Special Nevada I-80 Side Trip

What comes to mind when you think of Nevada? Desert wasteland is a popular answer for those who’ve never explored the area. This is definitely not so in Elko County's Lamoille! A hidden treasure is Lamoille Canyon, located 25 miles southeast of Elko. A paved 12-mile road, designated by the US Forest Service as a national scenic byway, ascends the Ruby Mountains. I’ve been up to the Canyon numerous times and I never tire of its noble vistas, lofty 9,000 foot mountain peaks and somersaulting waterfalls. Two Forest Service picnic sites and one campground are open in the summer. At road's end lie trailheads to a queue of pristine alpine lakes. Summer months bring wildflowers including Nevada Primrose, Lupine, and Indian Paintbrush. Fall brings the spectacular color of the aspen leaves in shades of shimmering gold, flaming orange and brilliant red. Winter brings its own wonderland viewed best by snowmobile.

Quick Tips:

Plan to spend at least two hours for the drive up the canyon alone and at least three hours if you want to explore some of the trails.

Best Way To Get Around:

You will need your own (or a rental car) for this drive.

The Pine Lodge Dinner House is a true Lamoille, Nevada dining experience. You'll rub shoulders with the locals at this popular hangout. The food is great, they specialize in steak and seafood. The atmosphere is country rustic and casual. It's a great place for dinner after a day of hiking in the Rubies.

Typical of the prairie churches built throughout the Western United States, the Lamoille Presbyterian Church is one of the most photographed rural churches in America. A local landmark, the church has 'Nevada's Alps' as its backdrop, the stupendous Ruby Mountains.

The Ruby Mountains range in elevation from 8,800 to 11,000 feet and are surrounded by lowland valleys. They offer a verdant mountain oasis with perennial streams and 20 alpine lakes, the largest concentration in the state. The trail passes six lakes in its first six miles.

This is a wonderful, peaceful campground with a stream running through it. Each generously sized site is landscaped for privacy. Drinking water and restrooms nearby.

Ready for an adventure in the Ruby Mountains? This company offers summer horse pack trips, daily horseback rides, fishing trips, fully guided hunts, archery drop camps, muzzleloader drop camps and guest ranch activities. Call for more information, 775-777-3277.