Ely, Nevada

Overview

Ely, Nevada, isn't just a town; it's a rugged, time-warped haven where the ghosts of the Wild West practically pour you a whiskey and the vast, untamed landscapes will steal your breath (and maybe your cell signal, in the best way possible!). Founded way back in 1878 as a gritty stagecoach stop along the legendary Pony Express route, this high-desert outpost (sitting pretty at 6,435 feet!) exploded into a copper mining powerhouse by 1906, drawing fortune seekers and hard-nosed adventurers to its sprawling plains. Today, with a resilient population of around 4,000, Ely lures over 100,000 visitors each year, not with slot machines, but with its prime access to the stunning Great Basin National Park (just 60 miles southeast) and a jaw-dropping constellation of abandoned mining camps – seriously, Nevada has over 600 ghost towns, and Ely's got a front-row seat to some of the best! Located a good 240 miles northeast of the Vegas madness, Ely is your ticket to blissful solitude on trails like the Success Loop and eerie, unforgettable explorations of places like Hamilton and Cherry Creek. It's a raw, authentic crossroads of hard-won history and breathtaking nature, where historic steam trains still chug through the valleys and the past feels so alive you can almost taste the dust and desperation.

Top Attractions (Where History & Wilderness Collide!)

Nevada Northern Railway Museum

ALL ABOARD! 56-acre living history site with 1906 steam trains. Ride 14 miles through Steptoe Valley!

Great Basin National Park

(60 miles SE) 77,100-acre wonder! 13,063-ft Wheeler Peak, Lehman Caves, ancient bristlecone pines. A MUST!

Hamilton Ghost Town

(39 miles W) 1868 silver boomtown ruins! Wells Fargo bank, assay office. Once 24,000 souls strong!

Cherry Creek Ghost Town

(45 miles N) 1872 mining camp. Preserved schoolhouse & cemetery. Once home to 6,000. Eerie!

Success Loop Scenic Drive

36-mile dirt road adventure through Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Hiking, biking, fall aspens!

Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park

(18 miles S) Six beehive-shaped 1876 ovens used for smelting. Hauntingly beautiful relics.

Unique Stories & Facts (Ely's Got Grit & Ghosts!)

• Copper King's Rise & Fall: Ely's massive copper mines (Kennecott!) fueled its 1906 boom. A 1970s market crash left ghost towns like Ruth in its wake.
• Pony Express Pit Stop: Before copper, Ely was a crucial 1860 Pony Express station linking the nation. Hear the ghostly hoofbeats!
• Dirt the Cat & DJ's Reign: The railway's beloved shop cat, Dirt, became a local legend. After his passing in 2024, his successor DJ (Dirt Jr.) carries the torch!
• Hamilton's Silver Seduction: The 1868 silver vein here was reportedly 40ft wide, 70ft long, and Nevada's PUREST, sparking a frenzy of 24,000 settlers!

Best Travel Seasons (When to Hit the High Desert!)

Popular Activities (Unleash Your Inner Prospector!)

• Epic High Desert Hiking: Tackle Great Basin's 11.6-mile Baker Lake Trail or the 5-mile Cave Lake loop. Remote vistas await!
• Ghost Town Exploring & Photography: Wander Hamilton's ruins or Cherry Creek's cemetery. History frozen in time!
• All Aboard the Time Machine (Train Rides!): Hop the Nevada Northern Railway's 90-minute excursion. Steam through Steptoe Valley's past!
• Stargazing into Oblivion: Gaze at the Milky Way in Great Basin (Dark Sky Park!). Wheeler Peak's 10,000-ft overlook is insane.
• Mountain Biking the Backcountry: Pedal the Success Loop's rugged singletrack – 36 miles of high desert challenge and views.
• Gone Fishin' (High Desert Style!): Cast for trout at Cave Lake State Park (15 miles SE). Peaceful waters, rocky cliffs.

Casinos Nearby (~30 Miles - Small Town Stakes!)

• Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall (Ely): Historic vibe with about 60 slots and a few tables for some classic Nevada gaming fun right in town.
• Jailhouse Motel & Casino (Ely): Quirky jail-themed spot with around 50 slots. Light gambling, but big on unique character!

Oddities Nearby (~20 Miles - Keep Ely Eccentric!)

Haunted Tourism Nearby (~20 Miles - High Desert Haunts!)

• Ely Cemetery (Ely): Those quirky epitaphs aren't the only stories. Miners' restless spirits are said to linger; locals report whispers on windy nights.
• Ruth Ghost Town (7 miles): This copper boomtown turned eerie, empty shell is prime ghost-hunting territory. Shadows move in vacant homes, and the silence is heavy.
• Ward Charcoal Ovens (18 miles): These ancient smelting ovens have a decidedly ghostly vibe. Some claim to hear echoes of 1870s workers.

Local Events & Festivals (Ely's Wild Side Unleashed!)

• White Pine County Fair & Horse Races (August 15-17, 2025): True small-town Nevada spirit! Rodeos, thrilling horse races, crafts, and delicious fair food.
• Ely Film, Art, and Music Festival (March 14-16, 2025): Indie films in a historic theater, local art, live music, all with a stunning mountain backdrop.
• Fire & Ice Festival (January 18, 2025): Embrace winter! Incredible snow sculpting competitions and dazzling fireworks over Cave Lake.
• Nevada Northern Railway Polar Express (December 2025, Dates TBD): A magical holiday train ride bringing the beloved story to life. Pure enchantment! (Book WAAAY ahead!).

Lodging Options (From Historic Haunts to Starry Campsites)

Luxury-ish: Prospector Hotel & Casino

Modern rooms with great mountain views and a bit of that classic Nevada casino buzz. (From $120/night).

Mid-Range: La Quinta Inn & Suites Ely

Cozy, reliable, and conveniently located near downtown for easy access to Ely's charms. (From $90/night).

Budget: Motel 6 Ely

Clean, no-frills, and a perfect basecamp for explorers watching their wallets. (From $50/night).

Camping: Cave Lake State Park

(15 miles) Stunning lakeside sites with fire pits, nestled among rocky cliffs. Pure Nevada nature! (From $15/night).

Dining (Local Cuisine Highlights – Fuel Your Inner Prospector!)

Racks Bar & Grill

Get your elk burger fix here! Craft brews, a rustic vibe, and awesome mountain views. A local favorite.

Margarita's Mexican Restaurant

Dive into delicious chili rellenos and sip on some killer margaritas. Ely's spicy, south-of-the-border (kinda) gem!

Economy Drug Soda Fountain

Step back in time! Grab retro malts, classic sandwiches, and a massive dose of history in every bite.

Cellblock Steakhouse

Located in the Jailhouse Motel & Casino, get ready for hearty steaks served up in a quirky, jail-themed dining room!

Travel Tips

• What to Pack (April 2025): Layers are your godsend for spring (temps 30-55°F)! Sturdy hiking boots for ghost town trails, binoculars for wildlife & stargazing. Book Nevada Northern Railway rides in advance at nnry.com!
• Safety First, Trailblazer!: Low crime, but these remote trails need serious prep. Always carry PLENTY of water, tell someone your route, and be aware of wildlife. Cell service can be a total myth out there.
• Accessibility: Downtown Ely is generally walkable. Trails in Great Basin and other remote areas vary wildly in accessibility. Call the Great Basin NP visitor center at (775) 234-7331 for specific park info.

Nearby Destinations Within 20 Miles (More High Desert Gems!)

• McGill (12 miles): Explore this historic smelter town and DON'T MISS the incredibly preserved McGill Drugstore Museum – it’s a total time capsule!
• Ruth (7 miles): Wander the eerie streets of this classic Nevada ghost town and peer into the colossal, surreal open-pit copper mine overlook.
• Cave Lake State Park (15 miles): A beautiful spot for fishing, hiking, and camping, all nestled among dramatic rocky cliffs and pine forests.
• Garnet Hill (14 miles): Get your rock hound on! Public lands where you can hunt for sparkling red garnets in ancient volcanic rock. Who knows what treasures you'll find?

Recommended Duration of Stay

3-5 Days: The Full Ely Experience! This gives you ample time to explore multiple ghost towns, take that epic steam train ride, hike some remote trails in Great Basin or Cave Lake, and truly soak in the unique high desert atmosphere and starry nights. You'll need it to fully appreciate this rugged, historic corner of Nevada.

Target Travelers

• Adventure Seekers & Off-Road Warriors: Remote trails for hiking and biking (like the Success Loop) will get your adrenaline pumping and your boots dusty!
• History Buffs & Ghost Town Aficionados: From Hamilton's silver rush ruins to Cherry Creek's lonely cemetery and the living history of the Nevada Northern Railway, the past is EVERYWHERE.
• Nature Lovers & Stargazers: The vastness of Great Basin National Park, with its towering Wheeler Peak and internationally recognized dark skies, is pure, unadulterated bliss.
• Families Looking for an Authentic Western Escape: Historic train rides, easy hikes around places like Cave Lake, and the unique charm of a real, working historic railway offer fun for all ages.

Listen to Our Podcast Episode!

"Ely's Echoes: Steam Trains, Ghost Towns, and Nevada's Starry Skies!" - Your audio adventure into the heart of White Pine County!