Described as “Nevada’s liveliest ghost town,” Pioche offers a glimpse into the West as it once was. This small, picturesque town and Lincoln County seat, tucked high in the mountains of southeast Nevada, has many of its original buildings still in good standing. Of note are the 1873 opera house, 1895 Mountain View Hotel, 1912-era school building, and the famous “Million Dollar Courthouse,” a structure originally bid at just $26,400 which ended up costing $1 million. Today, the building houses the Pioche museum, full of amazing relics, including one of the train engines used to haul ore from the old Jack Rabbit Mine.

Another fascinating Pioche attraction is the cemetery, where visitors will find “Murderer’s Row.” Set apart from the rest of the graves, “Murderer’s Row” contains many unmarked graves that are said to belong to more than 100 of the town’s early-day murderers. If you want to get away, the Silver State Trail, a 260-mile OHV route with three trailheads, is close by.

At one time, Pioche was known for being one of the roughest, toughest mining towns in the Old West. With its silver boom, Pioche quickly grew to one of the largest mining towns in the region in the early 1870s. Gunslinging was a favorite pastime, which is how the town earned its notorious reputation. Today, it’s home to quiet, law-abiding citizens who welcome out-of-towners with open arms.

Visitors also will find great hunting and trout fishing and easy access to some of the most scenic state parks in Nevada. Echo Canyon State Park is situated just 12 miles southeast of Pioche, while Spring Valley State Park is 18 miles away.