Nevada Ghost Towns
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Nevada is full of those typically western remembrances of times past: ghost towns. There are literally hundreds scattered across the state, many just a short drive from Reno or Las Vegas. If you've never visited a ghost town, then it's worth the time to go exploring in Nevada's desert back country, to discover what you've missed.
Virginia City and Surroundings
Now technically, Virginia City isn't a ghost town, but the area surrounding it sure qualifies. You can still find quite a few ruined buildings and mining memorabilia in the area, and if you drive out Highway 50 from Carson City, you can see the remains of Sutro, where the Sutro Tunnel was built to draw the water out of the Virginia City mines. On State Route 431 between Virginia City and Highway 50, you can see old mining cabins, mining machinery, and even some old water tanks that make some great photographic opportunities.
Berlin, Nevada
This is a few hours drive east of Reno, but certainly worth the trip. It is one of the best preserved ghost towns in Northern Nevada, and there are some excellent camping facilities there for tents and RVs. The view from the old town is magnificent, and there is also an old stamp mill so visitors get an idea of just what went on in these mining camps in their heyday. Berlin is a State Park that backs up to the Ichthyosaur State Park, where the remains of these giant sea dinosaurs were found. The kids can get a science lesson and history lesson in one at Berlin-Ichthyosaur Park! Most of the buildings are in very good condition, and the park headquarters is located in one of the old mining offices. This is a great, isolated park, so you won't run in to too many people, and can explore the area to your heart's content.
Dayton, Nevada
Located east of Carson City on Highway 50, Dayton is just a short hop from Virginia City. It is not technically a ghost town either, but outside of town, in the State Park, you can find some nice ruins of a stamp mill, and there are some old buildings left in the town itself. Just outside of Dayton, further east of the State Park (with campsites), is Sutro, home of the Sutro Tunnel.