Travel & Stories by NVTami
The number one question I receive is: “What is the best ghost town in Nevada?” I can't pick only one; each ghost town is unique in ruins, history, and visitor experience. Nevada is a vast state, larger than many countries. Over 600 ghost towns cover the state, not including smaller mining camps or other historical sites. Below are my favorite ghost towns in northwest Nevada. These are what ... VIEW POST
Santa Clara is one of Nevada’s lesser-known ghost towns. Its short lifespan and remoteness have helped preserve the ruins — multiple sturdy rock foundations still stand against the elements. Reaching Santa Clara requires a dedicated ghost-towner willing to brave elevation gain, scramble over rocks, push through wild rose thickets, avoid poison hemlock, and contend with the infamous Mormon ... VIEW POST
In the hills of Lyon County, east of the Virginia Range, lies the quiet ghost town of Talapoosa. Like many Nevada mining districts, it promised riches but delivered only modest success and eventual obscurity. Prospectors from Virginia City discovered silver in the area in 1863, naming the district after the Tallapoosa River in Alabama. Talapoosa was considered one of the most important mines ... VIEW POST
In the remote high desert of northeastern Nevada, Ruby Valley holds one of the state’s most evocative frontier stories. Long before ranches dotted the landscape, the Western Shoshone called the valley home. It served as a vital corridor for the Pony Express, Overland Stage, and emigrant trails. Yet it was also a place of tension, where cultures collided and the U.S. Army established Fort Ruby in ... VIEW POST
March 2026 – Ridgecrest & Eastern Kern County Explorations In March 2026 I was in Ridgecrest to give a presentation on Eastern Sierra Ghost Towns at the wonderful Maturango Museum. I stayed a few extra days to explore the rich mining and desert history of eastern Kern County and the surrounding Mojave. Here are some of the highlights from that trip: Bishop Unknown Cabin No information ... VIEW POST
Labor Day 2025 – Central Nevada Backroads Adventure Over the long Labor Day weekend in 2025, I explored a fascinating stretch of central Nevada through Nye and Lander counties. From volcanic craters to old mining camps and stage stations, this remote loop delivered plenty of history and stunning desert scenery. Tybo Tybo is a well-preserved silver mining camp from the early 1870s. The ... VIEW POST
