Mesquite
Ready to venture out and explore some new sights? Take a day and head to Mesquite where you’ll discover the magic of this enchanted resort community set in a tranquil valley of the Virgin Mountains and bordered by the Virgin River.
Known as the “golf mecca” of Nevada, it is rated as one of America’s best places to live, work and vacation. There is plenty of sunshine, abundant water and lots of outdoor adventures: cycling, hiking, pickle ball and playing at world-class golf courses. If you’re ready for some extreme excitement, go skydiving and enjoy the scenic views from over 10,000 feet in the air. Mesquite Skydive is the place to schedule a tandem sky dive with an experienced instructor for the ride of a lifetime!
If you’re a golfer, Mesquite is a wonderland of challenging championship golf courses. Golf clubs include the Casa Blanca Golf Club, Coyote Willows Golf Club, the Oasis Golf Club (with its two courses – the Canyons and the Palmer), Conestoga Golf Course and Wolf Creek. Be sure to schedule your tee time in advance!
If you’re not a golfer, there’s still plenty to do! World-class casinos offer a variety of extra activities throughout the year, plus they offer traditional champagne Sunday brunches and other specials. Visit the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum and the Mesquite Fine Arts Center to immerse yourself into Mesquites history; the nearby rustic farming communities of Bunkerville, Beaver Dam and Littlefield offer a glimpse of the area’s past.
In nearby Overton, discover the “Lost City Museum” with its artifacts of the earliest travelers and residents who survived in the dry Mojave Desert for thousands of years. You can also see wildlife at the nearby Overton Wildlife Management area.
Just 65 miles away, you can visit the Valley of Fire State Park to take in breathtaking landscapes with vivid, fiery-red sandstone formations that formed from the great shifting of sand dunes millions of years ago.
For boating, water skiing, fishing, hiking, camping and birdwatching, visit Lake Mead just 40 miles away.
Mesquite offers such a wide variety of exciting attractions and entertainment, it’s easy to plan a quick get-a-way or a mini vacation! There are several RV parks including the brand new Mesquite Trails RV Resort, in addition to several hotels and casino resorts for accommodations.
For all you Travel Time Members, be sure to share your experiences with us on Travel Time NV Chat! We’d love to see your photos… and maybe they will even be worthy of entering into one of our photo contests.
From Las Vegas, take the I-15 North for 80 miles
From Reno, take the I-80 East, then take the I-15 South for a total of 450 miles
Make sure your batteries are charged
Bring sun protection and plenty of water
Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring the right equipment for whatever activity you’ll be participating in
Make reservations well in advance – Mesquite can get booked up quickly
In 1826, western explorer, Jedediah Smith visited the Virgin Valley and later in 1944, Captain John C. Freemont passed through the valley which served as the right-of-way for the old Spanish Trail from 1926 to 1948 for the southern route of travel to California. The Virgin Valley provided water for the development of the valley’s agriculture. In 1877, the Mormon pioneers settled in the area of Bunkerville and in 1880, Mesquite, where they established farms and ranches, primarily raising cattle and growing crops. The area was known for its Mesquite, given its name from all the Mesquite trees in the area.
From the early to mid-20th century, ranching and farming continued with the development of the region’s natural resources to enhance the economy, however, it was initially driven by mining with the discovery of gold and other minerals in the nearby hills, contributing to the town’s wealth.
Following the decline of mining activities, Mesquite experienced a period of depopulation. In 1941, the museum building served as a library and in 1943, was converted into a hospital and medical clinic operated under the direction of Bertha Howe until 1977.
The first fire house was not built until the mid-1950s. In the 1960s, the town saw a revival with the construction of the Virgin River Hotel and the establishment of a golf course. The city was incorporated in 1984 and in 1985, the building that served as the medical clinic was converted into the Virgin Valley Heritage Museum which was listed on the National List of Historical Places in 1991.
The construction of resorts and golf courses, along with its gaming and tourism industry, played a crucial role in the community’s growth. In 2003, the Mesquite Fine Arts Center broke ground; the design won several awards and is a milestone for culture in the community. Mesquite continues to evolve as a destination for retirees and tourists.
