Pioche sits along the Great Basin Highway (U.S. Route 93), about 180 miles north of Las Vegas. It thrived during the mining boom of the late 1800s, but has since settled down as a quiet, remote Eastern Nevada town.
🐮 A Rough & Tumble Town
Even by the standards of the Old West, Pioche was a pretty rough place. The town was raided by Native Americans and saw its share of fires. Shootouts were common. According to legend, the entire town is haunted since none of the first 72 deaths were due to natural causes 😲
🐴 Old West History
Historic sights include Thompson’s Opera House and the mismanged Million Dollar Courthouse, which cost a million bucks to build — a lot of money back then. The mining may have dried up, but an aerial tram used to transport ore remains in place with cars dangling from overhead cables. It’s an especially eerie sight above the historic Boot Hill Cemetery. Efforts are underway to restore the old Gem Theater, which dates back to 1937 and is the only theater in Lincoln County.
🍔 Hanging Out
Pioche is a popular stop for travelers between Caliente and Ely, but if you want to spend the night, book a room at the Overland Hotel & Saloon, originally a boarding house when it opened in 1948. You’ll want to grab a sandwich at Gunslingers, barbecue at Get Sauced (inside an old school bus), burgers at the Historic Silver Cafe, and cocktails at the Nevada Club.
⛰️ Outdoor Adventures
Pioche is just 10 miles away from Cathedral Gorge State Park, which is full of hoodoos, slot canyons, and other rock formations. It’s also a short drive away from Echo Canyon State Park, a great, secluded destination for ATVs, hiking, and boating on a 65-acre reservoir.
