Sitting at the edge of the “Loneliest Highway in America,” Ely is a remote mountain town where history, art and outdoor adventure thrive.  Outdoor enthusiasts will be fascinated with the epoch Great Basin National Park just 79 miles away.  And just 6 miles south of Ely, you can look for wildlife at the Ely Elk Viewing Area on Hwy 93/Hwy 50 on the east side.  The largest herd of elk in Nevada can be observed in the spring and fall in this area.

Ely offers a wide variety of historical sights and entertainment.  The White Pine Public Museum’s many displays include the Cherry Creek depot, an 1888 cabin and the famous cave bear.  As you wander the streets, you’ll discover Ely’s Outdoor Art Experience: along Aultman Street, you will see over 20 incredible hand-painted murals depicting the town’s history and culture on various buildings, a sculpture garden and art galleries along the 11-block art walk.

For Railroad Enthusiasts, you can visit the Nevada Northern Railway Museum featuring Historic steam and diesel trains within the National Historic District; and the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum which helps preserve Eastern Nevada’s copper-industry heritage.

The Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park is located 5 miles south of Ely on Hwy 93 and 11 miles west by graded dirt road. Here you will see six, well-preserved 30-foot-tall kilns built of native stone that provided charcoal for the smelter at the Ward Mining Camp.  The park has 14 campsites with tables and grills and is open daily year around.  The park entrance fee is $5 ($10 for non-Nevadans) and $15 ($20 for non-Nevadans) per night for campsites.

The Cave Lake State Park is currently closed for reconstruction maintenance of the lake.  When it reopens in the summer of 2024, you will be able to enjoy outstanding fishing and boating.  There’s also swimming, hiking, camping and mountain biking.  In the winter, there is a special New Years event with fireworks and ice-fishing.

Garnet Hill, officially known as Garnet Fields Rockhound Area, is located 5 miles northwest of Ely on 1,280-acres of BLM recreational area.  It is noted for its dark-red garnets.  Even if you’re not an expert at rockhounding, you can still pick up pieces of the rock and enjoy spectacular views.

No matter what your interests are, Ely has something to offer everyone.  After reading this, you’re probably saying to yourself, there’s no way I can do all of this in just a day or two.  So, let’s help you out with a fun example:

Fun, action-packed multi-day vacation adventure:

If you’re coming from Las Vegas, you can stop along the way at the Oak Springs Summit to search for Trilobites.  Then on to Panaca and continue 20 miles to Cathedral State Park.  In just another 10 miles, you’ll reach Pioche.  After another 75 miles, you’ll reach the turn-off for Great Basin Park.  Go left for 30 miles and you’ll be ready to spend the night in Ely.  Then, you can choose to spend the next day in Great Basin, spend another night in Ely and tour the town of Ely.  There are multiple variations of this schedule by omitting one or more of the stops.

After reviewing all the places to visit, don’t hesitate to email us to help you plan a custom itinerary to fit your vacation schedule and interests.  As a Travel Time NV member, there’s NO CHARGE.

Ely is at the crossroads of US 50 and US 93 and US 6.  There are a variety of routes to take depending on what other towns and cities you want to visit along the way.

From Reno, take US 50 East until you arrive… approximately 320 miles

From Las Vegas, take US 93 North until you arrive… approximately 284 miles

Be sure to have all your batteries charged for all equipment (phones, cameras, etc.)

Keep your eyes open and be ready to spot wildlife along the way

Anticipate all types of weather – it can change abruptly; bring layered clothing

If you’re going rockhounding at Garnet Hill, bring digging tools (pickaxe, rock hammer and gloves)

Bring plenty of water and snacks for the long trip – there’s a lot of open space

Ely is one of the main towns that obtained “credibility” as a town or city in the 1870’s with its stagecoach station and the ever important post office.  After it was designated the White Pine County seat in 1887, the population climbed to 200.  Most of the activity in the region was at the surrounding mining camps of Ward, Cherry Creek Osceola and Taylor.

After the turn of the century, immense copper deposits near Ely began to attract attention from the failing gold mines, and by 1906, a copper boom developed.  The Nevada Northern Railway was completed in the fall of that year to connect the mines with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Cobre.

In 1908, when the smelter at McGill went on the line, mineral production leapt from barely more than $2,000 the year before to more than $2 million.  By 1917, annual production climbed to nearly $26.5 million.  The Kennecott Copper Company began acquiring Ely copper mining companies in 1915 and by 1958, these acquisitions resulted in control of the region’s copper mines and dominated the local economy.

In 1978, the copper mines closed, the smelter closed, the railroad closed and most of Kennecott’s 1500 local employees were laid off.  In the early 1990s, it seemed the tide had turned when the old Kennecott property at Ruth was acquired by Magma Copper Company, but it closed down in 1997.

Ely’s rich history is brought back to life with the Ghost Train that takes passengers from the old depot in East Ely on excursions to Ruth and McGill.  With its many attractions and beautiful outlying areas Ely offers many excursions to visitors from all over the world.