Dyer

Dyer

Dyer, NV is located in Esmeralda County, between the Silver Peak Range and the towering White Mountains that separate the Golden and Silver States. Visitors to this beautifully remote, pastoral corner of Nevada can enjoy a cozy vineyard B&B stay after exploring nearby ghost towns, the nation’s first designated wild burro range, beautiful Fish Lake Valley, and 13,140' Boundary Peak—Nevada’s tallest summit.

Far-Flung Fun in Fish Lake Valley

Backroad Bliss at the Base of Boundary Peak

Dyer, NV is a tiny farming town on the very edge of the Silver State, nestled against the foot of the hulking, beautiful White Mountains, which separate Nevada and California. Located in the heart of fertile Fish Lake Valley—via an easy alternate route off the Free-Range Art Highway—Dyer makes a great place to set up an HQ for exploring a number of intriguing ghost towns, wide-open wildlife areas, and the arduous trek up to Nevada’s tallest peak—as well as to knock a couple back in a day’s end celebration in a couple of classic Sagebrush Saloons.

central nevada region

Region

Central

Average Temperatures

Summer

91°F

33°C

52°F

11°C

Fall

71°F

22°C

34°F

C

Winter

49°F

C

19°F

-7°C

Spring

68°F

20°C

34°F

C

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History of Dyer, Nevada

The Paiute and Shoshone peoples were the first to live in and travel through the Fish Lake Valley region, following game drawn to the area’s lushness and harvesting fish from the many bodies of water formed by stream runoff and numerous springs. Euro-Americans showed up around 1866 to found the Palmetto Mining District, specializing in borax.

original dyer post office
Original Dyer Post Office
early borax mining
Early Borax Mining

In 1881 a post office put the community on the map, which took its name from Postmaster Alex P. Dyer. Parts of that post office—and many other interesting Esmeralda County artifacts—can still be seen at the Fish Lake Valley Heritage Center & Museum.

Travel Nevada Pro Tip

In addition to everything in Dyer’s immediate vicinity, the community also offers access to Death Valley National Park’s lesser-trafficked northern reaches, like Eureka Dunes, Ubehebe Crater, Racetrack Playa, and more.

Things to Do Near Dyer, Nevada

If you’re looking for a place to get outside for some all-to-yourself backcountry exploration, the region surrounding Dyer delivers in a big way. One of the most fascinating draws out here is the ability to wander back in time, especially among some classic Nevada ghost towns. 

53 miles southeast of Dyer, Gold Point offers one of the best glimpses of an 1860s–1940s mining camp that you may ever encounter, thanks to the preservation efforts of the two history buffs who own and maintain it. The town’s several blocks are lined with numerous vehicles, old mining equipment, and dozens of buildings, including the original post office, general store, an elaborate Sagebrush Saloon, homes with original furnishings, and several miners cabins that—and here’s the kicker—you can stay the night in.

gold point
Gold Point Ghost Town
candelaria
Candelaria Ghost Town

About an hour’s drive north of Dyer, 1864-founded Candelaria wows visitors with still-standing miners cabins, stone storefronts (including of the Wells Fargo bank building) hillsides terraced with stone foundations of old mills, and a historic cemetery—all legacies of the once-richest and once-largest silver mining town in the region.

About 20 miles west of Candelaria lies Marietta, which was once the rowdy, lawless salt mining capital of Nevada, producing salt and borax for shipment—by mules and camels—to Virginia City and other 1870s boomtowns. Wander among the old stone walls of “Borax” Smith’s general store, old miner’s cabins, and stone-lined gravesites as you take in the vista of Teels Marsh. 

Wildlife lovers also flock to the Marietta area to spot the ghost town’s only current residents: one of the largest herds of wild burros in Nevada. Hundreds of burros roam the nation’s first formally recognized wild burro range, which covers an area of about 68,000 acres, and are fun to look for, as well as listen to when the dense herd lets off its chorus of telltale braying. 

wild burros
Marietta Wild Horse and Burro Range
Boundary Peak
Boundary Peak

Dyer, NV is also the closest town to the highest point in Nevada—13,140’ Boundary Peak—and makes a great base camp for intrepid hikers looking to tackle this highly challenging trail. The trail gains nearly 3,300 feet of elevation over the course of roughly four miles, making for a tough 8+ mile round-trip—but one that pays off with massive 360-degree panoramas of Nevada, California, and the White Mountains, in which the Boundary Peak Wilderness is situated, along with a romp through a grove of ancient bristlecone pines, the oldest trees on the planet.

Whether your legs are rubber from a killer hike or simply a day of road tripping, it’s hard to beat a sunset soak at Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs, a large cement tub of naturally hot water that drains into a beautiful set of ponds, surrounded by sweeping vistas of the Snake Range and the White Mountains. Camping is free at this county-maintained site, which makes it a stellar spot to stargaze; just be sure to brush up on Travel Nevada’s Hot Spring Etiquette Guide before you go.

 Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs
Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs

Where to Eat and Drink in Dyer, NV

Although the population of Dyer is only a little over 300, you have your pick of two different Sagebrush Saloons. (After all, this is Nevada.) Appropriately named, The Boonies delights visitors and locals alike with juicy burgers, fries and onion rings, and drinks of all kinds while they shoot some pool, play foosball, or chat it up with some friendly locals.

esmeralda market gas & deli
Esmeralda Market Gas & Deli
the boonies
The Boonies

Just down the street, Fish Lake Valley Saloon offers ice-cold beer, wine, and the only pizza for miles in a country town atmosphere accented by pool tables, shuffleboard, and tunes on the stereo. Meanwhile, the Esmeralda Market sells deli sandwiches, occasional Mexican bites, coffee and iced lattes, plenty of snacks, and a smattering of camping supplies.

Lodging in and Around Dyer, NV

Accommodation-wise, the Dyer, NV area offers some truly unique and memorable options. Queensland Vineyard Bed & Breakfast offers beautiful, comfortable, pet-friendly rooms and a delicious fresh breakfast. And yep; you read that right: vineyard. Fish Lake Valley is fertile and temperate enough for the family-run operation to grow eight different grape varietals on its gorgeous grounds with stunning views of the White Mountains. Going for something a little more rustic? Esmeralda RV Park, Cabins & Campground has 22 full hook-up RV spaces, several historic cabins, and plenty of tent camping spaces. 

lodging dyer nv
Queensland Vineyard Bed and Breakfast
gold point ghost town bed & breakfast
Gold Point Saloon

If you’re looking for a classic Uncommon Overnighter, there are two within about an hour’s drive of Dyer. Gold Point Ghost Town Bed & Breakfast presents the opportunity to stay overnight in historic miners cabins, which look straight out of the 19th century on the outside, but are adorned with comfortable retro furniture within—all located inside an actual ghost town. Arrangements can be made to hit up the historic—and amply stocked—Sagebrush Saloon, make visits to the old mining areas, cook up a bunch of cowboy dinners, and even shoot off a bunch of guns.

Meanwhile, Hard Luck Castle is a genuine Weird Nevada wonder in the form of a four-story castle built on top of a 100+ year old gold mine. The four bedrooms and decor are luxurious and ostentatious in the best of ways. Amenities include a 360-degree-view rooftop solarium (and primo stargazing spot), a hot tub, a working pipe organ, and far more. Oh yeah, and the mine itself, which you can request to tour for a small additional fee.

Hard Luck Castle
Hard Luck Castle & Mine

#TravelNevada

Whether you’re exploring ghost towns, summiting Nevada’s tallest peak, or soakin’ it up in a natural hot spring, be sure to tag your pics with #TravelNevada so we can follow—and maybe even share—your Dyer, NV adventure.

Fish lake valley hot spring. Geothermal exploration well to the right, under some artesian head as there is no pump, emptying into the pool then a collection pond. Nevada’s highest point, boundary peak, in the background. #hotsprings #fishlakevalleyhotsprings #fishlakevalley #esmeraldacountynv #nevada #travelnevada #whitemountains #boundarypeak #boundarypeaknevada
What an absolutely insane weekend. First I conquered the highest peak in Las Vegas, Mt. Charleston. Then, I conquered the highest peak in Nevada, Boundary Peak, sitting at 13,146 ft above sea level. There was a total of 29 miles and over 11,500 ft of elevation gain. I would have never attempted this without the best crew of people! Can’t wait for our next big adventure! 

#hiking#lasvegas#scramble#rockclimb#nature#outdoors#wanderlust#explore#nevada#mtcharleston#boundarypeak#hellofrom#outdoorphotography#mountains#workout#girlsthatclimb#blueskies#beautiful#love#snow#exploremore#roamtheplanet#travelgram#trails#wilderness#mountainlife#peakbagging#lasportiva#calvinklein#highpeaks
[October 10, 2021] #motivationmonday: Situated halfway between Reno and Las Vegas and coming in at 13,147ft (4,007m), Boundary Peak is Nevada’s highest point! Getting its name from its border with California, this peak requires the use of high clearance 4WD just to reach the trailhead; and its remoteness meant that I was the only person on the trail that day. With fresh snowfall, the 10 mile (16km) round trip & 3,200 ft. elevation gain up the Queen Mine trail made the hike all the more challenging. Combined with the 8 hour round trip drive from Lake Tahoe, this hike made for an extremely long day and one of the most challenging done to date!
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40 state highpoints down (NC GA MO SC AL MS VA TN AZ FL LA IL IN OH KY AR KS OK NM TX NH VT NY MA CT NJ RI NE CO MI WI MN IA WV PA MD ND SD ME & NV + DC), 10 more to go!
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#dannygtravels 🌎🏃‍♂️ #boundarypeak #middleofnowhere #nevada #silverstate #california #sierranevada #daybreak #sunrise #reachingnewheights #takeahike #viewsfordays #skycountry #selfie #survival #beimpressive #skyhigh #motivation #ontopoftheworld #highpointers #throwback #autumn #stealmysunshine #allthefeels #letitsnow #allalone #solotravel usa_highpointers highpointersclub highpointersfoundation thehighpointers
Saying goodbye to Fish Lake Valley, Nevada this morning!  What an unexpected, and fantastic stay it has been these past few days!  There hasn’t been much for internet here, but as soon as we get to our final destination (for a month or two anyway), I will definitely be blogging, reviewing and posting all about our experience here!! Thought I would get a cute pic of the “co pilots” in front of the chuck wagon this morning….this will have to do.  As per usual, I get about 20 “outtakes”, just to get 1 photo I can use 😂. Swipe for what really goes on while trying to photograph these guys 🤣#fishlakevalleynevada #nevadalife #travelwithdogs #travelday #photoouttakes #rvlife #rvlifewithdogs #sitstay #rvlifediaries #travelfulltime
Fish Lake Valley Heritage Center and Museum is a fun stop if you are in the area.  The owner has done a wonderful job restoring and displaying local structures and historical items. 
You can grab lunch, cold drinks and gas in Dyer. 
 #ghosttownsofamerica #ghosttowns #ghosttownsofnevada #nevadaghosttown #nevadaghosttowns #esmereldacountynv #nevadabackroads #roadlesstraveled #nvmag #travelnevada #esmereldacountynv #goldfieldnevada #fishlakenevada #dyernevada
Endless Highway, Unmarked Dirt Rd, Fish Lake Valley, NV.
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#DFMI #TravelNevada #nvmag #explorenevada #naturalnevada #nevadaliving #onlyinNV #DiscoverNV #modernoutdoors #natgeoyourshot  #natgeotravelpic #Yourshotphotographer #negativemag #OurPlanetDaily #lonelyplanet #mylpguide #usinterior #bealpha #divine_deserts sonyalpha
Shout it from the mountaintop! Specifically, Boundary Peak in Esmeralda County, the highest point in Nevada at 13,147 feet. Happy #NevadaDay! #BattleBorn 📸: travelnevada
The salt flats of dry Fish Lake were brilliant white in middle of the afternoon. The rightmost of the two snowy peaks on the far left (and in the next photo, on the far right) is the highest point in Nevada. Boundary Peak is 13,147ft. The slightly higher peak to the left of it is Montgomery Peak, California, at 13,447ft. The state border runs right between the two peaks. Nevada got kind of screwed with its highest peak being a sub peak of a mountain in another State.

In the 4th and 5th pictures is a view of White Mt. Peak at 14,246ft. From the valley bottom at the salt flats, where i am, that's a rise of 9,551 feet. That's huge.
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#adamelliottphotography
#westbysouthwest #salt #lakes #igsouthwest #beyondvegas #naturalnevada #explorenevada #onlyinnv #puresouthwest #nevada #landscapephotography #capturelandscapes #landscape_lovers #landscape_captures
The beginning of our trip this past weekend. First stop Fish Valley Lake. travelnevada , like Tyler’s alcohol and spring pairing? The other folks that made him take the picture would say so too! #hotsprings #nevadaspeaks #fishvalleylake #dyernevada #homemeansnevada #pairing #nevadaskies #coloredmountains #travelnevada #roadtrip
Waking up just under 10,000 feet in the Boundary Peak Wilderness, looking down at the first rays of light make their way into Nevada’s Fish Lake Valley …
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