Start your trip with a stop at the California Trial Historic Interpretive Center where you will be immersed in the stories of hardship faced by the early pioneers on their journey to California and Oregon from Wyoming. Gain an appreciation for modern travel luxuries while following journey of the Donner Reed family with life size recreations and maps of their trip. Next, make a visit to the Northeastern Nevada Museum for a few hours of touring its antique firearms, stories about cattle thieves and mounted animals from Nevada. This second stop is a great introduction into the state of Nevada before you start exploring its wilderness. A nature-lover’s dream, the Humboldt National Forest is the largest National Forest outside of Alaska with 3.9 million acres. There will be numerous opportunities to hike, picnic and explore the mountains and canyons for weeks.
Home to the annual Cowboy Poetry Festival, the Western Folklife Center features contemporary folk art as well as cowboy gear and photos. If you enjoy old Western history or are an inner cowboy/cowgirl, you will enjoy this charming center. If you like country and primitive décor, The Two Olde Crows is a must-see. Located inside a charming little house, this store sells everything from artwork to braided rugs, all at affordable prices. Help yourself to the free hot cider for a pleasant shopping experience. Described by locals as “a miniature Yosemite without the crowds,” make sure you spend a day driving through or hiking Lamoille Canyon in the Ruby Mountains. With multiple trails running through the canyon, you will appreciate how the glaciers helped sculpt the rock walls, wildflowers and trees centuries ago. With so much to do, you may want to make your visit here more than a day trip.
When the time comes, settle down with Choice Hotels in Elko, NV and get the rest you need to continue your outdoor adventures.