Outlying Communities

Paradise Valley (40 miles northeast of Winnemucca) Paradise Valley was first settled in 1863, as a granary and fruit- raising center for the mining camps of central and eastern Nevada and those of the southwest Idaho territory. Today, the town offers picturesque buildings and is a wonderful place to spend a day.

Just past Paradise Valley, you will find Hinkey Summit. Mid-summer is the time to find masses of colorful wild flowers!

McDermitt (74 miles North of Winnemucca)

McDermitt was established in 1865. The community grew up around an Army fortification. The fort protected the Virginia City – Quinn River Valley – Oregon Road. Lasting 24 years, this was the longest established Army fort in Nevada. Today, the community is a stopover for tourists traveling to Oregon and Idaho and boasts a large and proud Native American population.

Orovada (44 miles north of Winnemucca)

Orovada is known for excellent hunting areas. This community is a small farming and ranching community. Travelers enjoy the breathtaking views of the Sawtooth Mountains.

Denio (100 miles northwest of Winnemucca)

Denio is a remote ranching community located near the Nevada/Oregon border. It has a lot to offer the adventurous hiker, photographer or day-tripper and is a favorite resting point for many travelers. The valley and nearby mountains are abundant in wildlife, making the area a prime hunting destination. Rock hounds also enjoy visiting the local opal mines. Denio Junction has gas, food, a bar, a motel, and RV sites.

Golconda ( 16 miles southwest of Winnemucca)

Golconda’s hot springs were once well-known to western travelers long before the railroad established a station in 1868. The town site was made official in 1897 in conjunction with the development of the Adelaide mine. Several hotels/spas were built due to the hot springs, however not a single one remains and the hot springs have since been filled in. Today, Golconda houses a small population of residents and is known as the gateway to Midas, as well as several large mining operations in the valleys beyond.

Midas (60 miles northeast of Winnemucca)
 In 1907, more than 2,000 prospectors flooded the Midas area after hearing reports of gold strikes. When the ore turned out to be low grade in terms of quality and quantity, most of the people moved on. A cyanide mill caused another boom in 1915 which lasted seven years until the mill burned down. Sporadic mining continued until 1942. In the late 1990s, mining returned to Midas with a large underground gold and silver mine that is currently operational. Today, Midas has a small population of residents and a handful of older buildings remain, one of which – a saloon and café – is open to the public.