10 Reasons Why Pioche is Worth a Road Trip

Million Dollar Courthouse

In the beginning, Pioche was no different than most Nevada mining towns. Prospectors discovered silver in 1864, and by the 1870s, business was booming. What comes along with a massively successful mining community? Unimaginable wealth, of course—and a need for law and order.

Pioche set out to build a new courthouse and jail with a budget of $26,400. This was still a lot of money in 1870s dollars, and to raise funds quickly, bonds guaranteeing at least 20 percent interest were sold. Construction took a year to complete, but the project was so mismanaged that the courthouse costs ran nearly $90,000 over budget. Officials had no choice but to finance it with high-interest bonds again.

The debt swelled to $181,000 by the 1880s, $670,000 by the turn of the century, and was ultimately paid off in 1937 for—you guessed it—one million dollars. Adding insult to injury, the courthouse was no longer in use at that point. Today, the Million Dollar Courthouse is a museum full of impressive stories and artifacts. The original jail cells, originally accessed via the second floor of the courthouse, are out back. Story goes that this place is all kinds of haunted, but you’ll have to be the judge of that one for yourself.

Nevada Slot Canyons Galore

Just 10 miles south of Pioche are the otherworldly landscapes of Cathedral Gorge State Park. Count on exploring buff-colored slot canyons, dramatic spires, and even a few natural tunnels, all formed by layers of volcanic ash deposited millions of years ago. Hiking is obviously popular here, but so is camping, picnicking, stargazing, and wildlife spotting.

Cathedral Gorge was one of Nevada’s first four state parks, and its original infrastructure was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. As you’ll soon discover, Pioche is surrounded by state parks, and the visitor center at Cathedral Gorge provides ample information about them all.

Historic Downtown Pioche

The first thing you need to do when arriving in Pioche? Put the car in park and walk through downtown. Real-deal history is everywhere you step, and some Main Street buildings have been standing since the 1870s. The entire area is awash in picture-perfect character.

Highlights include the stately Thompson’s Opera House, the newly aglow Gem Theater, the Lincoln County Historical Museum, and the Overland Hotel & Saloon (featured further in this story). You’ll also find cafés and clubs for refreshments, multiple lodging options, and lots more.

Pioche Aerial Tramway & Historic Walking Tour

One can’t miss attraction in Pioche is the historic aerial tramway. Built by the Pioche Mines Company in the 1920s, this gravity-powered tramway (with a backup motor) carried silver ore from the mines down Treasure Hill, eventually delivering its payloads to the Godbe Mill at the base of town. While many Nevada mines used aerial tramways, the one you see overhead in Pioche is the last of its kind in the state.

More notable mining structures in a state of arrested decay surround Pioche, but be sure to respect private property and take only pictures. Take a self-guided walking tour to learn history tidbits and discover gems sometimes hidden in plain sight.  

Murderer’s Row at the Legendary Boot Hill Cemetery

When thousands of miners and socialites flocked to the mining wealth of Pioche, so did plenty of bandits and troublemakers. While Tombstone and Dodge City always get top billing, Pioche actually had the reputation of being one of the rowdiest towns in the Wild West. With 78 saloons and a population of only 6,000, you might say it was completely standard for arguments to escalate to gunfight.

A whopping 72 people were laid to rest in one year’s time before a single person died of natural causes or a work-related accident. Another wild statistic? In the 1870s, a staggering 60 percent of homicides in the entire state occurred in Pioche. The slain were all entombed in Boot Hill Cemetery, which rests beneath the aerial tramway. Find Murderer’s Row near the back of the cemetery and you’ll see headstones inscribed with things like “Feared by Some, Detested by Others, Shot in the Back 5 Times from Ambush.”

Historic Overland Hotel & Saloon

You’ll need more than a day to experience everything Pioche has to offer. For a spirited stay, bunk up at the Overland Hotel & Saloon. “Ghost Adventures” successfully contacted the resident ghosts in 2014, and many employees and guests have stories of their own. Good news, though—the Overland can provide you an activity-free room upon request.

If you’re not into the supernatural, the Overland has comfortable, themed rooms that offer a good night’s rest. Options range from the Fishing Hole and the Bears Den to the Southwest Retreat and the Victorian Suite.

Spring Valley State Park

Meet another one of the state parks near Pioche. Located less than 20 miles northeast of town is Spring Valley State Park. Wind in and out of spectacularly scenic canyons on your way to a sizeable reservoir that boasts fishing, swimming, and boating.

Pioneer ranches—some dating back to the 1860s—fall within the modern-day park boundaries, leaving behind intriguing relics. Sights include stone homes, antique agriculture equipment, and more.

Pioneer Graffiti

When departing Spring Valley State Park, you could leave the way you came in—or you could follow the main road inside the park, take it past the historic ranch buildings, through a tiny sliver of accessible private property, and enter Echo Canyon State Park through the back. On that route, you’ll come across what we’re calling pioneer graffiti.

On a rock wall between these two parks, you’ll see names and drawings both etched and painted with wagon axle grease. Help preserve this historic wonder by not touching the markings or adding your own. And remember: This feature is not on public land, so please be brief and respectful.

Echo Canyon State Park

Your third, glorious Nevada State Park of the trip is Echo Canyon State Park. As its name suggests, towering rock walls abound, as does another reservoir. Fish by boat from the lake or post up on the shore under some lovely bridges. Camping here is highly regarded, and the hikes provide sweeping canyon views.

The Best Bar Hopping for Miles

All this adventuring will work up a thirst. Wet your whistle at three Sagebrush Saloons in Pioche—backcountry bars and historic watering holes with plenty of stories to tell. The aforementioned Overland Hotel & Saloon features a cherry wood Brunswick bar counter that came out of (what’s now) the ghost town of Kimberly, Nevada. The Alamo Club & Liquor Outlet used to be a Wells Fargo freight office and houses an original Pioche Bank vault in the back. Shoot pool inside the Nevada Club, which has a wagon frame on its awning. All serve ice-cold drinks and plenty of old-school charm.