Hard Luck Castle & Mine

Looking for unique places to stay in Nevada? Search no further than this four-story luxury castle built atop the 100+ year-old Hard Luck gold mine. The Hard Luck Castle is a Weird Nevada landmark, beckoning ghost towners, stargazers, anyone looking for an unusual place to stay for the night, and everyone in between.

First built by Randy Johnson, a Nevadan who got ahold of the Hard Luck gold mine and the 40 acres that surround it back in the late 1990s, the Hard Luck Castle quickly became anything he could dream up. Situated in a permit-free Esmeralda County, Johnson soon discovered he could build anything he wanted. Over the course of the next decade, his empire grew to four stories, sitting atop the original Hard Luck gold mine. Nearly 25,000 bricks make up this enormous, round desert castle, complete with large sun decks that encircle the whole property and a rooftop solarium offering up 360 views ideal for wildlife viewing and stargazing, several smokers and barbecues, and a hot tub. Inside, you’ll find an enormous parlor room with a 1920s working pipe organ, a castle coat of arms, luxuriously appointed bedrooms, and much more.

A new property owner has since taken over, bolstering Johnson’s original vision while adding lavish amenities to create an Uncommon Overnighter ambiance like nowhere else. The property can host 8-10 guests in four separate bedrooms, is pet friendly, and comes equipped with a fully stocked kitchen (and even a private chef for hire if your party so desires). Best yet, overnight guests may tour the Hard Luck Mine for a small additional fee—just ask property managers about it ahead of your visit.

Know Before You Go

The Hard Luck Castle is located off the Free-Range Art Highway road trip between Goldfield and Beatty on State Route 267, and borders the remote, northern edge of Death Valley National Park. While property managers are a quick 30 minutes away, visiting the Hard Luck Castle means navigating remote dirt roads by paper map with no cell service. For more information on this Uncommon Overnighter and booking your stay, get in touch with the property managers through Airbnb.