BEST PLACES TO STARGAZE
Twenty minutes from the lights of downtown Ely, The Ward Charcoal Ovens offer photographers an otherworldly setting at the base of the Historic Ward Mining District, while across the valley, Cave Lake State Park is far removed from any lights and provide photographers with some of the most beautiful mountains in the county. Most photographers head far out of town but for those wanting to stay closer, the neon lights of historic downtown Ely offer a unique glow that looks amazing in front of our dark night sky.
BEST PLACES TO EAT
Ely has an array of dining options to keep you satisfied as you adventure across Nevada. For such a small town you can find anything from steakhouses to smoothies and everything in between. View dining options here.
BEST PLACES TO STAY
If you must close your eyes and miss all the nighttime grandeur, Ely has you covered. From nationally branded hotels, casino properties, small mom and pop motels, and even AirBnBs, You will find a comfortable place to rest your head. View lodging options here.
SERVICES
Hotel/Motel, RV/Campground, Gas, Dining, Shopping, Electric Charging Stations, Tire/Repair.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Visit the Nevada Northern Railway, Ward Charcoal Ovens State Park, White Pine Public Museum. Check out the downtown murals, Ely Renaissance Village, White Pine Golf Course, McGill Warm Springs Pool or Cave Lake State Park. Ely also has Garnet Hill Rock Hounding, Mountain Biking & ATV/OHV trails.
BEST PLACES FOR NIGHTTIME PHOTOGRAPHY
Ely has the highest concentration of interesting places that are worthy of your dream dark sky photograph. Whether it is historic landmarks, towering mountains, or gnarled trees you prefer in your foreground, you are guaranteed to have an amazing backdrop of stars.
The first stop every dark sky photographer must make is the Nevada Northern Railway train yard. This 56-acre facility has trains and buildings over 150 years old. For access to special trains and unique photo opportunities, consider signing up for one of the Nevada Northern Railway photo workshops.
Know before you go!
Learn everything you need to know to safely travel the Park to Park route.
Nevada is home to some really, REALLY wide open spaces. That means no cell service sometimes and long stretches
of highway with no gas stations, and yep, no restrooms. So please always be prepared for these conditions.
This website is sponsored in part by a grant
from the Nevada Commission on Tourism.
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