A Multi-Day Adventure Through Cowboy Country, Ancient Trails, and Nevada’s Wacky Heartland
Tucked between snow-capped peaks and sagebrush plains where wild horses roam, Wells, Nevada, is a true high desert gem hiding in plain sight along I-80. It’s where the echo of wagon wheels on the California Trail still lingers in the wind, where rugged mountain backdrops are only a ten-minute drive from downtown, and where you’re just as likely to find ancient petroglyphs as you are a killer plate of chicken-fried steak.
Welcome to Wells, raw, real, and refreshingly unpolished. Whether you’re a family on a historical adventure, a solo traveler chasing silence, a group of friends hunting hot springs, or an RV roamer seeking the wide open, Wells will surprise and charm you at every turn.
🛏 Where to Stay: Cozy, Quirky & RV-Friendly
Rest Inn Suites – Clean, affordable, and centrally located. Wells Chinatown Motel – Budget stay with some Wild West flair. Angel Lake RV Park – Full hook-ups, pet friendly, and near outdoor action. Camping Nearby – Primitive campsites at Angel Lake, or boondock out on BLM land for total solitude.
🗓 DAY ONE: Gateway to the Past
☀️ Morning: Step Into Pioneer History
Start with breakfast at Bella’s Restaurant & Espresso, hearty plates and strong coffee with friendly local vibes. Head to the California Trail Interpretive Center (20 minutes west in Elko), an immersive and family-friendly museum that tells the tale of pioneers who crossed the wilds you’re now exploring. Swing by the Wells Historical Society Museum, housed in a historic schoolhouse, to see old photos, mining tools, and tales of the town’s railroad and ranching roots.
📸 Photography Hotspots:
Old Wells Depot and rusting railcars. Nevada cowboys herding cattle in early morning light. Mural-covered alleyways off 6th Street.
🍴 Lunch:
Grab a table at Luther’s Bar & Grill, known for burgers, BBQ, and small-town charm.
🏞 Afternoon: Mountains, Lakes & Petroglyphs
Take a winding drive up into the East Humboldt Range to reach Angel Lake, a stunning alpine lake surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Swim, hike, fish, or just breathe in the pure silence. For something more offbeat, head toward Twelvemile Hot Springs (4WD recommended), where you can soak in a natural pool at the base of the Ruby Mountains. Explore White Rock Petroglyphs, an archaeological treasure trove of ancient etchings, quiet, mysterious, and humbling.
🧘♀️ Health & Wellbeing:
Meditation or yoga by Angel Lake at sunrise or sunset is transcendent. Soaking in a hot spring under the stars = desert bliss.
🌙 Evening: Rustic Eats & Small-Town Nights
Dine at Four Way Café, unpretentious, home-cooked comfort food. Grab a drink or play some pool at Mizpah Club Bar, the town’s longtime watering hole. Want something quirky? Try karaoke night at Luther’s, yes, even in Wells, there’s a mic with your name on it.
🗓 DAY TWO: Wacky Wonders & Wide Open Adventures
☀️ Morning: Quirky Roadside Stops
Fuel up at Trail 93 Café, don’t skip the cinnamon rolls. Visit the Battle Mountain Cowboy sculpture off US-93, a kitschy roadside figure that screams photo op. Drive out to Metropolis Ghost Town, where a crumbling schoolhouse and silent foundations tell of dreams gone dusty.
👣 Hobbies & Hidden Gems:
Rockhounding for garnets and geodes in the surrounding foothills. Stargazing with zero light pollution, download a night sky app and go wild. Try your hand at cowboy photography or plein air painting.
🍽 Lunch:
Grab a giant burrito from Super Burrito, fast, friendly, filling.
🎨 Afternoon: Antiquing, Arts, and Exploring
Check out Rusty Relics in downtown Wells for antiques, ranch gear, and odds-and-ends that belong in a Western movie. Visit Wells Artists Co-op (seasonal pop-ups) for local art, leatherworks, and handcrafted jewelry. Hike the Mary’s River Basin Trails for solitude and a chance to spot deer, hawks, or the occasional wild horse.
🎯 Themed Trip Ideas
👨👩👧👦 Family Adventures:
California Trail Center Angel Lake paddle picnic Hot spring swims (with supervision)
👯♀️ Girls’ Getaway:
Mineral soaks at Twelvemile Hot Springs Antique shopping Stargazing wine night by a firepit
👬 Guys’ Trip:
Off-roading to Metropolis or Spruce Mountain Beer & BBQ at Luther’s Fishing or hunting in Ruby Valley
🧭 Solo Traveler:
Petroglyph hikes, meditative mornings, local storytelling Journaling by the lake Zero crowds, just you and the desert wind
🚐 RV Wanderers:
Angel Lake Campground or dry camping off BLM trails Easy hook-up at local parks Grocery stop at Raley’s before hitting the backroads
🍴 Must-Try Local Eats:
Bella’s – hearty diner-style breakfast Luther’s – cowboy fare, great for groups Super Burrito – no-frills Mexican deliciousness Trail 93 Café – small, sweet, and satisfying
🌄 Surrounding Area Day Trips
Ruby Valley Wildlife Refuge – migratory birds, wide-open beauty, and quiet fishing spots Spruce Mountain – historic mining ruins and 4WD adventures Angel Creek Campground Trails – lesser-known hiking paradise Jiggs – blink and you’ll miss it, but that’s the magic
🧭 Final Thoughts: The Unexpected Magic of Wells
Wells, Nevada may look like a dusty crossroads at first glance, but spend a few days here, and it becomes something deeper. It’s where time slows down, where strangers wave, where stars don’t compete with streetlights. It’s ancient and unfiltered, real and raw, and full of stories that whisper on the wind.
So whether you’re driving cross-country or seeking your next great Western escape, make time for Wells. The desert is waiting.
Hagan Happenstance 