Thirty years ago this month, Life magazine published its America the Wondrous issue, which referred to U.S 50 in Nevada as the Loneliest Road in America.
Readers were warned not to travel the 287-mile route unless they possessed survival skills.
It wasn’t exactly a rousing endorsement, but the state of Nevada, ever resourceful, developed a travel campaign around it.
A Highway 50 Survival Guide was developed, and travelers could have it stamped at the handful of small communities along the route. Upon completion, visitors could send the guide to state Division of Tourism (TravelNevada) and get a congratulatory certificate from the governor.
Whether or not certificates are your thing, U.S. 50 is worth a look. Reno is a great place to start, as it’s an easy drive on Interstate 80 east to Alt. U.S 50, and then to Fallon and U.S. 50 proper. From there, it’s a nice, lonely and beautiful drive to Ely. And here’s five things to check out along the way:
Sand Mountain: Sand Mountain Recreation Area, 25 miles east of Fallon on U.S. 50, is a popular spot for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. But even if you’re not an OHV van, it’s worth stopping here to check out the 600-foot-high sand dune. There’s pit toilets and interpretive signs explaining the area’s geology as well as its significance to local American Indian tribes.
Stokes Castle: This 19th century ruin in the small community of Austin (population 192, according to 2010 U.S. Census data) is a quick stop, and if you’re there around sunset, a great place from which to photograph the Reese River Valley to the west. Stokes Castle, built in 1897 by mine developer and railroad magnate Anson Phelps Stokes, is another photo op.
Note: If you’ve come from Reno, you’ve driven 173 miles. If you want to call it a day, there are a few places to overnight in Austin, including Union Street Lodging bed and breakfast and the Cozy Mountain Motel.
Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area: This campground about 25 miles east of Austin on U.S. 50 has examples of petroglyphs (ancient rock art). There’s a self-guided, half-mile hike that takes visitors past multiple petroglyph panels. You’ll also find pit toilets and picnic areas at Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area.
Eureka Opera House: This restored opera house is a gem along the Loneliest Road in America. Built in 1880, the Eureka Opera House originally was used for dances and concerts before becoming the Eureka Theater (and showing movies) in the early 20th Today, it’s once again used for concerts and meetings, and is generally open during the day for those who want to check it out.
Note: If you’ve come from Reno, you’ve driven 243 miles. If you want to call it a day, there are a few places to overnight in Eureka (population 610, according to 2010 U.S. Census data), including the Eureka Gold Country Inn.
Nevada Northern Railway and East Ely Railroad Depot Museum: In the early 20th century, the Nevada Northern hauled ore from the copper mines near Ely (population 4,134 according to 2015 U.S. Census data). Today, the Nevada Northern is an excursion steam train offering 90-minute rides. Train buffs also will want to check out the adjacent East Ely Railroad Depot Museum.
Note: If you’ve come from Reno, you’ve driven 320 miles. There are plenty of places to stay in Ely, including the historical Hotel Nevada and Gambling Hall.
Final note: If you’re heading back to Reno and you don’t want to backtrack on U.S. 50, head north to Elko (U.S. 93 north to Nevada state Route 229 to Interstate 80, a 180 mile drive). Take I-80 east all the way back to Reno, a 289-mile route.
Chris in Nevada 
Chris,
I like your blog about 5 stops along US 50. To me the churches (St. George’s Episcopal Church, St. Augustine’s Catholic Church and The Methodist Church) in Austin are the most interesting part of the town. I want to check out restored Eureka’s Opera House in the near future. Do you have any suggestion for campgrounds along the US 50?
Thanks,
Erik
Hi Erik!Thanks so much for reading the column!
Regarding campgrounds, one that might be fun is the Toquima Cave Campground about 30 miles from Austin. From Austin, if you drive east on U.S. 50, you go south on Nevada state Route 376 and then southeast to Toquima Caves. Here, you can see pictographs (ancient rock art). Along the way to the campground, you can check out Spencer Hot Springs. If you go, make sure to have a spare tire — a colleague of mine got two flat tires in this area — but still goes back, so that says something!
Another campground is the Hickison Petroglyphs Campground, about 24 miles east of Austin on U.S. 50.
Happy camping!