Elko, Nevada Travel Guide

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Introducing Elko, Nevada!  Elko is home to around 20,000 people and is in northern Nevada in the Ruby Valley.  Elko is known for its Basque culture, which includes great restaurants and hosts the National Basque Festival!  Elko also has plenty of hiking, museums, and shops to explore. Located near Winnemucca, NV (1hr 50min, 126 miles), Twin Falls, ID (2hr 30min, 165 miles), and Salt Lake City, UT (3hr 15min, 230 miles), Elko makes a great pit stop on I-80, a day trip, or a weekend experience!

Elko has lots to do, especially outdoor activities.  The area has lots of hiking, fishing, and hunting areas.  Explore, hike, and camp in Lamoille Canyon, or try hiking Harrison Pass or Winchell Lake Trail.  Tee off at Ruby View Golf Course, or head to The Maverick Hotel and Casino for the Nevada staple.  Elko is home to many museums!  Learn about the area at the Northwestern Nevada Museum and the California Trail Interpretive Center or the cowboy life at the Western Folklife Center or the Cowboy Arts and Gear Museum.  Want to hear some live music?  Check who's playing at Duncan Littlecreek Gallery & The Gallery Bar.  There are lots of shops in Elko to enjoy.  Stop by Berzerk Streetwear, Hayley’s / Indigo, and JM Capricola Co. to find something new.

As mentioned, Elko is known for its Basque culture, which means there are tons of great restaurants nearby!  There are numerous Basque restaurants to choose from.  If you are unfamiliar with Basque, it is a small section of southern France and northern Spain. The region has its own language and culture, especially when it comes to food.  Basque restaurants typically have meat and seafood-forward dishes, as well as cheeses and wines.  Check out Toki Ona and The Star Hotel Basque Dining for an introduction to Basque cuisine.  Be sure to try the steak sandwiches at the latter!   Grab breakfast at Dreez, coffee from Cowboy Joe, and mimosas at McAdoo’s.  Have diner classics from Coffee Mug and sandwiches at Ogi Deli.  For dinner, try Odeh’s Mediterranean Restaurant for Mediterranean classics, Garibaldi’s Restaurant for Mexican, Luciano’s for Italian, and Blue Moon Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar for sushi.  Need a drink?  Try a local brew from 7018 Brewing.

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Need a place to stay?  Book a room at Quality Inn, Best Western, Shutters Hotel Elko, or Holiday Inn Express.  Want to camp?  Check out Elko KOA Journey, Iron Horse RV Park, and Thomas Canyon Campground.  Want a whole place to yourself?  Consider booking a Vrbo.  Here are some of our favorites: Family Home for 6, Charming Duplex for 4, and Cozy Studio for 4.

Want to visit Elko but not sure when?  Consider coming during one of their many festivals.  Attend the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering, which features music, art, and western merchandise.  As mentioned, come to the National Basque Festival, a longstanding festival celebrating Basque cuisine and culture.  Whatever you’re into, Elko, Nevada has something worth seeing.  We hope this travel guide gives you a glimpse into life in Elko that can inspire a future visit.

Happy Travels!

The Modern Travel Guide