Silver Springs NevadaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Silver Springs, Nevada.
1. Fort Churchill State Historic Park
HISTORIC MILITARY RUINS
Fort Churchill State Historic Park preserves the ruins of Nevada's first military post situated on 3,200 acres of protected land along the Carson River. Visitors can explore the remnants of this historic fort which played a significant role in Nevada's early development. The park offers educational exhibits, guided tours, and scenic hiking trails through the desert landscape.
2. Lahontan State Recreation Area
OUTDOOR WATER RECREATION
Lahontan State Recreation Area offers a vast reservoir perfect for boating, fishing, and water sports near Silver Springs. The recreation area features multiple campgrounds, picnic facilities, and beach access for visitors to enjoy. During peak season, anglers can catch various fish species while outdoor enthusiasts can explore miles of shoreline.
3. Buckland Station
HISTORIC WAY STATION
Buckland Station is a well-preserved historic way station that once served travelers along the Overland Route in the 1800s. The restored two-story building now functions as a museum showcasing pioneer life and the station's role in Nevada's transportation history. Visitors can tour the grounds and learn about this important stop on the early stagecoach and mail routes.
4. Silver Strike Casino
LOCAL GAMING DESTINATION
Silver Strike Casino is a popular local gaming establishment offering slot machines and table games in Silver Springs. The casino provides a friendly atmosphere with affordable dining options and regular promotions for visitors. It serves as both an entertainment venue and gathering spot for locals and travelers passing through the area.
5. Silver Springs Nugget Casino
GAMING AND DINING
Silver Springs Nugget Casino features a variety of gaming options in a convenient location along the highway. The establishment offers casual dining with classic American fare and regular special events for patrons. It provides a quintessential small-town Nevada casino experience with slot machines and friendly service.
6. Carson River
SCENIC RIVER RECREATION
The Carson River flows through Silver Springs offering fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The river corridor provides a green oasis amid the desert landscape with cottonwood trees and riparian habitat. Visitors can access the river at multiple points for recreation while experiencing an important waterway in Nevada's history.
7. Clown Motel
QUIRKY ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
The Clown Motel is an infamous roadside attraction known as one of Nevada's strangest overnight accommodations located a few hours from Silver Springs. The motel features a lobby filled with over 2,000 clown figurines, dolls, and paintings that greet visitors upon arrival. Frequently listed among America's most unusual or haunted motels, it sits eerily adjacent to the historic Old Tonopah Cemetery.
8. International Car Forest of the Last Church
UNUSUAL DESERT ART
The International Car Forest of the Last Church is a unique art installation featuring dozens of cars, trucks, and buses partially buried in the desert outside Goldfield. Created by artists Chad Sorg and Mark Rippie, the vehicles are painted with colorful murals and positioned in surreal arrangements. This free outdoor art gallery epitomizes Nevada's reputation for offbeat attractions and makes for a memorable photography stop.
9. Virginia City Historic District
PRESERVED MINING TOWN
Virginia City Historic District is a remarkably well-preserved 1800s mining town located within driving distance of Silver Springs. The wooden sidewalks, historic saloons, and Victorian buildings transport visitors back to the days of the Comstock Lode silver mining boom. Attractions include the Ponderosa Mine Tour, Virginia & Truckee Railroad, and numerous museums documenting Nevada's rich mining heritage.
10. Dayton State Park
HISTORIC MILL SITE
Dayton State Park preserves the site of Nevada's oldest settlement and the remains of Rock Point Mill along the Carson River. The park offers shaded picnic areas, hiking trails, and interpretive displays about the area's gold mining history. Visitors can explore the historic mill ruins while enjoying the natural beauty of the river corridor.
11. Union Hotel & Restaurant
HISTORIC DINING EXPERIENCE
The Union Hotel & Restaurant occupies one of the oldest buildings in nearby Dayton, offering both dining and a glimpse into Nevada's past. The establishment serves hearty American cuisine in a setting filled with historic photographs and memorabilia from the region's mining era. Visitors appreciate both the food and the authentic atmosphere of this well-preserved piece of local history.
12. Fernley Swales
HISTORIC EMIGRANT TRAIL
The Fernley Swales are deep ruts carved by thousands of wagon wheels during the California Gold Rush, preserved as a significant historical site near Silver Springs. These impressive trail remnants offer visitors a tangible connection to the hardships faced by pioneers traveling the California Trail in the 1840s and 1850s. Interpretive signs explain the historical significance of this National Register of Historic Places site and its importance to western migration.
13. Frey Ranch Estate Distillery
FARM-TO-FLASK SPIRITS
Frey Ranch Estate Distillery is a grain-to-glass operation where everything from growing grain to distilling and bottling happens on a single estate near Silver Springs. The facility produces award-winning bourbon, whiskey, vodka, and gin using ingredients grown on their 1,500-acre farm. Visitors can tour the production facility, learn about the distilling process, and sample craft spirits in the tasting room.
14. Churchill County Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Churchill County Museum showcases the rich history of the region through extensive exhibits on Native American culture, pioneer settlement, and agricultural development. The museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents chronicling life in this part of Nevada from prehistoric times to the present. Visitors particularly enjoy the reconstructed early 20th century street scene and the museum's Hidden Cave exhibit.
15. Lattin Farms
FAMILY-FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL ATTRACTION
Lattin Farms is a working family farm offering seasonal attractions including a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and farm market within driving distance of Silver Springs. The farm provides educational tours showing sustainable agricultural practices and connecting visitors to where their food comes from. Visitors can purchase fresh produce, homemade jams, and other local goods while enjoying activities like hayrides during special events.