7 Forgotten Roadside Stops Along Highway 50 — America's Loneliest Road
Most drivers blast through Nevada's Highway 50 without stopping. Here are seven genuinely eerie, beautiful, and overlooked spots that reward the traveler who slows down.
Why Highway 50 Rewards Patience
Life magazine once declared Highway 50 "the loneliest road in America" — and Nevada leaned into it. Small towns printed survival certificates for tourists brave enough to drive the whole stretch. But the real reward isn't the novelty bumper sticker; it's the silence between the towns.
1. Sand Mountain Recreation Area
A 600-foot dune rising from the desert floor, Sand Mountain hums in the wind — a sound locals call the "singing sands." Pull over at dawn before the OHV crowd arrives and you'll have the whole golden slope to yourself.
2. Middlegate Station
One of the oldest remaining Pony Express waypoints, Middlegate is equal parts museum and dive bar. The shoe tree out front is gone (it burned), but the spirit of leaving something behind lingers in the hand-written notes pinned to the walls inside.
3. The Grimes Point Archaeological Site
Free, zero crowds, and genuinely ancient: thousands of petroglyphs carved into basalt boulders by Great Basin peoples 8,000 years ago. The BLM trail is well-marked and takes about 40 minutes at a casual pace.
4. Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area
Similar to Grimes but higher elevation and cooler — this one sits at 6,600 feet in the Toiyabe Range. The interpretive trail loops past dozens of carvings; the campground here is free and first-come.
5. Spencer Hot Springs
Unmarked on most maps, Spencer sits about 25 miles north of Highway 50 on a dirt road your average rental car can handle. Two concrete tubs fed by a 122°F spring. Free. No facilities. Perfect.
6. Bob Scott Campground
Tucked into a pinyon-juniper forest at 7,000 feet, Bob Scott is the kind of campground where you wake up to no cell signal, juniper smoke, and absolute dark skies. $10/night. Bring cash.
7. Austin, Nevada Ghost Town District
Austin boomed in the 1860s silver rush and never quite figured out how to stop. The International Hotel, Stokes Castle, and three surviving churches all sit within two blocks of each other. Walk it in 20 minutes or spend an afternoon — either works.
Gear We Brought (and Actually Used)
We carried a Jackery Explorer 300 for charging camera batteries overnight in campgrounds without hookups — a genuine lifesaver on the no-power stretches. Highly recommend a 20L dry bag for the hot springs stop too.
FAQ
Is Highway 50 safe to drive alone?
Yes — cell coverage is sparse but gas stations appear roughly every 60–80 miles. Carry water, tell someone your plan, and you'll be fine.
What's the best time of year to drive Highway 50?
Late April through early June and September–October. Summers can push 100°F in the valleys; winters close some of the higher elevation side roads.
Do you need 4WD for the side trips?
Not usually. Spencer Hot Springs and Hickison both have maintained dirt roads accessible in a standard sedan. Check conditions at the local ranger station after rain.