the site of nuclear explosives testing since the 1950s. A gate will prevent you from getting up close, but off in the distance look for the Apple 2 test site, an artificial town created by the military to see exactly what happens when you expose a neighborhood to an atomic bomb.
You can book an official tour to visit one of the largest man-made craters in the world, a 152-foot-tall tower above an underground nuclear test site, and the remains of the little town built for the purpose of being blown up over and over.
