Hot springs. Black fire opal mines. Hunt land. The longest-running rodeo in Nevada. The largest lithium project in America. The McDermitt worth seeing is mostly past the truck stop.
We get the same questions at the desk: where are the springs, is the casino any good, what is at the fort, can my dog come, when does chukar season open. Here are the long answers, in one place.
A creek of geothermal water flows out of the basin at 120-126°F. Walk upstream until the temperature drops to where you want it, then sit in it. Best at sunrise — fewer people, the steam catches the light. Bring a towel, water shoes, and patience for a rough dirt road in.
A different feel — primitive open pools, 135°F at the source, more remote. Free, no facilities. Combine with the McDermitt creek for a full hot-springs day. High clearance recommended in spring.
The McDermitt institution. Cold beer, hot food, a few slot machines, regulars who will tell you exactly where the chukar are this season. Open later than you think. Cash and card both work.
A handful of original mid-1800s cavalry buildings still stand on tribal land. Respectful visitors welcome — the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe administers the area. Quiet morning walk, photo-friendly, no tour guide.
Black fire opal — Nevada's official gemstone — is found in only one place on earth: Virgin Valley, west of here. Royal Peacock has run pay-to-dig since 1981. Bank digging is $85/day, tailings cheaper, and what you find is yours to keep. Plan a full day plus the drive — it's about 2 hours from the front desk via NV-140 through Denio. Kids 12 and under dig free with a paying adult.
Good burgers in the middle of nowhere. A diner-bar-souvenir-shop at the only crossroads for an hour in any direction. The crowd is hippies, ranchers, hunters, and rockhounds heading to or from the opal mines. 8 AM-8 PM. Combine with Royal Peacock for a full day-trip.
When you're tired of Subway after two nights with us, drive an hour south. The Martin opened in 1898 to feed Basque sheepherders coming off the Santa Rosas, and still serves the same family-style: you sit with strangers at long tables, order an entree, and everything else — bread, soup, salad, beans, garlic, vegetables, wine — comes for the table. Steak Martin (rib-eye, lemon, garlic, mushrooms) is the signature. Open Mon-Fri 11a-9p, Sat-Sun 4p-9p. Reservations recommended on weekends.
Mule deer, antelope, chukar, sage grouse depending on season. Quinn River runs the Owyhee canyonlands east. Rock-hounders find agate, jasper, petrified wood, opal in the surrounding washes. We pre-set the room and have a hose for game-cleaning out back. Tell us your departure time — coffee is on at 5.
The largest lithium project in the United States is being built right next door. Crews stay with us by the week and month — see /crews for invoiced rates. Day-trippers: there is no public tour, but you can drive the access road as far as the gate.
McDermitt is small. Two of its events are big enough that the whole town fills up. Book a room three months out for both.
Held on the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Reservation. Native rough-stock riding, team roping, barrel racing, plus food booths and tribal drums and dancing in regalia. Family-friendly, day-long.
Rooms here sell out the Friday + Saturday before the rodeo. Call early.
The longest-running rodeo in Nevada — over 100 years and counting. Working ranch hands compete instead of pro circuit cowboys, which is why the event has the texture it does. Street dance after the rodeo runs into the small hours; sack races, egg races, and tug-of-war the next day.
This is the busiest weekend of the year for the motel. We hold blocks for ranch crews; book direct, call the desk.
Antelope opens mid-September, mule-deer rifle goes through October-November, chukar opens September 1 and runs to January 31. Hunters check in at sundown and roll out before sunrise.
We pre-set rooms and have a hose out back for game-cleaning. Tell us your departure time when you book — coffee from the Conoco at 5.
The town slows down. The mini-mart and Subway stay open on their normal hours. December is the cheapest time of year to stay; if you want a quiet hot-spring soak under cold-night stars, this is when to come.
General reference — always confirm with NDOW (ndow.org) for your specific unit and tag, especially limited-entry hunts.
Where: Santa Rosa Range (35 mi south), Quinn River drainage (east), Owyhee canyonlands (northeast). Most of the hunt land is BLM or USFS — public access, free. ndow.org has unit maps + tag deadlines.
Sep–May. Cool air + hot water = the right contrast. Avoid July afternoons (locals + heat).
Apr–Oct. Dry washes, accessible roads. Agate, jasper, petrified wood, opal in the surrounding ranges.
Sep–Nov. Antelope opens first, then deer, then chukar carries through winter.
May–Oct. US-95 is open year-round but spring snow + winter wind in the high desert make summer the easy time.
Oct–Mar. No light pollution for 70 miles. Bring a coat — high desert nights drop fast.
Dec–Feb. No events, no hunters, midweek deeply discounted by phone.
Two nights gives you both hot springs, a Santa Rosa scramble, and dinner at Say When without rushing. Three nights gets you the opal mine and a Denio Burger lunch. Book direct, pay less.
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