Less than an hour’s drive north of Las Vegas, Pahrump serves as the eastern gateway to Death Valley National Park. Tucked into a long, narrow desert valley, Pahrump is surrounded by public land with Charleston Peak and the Spring Mountains to the east and the Nopah Mountains to the west.
The extreme sports lover will find adrenaline-pumping trails in the region’s high-desert terrain, while history buffs can explore several ghost towns. Racing fans can drive a Corvette at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch. At Dumont Dunes the tallest dune rises 500 feet. The nearby Amargosa Valley has 20,000 acres of wetlands, and Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge provides sanctuary to plants and animals found nowhere else.
Pahrump plays host to such annual events as the Wild West Extravaganza, a circa-1800s Western celebration with hoedowns, fiddle contests, Pony Express trail rides and barbecues held in a boomtown tent city replica. Pahrump’s annual three-day Social Powwow features tribal dancers in native dress. Culturally themed events include the annual Pahrump Chautauqua, Art & Sol outdoor craft fair and Fiber Arts Festival. The Pahrump Fall Festival, with a parade, arts and crafts, rodeo and carnival, is a 30-year-old tradition.
You also can tour Pahrump Valley Winery, which introduced its Nevada Ridge zinfandel in 2005, or golf at one of four lush golf courses. Gaming, lodging and dining can be found at the Pahrump Nugget, Saddle West and Terrible’s Town Casino. Terrible’s Lakeside has an RV park.
Saddle West Hotel & Casino
Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Gambling Hall