11 Nevada Stops Worth Making Between Reno And Las Vegas
Cars stand nose-down in the dirt like a strange metal forest. Paint covers every inch, and you can walk right up to them.
That sight waits on the highway through the heart of Nevada. Would you believe it is only one of many surprises?
The route passes old forts, quiet lakes, and mine shafts you can peer down. A motel packed with clown figures might test your nerves.
Some stops take an hour, while others need only minutes. Many cost little or nothing to visit.
Why rush across the desert when it keeps tossing out oddities like these? The miles between the two big cities feel shorter with a few breaks.
Nevada rewards drivers who slow down and look around. So which stop earns your first turn off the highway?
1. Fort Churchill State Historic Park
Your road trip starts with a fort that has been crumbling gracefully since the Army abandoned it in 1869.
The ruins of an Army post anchor this state park, and they sit very close to US-95 Alternate. Nevada gave you a history lesson right at the start of the drive.
The park tells the story of troops who served here in the 1860s. A visitor center has exhibits and signs that explain how the soldiers lived.
Take a little time inside before you wander out to the adobe walls.
Outside, pathways wind past the old buildings, the cemetery, and the river. The walking is easy, so small kids and dogs can come along.
Hiking trails branch out for those who want a longer stretch.
Hungry already? The park has picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a public restroom.
That makes it a handy place to unpack a lunch and enjoy the quiet.
The river adds another option, because canoeing is part of the fun here. Camping is available too, if you’d like to turn the stop into a night under the stars.
Nevada residents get in for half price, which is a nice perk for locals out for a day trip.
Plan on an hour or two to read the signs and poke around the ruins. Mornings on Sunday tend to be busiest, while weekday afternoons are calmer.
It’s a gentle, scenic warm-up before the road gets truly remote.
Address: 10000 US-95 ALT, Silver Springs, NV 89429
2. Walker Lake Recreation Area
A big blue lake in the middle of the high desert feels like a magic trick. Walker Lake delivers that surprise, and the views stretch out wide.
It’s a quick pull-off from the highway near Hawthorne.
The recreation area is open 24 hours a day, so there’s no rush on your schedule. Bighorn sheep viewing is part of the draw, so keep your eyes on the hillsides.
Bring binoculars if you have them.
Camping here is free, which makes it a great spot for anyone stretching a budget. RVs can park, and ATV roads and hiking trails lead off into the landscape.
Picnic tables and a public restroom cover the basics.
The park has tiny-pebble gravel that makes it wheelchair accessible. Multiple pull-off areas let you choose your own viewpoint.
Some spots are better for a quiet snack, and others are better for wildlife watching.
Dogs are allowed, and kids tend to enjoy the open space. Wednesday is usually the quietest day, while Sunday afternoons and Mondays see more visitors.
If you want peace, aim for midweek.
Give yourself time to simply sit and look. Few stops on this route feel as calm.
Nevada saves some of its best scenery for moments like this.
Address: Hawthorne, NV 89415
3. Hawthorne Ordnance Museum
Ever wanted to climb inside a tank? Here’s your chance, and the museum is free.
The Hawthorne Ordnance Museum packs a lot of military history into a small desert town.
Interactive exhibits are the big draw. You’ll find tanks, jeeps, and a drone from the Vietnam War.
There are also guns and nuclear missiles on display.
A few pieces can actually be held. Old rifles and machine guns are part of the hands-on experience, though they don’t work.
That makes the visit feel closer than a typical glass-case museum.
Plan for more than a quick peek. Some visitors spend about two hours walking around and looking at everything.
Tours are offered, and a gift shop sits on site for souvenirs.
Hours are limited, so check the calendar. The museum opens Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM, and on Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM.
It’s closed Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday.
There’s no restaurant, so eat before you come. Restrooms and parking are on site, and the museum is good for kids.
Hawthorne is a small military town on US-95, and this museum fits right in.
Address: 925 E St, Hawthorne, NV 89415
4. World-Famous The Clown Motel
Few motels advertise themselves as spooky, yet this one leans right into it. The Clown Motel in Tonopah is packed with clown memorabilia.
Nevada has plenty of quirky stops, and this one might top the list.
The motel describes itself as an eclectic place to stay. A patio with barbecues gives guests somewhere to hang out outdoors.
The vibe is playful and creepy at once.
You don’t have to book a room to join in. A free clown museum is open to visitors.
Travelers have mentioned that the staff may even show off a themed room.
Hours run daily from 8:30 AM to 11 PM. That makes it easy to fit into a long driving day.
Whether you’re brave enough to sleep here is another question.
The location is right on Main Street in Tonopah. It’s a historic mining town near the halfway mark of the trip.
That makes it a natural place to stop for the night.
Take photos, wander through the displays, and laugh at your own nerves. It’s a story you’ll tell for years.
Just don’t blame us if you hear a squeaky horn in your dreams.
Address: 521 N Main St, Tonopah, NV 89049
5. Tonopah Historic Mining Park
Real mine shafts are waiting for you here, and you can peek straight down them. The Tonopah Historic Mining Park lets you wander through an actual mine area.
It’s like stepping back into a silver boom.
Start with the 20-minute video about the town’s history. Then pick up a map and head out on the self-guided tour.
Guided mining site excursions are also part of the offerings.
Exhibits include early mining equipment and a 500-foot mine shaft. Mineral specimens fill the displays, and they’re quite pretty.
Kids can pick up a complimentary activity book to keep them busy.
You can walk through the lift house and the mechanical shop. The old buildings are easy to explore, even with young kids.
Looking down the shafts is a highlight.
The park is open Monday through Sunday from 8 AM to 4 PM. Fridays and Saturday afternoons tend to be busiest.
A gift shop and theater are on site.
There’s no restaurant, so plan your meal elsewhere in Tonopah. Restrooms and tours are available.
Budget an hour or two to see it all.
Address: 110 Burro Ave, Tonopah, NV 89049
6. Central Nevada Museum
Small towns often hold huge stories, and Tonopah proves it. The Central Nevada Museum is jam-packed with local history.
You’ll learn about the town, its mining roots, and even aviation.
Indoor displays cover Native American, mining, and military history. Outside, an area with unusual artifacts waits for you to explore.
It adds a nice change of pace from the exhibit rooms.
A free self-guided walking tour is on offer. A scavenger hunt keeps kids busy and curious.
Tours are available, too, if you’d like more guidance.
The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. It’s closed on Sunday and Monday, so plan around that.
A gift shop is on site for souvenirs.
Parking is free, and restrooms are available. There’s no restaurant, so grab food in town.
The museum is a great place to understand the nearby mining communities.
Give yourself time, because there’s a lot to read and see. The details are rich and surprisingly fun.
Nevada’s story feels closer after a visit here.
Address: 1900 Logan Field Rd, Tonopah, NV 89049
7. The International Car Forest
Cars grow here like desert trees. Old vehicles stand on their noses, and others hang or lean in odd poses.
Every surface is covered in paint.
The graffiti keeps changing, so no two visits look the same. Cars and buses become giant canvases for impressive artwork.
It’s a great way to break up a long drive.
Photo opportunities are everywhere. Walk around, climb closer, and frame your shots.
Off-road trails branch out if you want to explore more.
The site is open 24 hours a day. Free parking is available in a lot and along the street.
Kids and adults both enjoy the quirky scene.
It sits right off the main highway in Goldfield. That makes it an easy stop for road trippers.
Tuesday nights, Thursday afternoons, and Saturday afternoons are busiest.
There’s no restaurant, so bring snacks. Wear comfortable shoes, since you’ll be on dirt.
Stretch your legs and let your inner artist loose.
Address: 1111 East, Crystal Ave, Goldfield, NV 89013
8. Goldfield Visitor Center
Not your average visitor center, this one doubles as a little museum. Historical mining displays fill the space.
You’ll learn why Goldfield matters in Nevada’s story.
The center offers plenty of information and history. It’s a good first stop before you explore the old mining town.
Visitors have loved walking the historic streets afterward.
Trailers can park here, which helps road trippers with big rigs. A dog park gives your pup a place to run.
It’s a thoughtful touch on a long drive.
Hours are limited. The center is open Friday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
It’s closed Monday through Thursday.
Restrooms are available, and parking is free in the lot and along the street. The center is good for kids and welcoming to all visitors.
It sits along US-95 between Tonopah and Beatty.
Plan on a short stop, maybe thirty minutes. Pair it with the car forest nearby for a full Goldfield visit.
Check the day of the week before you go.
Address: 201 Crook Ave #366, Goldfield, NV 89013
9. Beatty Museum & Historical Society
Antique clothing on mannequins might be the first thing that catches your eye. The Beatty Museum is a small-town museum with lots of character.
Inside, you’ll see antiques, photos, paintings, and Native American crafts.
Vintage vehicles sit outside, which makes for fun photos. Mining-era exhibits tell the story of the area.
The museum shows a sizable slice of Beatty’s past.
Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. You can ask questions and talk to a local.
Free paper maps and written information cover ghost towns, wildlife, and local attractions.
Admission is donation based. A gift shop is on site for souvenirs.
Families are welcome, and kids can enjoy the old items.
The museum is open Monday and Wednesday through Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM. It’s closed Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Plan your timing around those hours.
Restrooms and parking are available, but there’s no restaurant. Beatty is known as a gateway to Death Valley.
This is the place to pick up tips for the next leg.
Address: 417 Main St, Beatty, NV 89003
10. Death Valley Nut & Candy Co
Road snacks just got serious. Death Valley Nut & Candy Co is a roomy store stocked with packaged candies and nuts.
The selection alone is worth the stop.
Need something more filling? Sandwiches are on the menu.
Coffee and ice cream round out the options.
It sits directly on US-95 in Beatty. That makes it an easy pull-off.
Plan on a quick visit.
Doors open early at 6 AM and stay open until 10 PM every day. That flexibility helps whenever your drive runs late or starts early.
Saturday afternoon tends to be busy, while Saturday night is quieter.
Delivery is also an option, in case you’re staying in town. The store is a nice place to stretch your legs.
Pick up treats for the next stretch of highway.
Grab a bag of something sweet. Share it with your passengers, or don’t.
Nevada’s long roads are better with snacks.
Address: 900 US-95, Beatty, NV 89003
11. Goldwell Open Air Museum
Seven offbeat sculptures wait in the open desert, and the museum is free. Goldwell Open Air Museum is a funky art park by Belgian artists.
Mountains frame the views.
The art is quirky, and there are interesting historical bits too. Some say it’s a fun and unexpected stop on the way to Death Valley.
It’s easy to see why.
The museum is open 24 hours a day. Free parking is available.
A gift shop is on site.
Tours are offered if you want to learn more. There’s no restroom and no restaurant, so plan ahead.
Kids enjoy the open space and strange shapes.
Friday evenings and Saturday evenings are busiest. Sunday evenings and Monday evenings are quieter.
Come at a calm time for the best photos.
It’s just off State Route 374, a few miles west of Beatty. A visit makes a fitting finale before Las Vegas.
Take your time and enjoy the desert gallery.
Address: 1 Golden St, Beatty, NV 89003