[BayAreaHillbilly]

No Strip ... no Colorado River / Lakes ... in other words, none of the typical "Vegasy" stuff.

Challenge me with your most off beat, non main line recommendations.

We have 4X (but to be fair it's not a Rubicon ready rig ... but could do "light" off road).

I used to be a desert rat in my 20s.

Fire away folks!

[EA]

I enjoyed Nelson/eldorado.





There's also the wheel of misfortune.

[momofvegasgirls]

https://www.chinaranch.com/

[logline]

Pinball Hall of Fame
Mob Museum
Atomic Testing Museum
Sex Museum
Neon Museum
Go see a rock band play at Vamp'd
KISS putt-putt golf
Escape from a room: Live Escape Adventure - Home

[Buzz123]

Right now is a great time to go to Death Valley to see the Superbloom. Wildflowers - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

There are lots of Ghost Towns around these parts. Since you mentioned Nye County, one nice ghost town you would probably enjoy a lot would be Belmont.

Belmont - Nevada Ghost Town

Since Belmont is not too far from Tonopah, then you could get acquainted with the Goldfield-Tonopah Metroplex. Actually they are to lively to be called ghost towns, but there are lots of ghosts there I hear. Tonopah is the County Seat of Nye County. Imagine living in the largest "city" in the county, Pahrump, and having to drive over 200 miles to the county seat. Nye County is over 18,000 sq miles, making it one of the largest in the country. In fact it's larger than a lot of states, and some countries.

Tonopah - Nevada Ghost Town

Goldfield - Nevada Ghost Town

If Pahrump is better for you, and you have a 4x4, you could go up the backside of Mt. Charleston. It's been a long time since I did that so I'm not sure the BLM keeps the road in good shape all the way over Wheeler Pass, but if they do, that's the only road from this side to that side. It's a dirt road that you'll find right in the middle of beautiful downtown Pahrump.

Also, not too far out of Pahrump on the old State Line Road, you'll find Ash Meadows. It's pretty cool actually. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge - Ash Meadows - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Before you get to Pahrump on SR 160, you'll come to a turn-off for Tecopa, CA. Go see the China Ranch Date Farm. You'll thank me later and brag about me to your friends.
China Ranch Date Farm

You might want to look up other columns by this lady. I'm not certain, but I think she wrote a book on Las Vegas day trips. Here's why it's called China Ranch.
China Ranch Date Farm prospers in remote oasis | Las Vegas Review-Journal

Once you've seen China Ranch, you can go left instead of right when you leave the ranch, and that will take you around into Pahrump. Check your GPS so I don't get you lost. But a trip to China Ranch is nice if you follow up with lunch or dinner at The Pahrump Winery. Don't spoil your appetite with a date milkshake at China Ranch, but do have one.
Pahrump Winery

[cre8lite]

do a brothel tour while you're in pahrump - no seriously, this is a legitimate thing. there are 2 brothels that do tours (at least there was before the lamar odom scandal).

pahrump has 2 wineries. one has a restaurant, both have tasting rooms.

the trail for wheeler pass on the pahrump side isn't the best & it's pretty rocky. but the lower half of the trail is pretty spectacular - the charcoal kilns are on the trail Wheeler Pass Charcoal Kilns, as is wheeler well Pahrump, Nevada - Experience The Endless Beauty of the Great Outdoors.

carpenter canyon

rhyolite - just 4 miles outside of beatty. pretty cool stuff to look at
Rhyolite Ghost Town - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

stock up on fireworks - we have a handful of fireworks stores that are open year round

visit the hot springs in beatty Home Page

spring mountain raceway https://www.springmountainmotorsports.com/

[vegas taco]

christmas tree pass

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by vegas taco

christmas tree pass

That's a good idea. I always forget about it, but it's a nice trip, especially in a 4x4. And at the other end we have probably more petroglyphs in one spot than any other location in the country. Well...maybe.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by cre8lite

do a brothel tour while you're in pahrump - no seriously, this is a legitimate thing. there are 2 brothels that do tours (at least there was before the lamar odom scandal).

pahrump has 2 wineries. one has a restaurant, both have tasting rooms.

the trail for wheeler pass on the pahrump side isn't the best & it's pretty rocky. but the lower half of the trail is pretty spectacular - the charcoal kilns are on the trail Wheeler Pass Charcoal Kilns, as is wheeler well Pahrump, Nevada - Experience The Endless Beauty of the Great Outdoors.

carpenter canyon

rhyolite - just 4 miles outside of beatty. pretty cool stuff to look at
Rhyolite Ghost Town - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

stock up on fireworks - we have a handful of fireworks stores that are open year round

visit the hot springs in beatty Home Page

spring mountain raceway https://www.springmountainmotorsports.com/

I keep hoping to take that road again before I go wheels up. I think I'll just stop at the charcoal ovens. Wouldn't want to hurt my Highlander that I paid for four wheel drive on and have never used it.

[LasVegasPlayer]

It is in Esmeralda County, but I highly recommend spending night in Goldfield. There is a new bar in town. There is a small Motel that is cleanmby the older saloon.