Middle of nowhere? That's how I would describe Death Valley Junction. It's a place on the way to…read moreBaker coming from Death Valley, or the other way around. You drive from Nevada to California and this is the junction. It might not sound that appealing but somehow it is. I was a tad obsessed to find it. It's a place, more or less represented by an empty building placed in the middle of the desert, across from Amargosa Opera House. Like any place, this has a story, it used to be more populated and lively. Later on, the building was used in cool movies like: "The Hitcher" (remember a crazy Rutger Hauer chasing a teen C. Thomas Howell through the desert?) or David Lynch's "Lost Highway". This place isn't for everybody, it's for those who love the desert, its ruins, their decrepit beauty. You're not on a lost highway, just a tad in the middle of nowhere. So keep your eyes on the road to see Death Valley Junction!

Death Valley Junction and especially the Opera House and of Marta Becket have always held a great…read moredeal of significance in an early existence while still a child with my Mom, Jeanie May and my sister Deena. We spent several magical months at the Amargosa hotel. Mom had history with Marta, June Schuman who was in the vaudeville circuits and other desert people who found a sense of joy and creativity in this place full of positive vibrations. This was '67 or '68 as I recall.......Mom, June, and Marta would spend the summer evenings recalling past experiences in the world of dance, production, things I didn't fully understand at the time, but which seemed magical. After visiting this wonderful and magical place again, this past year it still retains it's enchantment! Visit this place and you will feel this sense of magic and be uplifted.....

It's expensive, crowded and the people are rude. Don't waste your time. The yell at you and heard…read moreyou around like animals.

My 6 year daughter loves this diamond in the rough Gem store. Lots of things for kids and adults…read morealike to enjoy. If your kids are into minerals, rocks, or gold panning this place is for you! We got the $35 bucket of gem and 3 pounds of paydirt. My daughter had a blast for hours looking for gems and gold. I highly recommend this place.

So I make no bones about my love for abandoned things. Yes, it does make me feel a bit like Indiana…read moreJones minus the whip, cool factor, and the only real enemy here in the desert is me being unprepared or doing something stupid. They Keystone Mine is roughly halfway between the Panamint Valley and the Barker Ranch of Charles Manson fame. It is just before the Death Valley National Park boundary. During its productive years used to mine gold. I simply explored the mine entrance and offices. The mine itself is located away from the main gate area and involved pretty rough terrain over miles of switchbacks to get to so I passed. I did attempt to drive above the wash plant and encountered conditions that I could have gotten past with my stock 2016 MDX but decided not to chance it given there is no one out here and no cell service. The main building was pretty cool to explore as were the remains of the washplant, the swimming pool, and the shower area. As with most of these places there is plenty of stuff abandoned in place decaying slowly in the dry conditions. There is also a lot of fauna about if you are patient. From various raptors to wild sheep and donkeys Aside from this there are no services etc so you need to bring whatever you want to use. There are a few camping areas and some of the cabins are for public use. There is also lots of flora and fauna if you are patient. If you want to get to the actual mine, a legit off road capable vehicle with good ground clearance is needed. Also you need to be prepared for desert conditions. I made the run in April and it was still mid 80's. Summertime may be much higher.

If you like hot and dusty this is the place for you. Don't mind the wondering horses and donkeys…read more Don't bother them and they will stay away from you.

At one time, I was fond of the town of Pahrump, but nowadays, it is just becoming extremely…read morecrowded. Some of the children are so out of control. Many adults act as they are the only people who matter and are extremely rude. Most of the roads throughout the town need major work done to them. I keep wondering who I should send my receipts to for the replacement rims for my car. The potholes throughout the town are responsible for the damage and are extremely harmful.

Small desert town in Nevada, cute, quiet, with charm, fun to spend a few nights in while visiting…read moreDeath Valley National park. Pleasant weather in December when we visited, but it gets cool at night and in the morning. Not recommended to visit during summer months when it gets too hot! Too bad I didn't get to visit the museum since they close at 3 pm! Not enough time. I would have loved to find out more about its mining history. I did check out Rhyolite Ghost Town and Goldwell Open Air Art Museum that are right before you enter Beatty and I would strongly recommend you to visit them! The Death Valley Fruit and Nuts store should be a must visit- delicious desserts and cheap gas! A few small restaurants where you can dine in -Sourdough Saloon was a favorite and other quirky local bars. A few motels around where you can stay while visiting Death Valley. We liked El Portal! We were able to walk to some restaurants from our motel, otherwise, a short drive to everything! The town is small, has some character, I wish I had more time to explore it. A couple of gas stations, stores, no major supermarket, a library, quirky locals, nice for a few days! It's in the desert, right past the border from California via Death Valley National Park. Great location since you can find cheaper accommodation and eateries in Beatty, wonderful home base, entry for the park. No burro-s in sight for us, sigh!

So much history in one place. Park at the Visitors Center and walk around. Lots of photo ops…read more Check out the old hotel.

*** perfect spot to view wild horses of Pahrump ***…read more Calvada Meadows Park in Pahrump, NV is a medium-sized park with many trees, a water fowl pond with a bridge and a fountain, benches, a concrete walking path, memorials for Art Bell, Rotary Club, and First Responders, as well as dedication flags affixed to the lamp posts to honor local military members. The locals, including my daughters' grandparents, refer to this park as "The Eye." There were no public restrooms that I was aware of when I first visited on November 24, 2025. Parking along the one-way street entrance and some lot spots were available. Leashed dogs are allowed, but I saw several dog owners who should have either A) walked their tethered canines further away from the equine distinctness or B) at least kept their mutts on their leash. Do they not realize how quick and powerful horses are? Especially when colts/fillies are present?! These are probably the same owners who do not partake in the free dog waste bags and pick up after their dogs. I'm sure it's the lush green grass and water feature that attracts the horses - and sometimes donkeys - here. Nye County keeps this place relatively clean - including the piles of equine manure, but still - watch your step. ;) Some transients hand out and possible drug deals take place here - per my perception. Pahrump has a big substance abuse disorders and crime problem, so go figure.

This park is scenic with beautifully large trees, open green grass, bridges leading to canopies of…read moretrees surrounding by the water, and the wildlife ranging from ducks, geese, turtles and the incredible wild horses makes this place special for the locals. They care for the well being of the wild herd and their little family. It's a feature of the park that is magical. Please don't disturb the horses- they are green and stick together very closely. Locals are so protective over them, including my mom who lives a minute away & sees them every day. When mama calls, the babies come running!

The Amargosa Big Dune covers about five square miles or 3,200 acres in Southern Nye County, about…read more29 miles south of Beatty on U.S. 95. They do allow camping around the dune areas but since there are no real campsites, they are not ADA accessible. The entire dune is protected as a BLM designated Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). Within the ACEC, a five-acre area on the east side of the dunes has been set aside specifically for protection of the Big Dune Beetle which is listed as a sensitive species. The BLM has posted signs identifying the Big Dune Beetle habitat area. There are also dune grasses which can be damaged by dune buggies going off the approved areas. South of Amargosa is the Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge which is run by The Nature Conservancy. Only street-legal, licensed vehicles are permitted within the refuge boundary. The refuge provides habitat for at least 24 plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. Four fish and one plant are currently listed as endangered. This concentration of indigenous life indigenous life distinguishes Ash Meadows as having a greater concentration of life found only in one location than any other local area in the United States and the second greatest in all of North America.

Don't pass this tour up! It's been a month since our Vegas visit, but this tour was the highlight…read moreof our trip! Kristen was an amazing guide - great personality and energy. All the spots were amazing. I felt like I was in my 20s again visiting the cool bars we used to hang out in!! We have already suggested several people go on this tour. The arts district was super fun too. I'd do this again if the price points stays the same. This is fun for visitors, but locals too! If you have any physical limitations, there are a few difficult parts. There is one long walk. Half mile? There is 1 spot that has several stairs. There was some road construction with uneven parts that you have to be able to navigate through.

As of now, I've completed two Lip Smacking Foodie Tours--the Arts District Tour and the Chinatown…read moreSpeakeasy Tour. As a Las Vegas local who frequently visits both Chinatown and the Arts District, I was impressed that Lip Smacking Foodie Tours still introduced me to places I had never been to, along with a few restaurants that had already been on my list to try. Both of my tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely passionate about the local food scene. They made everyone feel welcome, and the experience felt personal from start to finish. I value great service just as much as great food, and they truly delivered on both. This may honestly be one of my favorite experiences in Las Vegas, and I plan on doing every tour they offer. Even the guests on my most recent tour shared that they make it a tradition to book a Lip Smacking Foodie Tour whenever they visit Las Vegas because it's one of their favorite ways to explore the city. I can't wait to experience the remaining tours. I've heard wonderful things about them, and based on the two I've already done, I'm confident they'll exceed my expectations.

Indian Springs (population 832) is an unincorporated town located on U.S. Route 95 about 45 miles…read moreoutside of Downtown Las Vegas. It is at an altitude of 3,169 feet. There are two prisons (medium and medium-maximum security) and one correctional camp (minimum security) which employ the largest number of people in Indian Springs. Creech Air Force Base is also located in town staffed by approximately 3,500 active-duty, Guard, and Reserve Airmen plus DoD civilians and contractors. It is a command and control facility engaged in daily Overseas Contingency Operations. They operate remotely piloted aircraft systems which fly missions across the globe. It was interesting to see these large drones flying when they first started in December of 1996. Indian Springs has grown quite a bit since I came out here rock hunting. It isn't the sleepy little bump in the road anymore but a town in its own right.

Love my Indian Springs. The community peeps are kind generous and always helpful to others in need…read more Im happy they excepted my family as part of theirs.

Second to last stop of our day at Death Valley. Lots of people but lots of area, keep walking out…read moreto the untouched areas where you see the sand ripples on the ground. A peaceful spot to watch some of the sunset.

This is a great stop while touring the park. There's a big parking lot with restrooms. You can view…read morethe dunes from the parking lot easily, but I highly recommend walking out onto the dunes a bit. This is such a photographic spot and so unlike any other spot in the park.