Tonopah
Back to Nevada
Tonopah
Smack-dab between Reno and Las Vegas, the home of one of the biggest mining booms in Nevada has another feather in its cap. Tonopah sits under the darkest skies in the United States, making this remote old mining town the best stargazing spot in the country. That’s according to USA Today, although the locals will tell you the same, because on a clear night they can look up and see the Milky Way and literally thousands of sparkling stars.
Like many Silver State towns, Tonopah is rooted in mining. Known as the Queen of the Silver Camps, Tonopah sprang into existence following the 1900 discovery of a huge silver deposit. The boom lasted until the 1920s and Tonopah became a large city during those two decades. Visiting this calm community today, it's difficult to envision this once-bustling town with stagecoachers, five newspapers, over 30 saloons and several churches. Remnants of the town’s proud mining past can be explored at the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, on the site of the original claim made by rancher Jim Butler, and the Central Nevada Museum, which highlights Tonopah’s rugged history. There are also various murals and outdoor sculptures depicting the town’s early days, plus the downtown highlight, the circa-1907 Mizpah Hotel, which some still insist is still haunted by “The Lady in Red.”
Besides stargazing and the town’s mining history, there’s quite a bit of wilderness to explore near Tonopah. Geology buffs flock to the natural formations at Monte Cristo’s Castle and the Crescent Sand Dunes are a great spot for off-roaders. There’s also plenty of hiking, camping, hunting, biking, wildlife viewing, and even turquoise-hunting to be had.
Suggested Itineraries
Suggested Accommodation
Mizpah HotelFirst ClassFrom £119 per room per night
Opened in 1907 as one of the first luxury hotels in Nevada.
48 luxury rooms with, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi. Hotel Amenities include, full bar and gaming in lobby, an award-winning restaurant, Jewellery store. The Tonopah has live entertainment on many weekends, complimentary coffee in the morning.
Photo Credit: Sydney Martinez/TravelNevada