Expect a warm welcome in Winnemucca. It’s nicknamed the “Friendliest Town in Nevada” and will make you smile with delicious food and a fun-loving cowboy culture. Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or paddling on the Humboldt River, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Winnemucca. Venture out of town to explore abandoned ghost towns and hunt for shimmering opals.
Things to do in Winnemucca
Dive into the city’s Wild West past at the Buckaroo Hall of Fame & Heritage Museum. Get to know dozens of famous cowboys and check out the beautiful saddles, boots and hats on display. Dig deeper into the fascinating history of Winnemucca at the Humboldt Museum. Gaze up at an enormous woolly mammoth skeleton and view dinosaur fossils found in the nearby Black Rock Desert.
European settlers from Basque Country arrived in Winnemucca in the 19th century in search of gold. The culture lives on in the form of art, music and mouth-watering cuisine. Enjoy Basque classics like braised lamb shanks and ribeye steak. Candlelit bars serve “pintxos” Basque tapas and dry white wine. You’ll also see Picon Punch, the unofficial state cocktail of Nevada, on menus.
Rent an ATV and explore the towering Winnemucca Sand Dunes. Some of the biggest dunes are more than 30 metres high. Head to the Water Canyon Recreation Area to hike through groves of lush aspen and cottonwood trees. Anglers can reel in bass, crappie, walleye, catfish and perch from the Humboldt River.
From motorcycle rallies and music festivals to authentic Wild West rodeos, there’s always something happening in Winnemucca. The annual Basque festival sees the city come alive with concerts, dance performances and street food stalls selling chorizo, paella and huge slabs of Basque cheesecake.
Getting around Winnemucca
Downtown Winnemucca is compact and easy to get around on foot. Rental cars offer the freedom to visit surrounding sights and attractions and explore Humboldt County at your own pace. Winnemucca is a five-hour drive from Salt Lake City and six hours from San Francisco.