The Ruby Mountains of Elko County, Nevada, feature canyons, large valleys, and steep granite mountains. These variations in landscape offer opportunities for skiing, hiking, wildlife viewing, and scenic drives for exciting vacations throughout the year. Here are some can’t-miss scenic drives near Elko for road trip enthusiasts:

Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway

Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is a 12-mile drive that climbs upward through a glacier-formed canyon. Designated leisure stops along the route offer a variety of activities, from fishing to photography, making this an ideal drive for all types of vacations. In the canyon, a self-guided auto tour highlights four key stops that showcase the area’s wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, avalanche chutes, and waterfalls. Canyon visitors can also:

  • Picnic at designated locations
  • Walk shorter nature trails or longer hikes
  • Camp at the Thomas Canyon Campground

Angel Lake Scenic Byway

The Angel Lake Scenic Byway connects Wells, Nevada, to Angel Lake on Highway 231. The 12-mile route is usually open from mid-May to late October, closing with the year’s first heavy snowfall. Visitors to this high-elevation lake could fish for trout or go sightseeing for local wildlife, including mountain goats and Himalayan snowcock. A nearby campground offers 26 sites with vault toilets and potable water.

Historic Tour

Elko, Nevada, is a historic hub of the West. It encompasses multiple cultures and settlement periods, from Native Americans to Basque ranchers and gold miners. A local, self-guided historic tour might include homesteads, museums, and industry development. Some key locations include:

  • California Trail Interpretive Center: The 2,000-mile California Trail linked the Midwest to Northern California, and this center tells the story of the pioneers who walked it. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, hiking trails, a wagon encampment, and a Shoshone village.
  • Old Town Wells: The Central Pacific Railroad connected Old Town Wells to local mines.
  • Mountain City, Gold Creek, and Tinto: This ranching community was once home to a few thousand silver, gold, and copper mines.
  • Overland Pass: The Donner Party crossed at Overland Pass to rejoin the California Trail. A few miles away, at the Overland Mail Service Trail, the Pony Express ran its mail route.
  • Spruce Mountain Mining District: A designated route connects 135-year-old mining roads to five ghost towns, including Metropolis and Tuscarora.

Secret Pass and Ruby Valley Scenic Drives

Secret Pass is a 51-mile drive on Highway 229 that separates the Ruby Mountains from the East Humboldt Range. The paved road crosses the Nevada desert, traverses a low-elevation pass, and enters the Northern Ruby Valley. Highway 229 also connects to Highway 767, where travelers may turn off to visit the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge or take the Ruby Valley scenic drive.

The Ruby Valley scenic drive crosses the Ruby Valley, parallel to the Ruby Mountains. Only a portion of this road is paved, and the rest is an all-weather gravel road. The wildlife refuge in Ruby Marsh offers opportunities for hunting, fishing, camping, and boating.

Plan Vacations in Elko

After a day of scenic drives and outdoor recreation, return to Elko to visit museums, sample local cuisine, or take an art stroll. The Elko Convention Visitors Authority also regularly schedules festivals and events, such as the Elko Mining Expo, Elko Pop Con and the Festival of Trees, to make your vacations memorable. Contact us today to learn more about what Elko has to offer.