Uncommon Overnighters

Old Pioneer Garden Country Inn

It’s no secret that Las Vegas and Reno offer world-renowned whiteglove hospitality at lavish resort-casinos and amenitypacked roadside hotels. But elsewhere in Nevada, our perks are also our quirks. If, instead, you’re looking for a vacation that’s irresistibly different, Nevada’s array of unique retreats and unusual accommodations have got you covered.

At some point, we all feel the need to cut the cord to the 21st century and just get away from it all. Sure, there’s always the prospect of pitching a tent in the wilderness, but for those who want to more comfortably connect with the past, a perfect little mountain retreat awaits.

Old Pioneer Garden

Country Inn is one of the West’s most charming overnighters. The inn sits on verdant land that once fed the bustling silver mining town of Unionville. Even today, chickens and ducks chatter behind wicker fences, and fruit trees sway in the wind near a shaded creek.

Meet Your Hosts The Old Pioneer Garden embodies the dream of a family who moved to Unionville in the 1970s. Today, Mitzi and her son David still manage the inn. Mitzi, 98, is the business visionary: cottage design, property improvements, and décor are all her department. When she’s not entertaining guests, she can be found gardening or reading.

Uncommon Overnighters

Ghost town enthusiasts will be delighted to find remains of the old town slumbering a short walk from their room. Even a shack briefly occupied by Mark Twain awaits inspection. While the crumbling brick walls and tilted shacks set a picturesque scene, you might ask yourself where the rest of the town is. At the Old Pioneer Garden, you’ll actually be spending the night in it! The inn consists of a half dozen original homes and businesses dating back to the 1870s. While these residences exude a historic charm on the outside, their fully restored, modern interiors offer visitors all the comforts of home. The Hadley House— home of the town’s first blacksmith—is where short-term guests often stay. This cottage is best recognized by its beautiful gazebostyle sunroom—the perfect place for a morning tea and book. The large common area boasts a carefully curated library, a grand piano, mid-century couches, and an inviting hearth. The kitchen is ready for every homecooked creation, and its long dining table begs for an evening of board games and storytelling. It’s no wonder the Old Pioneer Garden is a favorite getaway for couples, artists, sewing circles, hunters, and Hollywood alike. In this garden-like canyon, there is no cellphone reception nor internet. Days are filled with afternoon chats and tours of the bucolic canyon, and nights are spent in rustic splendor sharing meals and enjoying the brilliant starlit sky.

PLANNING CHECKLIST

Stock up on groceries

Guests cook their own meals in a fully modern kitchen. The closest grocery stores are in Winnemucca or

Lovelock—each about an hour away.

Check availability

Old Pioneer Garden can accommodate one-night stays or large groups for an extended period.