Lida, Nevada is in Esmeralda County, a remote part of western Nevada, offering you a chance to escape big city civilization. Once a mining town, Lida is remembered in a historical marker on lonely highway 266--but for all that it's a ghost town, people still live there. That's its charm, of course: There's no cellular service out here, no amenities, nothing but dusty brown Nevada mountains and a sky full of stars.
Campgrounds
Much of the Lida area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, under the Battle Mountain field office. This means that you're usually welcome to try dispersed camping: Call the field office for current conditions, available locations and rules. Another 35 miles south, another ghost town, Gold Point, offers basic RV spaces and cabins. All money from rentals goes towards preserving the town. You'll also find a campground in Goldfield, 30 miles east of Lida. According to the Nevada tourism website, this RV park has a dump station, 10 full hookup sites and Internet access. Another RV park option is Fishlake Valley, near the town of Dyer and some 40 miles northwest of Lida.
Food
In this part of the world, you won't find many farmer's markets or large supermarkets. You may find basic groceries in Goldfield, Dyer and, further south, Beatty, but the closest grocery store is in Tonopah, around 60 miles north. Tonopah does, however, support a farmer's market. Tonopah has a smattering of fast-food joints, but also supports a Mexican restaurant and diner. The casino at Beatty, 70 miles south, has a diner-style restaurant, too, where you can pick up a salad or soup. But for guaranteed healthy food, you might be better off just grabbing some vegetables and meat to grill on your campfire.
Recreation
With so much good weather in summer, you'll invariably have a grand view of the sky. There's not much light pollution in Lida, so you'll catch the Milky Way and maybe a meteor or two. Since almost everything beyond numbered highways is dirt, off-road enthusiasts can enjoy their sport here, too. Lida lies just south of the Silver Peak Mountains, where you'll find the Clayton Valley sand dunes. Near Dyer, Fishlake Valley has bird-watching, hunting, fishing and hiking opportunities.
History and Culture
The Lida area literally oozes ghost towns. You can make a day trip out of hunting down the state historical markers along state highways 266 and 360, looping back on U.S. Highway 95. Don't miss the historic Goldfield courthouse. Or get up at dawn and walk Lida, though be aware it's still an occupied place. The mining museum at Tonopah explains the Silver State's namesake industry. A little further afield, on the road to Death Valley out of Beatty, you can explore the well-preserved ghost town of Rhyolite. Don't miss the Goldwell Museum, an open-air collection of giant sculptures and art center next door to Rhyolite.
Warning
According to the Access Esmeralda website, the average July temperature is 88.9 F. A life-saving piece of equipment is a hydration pack: Keep sipping, as you'll quickly become dehydrated. For a salty, protein-filled emergency supply, general stores often sell jerky. If you can, leave at, or before, dawn and return before noon for a siesta. Also, be aware that gas stations are few and far between. There's certainly gas in Tonopah and Goldfield, but the smaller towns don't always have stations. If your tank is small--motorcyclists take note--you might want to carry a spare gallon, just in case.
Member Comments