nevada ghost towns | David Morris Group

In times of social distancing, what better way to spend the day than exploring historic ghost towns? Just outside of Reno, you’ll find several towns with little to no residents, but buildings reminiscent of when it was a bustling town. Below are some of the most beloved ghost towns outside of Reno to explore.

Fort Churchill State Historic Park

About an hour outside of Carson City lies the Fort Churchill State Park. It’s a former United States Army Fort that was built to protect early settlers as they made their way across the American West. The fort’s ruins make a great adventure spot and can help you picture what life was like 150 years ago.

Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park

With a rich mining history, a crumbling ghost town, and 225 million-year-old marine reptile fossils, Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park has it all. You can check out many of the original buildings from 1890 when the town was first built.

Gold Point Ghost Town

Near the Nevada/California border lies a silver mining camp that was established in the early 1860s. The buildings from the Gold Point Ghost Town are still intact, so be sure to check out these historic homes, an old general store, bank buildings, stamp mill sites, and even a modern-day Sagebrush Saloon or two.

Unionville Ghost Town

Between Lovelock and Winnemucca is a little backcountry town with a population of fewer than 24 people and has the cabin ruins of a pretty famous former resident, Mark Twain! Unionville Ghost Town was founded in 1861, and it’s a must-visit for any history buff.

Virginia City

It wouldn’t be a true list of the best Nevada ghost towns without including Virginia City. It was home of the largest silver strike in the world, and visitors can stroll original wooden boardwalk-lined streets, visit haunted hotels, and sit in old-time saloons.

There are tons of places in Reno that are full of history, and we love all of the new and old places there are to explore. If you have questions about any of the communities in the area, or if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, contact the David Morris Group. We’re happy to help you begin your home search. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292.

While we’re all stuck indoors, many are dreaming about leaving their Reno homes and traveling across the state. Nevada has beautiful state parks, wonderful attractions, and the best destinations for any solo traveler or family adventure. While you have the time, take the opportunity to plan your Nevada road trip.

Liberty Lake

Located in the Ruby Mountains of Elko County, you’ll be amazed at the views. It offers great trails to hike with beautiful wildflowers blooming in the summer.

Great Basin National Park

The Ancient Bristlecone Pines are some of the oldest trees on the planet. They’ve survived over 5,000 years in thin air, rough soil, and extreme temperature changes.

Black Rock Desert

The Black Rock Desert is known for being the destination of Burning Man year after year, but it’s also one of the largest, flattest surfaces on Earth, covering approximately 200 square miles. When you stand on the playa, you can take in the 360-degree views that you can’t experience anywhere else.

Fly Geyser

Just two hours north of Reno lies the Fly Geyser on Fly Ranch. Three large mounds just over six feet tall and growing several inches each year spew scalding hot water about four or five feet into the air. It’s a sight that looks photoshopped in every picture ever taken of the formation.

Rhyolite Ghost Town

Rhyolite houses the ruins of 1905 gold-mining town, Hollywood movie set, and now a historic site with art installations. There are all kinds of art strewn around the town, and we recommend checking out Tom Kelly’s bottle house – it was built with thousands of medicine, beer, and whiskey bottles.

The International Car Forest

Walk amongst a forest of carefully balanced cars turned into a free, one-of-a-kind gallery of masterful art.

Garnet Hill

This free public recreation area is known for its dark red garnets naturally occurring in the hillsides surrounding Ely. The little gemstones make great souvenirs from your road trip.

The Lost City Museum

The Lost City Museum is a museum with exhibits centered around artifacts recovered from local prehistoric archaeological sites. You can also peer into an authentic pit house or view a reconstructed pueblo cluster.

Whether you’re looking to travel across Nevada for an epic road trip or you need help discovering what Reno neighborhood to move to, the David Morris Group is happy to be your guide. Give us a call at (775) 828-3292 for any questions.

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Ghost Towns Outside of Reno